Live from Chicago: It's Oprah's big surprise
The United Center in Chicago is the place to be tonight for the taping of two of Oprah's final shows - slated to air Monday and Tuesday.
The place is packed to the rafters with fans (13,000 of 'em), including people like Nicole Kelley, 30. Why is she here? "Its on my bucket list to see Oprah." And Chris Davidson, 44, who told us, "Oprah is one of my favorite things."
Sharon Hamilton, 46, and her sister Melanie, 41, flew in from Milford, Conn. They wore sparkly dresses and high heels. "This is a celebration!" Indeed.
8:30 p.m. Diane Sawyer is on stage talking about trees and seeds and saplings. A big tree of lights has sprouted in the middle of the arena. "That is the Oprah Winfrey Show," she's saying. "I want you to know in honor of your 25 seasons, in front of those 25 new libraries, there will be a giant tree - an oak tree, an Oprah tree, standing and inviting children to bring their books and hopes and fears and know that you are there to embrace them."
Then adds, Sawyer, that's not all. "Not just 25 trees! We are going to plant across this country, 25,000 oak trees for Oprah."
8:24 p.m. Each audience member was given a different. John Legend says a school library has been rebuilt in her honor in New Orleans. The books will be donated. And he mentions that 25 libraries are being built in her honor with Target's help.
8:21 p.m. Tom Hanks is making everyone spell O-P-R-A-H and scream her name out.
8:15 p.m. And she just did. "Having fun yet!?" screams Oprah afterward. As the crowd roars, she says, "So. Am. I."
8:04 p.m. We're being told Beyonce is going to do her number again!
7:59 p.m. Oprah hugs Beyonce and Dakota Fanning. Wow. The crowd continues to wave the little glowing white finger lights.
7:55 p.m. Standing ovation for Beyonce, who's in a leoard tuxedo outfit with red shoes. She's singing her new song, Run the World (Girls). The crowd is holding up their LED lights - looks pretty cool! The house is rocking.
7:53 p.m. Dakota Fanning is on stage surrounded with "Oprah show babies" - kids talking about what the show has taught them. A little girl just said, "I'm 13 and I've lost 20 pounds." Says Fanning, "Oprah, thank you. Because of The Oprah Winfrey Show we believe girls can run the world."
7:37 p.m. Hanks and Oprah are back on stage. And here's Madonna! "So, you look surprised," says Madonna. "Yeah!" says Oprah.
"It's no secret millions of people are inspired by Oprah," says Madonna. "I am one of those people. She's a self made woman who has been at the top of her game for 25 years and she is still kicking a--, encouraging people to dream big, work hard, to read a book, get an education, ask questions - no matter who you are or where you come from. She fights for things she believes in, even if it makes her unpopular. She has balls and a wealth of compassion. I've learned so much from her."
Madonna says Oprah has inspired her to continue her work at her school in Malawi, despite the setbacks.
"I hope to have that same thrill in the years to come, to see that I, too, have made a difference. Oprah, may the next chapters be even better. I stand before you on behalf of the many you have helped and vow to be more courageous and never give up. Never. ... Thank you for inspiring me."
Madonna adds, "After 25 years what will Oprah's shows legacy be? Just look at this audience." The audience is now holding up cards and videos are being shown on it, featuring videos of people in countries around the world holding the letter O and mentioning how the show has changed them.
7:35 p.m. Short break time. Oprah's getting touched up.
7:28 p.m. Cruise tells Oprah her message to us all was that we "always had the power," as Glinda the Good With says. Cut to Jackie Evancho, from America's Got Talent. She's wearing ruby slippers and singing. She walks over to give Oprah a hug (she's sitting at the side of the stage with Cruise) as Josh Groban comes on to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. He hands it off to Patti LaBelle and the crowd is really going nuts.
7:25 p.m. Hanks and Oprah are on stage again. Hanks says pulling off this secret party was "darn near a mission impossible." Cue the theme music. Enter Tom Cruise! "I love this!" Cruise says to her. Says Oprah: "Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise!"
7:24 p.m. Taped fan testimonials are being shown on the big screens on either side of the side.
7:19 p.m. Oprah is here. The crowd is, of course, going nuts. She's got on a long gown, dangling earrings, hair in a ponytail. "What's up, Chicago?!!!! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!" she yells to the crowd. Tom Hanks has walked out and given her a hug. "Today, Oprah Winfrey, you are surrounded by nothin' but love!" he tells her. "Your studio just wasn't big enough to hold it all, so here we are."
7:18 p.m. Here we go. ... Announcer says to expect "the biggest stars on the planet!"
7:14 p.m. "We're just waiting for the star-studded people to be ready," says Sally Lou.
7:09 p.m. Lights are dimming. So far, just a lot of audience dancing.
7:02 p.m. Thumping music begins. T-shirts are being shot into the crowd. Everyone's being encouraged to clap.
6:59 p.m. "Are you going to keep it together? It's going to be emotional. It's historic television and you are part of it," Sally Lou says. She just introduced Gayle King. "You have never been to an event like you are about to see tonight," promises Sally Lou.
6:54 p.m. "Put your purses under your chairs and don't think about going to the bathroom," Sally Lou is telling the crowd.
6:46 p.m. Sally Lou Loveman, the Oprah show audience warm-up expert, is getting the crowd ready.
See photos of: Oprah Winfrey
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