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What I Know For Sure
What I know for sure is that a woman with a funny sounding name (Oprah Winfrey, “Oprah” or “O”) stepped on the national talk show scene 25 years ago and begin to leave the footprints of her legacy. What I know for sure is that Oprah Winfrey, has found her way into the heads, hearts and households of people all over the world. What I know for sure that if you do not recognize Oprah Winfrey or the numerous brands she has created, you have been hidden under a rock for the last quarter of a century. What I know for sure is that Oprah has made an impact, impression, and influence on her viewers who checked in five days a week.
What I know for sure is that on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 the final chapter for Oprah as the Queen of Daytime came to a close. What I know for sure is that Oprah used her last hour to tell her viewing audience, THANK YOU for allowing her into their lives. What I know for sure is that Oprah realized that she was where she was supposed to be everyday as she stood on the stage. What I know for sure is that Oprah realized her calling and she embraced it. What I know for sure is Oprah wants everyone to find their calling and to live it out and move forward. What I know for sure is that Oprah saw that all people want to be validated. You validate people by telling them I see you, I hear you and what you say matters.
What I know for sure is that Oprah shared that she recognizes who God is in her life. What I know for sure, Oprah found that she had to learn to wait and listen for that voice that is bigger than hers when making decisions and seeking guidance. What I know for sure is that Oprah wonders what are the whispers in your life and what are they saying to you? Lastly what I know for sure is that Oprah has made me glad she shared her calling, her purpose and life with us. ~~YoTrip
Here is a look back at some numbers that represent Winfrey’s impact on the TV and cultural landscape —
Jan. 2, 1984: Oprah Winfrey debuted as host of “AM Chicago,” a morning talk show produced by WLS-TV. It is the third rated talk show when Winfrey is hired in 1983 to take over hosting duties. Within just a few months, it jumped to first place in the ratings.
Sept. 8, 1986: WLS TV relaunched “AM Chicago” under the name “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and syndicated it nationally through King World Productions.
25: The number of years Winfrey’s talk show stayed on the air. Winfrey quickly laid claim to hosting the no. 1 talk show after knocking Phil Donahue from the top spot within a short time.
40 million: Average number of Americans who tuned in to view Winfrey’s show each week. 212 TV stations in the United States carry Winfrey’s show each week.
150: At the conclusion of the show’s 25-year run, it was broadcast in 150 countries worldwide.
28,000: Since 1986, Winfrey has had 28,000 guests on her show.
62 million: A 90-minute interview between Winfrey and pop icon Michael Jackson aired in February 1993 drew 62 million viewers. It was the highest-rated non-Super Bowl prime time telecast aired up to that point in time.
283: Winfrey gave away approximately 283 different items to members of her studio audience during annual installments of her favorite things episodes. Giveaways occurred in other episodes too. During the 2004 season premiere, for example, every member of the studio audience received a new car.
365: The maximum number of people who could fit in the studio audience for a taping of Winfrey’s show. In some cases, special groups of people filled out the studio audience in connection with a cause or issue Oprah focused on for that particular episode.
70: Books selected by Winfrey for her book club. The selections had an immediate effect of boosting sales for the author and driving the book to the top of many bestseller lists. It is estimated that these 70 selections combined to sell 55 million copies after Winfrey selected them.
$51 million: Winfrey has raised more than $51 million for charitable causes through her show. Notable causes include relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina and providing education for impoverished girls in South Africa.
5: The number of former or current U.S. presidents who have been interviewed on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” during its run. Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all appeared on the show after leaving the Oval Office. Barack Obama became the first sitting president to appear on the show when he was a guest in May 2011.
4: Winfrey’s influence on daytime television is evidenced by the number of shows spun off of her own. Dr. Phil McGraw, Rachael Ray, Nate Berkus and Dr. Mehmet Oz all got their starts for their current talk shows by making regular appearances with Winfrey on her program.
Sources:
“Oprah Winfrey, by the Numbers,” Los Angeles Times, May 22, 2011.
“Oprah Winfrey Biography (1954 -),” Biography.com.
Bob Minzesheimer: “How the Oprah Effect changed publishing,” USA Today, May 22, 2011.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110523/en_ac/8522841_the_oprah_winfrey_show_by_the_numbers_1
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