Gaybutton Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Oprah Winfrey to End Talk Show in Sept 2011 Thu Nov 19 By Jill Serjeant LOS ANGELES, Nov 19 (Reuters) Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential and highly paid women on television, will announce on Friday she is ending her popular daytime talk show in 2011. Winfrey's production company, Harpo Inc, said on Thursday she would make the official announcement on Friday's live program from Chicago and talk about the reasons behind the decision to end it after 25 years on the air. She is expected to move to cable network OWN, or Oprah Winfrey Network, a Los Angeles-based joint venture she formed with Discovery Communications Inc, when her current syndication deal for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" runs out in 2011. OWN will be available in more than 70 million homes. Harpo declined to comment on whether or when a revised form of the program might appear on OWN, whose launch has been delayed several times since its original 2009 start date. "The Oprah Winfrey Show," broadcast from Chicago on ABC stations across the United States and in more than 140 countries overseas, is one of the TV industry's biggest money-makers. It is the top-rated U.S. daytime talk show, averaging 7.1 million viewers this year. Winfrey, 55, is considered a major opinion-maker in the United States and this year was No. 45 on Forbes magazine's list of the world's most powerful people. She publicly promoted Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign and her program became a platform this week for Republican 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to launch her book, "Going Rogue." Actor Tom Cruise, the late Michael Jackson, and singer Whitney Houston are among the celebrities to have sat on, jumped on and poured out their hearts on her couch since the program began in 1986. Winfrey used the show to launch her magazine, a book club that turned authors into best-sellers, and a cable TV channel, Oxygen, geared to female and lifestyle topics. Her decision will affect CBS Corp's (CBS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) CBS Television Distribution arm, which syndicates the show, and Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) ABC-owned and operated TV stations that broadcast the show. CBS TV Distribution said in a statement it wished Winfrey well. "We have the greatest respect for Oprah and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. We know that anything she turns her hand to will be a great success. We look forward to working with her for the next several years, and hopefully afterward as well," the statement said. (Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Peter Cooney) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokopelli Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I never found anything about her show the least bit interesting. Now, if they could only get rid of Larry King and Barbara Walters that would be a big plus, not to mention Beck & Reilly & Hannity. Oh, I also forgot Dr. Phil the most insufferable bore on broadcast TV . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I never found anything about her show the least bit interesting. Now, if they could only get rid of Larry King and Barbara Walters that would be a big plus, not to mention Beck & Reilly & Hannity. Oh, I also forgot Dr. Phil the most insufferable bore on broadcast TV . Can sympathize with your feelings (King and Walters are like walking skeletons or something and Dr. Phil is the "Jim and Tammy Bakker" of "hallelujah psychology") but, although not my cup of tea, I've at least admired Oprah for what she's accomplished - both in her own life and for others. Actually, a pretty classy lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokopelli Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I really don't disagree with you Bob about Oprah, it is just she is on a time I do not watch TV and when I do, she is not on the top of my list. But can't fault her for being a success same same Martha Stewart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fountainhall Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I really don't disagree with you Bob about Oprah, it is just she is on a time I do not watch TV and when I do, she is not on the top of my list. But can't fault her for being a success same same Martha Stewart. I agree totally that Oprah is a very classy lady and a complete master of her profession. I sometimes see the show, and mostly I think she is very good. I also admire her enormously for her charitable works. Personally, I think Martha Stewart never looks comfortable on TV. There is something stilted in her delivery in front of the camera that just makes her sound fake. Oprah, on the other hand, treats the camera as a close friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokopelli Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Personally, I think Martha Stewart never looks comfortable on TV. There is something stilted in her delivery in front of the camera that just makes her sound fake. The first time I saw Martha Stewart on TV I thought it was a Saturday Night parody as she sounded so fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lvdkeyes Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Martha does know her stuff regarding food, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fountainhall Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Martha does know her stuff regarding food, etc. So better have her write the scripts and get a real professional to present them Guys like Jamie Oliver and the late Keith Floyd are/were wonderful at conveying their enthusiasm for their recipes and preparing them in front of the camera. Martha Stewart obviously has many talents, but there's something missing when she tries to be a presenter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Martha just seems a bit too cutesy and, at times, it seems that there's a little "Leona Helmsley" attitude there. And I always wonder who really has time or the desire to bake little crumpets or whatever for the rich people next door....hehe. But, culinary-wise, I don't have a clue as I'm rather inept in that category. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fountainhall Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Martha just seems a bit too cutesy and, at times, it seems that there's a little "Leona Helmsley" attitude there You hit the nail of the head, I reckon, Bob. She seems to be talking down to the viewers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lvdkeyes Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Martha talks to the least common denominator, which, IMHO, is preferable to someone talking over my head. I am proficient in the kitchen, yet, now and again, she comes up with something that I didn't know. Keith Floyd had enthusiasm, but not much so far as skills were concerned. Jamie is such a wanker and so impressed with himself he gets on my nerves. I really like Nigella Lawson. She is so earthy and knowledgeable and fun to watch. I have tried recipes from all of the aforementioned chefs/cooks and Nigella and Martha's consistently come out the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fountainhall Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I am proficient in the kitchen Sadly I'm not, which is perhaps why I look for the presentation angle more than content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
