Today, Harpo Productions released the first image of Winfrey and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Of the experience, the top-rated talk show personality shared the following thoughts:
"From the very first day they moved into the White House, I started calling Robert Gibbs and asking not for the first interview because number one, I didn't think I was going to get the first interview for the first 100 days, but I wanted an opportunity to sit down with them in a comfortable setting that all of America would be familiar and relate to. So I started asking when they first moved in to do a Christmas special because I wanted to be at the White House during Christmastime and to experience their first Christmas in the White House. So this has been in the making for a very, very long time."
"There are 27 trees and all the ornaments and all of the decorations, and we were able to go to the green room, where Thomas Jefferson used to have lunch, and apparently they've not let anybody film in there before. But I got to interview the president in the green room where Thomas Jefferson used to eat his lunch. So everywhere you move through this space, it's filled with so much history. It's pretty hard not to think about that as you're walking through the halls."
"The president gave himself a grade. This was not about grilling the president; this was really about me wanting to come and experience Christmas at the White House, their first Christmas, with them. So I wasn't here to grill him. I was curious as to what he thought he had done, what kind of job he thought he had done and ask him for his grade. You'll see what the grade is. The grade might surprise you."
The State of Oprah Inc.
Oprah Presents The Color Purple
The stage version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has won a Tony and numerous nominations. It has dramatically increased Broadway's African-American attendance over its five-year run and literally changed the face of Broadway. It kicked off a national tour last year in Chicago.
Oprah's Big Give TV Show
The warm-hearted reality show "Oprah's Big Give" did exactly what it intended to do. It helped those in need and gave big ratings to ABC. The show premiered in March and averaged 15.6 million total viewers, ranking up there with top shows like "American Idol." Although there was a dip in ratings in the following episodes, the show ended the season strong and was hardly a failure that some critics have made it out to be. The show was not renewed by ABC for a second season, at Oprah's request and not the network's. Hey, she's a busy woman!
The Oprah Winfrey Store
Just steps away from Harpo Studios in Chicago, the recently opened Oprah Store is the first free-standing store selling Oprah-themed merchandise that represents her own personal style and flair. Even though retail business is sluggish across the board, the store goes online this summer. The store is filled with everything from books to apparel and is a mecca for Oprah Winfrey fans.
Oprah Magazine
First published in April of 2000, The Oprah magazine continues to have unprecedented success. "O" was launched with $50.9 million dollars. However, in 2007, the magazine grossed $311.3 million with no signs of slowing down. It remains one of the top 10 home and lifestyle magazines on the newsstands, right behind Martha Stewart's magazine, despite a recent dip in circulation.
Oprah.com
Oprah.com averages nearly 92 million page views and more than 6 million visitors per month. And her site's numbers are holding strong. Additionally, her website has 1.8 million newsletter subscribers and is one of the top women's lifestyle sites on the Web and a daily resource for her vast fan base. If Oprah's empire is failing, it definitely is not because of her Web site.
The Rachael Ray Show
The September 2006 debut of the Rachael Ray show premiered with a 2.8/9 TV market average. Simply put, Rachael Ray's show, a brain-child of Oprah, debuted with a boom in most major TV markets such as NYC and Philadelphia. Rachael Ray had the highest debut ratings of any first-run talk show since "Dr. Phil", another show of Winfrey's, premiered in 2002. Rachael Ray's energetic personality and talent to teach guests how to cook up meals for the entire family brought a different element to the Oprah Show and she still is turning up the heat with her weekly show now.
The Oprah Show
When she began anchoring an ABC affiliate, A.M. Chicago in 1984 she had no idea it would ultimately be the turning point in her career. Within six weeks of her debut, Winfrey was beating the award-winning king of daytime talk shows, Phil Donahue, in his own city. One of Oprah's smartest business moves acquiring the rights to her talk show. Oprah remains one of the highest-paid TV personality there is, earning $260 million a year.
Dr. Phil as part of Harpo, Inc.
Oprah has been responsible for launching many careers, especially the one of her most popular physician on her show, Dr. Phil. Known for his no-bull policy, Dr. Phil became a house hold name quite rapidly. His popularity grew on the show which allowed them to move on to receive his own show and to be a part of Harpo Company.
Last month, his show came second to the Oprah show for the Top time-shifted syndicated show with an average 6,040,000 viewers every week. He continues to coach and console many guests with different issues, from the child who won't stop abusing the parent to the millions of divorcees trying to deal with ending their marriage.
Oprah & Friends on XM Radio
Oprah and her famous pals are bringing the same entertainment and knowledge from her popular syndicated show to XM listeners'. The highly anticipated "Oprah & Friends" channel on XM Radio debuted on September 25, 2006 and by the XM's fourth quarter revenues were up by 45% compared to the previous year and the network had almost 2 million more subscribers than at the end of '05. The channel features a mix of celebrities and everyday people in conversation with the shows' hosts. Some names you may know are Gayle King, Nate Berkus , Maya Angelou Dr. Robin, Jean Chatzky just to name a few.
Oprah's Book Club
Oprah's Book Club has been one the highlights to her popular daytime talk show. Oprah's magic touch of credibility has allowed many authors to hit the best-selling list numerous times. Many viewers simply purchase novels after watching Oprah give her famous stamp of approval. The funny thing is Oprah has YET to write her own autobiography! Just think how many copies that would sell.
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By: bertha brown on 12/11/2009 12:39PM
I am very greatful that GOD has allowed me to see our President and First Lady BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA, help lead and unit the United States and the WORLD IN PEACE. It shows that people of color can lead our county in a possitive union. Oprah Winfrey gave up a lot when she endorsed Barack Obama for the President of these United States on her Oprah Winfrey Show i thank Oprah for being brave for endorsing our african-american male for this highest position. We have come a very long way since the civic rights in the 1960. In Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Thank you Michelle for the recognition of the LEAST, THE LAST AND THE LOST. BERTHA BROWN
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By: M on 12/12/2009 6:22PM
Just wait a minute......Obama wants it called a "Holiday" and not Christmas! He does not even want the 18th century baby Christ displayed.
Talk to YOUR pastor about that!! Call Rev Jeremiah!!
He is a muslim phony, way over his big ears!
He wants religion out of the holiday....Is that what YOU voted for?? I don't think so.
And shouldn't he be celebrating Kwanzaa?? yea, he was the right choice........he actually ruined it for the next black man who runs for office.
Better just hope HC gets past.........because FREE is over real soon!
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By: sachet on 12/12/2009 10:23PM
All that crap you posted is effing lies. You effing Nutcase.
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