She does not need a last name, nor does she need an introduction. Her candor has engendered her into people’s lives. She is more than an icon. In many respects she is a movement. The woman who spotted such talents as Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, and Rachel Ray is throwing in the towel.
Yes, you heard me correctly; Oprah is throwing in the towel and ending her show in 2011. The powerhouse of daytime television announced an end to giveaways in return for a break from 25 seasons on the air. Many have referred to Oprah as being in a category of her own. For more than two decades Oprah has drawn audiences from around the world, breaking boundaries about what topics can be addressed on day time television, empowering women to speak about issues once deemed taboo, and transforming afternoon talk shows from barely topical to substantive.
Aside from the evident entertainment factor, Oprah has served, not only as a strong and fearless female figure, but also as a news conveyor. Many women who are too busy with their early morning routine to even listen to FOX or CNN rely primarily on Oprah’s afternoon program for relevant news. True, obtaining information from a talk show host is not equal to actually watching broadcast news or reading The Wall Street Journal. However, Oprah is able to reach audience demographics that basic news channels cannot access. She connects with the everyday woman, the young girl insecure with herself, the single mother raising two children, the independent female. Without Oprah, who will bridge these demographics?
Oprah’s decision to gracefully exit daytime television leaves many things in limbo. One thought is that her absence will leave room for new female contenders. Maybe Rachel Ray’s morning show will become the new talk show of the day. But there is still that soon-to-be-empty slot that soccer moms gravitate toward after picking up their children from school. Who, if anyone will take O’s place?
After learning of Oprah’s decision to end her talk show the first thing that came to mind was that this loss could lay the groundwork for a new, intellectual female contender. The second thought to enter my mind: what if Tyra rises to the top? If Ms. Banks becomes the proxy, I fear the worst for our gender. I hope that my concerns are quelled by a new female icon that stands for intellect and independence, rather than implants and “no you did-ints.”
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Kathleen Someah previously attended Kenyon College where she studied English and Political Science. She is currently an intern with a political think tank where she focuses primarily on issues relating to homeland security.
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