Harpo President Confirms Oprah Winfrey Ending Talk Show In 2011

Access Hollywood - November 20, 2009 12:29 AM PST
Story photo: Harpo President Confirms Oprah Winfrey Ending Talk Show In 2011Oprah Winfrey speaks onstage at the 'Precious: Based On The Novel 'Push' By Sapphire' press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel on September 13, 2009 in Toronto, CanadaGetty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Oprah Winfrey will announce on Friday that her popular daytime talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," will end its run in 2011, Tim Bennett, the President of Harpo, announced in a letter released to ABC affiliates on Thursday.

"Tomorrow, Oprah will announce live on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' that she has decided to end what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history," he wrote in the letter, obtained by Access Hollywood. " The sun will set on the 'Oprah' show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011."

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Bennett said he was sending out the letter to keep the affiliates from being surprised at tomorrow's announcement.

"Before she speaks to her loyal viewers, we wanted to share her decision first with you - our valued partners for more than two decades," he wrote.

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And he urged the stations to "share this news this evening with your colleagues and viewers."

"Oprah's personal comments about this on tomorrow's live show will mark a historic television moment that we will all be talking about for years to come," he added.

Just a few weeks ago, a rep for Oprah said the TV queen planned to make an announcement by year's end about whether she was planning to make a leap from her current daytime talk show to her previously announced cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

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It appears the decision was one that was made only recently. Just two weeks ago -- at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York City -- Oprah's best friend, Gayle King, said Oprah was still weighing her options.

"I know she's thinking," Gayle told Access. "I know she's thinking."

But Gayle said she wasn't playing advisor over the decision, just longtime friend.

"Listen, Oprah and I have been friends since we were 21 and 22 and now we're 54 and 55," she said, citing her and Oprah's ages, respectively. "We talk about everything but she's a big girl. She will make the decision that is right for her. No question about that. Whatever that is. It'll be the right decision for her."

Previously, at the September Toronto premiere for "Precious," a film Oprah executive produced, Oprah revealed she was still putting in the deliberation hours.

"I haven't made a decision yet and I have until the end of the year," she said. "But you know I think that deserves more thoughtful consideration than a red carpet."

No details were available about the rumored move to OWN and a rep for Discovery was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Access.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Oprah Winfrey - TV - TV One - News

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comments 1-10 of 31  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • jazzy g
    this show has been on all my life...enough already!
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 1:16 PM PST
  • Longshot
    Can't miss what you never watched.
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 8:46 AM PST
  • Jusme
    So Oprah, when you leave us from our public broadcasting stations to go to a new network , remember that we , the ones watching our local programming are the ones who supported you and helped to make you what you are. We are still drying off on the thin hard small bath towels , no bath sheets for us. I will miss you more than you can ever know, but I can't afford satellite.
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 7:36 AM PST
  • Jusme
    us. There are a lot of us who struggle and count on you for an example of what is truly possible for a determined brilliant woman. Our daughters admire and respect you and know they can achieve many things. A working womans life in a factory can be devastating on the body , mine is used up. I am 45 yrs. old and suffering from crushed spinal discs. Just thankful to have children raised first.
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 7:29 AM PST
  • Jusme
    Dear Oprah, You are my hero. Women are in a much stronger and enlightened place because of you. I know I have been watching you for 20 years or so. I do not have cable but just an antenna with a digital box. If you go on to a cable network then I will not see you anymore. I have no money for extras.I worked very hard doing man jobs supporting my kids, but am now unable to work. Please don'
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 7:21 AM PST
  • MS M
    Google "Oprah denies God" and see the new age church of Oprah. By no means would anyone who knows me say I am a zealot, fanatic etc. I consider myself open minded to all cultures/nationalities but not even whacked in the head Al Quada consider THEMSELVES God! only that they will bed 72 virgins, although, I need to strongly disagree for the females get zipola! Whats up with that?
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 7:03 AM PST
  • StreetPeaches
    MsM: You sound like the typical christian taliban. Hateful divisive self righteous zealots that know nothing but hate toward all that don't march behind your blood drenched cross of death. Oprah offers hope and love, you and your superstitions are based in hate and ignorance. America's True Terrorists.
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 4:16 AM PST
  • Abraham
    Hey oprah what's up?? I am from Belize. My name is Abraham Bull!!
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 2:51 AM PST
  • Abraham
    Hey oprah what's up?? I am from Belize. My name is Abraham Bull!!
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 2:51 AM PST
  • Take self out and you will see a change.
    OPrah, 'Good Luck" in whatever you decide to do, because I just enjoy people no matter what color they are. I am an African American, and all that garbage I read OMG! Find the Lord people she didn't steal nothing she got.
    report abuseposted November 20, 2009 2:44 AM PST
comments 1-10 of 31  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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