As we reported last night, Oprah will end her reign as the most successful person ever to host a show on TV in 2011. Today, she made the announcement official.
Just because she's stepping aside doesn't mean she's forgotten about sweeps, of course. She saved her big, breaking, shocking news for the end of the show.
While she called rumors for departure "conjecture," her new cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), also happens to be launching in 2011. Hmm.
But in revealing the "real" reason she's walking away after 25 years, Oprah started strong, then began to cry, then regained her composure, saying it "feels right."
Also feeling so right? Shameless promotion for her next season. Holla!
Oprah Winfrey says ending her talk show feels good in her bones. An estimated net worth of over $2 billion has to feel pretty good in her bank account, as well.
Fighting back tears, O said, "I love this show. This show has been my life and I love it enough to know when it's time to say goodbye. Twenty-five years feels right in my bones and my spirit. It's the perfect number, the exact right time."
And then there was this line:
"For some long time Oprah viewers, you have literally grown up with me ... we've grown together ... you had your family and your children ... you left a spot for me in your morning or afternoon - depending on when the Oprah show airs in your town."
Wow. What an emotional, corporate farewell.
