It’s Over For Oprah; Says She’ll End Show In 2011

After 25 years dominating daytime television, Oprah Winfrey announced plans to pack it in, ending her powerhouse syndicated show in September of 2011.

Ever since Winfrey announced plans to start her own cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), industry watchers have been wondering what this would mean for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the centerpiece of a media empire that has made her one of the richest entertainers in history, with a reported net worth of US$2.7 billion.

The decision, a tearful Oprah told the audience of today’s show, came “after much prayer and careful thought.”

“So why walk away and make next season the last?” she continued, looking plaintively into the camera. “Here is the real reason: I love this show, this show has been my life, and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye. 25 years feels right in my bones and it feels right in my spirit. It's the perfect number. It's the exact right time."

Industry watchers have been expecting some sort of an announcement regarding the show. Some have postulated that she’d move the show from syndication to OWN, a joint venture between Winfrey’s Harpo Studios and Discovery Communications that will replace the Discovery Health Channel and be available in 74 milion homes when it launches.

But according fo Nikki Finke at deadlinehollywood.com, Oprah has other plans, reporting that sources say that instead of launching a clone of her current show (which would be understandable, considering its success), she wants to do a show that’s “smaller and different.”

Whatever happens, I have one request for Oprah: When you leave, can you take Dr. Phil with you?