Surprize Oprah: A Farewell Spectacular!, part one aired on the Oprah Winfrey Show on May 23, 2011. The star-studded extravaganza was a tribute to Oprah Winfrey, who is retiring her show after 25 years. Winfrey will continue to be involved in television in a more behind the scenes role, with her OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network cable television network.
Surprise Oprah: was fimed on May 17, 2011, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Oprah Winfrey's home base. Oprah filmed her long running show from Harpo Studios in Chicago. The Oprah website will show additional coverage of the event later in the day. Oprah called taping at United Center gi-normous.
Final Oprah Winfrey Show a love letter to fans
The lineup of the show was a surprise to Oprah. Actor Tom Hanks acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Frequent guest Tom Cruise surprised Oprah, as he walked on stage. Cruise said, 'Each time, I knew coming to Chicago that I was going to see a loving friend—and a friend who just happened to have a classroom of millions," Tom says. "For a quarter of a century, Oprah, you have quoted Glinda the Good Witch (The Wizard of Oz) - 'You always had the power.' And that is the message you have brought into our lives.'
Keeping up with the Wixard of Oz theme, young Jackie Evancho started singing 'Over the Rainbow,' followed by Patti LaBelle and Josh Groban, who picked up where she left off.
Madonna did a type of invocation, citing Oprah for the inspiration that she has been to millions of people. Madonna said about Oprah "It's no secret that millions of people are inspired by Oprah. I am one of those people. She's a self-made woman who has been at the top of her game for 25 years—and she is still kicking ass! ... She has balls and a wealth of compassion. I have learned so much from her."
Dakota Fanning led a group of young women, who announced that they were Oprah Babies. They have literally watched Oprah all their lives and have only known a world with the positive influence of the Oprah Winfrey Show. They each shared one of the positive influences that Oprah has had on their lifie.
Beyonce surprised the audience, and lauded Oprah for inspiring women to dream and to take charge of their lives. Beyonce and her backup dancers then performed Beyonce's new single, 'Who Run the World (Girls)," with the dancers dressed in short schoolgirl uniforms, emphasizing Oprah's encouragement to pursue education. Beyonce debuted the new number on television on the Billboard Awards on May 22, 2011. Beyonce honored with Millennium Award at Billboard Awards
John Legend announced that Target was donating books to 25 libraries around the country in recognnition of what Oprah has done for the renaissance of reading. Diane Sawyer announced that each of the 25 libraries will get an oak tree planted next the the library, The Oprah Oak Tree will not be limited to libraries. There will be 25,000 Oprah Oak Trees planted across the coutnry, "From Sea to Shining Sea!."
Queen Latifah, Halle Berre and Katie Holmes appeared as a trio to pay tribute to Oprah for her influence on people.
Rascall Flatts sang while a montage of photographs appeared on screen, including photos of Oprah's recent trip to Australia.
Oprah then took the stage and thanked the audience for being on the other side of the television screen.
Tom Hanks announced that there will be a second farewell show on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, so tune in for the farewell spectacular. Surprise Oprah an upbeat farewell tribute to Winfrey
The final episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show will be on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. There has been a lot of speculation about who her final guest would be, but it would be hard to top the guest list of celebrities at the United Center. It is very possible that Oprah will have a solo show, and be her own last guest. Final Oprah Winfrey Show taping at United Center in Chicago
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