TRANSCRIPT: OPRAH WINFREY ON MSNBC’S ‘MORNING JOE’ LIVE FROM CHICAGO

NEW YORK—FEBRUARY 11, 2011—Oprah Winfrey made a special appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” this morning, where she told Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski that she’s “feeling great about Obama’s leadership.” Winfrey also discussed the current state of politics in the U.S., her recently launched OWN Network and what makes Chicago a great city.

The following below is from MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

A clip of the interview is available at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/ns/msnbc_tv-morning_joe/#41530033

MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CO-HOST, MORNING JOE: All right. Welcome back to MORNING JOE in Chicago. And that clip was from tonight’s new episode of season 25 Oprah: Behind the Scenes on the OWN metwork. An joining us now, the host of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the founder of the OWN network, Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah, it is so good to have you on our show.

OPRAH WINFREY, FOUNDER OF OWN NETWORK: I’m so thrilled –

JOE SCARBOROUGH, CO-HOST, MORNING JOE: You can clap, Chicago!

BRZEZINSKI: We love it. We love it.

WINFREY: I’m happy that you are in my favorite place in the world, Chicago. I heard you in the last segment talking about it. Everything that you say about it is true.

SCARBOROUGH: It’s unbelievable.

WINFREY: From the first day I arrived in the city to audition, that was in September 3rd, 1983. It was labor day because I couldn’t get off any other day. So, I came here to audition, and I thought, if I don’t get the job, I’m going to go into PR so that I can just live in this town.

SCARBOROUGH: It is an unbelievable town, and it’s only gotten better. I love to be talking about the 80s. I remember coming here on a college trip and driving up and down Lake Shore and saying it’s the most beautiful place. But it’s only gotten better. And my family loves coming here.

WINFREY: Yes! And this is my favorite restaurant. You are in my favorite restaurant.

SCARBOROUGH: I know! So, I came here about a year ago to eat for the very first time. I come in, and my wife and I look — and my wife immediately go, uh-oh, this is his kind of place. And so they take me to the corner table and they go, by the way, you’re sitting in Oprah’s booth.

(LAUGHTER)

SCARBOROUGH: But it is a very special place.

WINFREY: I actually do claim that booth.

SCARBOROUGH: But this is a very special town, as well. And who would have believed that a guy that you knew when he was in the state senate would so quickly move up and become president.

WINFREY: I believed it. I believed it! I believed it.

SCARBOROUGH: And you did it! In South Carolina. Now, you never get involved in politics, , but yet you went to South Carolina and just made a huge difference.

WINFREY: Well, I could actually feel you know, when we walked in to South Carolina, I remember that. We had just been in Iowa the day before, and when we moved in to South Carolina that day, I could feel a difference in the audience when we came in and when we left. I could feel that shift, you know.

So, I believed from the first moment I saw him in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, I was watching alone and cheering, and I felt something. And I move on instinct in my life and I just felt — what I really felt was that one day this man will be president of the United States. I did not think it would be in 2008. I just thought one day it will happen. I hope I’m alive to see it.

SCARBOROUGH: You know what the most remarkable thing about take moment was for me?

WINFREY: What?

SCARBOROUGH: And Tom and I have talked a good bit about race before and about how there’s like, a dividing line for people that are 46 or 47, old world, new world. What amazed me was I looked at that picture and was like, wow, that’s really great. And then –

WINFREY: This is the Democratic convention?

SCARBOROUGH: No, no, no! In South Carolina. And it only hit me a few minutes later, wait a second, those are three African-Americans up there. And I didn’t think, oh, there is African-American running for president or, oh, there is a — all I saw was a guy and a woman who I went to law school with, or the type of -

WINFREY: Really?

SCARBOROUGH: Yes. I didn’t’ go to law school. I’m just saying, I just said, oh, I can relate to that. And then I saw you and I said, oh, TV entertainer. And you talked about something that I think a campaign and also that moment that really broke down, I believe, racial barriers where people stopped saying, oh, this is special because it’s an African — no.

BRZEZINSKI: It was just three people on stage.

