Would You Let Them Channing On Your Tatum?
'The Voice' Crowns Its Winner
From Bloomberg Businessweek:
In 1988, Oprah Winfrey made a decision that would change her life-and eventually the future of television. Her talk show was already getting better ratings than kingpin Phil Donahue and aired in 198 markets. When she renegotiated her contract with King World Productions, which syndicated her show, and with ABC (DIS), which produced it, Winfrey demanded control and got it.
Winfrey's Harpo Productions assumed the show's production costs, but it also collected licensing fees from local stations, estimated at $100 million in 1988. Plus, Harpo earned money from a few lucrative moments of advertising each day. "I never wanted to be in a position again in life where I was meant to do something but couldn't do it because somebody was telling me I couldn't," Winfrey later told writers of a Harvard Business School case study.
The impulse to take control of her life-and then enjoy it-resonated with her viewers over a 25-year span that will end on May 25, when she airs her finale on broadcast television and turns her attention to her new cable channel. Over that time, Oprah became a singular brand born of her own personal history. Winfrey's story of childhood poverty and sexual abuse, her struggle with her weight, and her striving and charisma made her the near-perfect peddler of a relentless optimism.
She was more than a celebrity: She stood for self-improvement, doing good, and controlling your own destiny. Her motto, "Live your best life," was invoked on her show, in her magazine, and on her website.
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Comments: (18)
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By: GH on 5/24/2011 3:05PM
Tom Hanks is right when Oprah and Gayle travel together it's funny as sh@ so O will have to keep a presence on OWN. I know she might be tired but do yearly Barbara Walters specials or something. Boy when I think how I came so close to getting a Oprah Best Life makeover years ago. I joke the winner had a more depressing story! hahaha Tyra Banks and other ladies don't seem to understand they can't copy "Her Story" and that's why she's a billionaire!!! Like I've said on these boards I love Behind the Scenes because girlfriend gives some raw comments/opinions.
I wish Oprah could get Elgin Charles "Beverly Hills Fabulous" on her network because his (and staff) positive personality fits in well with OWN!
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By: lenabear on 5/24/2011 9:13PM
I support Inter/racial relationships! I believe love has no color!
__ http://www.blackwhitedate.com __
This club is for those of us that don’t discriminate! This is to all my people who don't care about somebody's ethnic background, just how they are on the inside.
If you want to find a sincere Inter/racial relationship. If you are serious. Come and join us!
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By: ron on 5/24/2011 3:33PM
Thank you, Oprah for being a blessing to so many people.May the Lord keep you and add years to your life.My onlywish for you Oprah is you get married and have few little Oprah's to carry on your seeds.
Your not too old.If your trust The Lord.
I'am very proud of you for never compromising with your culture and blackness.Thanks for carrying yourself as a first class lady.
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By: hasan on 5/25/2011 1:14PM
i want to say thank you for so many wonderful years.....being at the top the way you do....beautiful powerful and black...you are truly loved....hope to meet you one day...peace..and love..hasan
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By: Airet on 5/24/2011 5:47PM
I got next Oprah!
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By: fathiyyah on 5/24/2011 7:12PM
OPRAH. I cant believe my good fortune. After commenting on my 25 years trying to get your attention. I got a call from Harpo production saying I was being considered for a slot on a upcoming show. ( ORDINARY PEOPLE ) DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS. UNBELIEVABLE. DREAMS do come true. only in AMERICA. WWW.TYPEOURNAME.COM/BILALSCAPS www.youtube.com/user/bilalscaps
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By: jackie smurf on 5/24/2011 7:33PM
After all these years of fantasizing about finding something "under my seat" the fantasy is now over. We will never forget you Ms. "O" love you!
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By: Matt on 5/24/2011 9:03PM
I was looking at Oprah's goodbye shows and.... ( I'm not hating and I love Oprah but ) did some of you notice out of all of her Black friends there, she cling too most of the white people? I mean Seinfield, Hanks, Tom Cruise, Maria Shirver Nothing wrong, but Gayle was seated next to her but, do she know any Black actors besides Jamie Fox, Will Smith? Just asking.
She even ignored crazy Halle. Her and Halle don't talk anymore since Halle said she hated being Black. Then went on the NAACP Image Awards and screemed, " I'm Black, I'm Black" this year.
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By: melrose on 5/25/2011 8:27PM
when did Halle says she hated being black? and who cares about what color Oprah friends are? Did ya have a problem with those 400 blk men she helped through college....nope.
Let's stop worrying about stupid stuff and focus on what's important.
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By: MS. BETTY WELLS on 5/25/2011 1:24AM
IS THERE A PLAN TO SELL DVD'S OF HER LAST T.V. SHOWS======PEOPLE THAT MISSED THEM WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE COPIES-I KNOW THAT I WOULD-MY STUDENTS NEED TO SEE AND REMEMBER.I AM A 41 YEAR VETERAN TEACHER...THESE STUDENTS OF TODAY NEED TO CONTINUE TO IMITATE "POSITIVE ROLE MODELS".-WE WERE ALL IN SCHOOL WHILE THIS WAS BEING AIRED!!!PLS. CONSIDER THIS REQUEST.-I WILL NOT BE THE ONLY ONE-SMILE!!!
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