So it’s official. After months of speculation that Oprah 
was going to move her show out of Chicago to join the rest of big time TV in LA, the word is out that it’s not a move she’s planning. The Oprah Winfrey Show will record its last episode in Sep 2011.
While this will mean a huge loss to Chicago, it’s the bigger loss I shall mourn: The loss of what I believe is the most influential and life-changing show on television. 25 seasons of touching peoples’ hearts. Wow. She’s the earliest influence I’ve had that’s fueled my belief the powerful world of media can indeed be used for positive social change.
I have shed many a tear watching her show. And I’ve laughed out loud in front of the telly, from halfway around the world in Singapore. I often joked with friends that my reason for choosing to study in Chicago was because i harbored a secret desire to be a part of her live studio audience! By a stroke of luck, that dream was fulfilled. Being in that studio was tremendously exciting. It fascinated me how huge the place was and how much crazy action was going on outside of what we often see within the frame on TV. Oh life is funny that way. The more we learn, the more we realize we don’t know.
But when one door closes, one more always opens. I’m thankful that she’s not leaving the media completely. Just look forward to what she does with the Oprah Winfrey Network. Afterall, change can be created in more ways than one. And based on her track record, the most influential woman in media is bound to move mountains there.
Shuling Yong 