Oprah Winfrey Show To End In 2011

The worst kept secret in entertainment was confirmed today when Oprah Winfrey announced in front of a live studio audience that her beloved show will end its historic run in 2011.An emotional Winfrey told the audience that the show has been her life and that the audience and viewers at home meant so much to her during these years. She said that the decision to end the Oprah show came after much prayer and consideration and that no other influences were involved in her decision. The 2011 season will mark 25 years of the Oprah show on air. Locally debuted as AM Chicago, The Oprah Winfrey Show premiered before a nationally syndicated audience on September 8, 1986. Oprah's personality quickly won viewers over and she soon became a fixture in American households. The show moved to the 4PM time slot in daytime television, going head to head against Phil Donahue and Geraldo Rivera who had their own shows at the time. The Oprah Winfrey Show became a ratings bonanza and a household fixture and the rest as they say is history. Virtually every major celebrity, politician and music artist has appeared on Oprah. From the Oprah Show birthed Oprah's Angel Network her philanthropic organization, and Oprah's Book Club both of which have almost become an institution as the Oprah show itself. Oprah is also the founder and creator of her own lifestyle magazine simply called "O". The Oprah seal of approval has almost single handedly yielded outstanding results... from New York Times bestsellers to product endorsements. Oprah's word is as much as the Good Housekeeping seal of approval. Over these years, Oprah has opened the door and paved the way for others to achieve the same type of success she has achieved as a talk show host including Tyra Banks, Dr. Phil McGraw, Rachael Ray, Ellen DeGeneres and more recently, Dr. Oz Mehmet known as Dr. Oz. Oprah said that the decision to end the Oprah show after 25 years felt right in her bones and right in her spirit. The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) is scheduled to debut in 2011 replacing the Discovery Health Channel. Kudos, Oprah. You have served humanity well. Congratulations.