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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: (152)
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By: marigold sing on 9/09/2009 10:07PM
NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE SUCCESS! I hold Oprah in the highest regard. She got her money the Good Old American Way: She earned it! Earlier in my career, I used Oprah as a paradigm, to role-model good work ethics, and guess what? I, too, am extremely successful. Of course, I don't make the millions that Ms. O nets, but that was never my objective. My goal was to be able to earn a good living, doing something that I was good at, and enjoyed doing. My children are young now, but we don't have to worry about their college educations. Thanks, Oprah. For those of us who elect to extract the lessons that you have taught over the years, we have reaped the rewards of your gentle advice, guidance and leadership
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By: Watusi on 10/23/2009 2:17PM
Chicago streets are shut down all the time, for making of movies, street parties, etc. This is nothing new to Chicago. There was a time I did not care for Oprah because I felt the more she grew in th epublic eyes the less she remember where she came from. Now, I just look at her as the lady who everyone thinks have it all, when in actuality she have nothing but money, fake hair, and a face full of make-up. She have no significant other or children to come home to and love her unconditional. All the humans that surround her are only there because they are getting paid even Gayle "the best friend". I may not have her money and she may never let me visit her studio but, I do know what real unconditonal love feels like. So people, if Oprah has figure out one more way to get the attention she is starving for and is not hurting anyone physically let her have it.
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