Oprah Winfrey Joins List of Farewell Shockers This Year

The Oprah Winfrey announcement was made official on the November 20, 2009 Oprah Fridays Live in Chicago show. Wearing a soft lavender dress, diamond earrings and perfectly styled hair, Oprah held back tears and said she considered her show a "yellow brick road of blessings" and the "greatest joy I have ever known." The show is ending, the talk show queen made clear, because she feels 25 years is the right time to call it quits. Oprah promised that the last days of The Oprah Winfrey Show, to end on September 9, 2011, will "knock your socks off."

The Oprah Winfrey announcement is a shocker, but not the only shocker

Oprah Winfrey is not the only celebrity to stop while on the top of their game. In 2009, at least three other celebrities have made shocking farewells.

The Lou Dobbs farewell was a huge surprise

To the disappointment of like-minded fans, Lou Dobbs, with no warning, at the end of his November 11, 2009 broadcast of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, announced that he was leaving the show. With an independent approach to news, fans tuned in to watch Lou Dobbs give his views on such issues as immigration, health care, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The author of Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit, Lou Dobbs said that he will work on the issues that are important to him and that he will decide how best to do that.

Fans were surprised by the Oprah Winfrey announcement and the Paula Abdul announcement

American Idol continues to be popular since its inception in 2002. Paula Abdul, although a sexy woman, was seen almost like a mother figure. A veteran in the industry, when Simon Cowell threw out a punch, Paula was there to soften the blow. Rumors of a contract dispute and clashes with new judge Kara DioGuardi are cited for why Paula left the show. Her replacement is comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Jay Leno leaves The Tonight Show

The Oprah Winfrey announcement was for a day time talk show, but late night talk shows also become a part of the public's routine. So when Jay Leno announced that he was leaving The Tonight Show, after 17 years as the host, as reported at CNN, fans were upset. Jay Leno is now the host of The Jay Leno Show which airs during prime time at 10 p.m. eastern.

Sources:

The Oprah Winfrey Show - November 20, 2009 (Oprah Fridays Live in Chicago - 9 a.m. central)

Jolie du Pre, Lou Dobbs Leaving CNN, Associated Content

Jolie du Pre, Ellen DeGeneres Replaces Paula Abdul on 'American Idol ', Associated Content

Todd Leopold, Jay Leno Leaves 'Tonight' Behind, CNN