Update: Wow! Find Out What Stars Showed Up for Oprah's Final Shows
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As Oprah Winfrey prepares to end The Oprah Winfrey Show May 25, Us Weekly is taking you behind the scenes for Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular, two star-studded hours that will air as her second and third-to-last shows.
PHOTOS: Revisit Oprah's legendary career
Watch this space Tuesday night as Us' Allison Corneau offers real-time updates on all the A-listers attending the one night only event at Chicago's United Center. And for even more Oprah, don't forget to follow Us on Twitter to get scoop, photos and tidbits you won't see on TV.
5:58 pm: A techno mix of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" is pumping on the speakers. Let's party!
6:22 pm: Oprah audience coordinator Sally Lou Loveman is warming up the crowd. "This is one giant love letter to Oprah and The Oprah Winfrey Show!" she says, as the audience starts waving supplied LED lights. "We're going to light up the United Center."
6:36 pm: The United Center crowd is jamming out to the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling." Their dancing is almost as good as the flashmob you saw on The Oprah Show!
6:44 pm: Oprah really brings people together. One of the audience members just proposed to his girlfriend live on stage during the warmup segment. She said YES!
6:52 pm: The capacity crowd is ready for some happy tears. Every audience member has a box of tissues under their seat!
6:57 pm: Three minutes to showtime!
7:19pm: Oprah has taken the stage! The guest of honor greets her adoring public as "I Gotta Feeling" blasts in the background. She looks great in a sparkly purple gown. "What's happening Chicago?!" she says.
7:21 pm: "Oprah Winfrey, today you are surrounded by nothing but love," the night's first celeb guest Tom Hanks says.
7:25 pm: Hanks introduces Oprah's first surprise. "Pulling off this surprise has been mission impossible," Hanks says as Tom Cruise walks out. "We got ya!" Cruise says.
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7:29 pm: America's Got Talent's Jackie Evancho offers the first live performance. After a few bars, Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle take the mic to sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." What power!
7:37 pm: Madonna is here looking positively radiant. "This is so exciting. You look surprised," she tells Oprah, launching into a heartfelt speech to her idol. "It's no secret that millions of people are inspired by Oprah. I am one of those people. Whenever I'm asking who my role models are, I always say 'dead' or 'alive.' The dead list is long, but the alive list has one name on it: Oprah."
7:48pm: Tina Fey and Steve Carell appear in a taped package using cardboard cutouts of Oprah's face to interview each other. They're trading "ugly cry" faces and Fey is teaching Carell the meaning of the word "va-jay-jay."
7:53 pm: Dakota Fanning takes the stage with young fans who explain what The Oprah Show means to them. "We call ourselves Oprah Show babies," Fanning says. "We've learned from The Oprah Show that we matter, that we're enough. Because of The Oprah Winfrey Show, we believe that girls can run the world."
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7:55 pm: Clad in a tuxedo-style bodysuit, Beyonce belts out her female empowerment anthem "Run the World (Girls)." Here's hoping the audience likes the song, because she ended up singing it twice after producers requested a re-do.
8:21 pm: "I don't know what Beyonce was recruiting for, but I'm signing up. If she runs for president, I think she's going to win," Hanks says. Adds Oprah: "Those are some good quadriceps."
8:40 pm: "I loved you the first moment I met you. The true beauty of your show is that viewers of your show....have risen up to literally change the world," says Halle Berry, who joins Katie Holmes and Queen Latifah to introduce viewers who have made a difference in their community.
8:54 pm: Cruise and Holmes introduce Rascal Flatts' performance of "I Won't Let Go." As the crowd sings along, the night's star-studded cast joins Oprah on stage. "I feel the love! And I thank you for it," Oprah tells the crowd. "Your being here tonight.... honors me in the deepest way possible."
VIDEO: Go inside Oprah's massive mansion!
9:26 pm: Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith are in the house! "Oprah, I want to thank you for the 25 years you've given us of you. You have enlightened and empowered us, you have taught us how to be. I know you don't have children of your own, but you have mothered millions," Pinkett-Smith says. "That puts you in the status of a goddess."
9:33 pm: Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder serenade Oprah with a duet of "Isn't She Lovely" before Wonder performs a new song he penned with Oprah in mind. Sample lyrics: "Oprah thank you for using your gift to lift up so many more."
9:59 pm: Hilarious! Rosie O'Donnell is singing about how much she'll miss The Oprah Show -- backed by Nate Berkus, Dr. Phil & Dr. Oz.
10:08 pm: Oprah's "best girlfriends" are introduced…Gayle King and Maria Shriver! Hours after Shriver's estranged husband Arnold Schwarzenegger's stunning public confession -- he secretly fathered a child with a household staffer 10 years ago -- Shriver put on a brave face to fete her friend. "Over the years, you have shared that very generous spirit…you've believed in others, so they can believe in themselves," Shriver says.
10:17 pm: Kristin Chenoweth dazzles with "For Good" from Broadway's "Wicked." "If you're looking for the breakdown, that did it. This is newsworthy!" Oprah says as Morehouse College students hit the stage after the performance, each holding a single flickering candle. "That was amazing."
10:34 pm: Oprah's mentor, Maya Angelou, is now honoring the talk show legend with an original poem. After the reading, Alicia Keys offers "Superwoman" on the piano.