SCARBOROUGH: Just three leaders.

WINFREY: Well, I’m glad you felt that way. I remember coming off the stage, and the guy who’s done my hair for 25 years. Andre said, gee, that was a moment. That was really something to see the three of you standing there. So, that was great.

TOM BROKAW, NBC: Well, I just had that same experience. This is not just Chicago, this is Oprahland. You come to Chicago and when you’re taken into the Oprahland, it’s really a remarkable experience. And Oprah was kind enough to invite me to be on her broadcast with Bob Woodward and Michelle Obama to talk about military –

WINFREY: That’s after you called me and told me I should do it.

BROKAW: Yes.

(LAUGHTER)

SCARBOROUGH: And by the way, what would really make it is if you had me on the show! So kind!

BROKAW: We did have a great conversation. But you were very responsive.

But here was a powerful moment for me. Obviously there were many of them because we had a mother who had lost a son in Iraq, and Bob was talking about that. I had that family that I know from my hometown.

But at the end of the broadcast, Michelle Obama who came on and talked very movingly about her relationship with military families across the country, and then these two stood up and embraced. And I thought back to the early days of my life, and I didn’t ever think I would see two woman, African-American, the most powerful woman in the media today, in the world, and the first lady of the United States — and the audience was it multicultural, multirace audience, and they were deeply moved.

And this has nothing to do with Democratic or Republican politics. It really has to do with where we have advanced as a nation in that we can have those kinds of moments, and people are beginning to take them as the ordinary part of our lives. But these are extraordinary accomplishments, and we’ve still got a long way to go. But we’re moving in the right direction.

WILLIE GEIST, MSNBC: And there was another moment, too, in Grant Park on election might when the president’s family came out. Well, you were crying and the Reverend Jackson, who’s backstage if we got a minute (ph) was crying. Talk about what you were feeling on that might.

WINFREY: Well, I think I was feeling like this actually happened. It really happened. And I looked over and saw Reverend Jackson, and I was thinking about him and what he must be feeling. I’m sure you’re going to talk to him about this. I’ve never even talked to him about it. I was thinking about him being there on the balcony with Martin Luther King and then being able to stand there in Grant Park. That’s what I was thinking.

BRZEZINSKI: So how are you feeling now? You put yourself out there. You obviously have a lot of power and an incredible ability to connect with people. How are feeling about the mood of the country and Obama’s leadership?

WINFREY: I’m feeling great about Obama’s leadership. I feel that everybody has a learning curve, and I feel that what — the reason why I was willing to step out for him is because I believed in his integrity and I believed in his heart. And I believe what he really wants for this country is for this country to be greater, stronger, more innovative. And I believe that those principles are what really enforce his beliefs. So, I have no issues with the Obama administration.

SCARBOROUGH: And it’s a tough process, isn’t it, personally and –

WINFREY: And I think everybody complaining ought to try it for a week!

BRZEZINSKI: Love that!

SCARBOROUGH: You know, and the thing is, I’ve always said when people complain about it, I say, everybody ought to run. I don’t care what they run for, just put themselves out there one time before they complain.

But we’ve got a lot of friends inside the administration. Valerie and David and so many others who go to Washington and do their best. It’s the same thing with Republican administrations, as well.

But it is such a tough process. Have you been surprised being personally connected with people in the White House just how tough politics can be these days?

WINFREY: Yes. I never really paid attention to it before I knew somebody who was there, obviously. I’ve been voting all my adult life and have voted for Republicans and voted for Democrats because I always look for who is the best candidate and who I feel is going to serve the country.

But, yes, I’m surprised at the mood of the country. I’m surprised at the fact that we live in an era where it’s so easy for everybody to have a position of criticism.

SCARBOROUGH: Right.

WINFREY: And I get really concerned because I think we are one nation, even though we all have different beliefs. And I think that the president of the United States, that position, holds a sense of authority and governance over us all. So that even if you’re not in support of his policies, there needs to be a certain level of respect for the office.

SCARBOROUGH: You have people running around saying they want the president to fail. I always — when I get up and give speeches, I always say the same thing. My parents, my grandma, she taught me you pray for people who are running the country. You pray for the president.

