After a quarter of a century as queen of daytime TV, Oprah reveals the reason she’s calling it quits.
After 25 years of groundbreaking interviews, emotional revelations, multiple awards and the best giveaways ever, Oprah Winfrey is finally shutting up shop on her TV talk show. Arguably the most influential TV personality of all time, Oprah has helped sell millions of books and launched a myriad of successful careers. Her next venture is OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, but for the moment her talk show is still her number one priority. “My intention is to be fully present this season,” says Oprah, 56. “To take in every experience and allow myself to feel it all.”
Why did you decide to end your show after this season?
It just feels like the right time. I always wanted to leave when I felt the platform was still vital and held some kind of meaning in the hearts and minds on the audience.
The Oprah Winfrey Show has been a major part of your life for 25 years. Will there be a lot of tears?
I don’t intend to be crying the whole season. The only time I get really emotional and nostalgic about the show is when I think about the viewers. It will be bittersweet because it’s bringing this chapter to a close. The show hasn’t been a big part of my life. It’s been my life. I didn’t have children. I had the show. And I have created a family of support from my staff and the audience that really has had a huge impact on my life.
How will you top last season’s kick-off – the Black Eyed Peas’ concert with half of Chicago dancing in a choreographed number?
We’re not closing down any streets and I don’t know if there will be dancing. But it will be meaningful in its own way. And I absolutely can’t tell you what it will be.
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