Bush Making Big Return To White House
Annette Insdorf: The Central Park Five Premieres in Cannes
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.
BHM MEDIA NEW
While on a family vacation with Tom and Suri, Katie Holmes hit the beach near Rio de Janeiro in this blue one piece.
bauergriffinonline.com
Rihanna hits the stage at the NFL Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert in a pair of knee-high black boots. What do you think about the pop singer's look?
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images for NFL
Mischa Barton wore this Elie Saab couture mint green gown to the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is Mischa's look a hit or miss?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Heroes star Hayden Panettiere arrives at the NBC Universal Pre-Super Bowl event at Portofino in a black tuxedo jacket and dress with a plunging neckline. Is the Hollywood starlet hot or not?
Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
Diane Kruger wore Nina Ricci for the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville. Is her dress a mess or amazing?
Eric Ryan, Getty Images
Kim Kardashian opted for this floral strapless Tracey Reese dress for the 2009 Moves Magazine Super Bowl Party at The Venue Club. Let us know what you think about Kim's look.
Tim Boyles, Getty Images
Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese wore an ice blue Elie Saab (left) satin dress at the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d'Armenonville.
Dominique Charriau, WireImage
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz appeared at the the 2009 Goya Cinema Awards in Madrid in this black lace Chanel gown. Is it a win or a loss?
Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images
Amy Adams wore a Jasmine di Milo gold and silver sequin backless dress and Christian Louboutin heels to the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Being thousands of miles away didn't stop Meryl Streep from celebrating the inauguration. The actress wore this Catherine Malandrino flag dress to the Paris premiere of Doubt.
Julien Hekimian, WireImage
Comments: (152)
Add a comment
By: ann on 9/04/2009 8:38AM
Oprah is for Oprah. She doesn't care about anybody but Oprah.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Pennysue on 9/04/2009 8:45AM
Oprah is everything all of us has wished for (if even for a brief second) at one time or another in our lives. I am very proud of her. She set goals and was able to meet those goals, so she set more, met those, etc. Sure, she has stumbled along the way, but hey, haven't we all. If you don't make mistakes, you aren't human. So, Thanks Oprah, for becoming what you dreamed of and more. Your an inspiration.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Janet on 9/04/2009 9:19AM
Penny, Isn't it interesting that Oprah endorsed our socialist president? However, she has reaped the fruits of capitalism for herself. Under a socialist government we couldn't be proud of Oprah because she would never be allowed to keep all her obscene earnings. And isn't it funny that it's always the people who already made their money who promote socialism?
Report This
By: petricia montage on 9/04/2009 8:47AM
i call bull sh*t. She is just a woman who lucked out. What makes her so special or gives her the right to shut down part of a city? Also, where did you learn your grammar? It's terrible. It's no wonder you think Oprah is so great
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: msskt on 9/04/2009 8:55AM
I have never understood her popularity. For years she collected money from everyone and gave it away in her name as if it came from her pocket. She does nothing, I don't care how big her closet is, what she eats, or how much money she has. To me, she is a joke, and has made a ton of money doing nothing.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sus on 9/04/2009 8:55AM
She is just a F..in blackracist that hate white people. I cant stand ignorant people like her, and wouldn't watch her show even if i got paid for it.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: The Black Hacks on 9/05/2009 6:25PM
Hummmm, Oprah must be the first black woman in the history of the United States of America to shut down the heart of Chicago. Makes for a good headline but that's about it. Nothing impresses me like the first black President of the United States . . . .
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: dxxy4u on 9/04/2009 9:43AM
Another none thinking blogger. We might not be having a Black President if Oprah hadn't came out on a limb and endorsed Obama, another Chicagoan. After Oprah's endorsement, Obama never looked back. You don't fight success, just because it's not yours. Oprah could have just as easily been just another black woman on welfare, but she beat the ODDS. I'm not saying or indicating that only black women are on welfare. I know what your out burst would had been. I used "Black Women" because that what Oprah is, Black. The sad part of this is, we have Blacks dishing her, how sad. As for as her weight, I don't care if she weighs 500 lbs, that doesn't make her any less a woman. She'll just be a successful 500 lbs Billionaire Black Woman. Period. Oprah battling her weight was a God send. Name the number one thing women are mostly concerned with? Their weight. How many Diets have Oprah pushed? MANY. And every Diet she pushed, resulted in a jump in her ratings. Oprah became Queen because of her battling with her weight.
Report This
By: lilliangresham on 9/04/2009 9:08AM
Darkies? Did I read that right? Well, Oprah is a darkie and I hope she is proud of it! If you don't have anything nice to say, don't comment because nobody asked your opinion anyway.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Zag on 9/04/2009 9:15AM
What do these stupid advertisments have to do with the subject at hand???????
Reply to this Comment | Report This