What, oh what shall we do when Oprah Winfrey ends her talk show to start her TV network? Who will tell us what to read? Where will Julia Roberts promote her movies based on Oprah’s book club choices? Whose couch will Tom Cruise jump on?
Some of you younger readers have never known a world without Oprah. Her talk show has been on for 25 years.
Never fear. Oprah has chosen her successor, and it’s Ellen DeGeneres.
You know it’s serious when somebody besides Oprah appears on the cover of “O” magazine. Ellen was the second woman to achieve that feat. Michelle Obama was the first.
Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres have become Hollywood’s newest BFFs!
Oprah will be wrapping up production of her long-running show after 25 years and launching her OWN network in Los Angeles in January. And she’s now ready to “pass the talk-show queen torch” to Ellen, said a source.
The Enquirer has learned the women recently shared an intimate dinner — Ellen bringing along wife Portia de Rossi and Oprah with her closest friend, Gayle King.
“They’ve always been fond of each other, but Oprah sees Ellen as her successor. She’s wanted to personally give Ellen advice on turning herself into a worldwide media brand,” explained the source.
After spending a great deal of time communicating via phone and e-mail, Ellen invited Oprah and Gayle to join her and Portia at their Los Angeles home for a gourmet vegan dinner.
“At the intimate gathering, Oprah gave Ellen advice on how to carry on with her upbeat, heartfelt approach to TV talk,” explained the source.
Meanwhile, Gayle and Portia chatted in another room, according to the source.
The four have become fast friends. Ellen, 52, became the second woman — after Michelle Obama — to ever appear on the cover of “O” magazine with Oprah in December 2009. And Portia, 37, recently appeared on Oprah’s show to discuss her autobiography, Unbearable Lightness, which chronicles her battle with anorexia and coming to terms with her sexuality.
But the get-together nearly never happened — after Oprah, 56, kept her hosts waiting for more than an hour, explaining that she’d been stuck in traffic.
According to the source, Ellen joked: “You’re an L.A. girl now — get used to it!”
[National Enquirer, print edition, December 20, 2010]
It’s interesting that Enquirer portrays this as a big happy girls’ club, even using the word “intimate” twice, so soon after Oprah’s recent teary admission that she’s not a lesbian.
I’m just relieved Oprah didn’t choose Dr. Phil to be the new talk-show queen, but I wager Rosie O’Donnell is not at all happy.
This article has reminded me of the film “The Devil wears Prada”, when they are going to substitute Ana Wintour and Wintour tries to show to people it was her who decided it…
Oh goodie. Someone else to carry on the Oprah tradition of showing people what they don’t have and making them wish they did.
I LOOOVVVEEEE Ellen, far more than I ever did Oprah!
I caught the twice “intimate” thingy as well.
I don’t understand the big news. Ellen is already a talk show host. Oprah is too big to replace and I think this will turn out like the Leno-Conan thing.
All good things must end…and all bad things (two and half men) seem to go on for ever.
& it was a great idea to have ellen as a judge on ai…that worked out well.
oprah has the biggest god complex ever. disgusting.
Does Steadman even exist anymore? i NEVER hear about him and her.
@ Johnny Depp’s Girl
me too! ellen kills it she is too hilarious!!
i hope they actually are good friends this warms my heart haha
Rosie is bitter, angry, and pessimistic. Ellen is sweet, caring, and hysterical. She doesn’t have to put others down to be so, either. SOOOO….yes, Team Ellen 🙂
I’m so tired of hearing about Oprah being in Australia. Anyone would think the Pope was visiting.
ugh. Oprah. blah.
ellen does not need any advice from her.
I thought Ellen “overtook” Oprah in the ratings a while back. All on her own. I can’t stand Oprah’s over-inflated ego.
I agree with Motor, Ellen does need advice from Oprah.
I thought her show was already over-lol. Go Away Oprah!
Ellen stands on her own & outshines Oprah in every way. Generous of old Okrah to “choose” for successor. Enough alread, O, get off the stage.
