Oprah Winfrey recently said farewell to 25 years of hosting her hit daytime talk show. Through the show, she reached hundreds of millions of viewers around the world and launched a multi-billion dollar empire that spans magazines, television, Broadway and movies. Now that her show is over, Winfrey will concentrate on running OWN, her recently launched television network. Her time in the spotlight has made her one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in the world, but it hasn't come without controversy. She has been sued over statements she's made and questioned for openly endorsing Barack Obama for president in 2008. However, if her recent farewell gala at Chicago's United Center is any indication, she has kept a large and loyal fan base along the way. The first three minutes and 45 seconds of this video give an overview of Oprah's 25-year career, and the rest is a discussion about her impact on American culture with Audrey Edwards, formerly of Essence Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times' Mary McNamara. Quotes "You know, when I started, not even I imagined that this show would have the depth and the reach that you all have given it." - Oprah Winfrey "These years with you, our viewers, have enriched my life beyond all measure." - Oprah Winfrey Warm Up Questions 1. Is there a TV show that you or someone in your family watches every day? 2. What is a brand? 3. Who is Oprah Winfrey? Discussion Questions 1. Based on what you saw on the video and based on what you know about her show, what impact do you think Oprah Winfrey has had on American culture? 2. What do you think about the controversies mentioned in this video? Do you think Oprah should have handled any of them differently? 3. Why do you think fans responded so well to Oprah's show? Are there other television shows that you feel connected to in some way? Why? Additional Resources Video Transcript Studio Response to Writers Strike Means Lost Fans Download this Video