Yesterday was Oprah Winfrey’s last episode ever of her iconic daytime talk show and instead of making it the star studded extravaganza that was the previous 2 episodes, the legend decided that for her final show it would be just her and her audience.
In wanting to show her gratitude to those who made her who she was, Oprah decided that the best way to do that was to simply take her last hour on television, and speak to her audience. And I liked it. I don’t worship at the Oprah alter, truth be told. And as much as my husband would like to believe otherwise, the last time I sat down and watched an episode of her show was probably around 6 years ago. Or something like that. But you’d have to be living under a rock to not know the impact that Oprah has had on popular culture, so when I was presented with the opportunity to attend a viewing party for her last show I was excited.
Local radio station Majic 100 hosted an amazing viewing party that Oprah herself would have been proud of that included prize giveaways valued at more than $20000! Morning show hosts Stuntman Stu and Angie Poirier invited 500 lucky listeners to the newly renovated Ottawa Congress Centre to experience Oprah’s last show together. Because that is what the Oprah show has become – an experience.
Majic 100 had the most coveted viewing party in town, with listeners begging for access, and I was invited to cover it and report on it for our local A Morning Show! So there I sat, in a room full of 500 (mostly) women, watching what Oprah herself called ‘a love letter’ to her fans. And we were all captivated. It’s hard not be in awe of Oprah, especially when you think back over her career that started with her as a news anchor and as what she said ‘a jheri curl and a bad fur coat’. Oprah has grown into one of the biggest brands in the world and it’s all because of her hard work and determination. In this Kardashian and Teen Mom era, it’s nice to see that there are still bona fide stars who can command an audience.
For her last show Oprah ditched the huge audiences of the United Centre for her regular studio and filled the audience with friends, colleagues, influencers and just those lucky enough to be picked. And I have to tell you, that the moment she appeared on screen, tears started – both in the studio and in the Ottawa Convention Centre. She looked magnificent, in a stunning pink dress, radiating serenity and peace. She was done, and she was ok with it, because she was done on her terms.
Was her send-off a bit self indulgent?! Sure it was, but she’s an icon, a legend, a brand – she can afford to be a bit self-indulgent. She spoke about the importance of her audience and reflected on a time when she had none. She told us how in 25 years, she never missed a day of work because she felt it was a calling. And the overall message behind her perfectly delivered monologue was that we need to just be better. And even though I’m not an ardent Oprah fan, I think that this world could do with more of her.
She signed off telling us to drop her a line at her new email, [email protected], and that she wasn’t saying good bye, just ‘ until we meet again’. I have a feeling it won’t be long until we see the next project that Oprah will ‘wow’ us with, but it will be a very long time before we see another Oprah.
Scene and Heard
Confessions of a Pop Culture Mummy
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