10:50 pm: Stedman Graham offers a humorous tribute to his leading lady. "It really does amaze me that I get to be around a woman who changes people's lives every day and who also takes her own lunch to work," he says. "She says she takes her lunch to work because she wants to save money! That really is amazing!"
10:56 pm: Aretha Franklin belts out a version of "Amazing Grace" that leaves Oprah utterly speechless. Us too!
11:03 pm: "I've never experienced anything like this. Thank you for taking me to a place that is beyond joyous," Oprah says as the show comes to a close. But not before one last surprise! It's Usher, singing the gospel hit "Oh Happy Day," as the full cast of celebs joins Oprah for a singalong. Cue the confetti cannons! It's a wrap!
Tell Us: What is your all-time favorite Oprah Show moment?
Tell Us What You Think
26Where was Oprah's dear friend...JOHN TRAVOLTA????? Anybody have a clue, share please.
Darn hasn't she gone yettttttttt
Oprah ,be blessed as you blessed so many of us around the world.You aren't done yet,As God will still work in you in many other ways to change the world. Olive Luena -Tanzania
â?¢ Through her show I learnt that nobody has the right to tell me who, I am. Also sheâ??s provided a great example of how she had experienced life and how she is living it well. I admire her how she keeps it real. But one thing Dear Oprah Winfrey come canceller to all children of Africa. Be blessed my dear.
Finally Oprah bowing out. This woman surely has paid her dues to humanity. Hmmm.... show me a woman that lacks inspiration and i'll show u Winfrey Oprah.This woman is INSPIRED!!!
Every good thing has to come to an end, but the impact that Oprah left on her viewers for 25 years is so painful to see her go. I will like to thank you for helping me on my journey in life to accept, appreciate and cherish myself for whom I am. God Bless you Oprah God Bless you. You are a special friend indeed.
Oprah Winfrey is a real authentic woman that does not try to make anyone seem smaller so that she seems larger. I appreciate her helping US by just inviting us to be her audience. She took chances on the show and in her life. We generally learn by experiiwnce or examples. Oprah Winfrey has shown me that the world does not have the right to tell me who,I am. More importantly, she's given a great example of someone who experienced life and is living it well. I respect and admire the lady that "keeps it real" in a world where some would be forgotten. The children in Africa, children with cancer... too many to name. Love is the world that I feel best describes what she has shown and shared. Thank you Ms. Oprah Winfrey!
Oprah it's a blessing to see you achieve so much. God picked the right summer fruit basket when He saw your little heart God continue to show you the way.
Oprah, it's been a great ride for you to come into our lives in the early 80's and stay as long as you have, thank you. You have been a blessing to me a liitle color girl from Peoria, Ill. You are my Diana Ross!!! Also can you put your last season on a disc, for the working people that work during the day to purchase. I'll buy it, take care and love you more.
I am a fan of Oprah's and was wondering why Tina Turner was not included in your line up of her favorites.
Great! Great! Great! that is what represent. Out of nowhere you became one of the most powerful women in the world. You inspired so many without hope. God bless you for showing me and many others how to dream big work hard towards it. I love you Oprah.
Oprah means personally alot to me,never met her are been on her show,but she has changed the way I live and think.Thank You Oprah!
We have come to the end of an era.....for 25 years Ms. O has been on the air giving people a vehicle to express their fears, beliefs and opinions....and it didn't matter whether she agreed with them or not. Through that time to this as the people that came to the show gave her her audience...she returned the favor for making her an Icon by giving back to her audience....money, cars, trips etc....you may not like her because you were NOT in the audience to receive anything material....but if you watched the show even ONE TIME...you received something within your spirit that touched you for a moment. I was never on the show and I met her right after The Color Purple movie in the late 80's and she was not the Oprah Winfrey that she is now...but I must say....she was one of the nicest persons that I have ever met. I can not speak on why you dislike her or are jealous of her...but try being the type of person that doesn't speak ill of people & maybe your luck will change & you will be as successful as ...Oprah Winfrey has been by being a person that GIVES!!!!! God Speed to all of you & whatever your endeavors may be. ChinaDoll of The Platters
Oprah, you are the best and you are one of the greatest ladies who ever lived!! I know that you are not going to stop touching lives, not now and I say congratulations, and the best is yet to come!!!!!!!! God bless ya, Fannie
Oprah, God Bless You for all you've done to make this world a better place! To those with the negative comments, why bother? And 'Ana'...you're just as ignorant as they come!
Oprah, You're simply the best. Keep inspiring and encouraging all of us. Keep spreading the love and hugs and kisses throughout the world. Thanks for a utterly fantastic 25 years of wisdom, happiness and joy and a piece of your learned experience. Linda R. Perkins
where is Tina Turner? thought they were friends
Definitely, Oprah was born to lead. She brings out the best in people and by doing that, she brings the best out of herself. Great concept to follow and try to emanate. I say to Oprah, rest girl!! then Run for something. Not a cause or marathon....but a position in government.
When I think of Oprah the words that come to me are "Heart & Soul" She has taught us all how to operate on a level that speaks to us about humanity and humility. I will miss here more than words can communicate.
They ALL kiss each other's a s s! All the big shots in showbiz are Oprah's FRIENDS. She did a lot of good things because she can aford them and because she loves showing off. Not only she loves showing off her good deeds but also the important friends she has. Hypocritical! She thinks she is the most important and the most powerful woman in the business; maybe she is, but have you seen her without makeup and her hair a mess? She's just another woman from the ghetto. I really think she's fake; she thinks she can buy everything.