And you know what, I even saw her praying for Jimmy Carter -

BRZEZINSKI: Stop it! I knew it you were going to go there!

SCARBOROUGH: So if you can pray for Jimmy Carter — I’m joking, Mika, I’m joking!

Let’s talk about TV now and let’s the media landscape. You’ve completely changed it. You could have rode this out for years making $80 billion a year, but you decided — it is around $80 billion, if you round down.

(LAUGHTER)

BRZEZINSKI: It really doesn’t matter.

SCARBOROUGH: But you decided to jump. I mean, to start your own network. It would have been much safer for you to say oh, I’m going to go home and I’m just going to travel the world. I’m going to give some money to some people. But, no, you started a network. That can be a very, very ugly proposition.

WINFREY: Yes. And, you know, and it is challenging, I have to tell you. It’s very challenging. But before I go into my network, may I just say the reason why I’m here is because I met one of your producers at some event. And I was telling them how much I love the show. I think you all do this better than anybody in television. You do this morning -

(APPLAUSE)

BRZEZINSKI: That would be Chris. You met Chris. And Oprah, is that your executive producer that’s there? Our EP and your EP.

WINFREY: I think you guys – I mean, I think the flow, the ebb and flow, the rhythm of the show, I think the authenticity, I think the fact that you have real conversations, the conversations aren’t this short. I think that you guys got the morning thing down. I think you got the TV thing down. You do it as well as anybody.

BROKAW: But the difference is, Oprah, you were able to take your entire gift list to Australia.

(LAUGHTER)

BROKAW: We’re taking these people to Hoboken.

BRZEZINSKI: Oh, well.

MIKE BARNICLE, MSNBC: Don’t look under your chairs.

WINFREY: No, there’s nothing there.

BARNICLE: I’m curious about you and listening to the conversation this morning, your network, your friendship with the president of the United States. That young woman who showed up in Chicago in September of 1983 looking for a job and was going on go into PR if she didn’t get the job. Does that young woman now, fast forward all these years later, do you ever worry about someone shaking you and saying, Oprah it’s time to get up and go to school and -

(LAUGHTER)

BRZEZINSKI: It’s all been a dream.

BARNICLE: It’s such a compelling American story, your story.

WINFREY: Only in America could this story happen. Only in America could this story happen.

And, no, I really live in the moment of, yes, this is going on and now I must embrace this moment. Like I have to leave here and I’m doing a live show this morning with all the ladies from “The View.” So, I will take that in.

And one of the things that I wanted to do for this 25th season, my farewell season of the Oprah show, was to be able to do exactly what you’re saying and that is take in every moment and not take one moment for granted. So, every time I come out and that audience is there and they have come from across town and 80 percent have come from across the country, to appreciate what it took to get them in the seat, to appreciate whatever that show is, to not be the girl at the wedding who wakes up an says what really happened in the wedding?

BRZEZINSKI: In your behind-the-scenes program, it’s great to see all the people in your life that make it happen and how unbelievably dedicated they are. 24/7. You got to love it. You got to want to do it. And they do.

WINFREY: Yes, we’re a force. And I love my team. I think I have the best team in TV. I know we all do. But I think I have the best team in TV, and they are responsible along with the audience for us having 25 years of success in the greatest city of America.

SCARBOROUGH: Let me –

WINFREY: Willie — Willie has to speak! I’ve been (INAUDIBLE) and said, you’re going to love Willie. You know, I Twittered and said, look, I’m a little nervous about doing MORNING JOE.

BRZEZINSKI: Are you still nervous?

WINFREY: No, I see the flow is really good.

GEIST: Gail and I have a little thing going. My wife’s aware of it.

SCARBOROUGH: It’s inappropriate emailing and -

GEIST: It’s just email.

BRZEZINSKI: How great is Gail?

WINFREY: She’s the best friend anyone could ever have.

BRZEZINSKI: I love her!

WINFREY: Yes, yes.

