Home » Reading & Literature » Biographies » OPRAH WINFREY - Page 2

OPRAH WINFREY - Page 2

© Mary M. Alward

In 1984, Oprah was recruited by WLS-TV to host, "AM Chicago." It was competing against Phil Donahue and its ratings were very low. Within one month of Oprah hosting the show its ratings had far excelled that of Donahue's. Oprah's show was the "hottest" in Chicago. By September 1985, the show's name had been changed. It was now known as "The Oprah Winfrey Show." In less than a year, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," had expanded to an hour. By 1986, it was the number one talk show in the nation. In 1987, Oprah's talk show had received two "Daytime Emmy Awards," for "Outstanding Host," "Outstanding Direction," and "Outstanding Talk/Service Program." In 1988, Oprah won a second Emmy for "Outstanding Talk/Service Program." The same year Oprah received the International Radio and Television Society's "Broadcaster of the Year Award." Oprah was only the fifth woman and also the youngest person ever to win the award.

Oprah was a great fan of Alice Walker's, "The Color Purple." In a recent TV interview, Oprah said that she walked to work with a backpack filled with copies of the book. She would stop people along the way and give them copies. She felt everyone should read "The Color Purple."

In 1985, Oprah auditioned and was chosen, to play Sophie in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of "The Color Purple." Her performance was a hit. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for "Best Supporting Actress." She was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance.

Oprah loved acting. She was accepted for a part in "Native Son," an adaptation of the 1940 classic by Richard Wright. The critics lauded her performance.

Oprah had a desire to produce quality entertainment. This prompted her to form her own production company, HARPO Productions Inc. (Oprah spelled backwards.) The company was based in Chicago. In October 1988, HARPO Productions acquired all rights for the "Oprah Winfrey Show." Oprah now controlled her own destiny. She was the first woman in history to own and produce her own talk show.

In 1989, HARPO Productions produced, "The Women of Brewster Place." Oprah starred in the mini-series, as well as being the Executive Producer. In 1993, "There Are No Children Here," and "Before Women Had Wings," were produced by HARPO. Oprah starred in and produced both of these shows.

For ten years Oprah had been working on what she referred to as her "baby." In 1998, the film, "Beloved," was released at the box office. It was a complete failure and Oprah's first. She was devastated.

The copyright of the article OPRAH WINFREY - Page 2 in Biographies is owned by . Permission to republish OPRAH WINFREY - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.