Oprah Winfrey: Ending Talk Show "Feels Right in My Bones"

By Adam Bryant 1 hour and 14 minutes agoRelated Articles on TVGuide.com
Oprah Winfrey spoke directly to viewers about her reasons for ending The Oprah Winfrey Show at a live taping Friday.

The Oprah Winfrey Show to end in 2011

"After
much prayer and months of careful thought, I have decided that next
season, season 25, will be the last season of The Oprah Winfrey Show,"
the daytime queen said. "Over the next couple of days, you may hear a
lot of speculation in the press about why I am making this decision
now...and that will mostly be conjecture.

"So why walk away and
make next season the last? Here is the real reason: I love this show,"
Winfrey said. "This show has been my life.  And I love it enough to
know when it's time to say good-bye. Twenty-five years feels right in
my bones, and it feels right in my spirit. It's the perfect number —
the exact right time.  So I hope that you will take this 18-month ride
with me right through to the final show."

See photos of Winfrey throughout her career

Winfrey
didn't specifically address in her remarks what her plans are after the
show comes to an end, but a press release from Harpo Productions stated
that she "plans to appear and participate in new programming for OWN:
The Oprah Winfrey Network, a 24-hour cable network that reflects her
vision, values and interests." The launch of that project has now been
set for January 2011, according to the release.

Winfrey thanked
her viewers for sticking with her for almost a quarter of a century.
"These years with you, our viewers, have enriched my life beyond all
measure," she said. "And you all have graciously invited me into your
living rooms, into your kitchens, and into your lives.  And for some of
you long time Oprah viewers, you have literally grown up with me —
we've grown together.

"So I just wanted to say that whether
you've been here with me from the beginning or you came on board last
week, I want you all to know that my relationship with you is one that
I hold very dear. And your trust in me, the sharing of your precious
time every day with me has brought me the greatest joy I have ever
known."

Winfrey interview with Palin earns show's best ratings in two years

Winfrey
said she and her producers are going to use the holiday break to
brainstorm ideas for the second half of this season as well as a final
season that will "knock your socks off."

"So, the countdown to
the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show starts now and until that day in 2011 when it ends, I intend to soak up every meaningful, joy-filled moment
with you," Winfrey said.

• The Oprah Winfrey Show to End in 2011


• Winfrey Interview with Palin Earns Show's Best Ratings in Two Years

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Now I know the World is going to end in 2012..joking...Ana