Morrow TV: Rosie O'Donnell in 'America,' a drama about foster care

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Comic Rosie O'Donnell thought the book she took on the plane would merely be a way to pass the time.
But she unexpectedly connected with author E.R. Frank's story of foster-care children and abuse. "On the way home, I called the writer and found out the (movie) rights were available," she says. "And here we are ..."
"America" (9 p.m. EST Saturday, Lifetime) tells the story of a teen-ager who deals with his own abuse while navigating the often-cold world of the foster-care system. Newcomer Philip Johnson plays the title role; O'Donnell is the psychiatrist at a youth treatment center who helps him.
"America" is a change of pace for O'Donnell, normally known for her comedian side even when she's in the middle of a celebrity feud with people like Donald Trump.
For O'Donnell, a foster and adoptive mother, "America" was a tough movie to make. "This one (was) as healing as it was painful," she says. "It was emotional."
The film was made in Detroit, which almost acts as a character into itself. Overwhelmed by economic hard times and a high crime rate, Detroit looks as bad as New Orleans these days, she says.
"The people there are resilient," she says. "The city itself actually made us feel more in the part."
Johnson was discovered there for the role. He was 17 when O'Donnell noticed him lunching with his family. She approached him about the role. He had never acted before.
"One of the uncles said, 'Are you Roseanne Barr?' I said, 'Well, close enough.' Philip and I talked a little bit," O'Donnell says.
Challenges awaited. As an actor, Johnson had to open up himself to very strong emotions, O'Donnell says. An acting coach helped him. O'Donnell also confided about herself with Johnson.
"I shared some things about my childhood, and I asked him about his own history," she says.
Using her celebrity now to advocate changes in the foster-care system, O'Donnell says dramatic changes are needed.
"It has to be part of our national agenda," she says. "I've been very blessed in my career to be able to make a difference. To be able to do (movies) like this is the icing on a very huge cake."
Other highlights for the week of Feb. 22-28 (all times EST; listings subject to change; check local listings):

SUNDAY

-- "The 81st Annual Academy Awards" (8 p.m., ABC). Hugh Jackman hosts. Best Picture nominees are "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

MONDAY

-- "House" (8 p.m., Fox). A high-school basketball player is male and female.

WEDNESDAY

-- "America's Next Top Model" (8 p.m., CW). A new season of cat-fighting begins on the catwalk.

THURSDAY

-- "The Black List: Vol. 2" (8 p.m., HBO). African-American artists share their stories of struggles and triumphs.

SATURDAY

-- "Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live from the Fillmore" (11 p.m., Comedy Central). The comic-turns-actress is back onstage for standup.

(E-mail Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News-Sentinel in Tennessee at morrow2(at)knews.com.)
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