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And now the Rosie debacle. Caught spinning both of her clients' stories was publicist Smith. Although she denies Houston gave O'Donnell only 45 minutes' notice, claiming it was more like two hours, Smith admits that "Rosie was not a happy camper." Publicly, O'Donnell laced her show that day with gibes at Houston. Privately, according to sources familiar with the situation, the talk-show host was so steamed she ordered Smith to dump Houston as a client, or else O'Donnell herself would find a new publicist "Rosie did not give me any kind of ultimatum," Smith says firmly, insisting that O'Donnell isn't holding a grudge. Still, the talk-show host doesn't sound completely placated: "I'm sure that one day, when Whitney has another album, she will come back on the show. I'm not mad at her personally, [but] I did find it a little startling."

In any case, Paolo Montalban shouldn't leave town.

(With reporting by Joe Flint, Anna Holmes, and Degen Pener)

Originally posted Nov 14, 1997 Published in issue #405 Nov 14, 1997 Order article reprints
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