The Monday after Hemphill died,
Rosie O'Donnell praised her on her
show. She stated that Shirley was the first celebrity she met when she
first began stand-up comedy and credits Shirley with helping her land
her first paying job, by telling the managers to put Rosie on stage, at
a club where Shirley was also performing. Rosie also did a small
dedication to Shirley on her show.