I just love me some Rosie O’Donnell!! I may not ALWAYS agree with EVERYTHING she has to say, but I have so much respect for her fearlessness and honesty. And let’s not forget about all the wonderful things she does for charity and the arts!

Anyway, as a regular Rosie blog reader I got super sad when I saw the above photo posted on her homepage! ROSIE WEARING FUR?? Then I saw that a fan had asked: “Oh La La Rosie! fake mink of course right?” To which Rosie responded, “right. 80 bucks. second hand shop.” Yay! Not only do we love that Ro is rocking the fake stuff, but also praise her for supporting second-hand stores. Way to be kind to the animals AND the planet! Make sure everyone tunes into Rosie’s new variety show on November 26th at 8pm on NBC!

In just 13 short days the Broadway community will come out to participate in Wonderland — Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids’ 18th annual Broadway Bares fundraiser, executive produced by Jerry Mitchell and directed by Denis Jones. Still not exactly sure what I’m talking about? I’ll break it down for you.

Broadway Cares is “the nation’s leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization”, offering programs and support to those suffering with the disease. Broadway Cares also works closely with Actor’s Fund and the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative to provide a safety net for women in the entertainment industry who are coping with critical health concerns. Obviously the programs can’t run without funding, and so each year the Broadway community generously donates their time (and in this case their clothing) to raise much needed cash for these important programs. Broadway Bares is perhaps the biggest one evening fundraiser of the year, with last years earnings setting a record of $743,787.

Ecorazzi had the chance to sit down with choreographer Connor Gallagher who gave us the inside scoop to all of this year’s shenanigans. Connor first told me how impressed he was that “200 dancers, 13 stage managers, 12 choreographers, tons of assistants, a union tech crew and the Roseland staff all donate their time to come together for such an important event.” He continued, “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced — its people working for a cause that they believe in. The spirit and energy that surround the show is nothing like I’ve ever experienced.”

Connor also told me that this year MAC cosmetics will not only be donating a huge team of make-up artists and products, but that they will also be matching, dollar for dollar, all the money raised during the StripAThon — a separate fundraising portion of the event where dancers raise money through acquiring sponsors. And that Rosie O’Donnell is giving away a free cruise on R Family Vacations to the dancer who raises the most loot.

Last year Bebe Neuwirth and David Hyde Pierce performed live and this year you never know who just might show up. So if you wanna support a great cause and see the members of your favorite Broadway show strip down to their skivvies, visit the Broadway Cares website and get your tickets today!

After an only mildly successful stint as the host of the Oscars, Stewart is putting on his master of ceremonies hat (it’s blue with feathers) once again for the second Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education.

The celebrity infused fundraiser will help raise money for schools and educational programs for autistic children and adults. The last benefit was held in October of 2006 and raised more than $2.6 billion. THAT IS NOT A TYPO PEOPLE!!! 2.6 BILLION!!!!! [Ed note: Actually, that is a typo. $2.6 billion? The sourced article was a bit too generous, though we'd love to believe it true. Actual amount was $2.5 million.]

This year the Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education will take place on April 13th at the Beacon Theater in New York and will also air live on Comedy Central at 8 pm EST. You can expect performances by Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, Sarah Silverman and Amy Poehler. And appearances by Jonah Hill, Matthew Broderick, Kevin James, Rosie O’Donnell and Susie Essman.

Can’t afford to attend the event live (like me)? Don’t have cable (like me)? No worries! This year you can download the show on iTunes and xBox Live Marketplace for $1.99…with all of the proceeds going to charity, of course.

To find out more about Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education visit ComedyCentral.com. Break a leg, Jon!