Who Is Oprah Winfrey?

Oprah's Influence

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While it may be easy to describe Oprah Winfrey and her phenomenal show, it's not an easy thing to describe, or even understand, her global appeal or world-wide influence.

As the host of the longest running talk show, Oprah welcomes her guests onto a simple open set under the eager eyes of the live audience that sits in a semi-circle around the set. Typically, Oprah and her guests take center stage on a few pieces of comfy furniture.

On any given day the guest may be a celebrity, medical expert, or average person living through extraordinary situations. Often a social issue or topical event will serve as a theme that compliments or reinforces the guests. Sometimes Oprah will devote the entire hour to a guest or topic, but other times the show will be divided into related segments. Oprah's show has evolved over years, and is never the same for long.

Popular show segments include Tuesdays with Dr. Mehmet C. Oz where the popular doctor answers health and medical questions from the audience, and Friday's Live, where Oprah and a panel of guests discuss hot topics. Usually the panel includes Oprah's best friend Gayle King, actor Mark Consuelos, and comedian Ali Wentworth.

Audience reservations for the Oprah Winfrey Show are very difficult to get, and unscrupulous people have been know to sell these free reservations for hundreds of dollars. Just about every Oprah fan dreams of getting reservations for Oprah’s annual “Favorite Things” show where Oprah gives the entire audience dozens of her favorite items including electronics, books, gadgets, and even new cars.

The Oprah show has become so influential and popular that it has led to new television shows such as The Dr. Phil Show, The Rachael Ray Show, and The Dr. Oz Show. Even a mention on the show can skyrocket the fortunes of a book, product, or celebrity. Oprah's Book Club has created many bestselling books and brought previously unknown authors into the spotlight of Oprah's eager fans.

During an interview with Larry King in 2007, Oprah said she wouldn't renew her contract in 2011, thus effectively determining when The Oprah Winfrey Show would go off the air. However, recent comments by Oprah hint that she might have changed her mind. Instead will The Oprah Winfrey Show move out of syndication and on to Oprah’s new venture with Discovery Inc.: The Oprah Winfrey Network or OWN? Only the phenomenon known simply as O knows.

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