Tyra Banks’ head just exploded…
If this was so intimate, how do we know about it?
Anyways, I like Ellen more than Oprah. She is deserving of being talk show queen and she managed this on her own.
I guess where Oprah could advise her is with expanding an ’empire’ and making it successful. Ellen is building up a production company and has a record label etc.
Ellen’s show is much better than Oprah’s. She deserves it and will do great!
Ellen is fn hot!!!!!!!!!!!
I figured this would happen but honestly, media conglomerate or not, I’ve never like Oprah as much as I’ve liked Ellen. They are both rumored to be control freaks behind the scenes, but I attribute that to what’s necessary to achieve what they have. The difference, however, is that on her show, Ellen doesn’t come across as such a sanctimonious bitch, while Oprah does. Sorry ’bout it, but it’s true. If Oprah was less high on her own ego and less into peddling herself as everyone’s daytime shaman, I’d be more into her show. Alas.
ellen is awesome!!
1. Australian radio hosts organise campaign for Ellen to visit Australia – Oprah announces big trip.
2. Ellen flies Charice from Glee over from the Philippines to give her a US debut. Oprah has her on a few months later and says she discovered her.
3. Ellen jokes about sharing the O magazine cover with Oprah because it had always just her – Oprah puts Michelle Obama on the cover, then accepts Ellen.
Coincidence probably, and not that big a deal, but she still annoys me XD
This article is hilarious. Portia and Gayle retired to the other room leaving the gentlemen, Oprah and Ellen, to sit smoking cigars and discuss business.
Blecccchhhhhhh! Ellen is too rainbows and lollipops for me.
I don’t see the comparison’s with their shows.
Ellen is about kissing ass daily for the LA celebrity crowd and Oprah was more about topics of the day. With some celebrities (her very best friends of course!) throw in every now and then.
Plus I don’t think it is Oprah’s place to claim who is the next “Queen” of daytime. It is the viewing public that makes a show.
And come next Fall… I am going to be all about Anderson Cooper and his new daytime show.
I kind of admire Oprah, but I LOVE Ellen! I think she’s a step up.
I’d watch Ellen’s show ANY day over Oprah’s sycophantic crapfest.
Team Anderson Cooper. At least he has some edge and doesn’t kiss everyone’s ass.
You’ve got to be kidding. Ellen is so superficial. Her show is about celebrity promotion and corporate sponsorships/product placement – that is why people go to her show, to receive prizes.
The conversation is always superficial. There are no heavy issues discussed.
Maybe Oprah realises the trend of dumbification and chose to quit while she is way ahead. TV is getting dumber. People want more ‘basic’ stimulation, rather than substance, which is what Ellen is. Mindless drivel.
Oprah while getting a tour from the Prime Minister in Austraulia, raving “who gets this”? YES, ONLY ME! I can’t stand this pig in a blanket, oops I mean tent, love that hideous pic! BTW Aussie taxpayers paid for her vacation down there,this woman is PURE GREED! Ellen doesn’t need her approval, she gives more away in a day than Oprah does in a month, if even then.
I’m just glad Oprah’s finally left Melbourne. Sydney’s much more her style: wanky, materialistic and full of themselves.
Like her or not, Oprah is still the queen of daytime TV and an astute business woman, no one can take that from her
Am I missing something here? Ellen already has a successful TV show, why would she need to succeed Oprah?
oprah only went to tell ellen not to rely on ‘luck’. I do not believe in ‘luck’, and neither should you, and because she is the be all and end all of what we all want to be, we should live by this mantra. Her, i know it all, learn from me attitude is disgusting!
Hurry up and go away Oprah.
I don’t really watch daytime television, but from what I’ve seen of both of them, I like Ellen a lot better than Oprah.
I’ve always liked Oprah. But like they say “quit while you’re ahead”. I think Ellen is a great choice!
I adore Ellen !!!I think she’s doing fine all by herself but let oprah say she made her queen of daytime if she wants !!! fine by me as long as ellen is on top!!!!after all she went through I think she more than deserves it !!!!
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