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Oprah to announce Friday show will end in 2011

by Associated Press

Posted on November 19, 2009 at 5:55 PM

Updated Thursday, Nov 19 at 6:15 PM

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CHICAGO (AP) -- Oprah Winfrey's iconic television talk show will end in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air, her production company said Thursday.

Winfrey plans to announce the final date for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on a live Friday broadcast, according to Chicago-based Harpo Productions Inc.

Winfrey started her broadcasting career in Nashville, Tenn., and Baltimore, Md., before relocating to Chicago in 1984 to host WLS-TV's morning talk show "A.M. Chicago." That show was renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1985.

A year later, Winfrey established Harpo and her talk show went into syndication. In 1990, Winfrey opened Harpo Studios in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

Over the years, Winfrey drew Chicago into her spotlight. In September, she drew more than 20,000 fans to a taping of her show on Michigan Avenue. A tearful Winfrey was in Chicago's Grant Park as Barack Obama was elected president.

She also lobbied for Chicago's failed bid to host the 2016 Olympics, traveling to Denmark in an attempt to woo members of the International Olympic Committee to vote for her hometown.

In January 2008, Winfrey opened The Oprah Store -- a 5,500-square-foot hybrid souvenir shop and trendy boutique -- near her studios in an area that was once a warehouse district. It has hosted an average 250 post-Oprah show shoppers and curious Winfrey fans a day.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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exfire said on November 19, 2009 at 6:17 PM

Palin was on her show and she had the best ratings her show has had and two years,now she claims that shes ending it in 2011? Could this be a good sign that she sees the county moving away stupid libs and their way....either way...she won't be missed...

gafnavy said on November 19, 2009 at 6:38 PM

Thank GOD

happymeal said on November 19, 2009 at 6:40 PM

I'd like to see Winfry and Palin naked doing the Tango. Light my fire.

yahoo said on November 19, 2009 at 8:54 PM

Do you really think this is "breaking news"?? Is this such a big deal to classify as "breaking news"?? It's almost enough to make me block you.

yahoo said on November 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Do you really think this is "breaking news"?? Is this such a big deal to classify as "breaking news"?? It's almost enough to make me block you.

lewis said on November 20, 2009 at 6:20 AM

This is good maybe they'll put something on worth watching then.

algiersboy said on November 20, 2009 at 12:02 PM

Whatever shall we do? We won't know what to say, how to dress or what books to read! But, don't worry. She's leaving TV and going to cable. The Opra Network! All Oprah, all the time. That way you have to pay to watch her drivel. I think not.

abc123 said on November 20, 2009 at 12:08 PM

Can't wait until she's off the air!!!

mrdboi said on November 20, 2009 at 12:25 PM

I can't wait to see how all of you comment when Rush leave the radio.

shortcake said on November 20, 2009 at 12:38 PM

Dearie me, what what will all the Oprah-adoring women do without their golden goddess to look up to for advice on everything from A-Z? The rumor is that her audience reacted unfavorably to the Sarah Palin appearance, they just did not want to see her on the show, and made it known. Oprah is not used to any criticism from her fans and this did not sit well with her. I never was an Oprah fan, but I do admire her for treating Sarah Palin with respect and dignity from everything I've heard. I guess the mainly Lib audience expected Ms. Winfrey to try and trip her up as Katie Curic and other liberal interviewers so slyly tried to do.