As Mayan god Nikki Finke predicted, Oprah Winfrey's talk show will end in 2011. Her production company made the announcement today, just 72 hours after her long-awaited Sarah Palin interview and 48 hours after the media giant expressed disinterest and borderline disgust with porn and erotica. Click through for the official statement and to see when you should take your family and back issue O magazines to the fallout shelter.
Tim Bennett, the president of Harpo, released this poetic message to affiliates today:
"Tomorrow, Oprah will announce live on The Oprah Winfrey Show that she has decided to end what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history. The sun will set on the Oprah show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011."
Winfrey is expected to host a new talk show at her cable network, OWN, when it launches. The new program, which will be based in Los Angeles, is still deciding which staff to move from Chicago. In an employee meeting Thursday, Winfrey announced her plans and reportedly said that "severance packages will be given to all employees with three or more years of experience if they aren't placed elsewhere in positions within Harpo."
Winfrey moved to Chicago in 1984 to host morning talk show A.M. Chicago. In 1985, the show was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and five years later, the talk icon established Harpo and put her show into syndication.
ยท Winfrey to announce Friday show will end in 2011 [Associated Press]