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But those are just a few of the compelling things about Oprah’s groundbreaking talk show.
Think you’ve seen it all?
Here are some of the things you don’t know.
Her show was an immediate hit and was shortly renamedThe Oprah Winfrey Show.It was nationally syndicated in 1986.
Theads for her showfrom those days looked a little low-rent, too, as did the topics.
Back then, Oprah was earthier and perhaps a bit more relatable than she appears now.
After all, she did earn an Oscar nomination for her role inThe Color Purple(1985).
That’s what I want.
What I am is an actress.
I don’t get paid for acting.
But I was born to act."
At least she knew what she was feeling.
No wonder Oprahdidn’t talk to himfor so long.
(TMZfound a copy of it.)
The document governs what can be said about her not only while employed by her,but for life.
This is why Kitty Kelley’s “tell-all"book about Oprahdidn’t reveal much of the story.
“I don’t feel the pressure now to see to it people like me,” she toldPeoplemagazine.
“Because I feel like I like me pretty much.
And I’m 40, so if you don’t, that’s okay.”
On the NPR podcastMaking Oprah, Oprah talked abouther favorite book, Gary Zukav’sSeat of the Soul.
“Yes, we are dysfunctional.
Now, what are we willing to do to change it?”
Or mix things up with Patti LaBelle’s “Get With the Program.
She continued, “The singer of the newOprah Winfrey Showtheme song would beme.”
Didn’t Oprah remember that she owns the show?
Why did she agree to this?
She not only took singing lessons, but she learned dance moves from “a professional choreographer.”
But when “Run On” aired, Oprah says she heard the truth with her own ears.
You and your BFF get tickets to seeThe Oprah Winfrey Show.
You pick your best outfit, line up early, and get to your seat.
After all, there are so many awesome gifts Oprah gives out to everybody in the audience.
Oprah had said there was going to be a “twist” this year.
Your mind races, with the possibility of Favorite Things dancing in your head like sugar plums.
And not a panini press in sight.
At least those people got something memorable.
So she hosted athree-day galaat her Montecito, CA estate for it.
One person who wasn’t invited to the party?
Oprah’sColor Purpleco-star Whoopi Goldberg.
It didn’t make any sense for her not to even get an invite.
It was such anoticeable snubthat evenTMZwrote about it.
But in 2000, she hosted both presidential candidatesAl GoreandGeorge W. Bushon the show.
And that’s why people say, ‘You got George Bush elected.'”
After all, it helped land him the Democratic nomination and maybe even the presidency.
(It also cost her some fans and ratings as bothHillary Clinton supportersandRepublicanswere ticked at her.)
But Oprah was singing his praises long before that, as longtimeOprah Winfrey Showviewers knew.
She saw the future before the rest of America did.
King said, “It was almost like a scene out ofCrash.”
And her mentor and friend responded that Oprah had “no idea” what her legacy would be.
One example is in what happened to Andrew Puzder.
He is thefast-food executivePresident Trump nominated to be Labor Secretary.
“The connection is deep because I intended it to be,” she said.
It just goes to show that the power ofThe Oprah Winfrey Showlives on.
