VIDEO: A Decade of Oprah Moments

By Scott Harris Posted Dec 16th 2009 01:37PM

In Hollywood, people are often judged less by the content of their character and more by the content of their wallet. Stars have taken to buying up ever more ostentatious items in order to best display their wealth for all to see. Jay Leno, for instance, owns a fleet of rare and vintage automobiles. John Travolta doesn't just own his own jet, he owns a Boeing 707. And Oprah Winfrey? Well, Oprah owns the decade.

The fact that Oprah has decided to end her legendary daytime talk show, 'Oprah Winfrey,' in 2012 after decades of ratings and cultural dominance just gives more weight to her accomplishments over the past ten years. While her ratings have recently fluctuated more than her weight, she's always responded with a new highlight that has had people buzzing online and around the water cooler. And while not every one of her best moments has been memorable for the right reasons, it's clear that perhaps no star has been as influential and central to mainstream American culture over the past ten years as Oprah Winfrey.

Without further ado, then, here's our look back at A Decade of Oprah Moments.

2004: With the nation in the midst of two ongoing wars, Oprah took a page out of the 'Price Is Right' playbook to brighten up the mood, giving every member of her audience a brand new car. The scream-inducing feel-good moment ("You Get a Car! You Get a Car! You Get a Car!) apparently didn't help sponsor GM much, but it did bring a smile to America for one day at least. Watch the 'You Get a Car!' Remix:

2005: Tom Cruise was arguably the biggest box office draw in the world when he decided to go on 'Oprah' to explain his relationship to the much younger Katie Holmes. By the time he was done bouncing on the couch life an over-caffeinated toddler, his career was in recovery mode and the tabloids were circling the blood in the water.

2005: For well over a decade, Oprah and fellow talk-show magnate David Letterman had indulged in an ongoing feud, sparked in part by Dave's infamously unfunny "Uma? Oprah." gag during the 1995 Academy Awards ceremony. But in 2005 they finally buried the hatchet, agreeing to appear on each other's shows and ending one of the rare -- if minor -- controversies in Oprah's distinguished careers.

2006: One of Oprah's biggest legacies is her book club, which introduced millions of viewers to modern classics of literature and almost single-handedly helped keep the publishing industry afloat. That, however, was all build-up to the moment when she confronted author James Frey for spinning yarns in his not-actually-a-memoir 'A Million Little Pieces.' The live beatdown she administered sparked a national debate over the ideas of truth and fiction in writing.

2008: Usually apolitical, in 2008 Oprah took the unusual step of publicly endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for president. When he won, she appeared in the front row at his Chicago victory speech and got into the spirit of fellowship by using a random stranger as her crying pillow.

2008: Probably the biggest tabloid story of the decade was the ongoing relationship drama that swirled around Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston. And right in the center of the whirlwind was Oprah, who, along with most of America, took Jen's side, allowing her to clear the air on national television.

2009: With ratings dipping for the first time in memory, Oprah stepped up her game with a series of headline-grabbing -- and controversial -- episodes to kick off the new season this year. Among those was this tell-all with actress Mackenzie Phillips, who discussed an unthinkable taboo when she talked about her relationship with her own father.

2009: Oprah's heir-in-waiting for the title of talk-show queen is likely Ellen DeGeneres. But far from being rivals, the two have become friends, which helps explain why Ellen and her wife Portia de Rossi allowed invited Winfrey to document their highly publicized wedding.

2009: Not all of Oprah's moments this decade have been feel good events. Some critics and fans believed her attempts to solidify her ratings went too far when she asked Charla Nash, who was savagely disfigured by a rogue chimp, to reveal her scarred features to the camera. Shocked viewers may not have appreciated the sensationalism, but there's not doubt people will remember it for years to come.

Comments

(64)

Monday 28 December

By Steve

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Well said.

Sunday 27 December

By Richard

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Again, Oprah and the cars - she has certainly gotten a lot of play out of this. Oprah did NOT give away any cars, inferring that she paid for them. They were donated by Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors. Maybe if Oprah would have paid for them, GM wouldn't be in such a financial mess right now.

By perkins

LOL That boofer didn't give anything away. She just takes credit from all the donations from the sponsers who just want to get a little advertisement from the rolling credits at the end of her painfully miserable show.

By nyitalio03

I'm so glad to see there are other people that see doperah for what she is, not to mention her reverse racist views. It makes me sick to think of all the middle class white house wifes that made that talentless windbag millions.

By jb1215

Just as we were led to believe Tiger Woods was the American family man, we've been led to believe that Oprah's very public giveaways were a manifestation of her PERSONAL generosity. Like Wood's image, Oprah's is just as contrived and false. Her big car giveaway was a GM promotion which was never mentioned by Oprah,or her adoring media in search of a living saint. Good TV BUT no sainthood here.

By popswuzrite

Yeah, What you said.

