Standing ovation for Oprah at final show

18 May 2011, 12:56 pm   -   Source: AFP
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Winfrey announced in November 2009 that she would end her show this season after 25 years. (AAP)

Winfrey announced in November 2009 that she would end her show this season after 25 years. (AAP)

Oprah Winfrey received a standing ovation from thousands of fans and greetings from Tom Cruise and Madonna at a farewell double-taping of her TV talk show. 

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Oprah Winfrey has received a standing ovation from thousands of her fans and greetings from Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Madonna at a farewell double-taping of her TV talk show.

"You always had the power, and that is the message you brought into our lives," Cruise told Winfrey.

Hanks told her that her fans just wanted to say thank you "for what The Oprah Winfrey Show has meant in our lives".

Winfrey announced in November 2009 that she would end her show this season after 25 years.

The guest line-up for Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular was a secret, but the show quickly delivered on promises from Winfrey's producers that the biggest names in Hollywood would be there.

Tuesday's taping will air in the US on May 23 and 24, before Winfrey's final show on May 25.

In Australia the shows will be broadcast in prime time on Network Ten one day later.

Madonna told the crowd that she is among the millions of people who are inspired by Oprah.

"She fights for things she believes in, even if it makes her unpopular," Madonna said.

Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow as Winfrey, in a long purple dress, sat in a white chair onstage.

"Was that not the coolest?" Winfrey said when they finished.

The stadium was decorated with pictures of Winfrey at seminal moments over the course of her talk show.

Boxes of tissues were on scattered seats throughout the audience.

Harpo Productions received more than 154,000 ticket requests for seats to Tuesday's event.

Tickets were free and distributed to fans through a lottery. About 13,000 fans were at Tuesday's tapings.

Fans started lining up outside hours before the taping started.

Cathy Deters, 52, of Cincinnati drove to Chicago without a ticket, but someone outside the stadium gave her one.

"I don't think anyone could replace Oprah Winfrey," said Deters, an energy broker.

"Not many people will have the chance to experience this."

Celebrities such as Lisa Ling, Carson Kressley, Jessica Seinfeld, Ally Wentworth, Bob Greene and former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley sat in the audience.

The content of the final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show is still under wraps.
 

Oprah Winfrey

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Your Comments

End

Erin - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

As much as I dislike her and her show, she is a pioneer for television, whether its first female black presenter, or one of the worlds most influential people, this woman has done some amazing things. She has experienced a lot of hardship in her life, and wasn't afraid to tackle taboos that otherwise would never have gained airtime, such as AIDS. I hope she continues her work in the chairty industries...I just hope she doesn't run for president.

Let's hope it's true that she is not replaced

George - from Queensland, 2 years ago

Thank god for the internet, anything than american television dribble. Thank god it's over. Why can't we get BBC English productions, English talk show hosts, their culture is so much better.

Wha wha what?

Tim - from Adelaide, 2 years ago

Are you kidding me SBS... who cares.

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