Oprah: 'No Regrets' On Leaving 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'

Access Hollywood - November 23, 2009 4:29 PM PST
Story photo: Oprah: 'No Regrets' On Leaving 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'Oprah Winfrey announces during a live broadcast of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' in Chicago that her daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons HARPO ProductionsAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Oprah Winfrey is speaking out for the first time since announcing on Friday that she will end "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2011.

"I have no regrets," Oprah told best friend Gayle King on her Sirius XM radio show on Monday. "There was only one time I teared up about it...talking to the viewers. It's the viewers that choked me up about it."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Big Hair! Wild Fashions! Oprah Winfrey Over The Years

The talk show host revealed that her third phone call after telling her employees was to a fellow daytime host.

"When I told all my Harpo team, I was perfectly fine," the talk show maven said. "[Disney President/CEO] Bob Iger was the first call, then [CBS President/CEO] Les Moonves, then Ellen [DeGeneres.] That is the only time my voice cracked. I'm not tortured, I just had to tell my employees."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Oprah! Ellen! Regis! TV's Favorite Talk Show Hosts

Oprah reiterated how deep she felt the desire to end her show - along with how it felt good numerically.

"In my bones," she told Gayle about the desire to leave. "I love numbers... 2010, even number, or do I go to 25 years? How can I do it past 2011? I can't."

Oprah explained producing her show is a lot more tricky today compared to 25 years ago.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Queen Of TV Talk -- Oprah Winfrey

"It's 100 percent harder to do the show now then when I first started," she told Gayle.

As for details on Oprah's new show and network - the talk show queen still doesn't know the specifics.

"What is next?" Oprah said of the tasks ahead when asked about the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). "And what is that show is going to look like?"

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Stars, Fans React To Oprah Quitting Network TV
PLAY IT NOW: A Look Back: Access & Oprah - Our Best Moments Together

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Oprah Winfrey - TV - Gayle King - CBS - TV One

comments

comments

  • krystyl c
    I love Oprah and will miss her show a lot. She is great and I know she will do even better things in the future.
    report abuseposted November 24, 2009 6:24 PM PST
  • Jean Paul
    Goodbye and good ridence!
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 6:28 PM PST
  • MLS78
    Who gives a damn? Chicago will survive without her. It's not like she contributed ANY of those billions of dollars to these run-down a$$ schools here. If she did, I never heard of it.
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 5:23 PM PST
  • lady J.
    YEA..HER SAGA IS ENDING..NOW SHE CAN COME OUT OF THE CLOSET..
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 5:21 PM PST
  • unknown
    I am for one Glad she's gone. Good riddance to bad rubbish
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 5:00 PM PST
  • Marry
    I found a great dating site________ B i l l i o n a i r e C u p i d . C o m ________. The best dating club for seeking the rich singles, sexy beauties and even hot celebs.. what's the most important is that you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one. I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 4:57 PM PST
  • Marry
    I found a great dating site________ B i l l i o n a i r e C u p i d . C o m ________. The best dating club for seeking the rich singles, sexy beauties and even hot celebs.. what's the most important is that you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one. I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 4:57 PM PST
  • Delilah
    wow... am going to miss your show Oprah.
    report abuseposted November 23, 2009 4:55 PM PST

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions