Barbara Walters' Interview with Oprah--The Next Chapter Part One

If you are an Oprah fan, you most likely know that Barbara Walters and Oprah have a special connection. Oprah has openly acknowledged over the years that seeing Barbara Walters on television was the impetus for her choosing journalism to study and as a career. Barbara recently interviewed Oprah and this article discusses parts of that interview.

Oprah's Winfrey's Next Chapter

Next month, Oprah will begin her own network on cable television called "Oprah Winfrey's Network" or OWN. She will soon close down her world-changing Oprah Show. She plans to move to Los Angeles for this new adventure of starting her own television network. Ms. Winfrey has a 42 acre estate in Santa Barbara, CA.About leaving her show at Harpo, she exclaims, "It's time." At just 56 years of age, Oprah has achieved more than 100 successful people put together. Can you imagine what she will do with the reins of an entire network in her hands?

Facts About the Oprah Winfrey Show

Here are the facts according to Barbara Walters and ABC: the Oprah Show has over 6.5 million viewers daily and is shown in 145 countries across the world. Also, it is the "Most widely viewed and influential talk show ever." Ms. Winfrey's net worth has been estimated at 2.7 billion dollars by Forbes.

Oprah is known for sharing her thoughts and feelings with her audiences. She openly expresses her opinions to her guests and viewers. And she has shed many tears with her invited guests. Regular viewers know all about "the ugly cry."

There is no denying that Oprah's programming is thought-provoking. In many shows, she opens the eyes and hearts of her viewers to various subjects. As a fan, this writer admits Oprah has raised her consciousness regarding many human issues.

Barbara Walters and Oprah's Discussion about Oprah's OWN Network

During the Barbara Walters ABC Special, Barbara asked Oprah's thoughts about her incredible work so far. Ms. Winfrey admitted it is quite tiring to work at the level and intensity that she does but that the process has been worth it. She stated she has always felt a real "sense of responsibility, obligation," and "respect" for her audience.

Oprah acknowledged that when she first explored ending the Oprah Show, she thought about not working anymore. But then one evening, she and her partner, Steadman Graham were discussing television and that's when the idea occurred--he suggested she obtain her own network. She thought about it. Over time, Steadman continued to encourage her to do it.

Oprah described to Barbara Walters how she wanted to do "mindful" television. At some point, the Discovery Network CEO approached her with the idea to take over the network. Ms. Winfrey said she experienced sleepless nights trying to figure out if she ought to get her own network. After much soul-searching, she realized, "I believe people deserve to have value-centered inspirational programs" and she felt she could create them.

More about OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network

When Barbara Walters asked Oprah how she feels about ending the Oprah show, she said, "As great as the past 25 years have been, just astounding, awesome, I think it was just the beginning." How exciting is that for Oprah's fans to hear?

Oprah discussed the type of shows she plans to have on OWN. Interestingly, Ms. Winfrey is opting for a variety of programming ranging from reality shows to documentaries. There's even going to be a series that "follows Oprah behind the scenes" (Barbara Walters, 2010). One particularly interesting series will be called, "The Next TV Star." The Next TV Star will show different applicants and their talents with the final show selecting "The Next TV Star" who will earn their own show on OWN.

One family show on OWN called, "Kidnapped by the Kids," follows children to their dads' places of work where they tell their dads how much they love and miss them. Then, they tell dad he is being kidnapped to take a trip, a vacation or a family outing. It sounds like the idea behind it is to get/keep dads involved with their children and families.

In another program planned for OWN, Ms. Winfrey will travel the world to show her audience fascinating places and people. This OWN show sounds like it will be great television viewing that will open the hearts and minds of people to other places and other cultures. It seems Oprah will keep being the Oprah we know, even on her new network, OWN. And that's wonderful because her fans most likely don't want her to change.

For Part Two of this writer's summary of Barbara Walters' Oprah interview, seethis link.

Sources

ABC News Barbara Walters Special. Oprah the Next Chapter, December 9, 2010.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, December 11, 2010.

Personal Experience Watching the Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years.