Farewell Oprah!

Oprah is finally calling it quits, after over two decades in the business, as a successful and well loved talk show hostess. A spokesperson from Harpo production broke this news to the world yesterday, but refused to elaborate on the details. Ms Oprah Winfrey is expected to give those herself, on tonight's show. It will really be sad to bid adieu to the show that set the norms for all talk shows to come, the show that brought forth into limelight, many little known causes.

The news though comes somewhat as a shock to most of her viewers, it was inevitable. Though no one expected the end to come so soon, statistics did show that the show's viewership had halved since what they were a decade ago. Though the show still rules the 'highest-rated talk show' chart and boasts of a 7 million average viewing audience, it is still not what it used to be. Moreover, the move is in tune with rumors that Oprah is planning to launch her own television channel soon and this move will surely free up her time for it.

About Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential black woman in the whole of USA. The billionaire has etched her career path herself and has a never-ending list of things in her kitty, ranging from magazines and radio shows. The lady is credited with bringing forth overwhelming responses to little known causes and publicizing social welfare issues. In fact, such was her hold on audiences at one stage that books went from 'unknown' to 'best-sellers' overnight, after being on her show. What is more is that she is not just a household name in America, but is actually a global icon. She has also been known to take up international social causes and has been able to collect large amounts of aid and charity for her causes. Her support for the current President Barack Obama is said to have helped him in his presidential campaign as well.

About The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show has been around on televisions across USA since 1986. Thereafter, it has even gone global with its broadcasting. From famous celebrities to infamous 'fall-from-grace' celebs , they have all been on her couch. Her guests included eminent personalities from all fields, sports, entertainment and television, Hollywood, Government, etc. The show is well-known for its blunt, probing questions and sensitivity to causes.

Reactions to the News
As the news of the show's retirement has hit the news stands, reactions from all those that loved it have started pouring in.

Ellen DeGeneres, who is also a Daytime Emmy awards winner, had this to say after she received a call from Oprah announcing her retirement, "I don't think I could be here without her. I think she has blazed a trail... She is an amazing woman. She will always be the queen of daytime television and she also said she is leaving me all her money." Her last line jest did bring about a few hoots of laughter.

Martha Stewart had this to say to E! News, "She'll do another show. She's evolving. She's fabulous." Best friend Gayle King was much more forthright and said that she had a feeling that Oprah would soon come up with something else to do.

Celebrities aside, it is a truth that it is the household viewers that will miss Oprah the most. Oprah has been, for a long time, on the show they all set tuning timers for. Everyone wishes Oprah all the best for whatever new endeavor she decides to take up.