Who’s the next Oprah?
With Oprah Winfrey abdicating her position as Queen of Talk, who's next in line for the throne?
Oprah with Al Gore: Can anyone fill her shoes?
(Reuters/Corbis/Larry Downing)
Oprah Winfrey has sent shockwaves through the media with her decision to end her influential talk show after a 25-year-run that rivals, as Gawker's Richard Rushfield puts it, those of "Fidel Castro and Muammar al-Gaddafi as one of the most durable dictatorships of our age." (Watch celebrities predict what's in store for Oprah.) Her departure in 2011 will leave a gaping void in the talk-show universe, and media commentators are already debating the merits of possible Oprah successors — from Ryan Seacrest ("a bit cold for daytime TV") to Paula Abdul ("erratic and wobbly"). Some of the more intriguing suggestions:
Glenn Beck: In some respects, Glenn Beck is already becoming the "new Oprah," says Motoko Rich in The New York Times. "Virtually every novelist in America fantasizes" about going on Oprah, but Beck is the go-to publicity machine for writers of thrillers. He also has "the No. 2 show on cable despite airing in the afternoons," notes Chris Ariens in Mediabistro. Beck’s "three-dimensional talent" makes him a strong choice for "Oprah’s syndicated replacement."
Ellen DeGeneres: Many network executives "see Ellen DeGeneres as the heir to Winfrey’s talk queen crown," says Michael Schneider in Variety. And Oprah seems on board—she "just put DeGeneres on the cover of her magazine." DeGeneres' own daytime talk show is already a huge hit, says AOL’s PopEater. So she's a good fit, "as long as she can tone down the silliness" when discussing the grave implications of shopping addiction. (Watch Ellen DeGeneres's comments on Oprah's daytime departure)
Sarah Palin: Palin’s appearance on Oprah was one of Oprah’s "highest-rated episodes," says Jon Friedman in MarketWatch. And as Palin talked, it looked like "Oprah was pondering the prospect of Palin succeeding her on the talk show. Wouldn’t that be a delicious piece of irony!" Yes, but not a likely one, says PopEater’s Mike Hess. "Palin is entertaining and certainly has gripped the nation," but she’s too "polarizing" and political for daytime talk TV.
Tyra Banks: While almost every daytime personality from Martha to Judge Judy could conceivably get a boost if Oprah takes her show out of syndication, says Willa Paskin at Blackbook, none has "been as vocal about being 'the next Oprah' as the aggressively energetic, perennially misguided (Smize! Blackface. The acting career) Tyra. Now she’ll have her chance."
"Tyra, James Frey to thank Oprah for abandoning the masses
Stop speculating — nobody can replace Oprah: We’re "entering a post-Oprah period," says James Poniewozik in Time. There's probably no one who can match her wide impact and appeal — look what happened after Johnny Carson equally seismic departure. My bet is that "the next Oprah will be several Oprahs, specializing, spread across several shows."
....................................................
SEE THE WEEK'S LATEST COVERAGE ON OPRAH WINFREY:
• Grading Palin on 'Oprah'
• is Glenn Beck the new Oprah?
• Oprah Chimp Victim: Exploitation?
Show: Oldest | Newest
81 Comments
Posted by R. Jenkins, Friday, November 20, 2009, 3:05 pm We love you Oprah and will miss you. I think Soledad O' Brien would be a excellent replacement !!
Posted by Mayan Dilladough, Friday, November 20, 2009, 3:53 pm You think Oprah's going away? Oh no...no, it's much, much worse than that. She's quitting in 2011. Just in time for Barry Obama to drop Biden from the ticket and add her in time for the 2012 election. Obama/Winfrey 2012? Yes...oh yes, America truly is stupid enough to go for it.
Posted by Merrie, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:04 pm who cares? any fat buffalo can sit on a couch and get people to do stupid things and to cry. david letterman does it each night. no talent to do her job. BUT, so long as you ask, how about Sarah Palin?
Posted by MacKenzie, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:05 pm America is truly that stupid that they would vote for BHO and Harpo. So sad, but true. Who cares about this? Stupid story.
Posted by Mayan needs a job, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:05 pm Mayan, clearly you need something to occupy your mind if this is what you worry about. Your poor kids have no hope...
Posted by Mayan Dilladough, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:16 pm I gots no kids. One was sacrificed in the name of the prophet to the Obamaessiah and Oprah ate the other one. Gone in one bite. Like a chicken wing. The horror...the horror...
Posted by carole131, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:17 pm Forget it. There is no one on the scene who captures all that Oprah is. She has intelligence, heart warmth, along with her showmanship. The others don't have her depth, some of the suggestions are ludicrous. It's the end of an era. She's had a great ride with her show I'm looking forward to her next phase. I hope some more movies are in her plans. She's an excellent actress.
Posted by Kelly, Friday, November 20, 2009, 6:43 pm ''most durable dictatorships of our age. good one. like that a lot. she is a fat, pompous, talentless, self absorbed loser. albeit a rich loser, but an empty shell of a person. WARMTH, my ass. she can cry on a dime for ratings. you think she really cares about anything or anyone but herself? you must be a Palin lover, too. get over her and yourself.
Post a Comment