For more than two decades, Oprah Winfrey has been the change-your-life champion who ruled over daytime television much like Johnny Caron once ruled late night.
However, now she’s ready to say goodbye, Wimfrey told viewers Friday that The Oprah Winfrey Show would close in September 2011 after 25 years on the air.
“I love this show. This show has been my life. And I love it enough to know when it’s time to say goodbye,” Winfrey said, holding back tears.
Winfrey’s show “is one of daytime television’s very foundations,” said Larry Gerbrandt an analyst for the firm Media Valuation Partners in Los Angeles. “Stations build their schedules around her. They gave it the best time period and used it to promote other shows.”
Winfrey offered no specific plans for the future, except to say that she intended to produce the best possible shows during the final two years.
“I just wanted to say whether you’ve been here with me from the beginning or you joined me last week, I want you all to know that my relationship with you is one that I hold very dear,” she said. “Your trust in me and the sharing of your precious time every day with me have brought me the greatest joy I have ever known.”
The Oprah Winfrey Show’s open atmosphere and frank conversation determined the talk show style and made Winfrey one of the most influential women in the US as well as the wealthiest black woman in the world.
“She has had great effects on today’s society. She’s just part of every one’s life,” said Yasmeen Elhaj, a 19-year-old student from Chicago.
1. Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?
A. Winfrey’s Contributions to TV Show
B. Winfrey’s Show to Close in the Year 2011
C. Winfiey’s Great Influence in the USA
D. Winfrey’s Support for Black People
2. Winfrey’s talk show has lasted________.
A. nearly 25 years B. less than 20 years
C. no more than 20 years D. more than 25 years
3. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Winfred will change her show style in the coming years.
B. Winfrey will have some other specific plan for the future.
C. Winfred does promote some other shows after her retirement.
D. Winfrey appreciates every moment she has with her viewers.
4. Which of the following can best describe Oprah Winfred?
A. Energetic and funny. B. Friendly and clever.
C. Frank and influential. D. Active and changeable.