GEIST: You know, I’ve been watching this the behind the scenes show that you’re doing on OWN. And it’s just –

WINFREY: Tonight at 7:00.

GEIST: Tonight at 7:00. It’s just staggering what goes into a show. Because we just roll in five minutes before the show, and it’s all showbiz.

BRZEZINSKI: We do!

GEIST: I’m just kidding. We have a great staff.

WINFREY: What time do you get up for Way Too Early?

BRZEZINSKI: Oh, it’s awful!

GEIST: 3:00 in the morning.

WINFREY: Wow. Three’s tough.

GEIST: But what goes into a show, I was watching the one where for your first show, where you had the plane and Travolta, and the ideas on paper just sound outrageous. And yet your staff –

WINFREY: They always know they can pull it off. I have 43 shows left, but who is counting?

(LAUGHTER)

BRZEZINSKI: Nobody.

WINFREY: 43 shows left as of today. May 25th will be my good-bye for the show.

SCARBOROUGH: So why did you decide, instead of just taking a victory lap, going to tackling OWN?

WINFREY: Because I love the platform. As you know, there’s nothing like it for sharing ideas, for sharing information. And I think that the landscape is not so good out there for a lot of television. So, I wanted to be able to continue with the planned for the to be able to be a force for good in the world and be able to say meaningful things.

SCARBOROUGH: And I’m not going to ask you to analyze yourself too much here –

WINFREY: Please don’t.

(LAUGHTER)

WINFREY: I really can’t. It’s too early.

SCARBOROUGH: You talked about our show in our little world. You have a lot of people running 30 minutes of balloon boy while we’re taking press conferences in Japan. And I’m dead serious. In your time slot, on a much bigger scale, there are a lot of people that came in and tried to beat you and you’d have – today, we have the three headed mother who is arm wrestling a -

BRZEZINSKI: In a bikini.

WINFREY: There are been over 127 talk shows who started since I did.

SCARBOROUGH: So, what separated yours, and how were you able to rise above, have great programming and draw the audience?

WINFREY: Because I made a decision in the ’90s — I was interviewing skin heads in the Ku Klux Klan –

BRZEZINSKI: Right.

SCARBOROUGH: We just did that last week. Go ahead.

(LAUGHER)

WINFREY: And I made a decision — there was a moment during a commercial break where one of them said get her. And I made a decision that I was not going to use the platform for anything that I thought would not bring a little piece of light if to people’s lives.

And I realized that while I think I’m interviewing the skin heads and I’m showing how egregious they can be and all that, that really I’m giving them a voice. And so I made a decision that when I’m going to use this platform, I’m going to use to give a voice for that which I think can be helpful to people.

So that was — that made all the difference. At the time, a lot of my affiliates were like, well, don’t tell people you’re going to take the high road.

BRZEZINSKI: Right. Right!

WINFREY: You’ll lose the numbers! And we did. The numbers dipped. But I thought, either I’m going to do what feels right to me, do what feels to me, or I’m going to leave the business.

SCARBOROUGH: And we were last night, we were at an event in memory of the great Tim Russert

WINFREY: Oh, yes.

SCARBOROUGH: And again, our moment, with this show, was when Phil Griffin said to us, you have an audience of one, and it’s Tim Russert. And if Tim would be embarrassed of what you do, then don’t do it.

WINFREY: Wow.

SCARBOROUGH: And it really did – and at that point, we walked in and told Willie he was going to be fired.

(LAUGHTER)

SCARBOROUGH: I’m kidding! I’m kidding! No, no. He had a five-year no-cut contract. But it does, though, whether you’re talking about TV or whether you’re talking about politics. And I know, Tom Brokaw, you’ve learned this through the years so much better than me — but if you don’t underestimate the American voter or the American viewer, they will always surprise you. They will always look for that light that you’re talking about.

WINFREY: But the other thing is, I consider myself, I think one of my gifts is that as much stuff as I’ve been able to acquire, materialistically, I’m not defined by it. And I still hold myself as the surrogate viewer. I, even better than my producers, and I say I have the best team, I, even better than them, I can put myself in the place of the viewer.

