OPRAH SHOW SIGNS OFF By Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 marked a historic day in television history.
The award-winning Oprah Winfrey Show signed off after 25 years of being a top-rated show that attracted a mass audience from mothers to daughters to grandmothers to fathers to husbands.
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful and influential women in the world. She has never been at a loss for words, her confidence is contagious and she is not afraid to take a chance and express her opinions. Oprah has pushed the envelope with subjects such as gun control, same sex marriages and even moved into the political arena as she openly campaigned for the then presidential candidate, Barack Obama.
Who can forget some of her most memorable shows like the one when Tom Cruise jumped on the couch in an exuberance of love. Fans are still talking about that moment. Tearjerking reunions were common, amazing animal tricks were a sight to be seen and Dr. Oz’s expertise on medical topics came to be a priceless part of the celebrated show.
Audiences were surprised and taken back with giveaways such as a trip to Philadelphia for 131 audience members, a trip to Disney World for 217 audience members, an experience of a lifetime for a few women as they were given the opportunity to tour with Tina Turner in 1997 and a brand new car for every member of the audience during the 19th season premiere of the Oprah Show. As the 25th and final season began, the audience was jetted off to the ‘Land Down Under’.
She has been a humanitarian as she committed $10 Million of her own money to build new homes and create new communities for those families hardest hit by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. She gifted 50 young scholars in 2006 with a $10,000 college scholarship each.
Oprah covered a wide range of topics in spirituality, health, relationships, fashion and beauty, recommended books, food, entertainment and so much more.
Fantastic performances included a standup comedy routine by Jerry Seinfeld, Beyonce’s tribute and the legendary Aretha Franklin. Celebrities included Diana Ross, Celine Dion, Lisa Marie Presley, John Travolta, Whitney Houston, Chris Rock and the Judds.
We were whisked off on home tours of the rich and famous. Barbara Streisand’s dream home, Christie Brinkley’s Hampton’s hideaway, Linda Evan’s mountain retreat and Richard Branson’s island paradise are just a handful of beautiful places she visited.
Winfrey united star-studded casts of ‘The Color Purple’, ‘The Cosby Show’, ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and ‘The Sound of Music’.
Chicago gained notoriety and fame with Harpo Studios and drew tourists from all over the world. The Oprah Winfrey Show became a household name.
As the curtain began to come down, we cannot forget Oprah’s last words:
‘Gratitude is the single greatest treasure I will take with me and to have had the opportunity to have done this work, to be embraced by my audience is the greatest honor. Is ending bittersweet? Sweet but not bitter. Thank you for the support and trust. Thank you for sharing this yellow brick road of blessings. It is not goodbye but until we meet again, sweet inspirations’.
Oprah has now moved on to much bigger and better endeavors. She has launched her own network: OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network and with 24 hours of entertainment and host of many different types of shows that will be sure to captivate and thrill you.
Good Luck Oprah!! You will stay in our hearts forever!!
Comments are closed.