Just when you thought Oprah Winfrey couldn't get any more powerful. Now, the daytime talk diva is shutting down Michigan Avenue in Chicago to kick off of the 24th season of her television show.
On Sept. 7 and 8, the Windy City's most famous street will be closed to traffic so Oprah can take her show outside, the Chicago Tribune reports. Tuesday's taping is free and open to the public.
How did she pull this off?
Well, for one, she's Oprah. Second, she got the city's approval. That's probably not too hard, considering she's one of Chicago's most famous residents and Mayor Richard Daley is her BFF.
Daley called Winfrey's taping great publicity for the city and an event that will create jobs. The show will reimburse Chicago for any costs incurred, he said.
"This is a great thing we're doing. I wish we could do this every day in the city of Chicago," said Daley, calling Winfrey an "icon." [Chicago Tribune]
Not everyone in the city wishes it could be a daily event:
"That ain't right," said Dar Gable, 63, of Hyde Park. "I want to shut the place down for three days."
Edward Parsons, director of Hilligoss Galleries, which is on the stretch that will be closed for Winfrey's taping, echoed those concerns.
"All things aside, she's just a celebrity," Parsons said. [Chicago Tribune]
Last year, Winfrey kicked off her season at Millennium Park, the site of President Barack Obama's election-night celebration.
The show will air Sept. 10, leading up to the season premiere Sept. 14. The Black Eyed Peas are on the bill, but other guest are being kept under wraps.
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Comments: (153)
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By: dxxy4u on 9/03/2009 5:10PM
Look, Oprah is "Cleopatra" of our day. And she didn't get where she is being dumb. When you got someone else in charge of your finances, you are one step behind already. Oprah is in charge of ever dime she makes. She may have CPAs, but she's the auditor. The Brothers that make a lot of money should follow her example when it come down to their finances. LeBron James got his childhood friend to manage his money, and as far as I know is doing a good job. LeBron said that he'd rather his friend steal from him, than someone he didn't know. What I'm saying is Oprah know how to handle money and power. She's the Queen of women, period.
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By: Jerry on 9/04/2009 8:22AM
dxxy4u must be either a planted Oprah publicist or just some pathetic google-eyed fan. Oprah may be a queen to YOU, but most people (you know, the ones with jobs and lives) aren't that impressed with her.
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By: Trudy on 9/04/2009 2:33PM
I have never watched Oprah, nothing personal, I just don't like daytime TV......
So, she is rich, famous and (some)people hang on every word she says. Publicity, hype and her well reported give-a-ways have made her what and who she is. People who are in awe of rich people are the ones who let her (and all the other 'famous' people get away with doing whatever they want.
She and her people are 'salesmen'(saleswomen) who sell her to the public, same as the realtors, banks and car manufacturers sold the same people a bill of goods and look where that got us.
The Mayor said it is a good thing for Chicago, it will bring in a lot of money...., what about the people that will be inconvenienced? I guess they don't count!
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By: pema on 9/04/2009 3:22PM
queen of what? money and power. thats no queen! let her work 2 shifts as a single mom and no help and then you can call her a queen.
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By: dxxy4u on 9/04/2009 4:47PM
DJ Johnson, my grammar couldn't have been that bad, you understood every word of it, that's why you are responding. It's not my grammar but the truth my grammar convey is your problem.
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By: jan on 9/04/2009 6:37AM
I think this is absurd. With life and the economy as it is...shutting down major streets because a celebrity wants it so, seems like nonsense to us.who are working hard right now just to survive. Who is watching her on tv...sloths,those on welfare and federal support??? Put them all to work and she'll have no audience and maybe our tax dollars won't have to go for their support while they watch Oprah.The rest of us are busy working!
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By: dxxy4u on 9/04/2009 7:11AM
I know you are a White blogger, or a dumb blogger. Oprah didn't get this far with a Black audience, for years Oprah catered to the concerns of "White Women", and that's who comprised her audience. Like in business, Oprah had "product" and the white women bought it. Good for her. Like I said in the first blog, Oprah is "Cleopatra".
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By: Christian on 9/04/2009 8:09AM
dxxy4u, no one said anything about race. So keep your activism to yourself. Anytime anyone says anything bad about a black person, it's always "the white man" being racist. Shut the hell up and stop hiding behind your race.
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By: Ann on 9/08/2009 11:41AM
I completely agree with both you and Christian....it has nothing to do with race. Why do people have to play the "race card" when they can't find any other "card" to play. It is what it is and IT IS that NO ONE should have that much power.............except GOD himself. And when Jesus was on this earth, even HE didn't close any streets. Oprah puts her pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us and just because she has mega bucks, she should not be treated in any extreme way such as this. She needs to use all that money to help the people who are having their homes taken away....people who have worked probably harder than she has their whole lives and are barely surviving. She should be helping MORE of the people in the USA....this is where she has made all her money, so this is where she should help the people. Giving fancy gifts on her show is money being spent for only HER benefit and ratings......open your eyes people. She needs prayers so she can open her eyes also....IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU OPRAH!!
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By: Dani on 9/04/2009 12:08PM
hey dxxy4u! Jan didn't mention race, just economic status. I guess we know what color you are!
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