By claudred

Gee I didn't know anyone watched O anymore...
Everyone I know stopped watching her last November when she joined the whitehouse staff, with the rest of the Chicago thugs.
Sure glad her dough helped get him elected, way to go O! Hope your happy with yourself.

By MARY

HELLO OUT THERE HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE? I AM OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER
WHEN "MISS (OPRAH) PERFECT" STARTED HER SHOW ON THE SAME LEVEL IF NOT
WORSE THAN JERRY SPRINGER. DONAHUE WAS THE CLASS ACT AND SHE WAS
NOTHING BUT TRASH. I DONT CARE WHERE HER SHOW LANDED NOW SHE IS PART
OF THE COG IN A WHEEL THAT IS DISGUSTING AND TOTALLY PHONY. ONLY
OPRAH WOULD ANNOUNCE THAT SHE IS LEAVING THE AIR WAY TOO LONG BEFORE
SHE IS GOING. I GUESS EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO LAY DOWN AND PAY HER
HOMAGE. WELL NOT ME.SHE WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER CHICAGO
POLITICS CRUM. ADIOS YOU FAKE THAT INTERVIEW YOU DID WITH SARAH PALIN
WAS KILLING YOU. YOU ARE NOT THAT GOOD OF ACTRESS. I LAUGHED MY BUTT
OFF YOU ARE TURNING BECAUSE YOUR BUDDY IN THE WHITE HOUSE IS LOSING.
TOO FUNNY...........WE WHO LAUGH LAST, LAUGH HARDEST. DONT TALK ABOUT
HER ILL GOTTEN GAINS TO ME I WOULD NOT TAKE 1 THIN DIME FROM THE LOW
RENT FRAUD.

By dave

What about Jenifer Aniston? She's another one we're tired of hearing about. Since Brad Pitt ditched her, that's all we hear about is who is she gonna find as interesting as he. Well WE don't care. She's an airhead who makes anything but interesting movies. She'll be gone when she loses her looks.

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Tom Cruise. What's with this guy? Does Scientology do that to you? Turn you into a total egomaniac. I was into Scientology when I was a teen. I spent three grand to hook myself up to two coffee cans with wires. In six months I was CLEAR. CLEAR means that you have lost all your past life experiences that have been causing you to be so unscientology-like. Go figure. The CHURCH of scientology is a money making machine. A giant pyramid scheme. The biggest one ever. And they want to be called a church so they don't have to pay taxes. That's a laugh!!

By Daniel

well i know that Oprah is a big jork her show.s are fake and the big car give away was nothing much but a scame she put on . i guess to say that money can by you anything but the good news is that she going off air soon and i hope to naver too see her or hear from her again

By T.

Oprah gave the cars away alright. How about the taxes that had to be paid? And who could afford that ? All looks good but isnt what it seems like.

By harvey

Oprah looks like the offspring of a baboon and a catfish mixed with a little cow of course.

By grampz

Strange, black names are falling like dominoes-the latest being the TIGER. As I gaze into my crystal ball I observe new career ending revelations which befall upon others in position of power and admiration. What is hiding behind the kitchen door will shatter the minds of the sheep blindly being led by those they worship.

By Brunch

Oprah didn't give away those cars, General Motors in Detroit, Michigan did!

By Tom

Still just a pig, old oph. And getting larger every day. Why doesn't she just leave the scene?

By lenzi

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Don't forget about Oprah's school, Angel lane ,home decorating,one of the biggest charity contributors in the world,her friend Gale,Dr. Phill,all the chef's that she employeed and others who now have their own shows, pay it forward idea, the list is endless. It maybe some scandel behind certain things she does but, at least she does it with style and charity. No one in the world can top that! can you?

By Cheryl

Oprah, did a lot for many people whether some of us realize it or not it's just that,. we weren't their when she was blessing other people but, as for me, I was happy just seeing her use that money for her tax write off. Haven't heard she owes in taxes so, that's a good thing. As she departs her way, look out, she'll be involved with doing other stuff and boosting that billion dollars to trillions? Any way, I wish her the best.Ooops! did I write BEST? heck she's got better than all of us put together. So, I'll wish her HAPPINESS.Because, I don't beleive she's happy, like all of us are so, I'll end, by wishing her Peace and Happiness!

By Annie

Sorry People...Oprah DID NOT give those cars away! She DID NOT BUY them to give away. The dealerships used her show for advertising & THEY gave the cars away,NOT HER! She is one of the bigest racists around next to Sharpton & Jackson. ALL her so called charities are for strictly black people. Screw the White Charities. Another one that made it big by the WHITE people putting her through college. Just like Michelle Obama.
You people that really believe Oprah is so great, your not very smart. Do some research on her, you'll see.

By atragon

Oprah is an opportunist. That is what made her what she is. She strikes while the iron is hot and makes something out of nothing. Thank goodness she is giving up her network show. Now women will discover they can live without her. Males now have a chance again.

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