SCARBOROUGH: That’s the secret, isn’t it? Knowing what your audience wants.

WINFREY: I think I am the viewer.

BROKAW: You know what I really believe — as you know, I’m all over this country constantly. And the people want someone who’s going to talk straight to them.

These are really unsettling times in so many ways. Three weeks ago, we hadn’t had any idea that Egypt would blow up. Last summer, it was the BP explosion. So, there’s an enormous a lot of stuff going on in the lives of people in which they’re looking for real information, but also looking for real value in television.

And that’s across the political spectrum. And what Oprah does so well on the success of this broadcast, I believe, is it gives everyone time and there is a kind of reason –

WINFREY: It’s the time thing.

BROKAW: It’s the time thing. And there’s a reasoned attitude about it, and Oprah is amazing at listening, which is the real key. And being in the studio with her and looking out at that audience. And I ran into a Beverly Hills matron after I had been on, it was the last person I would have expected would have flown to Chicago because she’d gotten tickets for your show, then she had gone back and helped organize some fundraising for military families, which we had talked about.

But Oprah has this uncanny capacity to listen, give people time to say what they have to say, and choose the subjects very carefully and do the right mix. You know, today it’s “The View” and then it will be something else the next day. And people are unfailingly interesting — interested in what she has to say. So I think that is a lesson.

SCARBOROUGH: And by the way, Willie and I want you to know that if material objects ever get in the way of you reaching out to the men and women of America, we will help you. We will –

BRZEZINSKI: Cars.

GEIST: But the big mistake people make is, do they always say, who is the next Oprah? When they heard this was your last season, it’s like who’s going to fill the shoes? Like, who is the next Michael Jordan? There is no next Michael Jordan. Do you see people on the horizon, outside of this room –

(LAUGHTER)

GEIST: — who excites you, who can carry your legacy a little bit?

WINFREY: No. I think my legacy is my legacy, and whoever the next person is, they will define themselves by whatever they choose to do. You know. That’s really the way it works.

GEIST: So it’s not me?

(LAUGHTER)

WINFREY: It may be. It may be.

BRZEZINSKI: He’s a cute thing, isn’t he?

SCARBOROUGH: You can e-mail Gayle now and tell her –

GEIST: (INAUDIBLE)

WINFREY: This was so delightful!

SCARBOROUGH: Well, listen, we thank you so much for coming here and doing it –

WINFREY: You know, I’m always on my treadmill watching. This is usually the time I’m watching from my treadmill. I gave up the treadmill today for –

BRZEZINSKI: You might want to give him your treadmill.

WINFREY: No, no!

SCARBOROUGH: All right, Oprah, thank you so much. We appreciate it!

(APPLAUSE)

BRZEZINSKI: Thank you, Oprah Winfrey. And Chris and — very nice.

(END)

Oprah Winfrey’s Monday big reveal – She has a half-sister

Oprah Winfrey talked about Monday and how she had major news to reveal that pertains to her.

Well, it’s Monday and the big news is that Oprah Winfrey has a half-sister.

On Monday’s show, Winfrey introduced everyone to her half-sister Patricia, a woman given up for adoption after birth. According to CNN, “Winfrey said she chose to make the announcement herself so the media would not exploit it. Her sister, Patricia, spoke about being put up for adoption at birth, spent time in foster care and longed to be reunited with her foster mother.”

AN EXTRAORDINARY MIX OF RENOWNED ARTISTS GATHER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., TO SALUTE THIS YEAR’S HONOREES AT “THE 33RD ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS”, TO BE BROADCAST TUESDAY, DEC. 28 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey Are the Honorees for the 33rd Anniversary of This Acclaimed Annual Special

Caroline Kennedy Hosts for Eighth Consecutive Year

Performers and Presenters Include Edward Albee, Alec Baldwin, Christine Baranski, Laura Benanti, Matthew Bomer, Carol Channing, Sheryl Crow, Claire Danes, Sutton Foster, Christine Ebersole, Vince Gill, Kelsey Grammer, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Angela Lansbury, Kendall Marcy, Matthew Morrison, Willie Nelson, No Doubt, Kelli O’Hara, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Julia

Roberts, Chris Rock, Mavis Staples, James Taylor, John Travolta, Steven Tyler,

Barbara Walters, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Joyce Garrett Choir, Jerry Herman Tribute Choir, Rob Mathes Band, Tennessee State University Choir and Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.

