From Gayle to Ebert: Casting the Oprah Biopic

Roger Ebert

First Choice: Philip Seymour Hoffman

As the lore goes, Roger Ebert inspired a young Oprah to enter the world of syndication and, subsequently, the stature of legend. The "date" where Oprah and Ebert hashed out the talk show host's future will make the entire biopic worth watching. We're going to need a man accustomed to slaying in highbrow portrayals to fill Roger's shoes, and Philip Seymour Hoffman's dry, yet impassioned delivery is an obvious fit.

Dr. Phil

First Choice: Paul Giamatti

If the biopic's second hour will be double-stuffed with Oprah proteges, at least we can make the most of their notoriety and give Paul Giamatti another Emmy opportunity. He may have tackled John Adams with aplomb, but rendering an accurate, not-too-on-the-nose Phil McGraw impersonation would be a sizable challenge even for Giamatti. Do it for the craft, Paul!

Special thanks to Anna Wiegenstein.

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