Rosie O'Donnell stepped out in New York last night and commented to ET about her former boss, "The View"'s Barbara Walters.

Rosie told ET that Barbara has an open invitation to come on her upcoming variety show.

Rosie and her celebrity pals were in Manhattan Monday night for a benefit gala the funnylady threw: "Rosie's Gala, Building Dreams for Kids." Some of the attendees included Clay Aiken, Jane Fonda and Rachael Ray. Clay shares his excitement about Rosie's new variety show and gives us the latest on his three-month-old son Parker!

"I'm excited," Rosie tells ET about her new show. "I've been rehearsing for about three weeks. Today we did a whole rehearsal with Liza Minnelli for the opening number, which was beyond words."

Rosie's pal Clay expressed his support for Rosie's show.

"I think that really we're in a place in our country now where people need some excitement and some family fun and something to watch together to cheer them up," Clay says. "And I think there's no better person to do that than Rosie."

The "American Idol" alum also tells ET about his new son, saying, "He's doing well -- we're looking forward to our first Christmas together."

"Rosie's Gala, Building Dreams for Kids" will benefit children nationwide from low-income families and will provide free musical theater programs to New York City's neediest public school students.

Watch the video to hear more about Rosie and the night's events. And for more about her variety show, click here!