President and Mrs. Barack Obama Attend Gala alongside Honorees

Eminent artists, friends and peers of this year’s five honorees-Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey-converged in Washington, D.C., last night (Dec. 5) to present entertaining and heartfelt tributes at THE 33RD ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, an entertainment special to be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 28 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, with Caroline Kennedy as host for the eighth consecutive year

The annual event recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures and television.  Keeping with tradition, the roster of performers and presenters remained secret prior to the gala and a short biographical film was featured during each honoree’s tribute.

Performers and presenters included Edward Albee, Alec Baldwin, Christine Baranski, Laura Benanti, Matthew Bomer, Carol Channing, Sheryl Crow, Claire Danes, Sutton Foster, Christine Ebersole, Vince Gill, Kelsey Grammer, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Angela Lansbury, Kendall Marcy, Matthew Morrison, Willie Nelson, No Doubt, Kelli O’Hara, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, Julia Roberts, Chris Rock, Mavis Staples, James Taylor, John Travolta, Steven Tyler, Barbara Walters,  Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Joyce Garrett Choir, Jerry Herman Tribute Choir, Rob Mathes Band, Tennessee State University Choir and Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.

President and Mrs. Barack Obama were seated with the honorees in the Presidential Box of the Opera House at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, after having just hosted the traditional White House reception for the honorees.

Host Caroline Kennedy commenced the festivities by quoting her father, President John F. Kennedy, saying, “Nearly 50 years ago, my father said that a nation reveals itself not only by the individuals it produces, but by the individuals it honors.  We are here tonight to honor and celebrate accomplished artists who have enriched the life of our country.”  She described the five 2010 honorees as “a Florida child who danced his way from the potato harvest to become the theater’s most provocative choreographer; a Jersey boy with a gift for tunes who brightened the musical theater with great ladies like Dolly and Mame; an Oklahoma railroader’s son who loved the sound of the lonesome whistle taking people somewhere else-and captured it in song; a talkative farm girl from Mississippi who kept

saying ‘someday I want to make a difference’-and did; and a Liverpool lad with a sublime gift for melody who always lived for tomorrow and made us long for ‘Yesterday.’”

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Julia Roberts opened the tribute to her longtime friend, multiple Emmy Award-winning producer, television host and actress Oprah Winfrey, stating, “It is a universal conversation starter: ‘Did you see what was on ‘Oprah’ today?’  It creates calm at the dentist, makes a friend of a stranger on a bus, binds mothers and daughters of all generations.  Oprah Gail Winfrey…I think she is pretty damn close to perfect and I don’t mean boring, run-of-the-mill perfect.  I mean fabulous, shining, Margarita-drinking perfect.  But as a friend, I must share without giving away too much.”

Roberts continued, “She is tireless, brilliant, hilarious and compassionate.  She comes on television every day of the week and is our friend, a teacher, a leader, a listener.  The first time I heard about a better fitting bra, the inner workings of Chicago’s sewage system, ‘Favorite Things,’ or a fascinating politician named Barack Obama…was on ‘Oprah.’  She has led and taught and guided us all in such a gentle and consistent way that we have all not only benefited-we have, whether for a moment or a lifetime, become the best we could be.”

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, film director, author and diplomat Sidney Poitier, a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1995 and a friend and mentor to Winfrey, called her “…an inspiration wherever people gather to conquer the complexities of life;  wherever they struggle to shape their existence from inhospitable experiences.  You are what a social network should be: A network of people bound together by care and compassion, sharing our best moments and our deepest fears, providing comfort and support, by being friends-friends in the Oprah sense-friends, indeed.”

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award-winning actor John Travolta, another close friend of Oprah Winfrey, continued, “I have been so used by Oprah!  Oh boy, have I been used.  Let me give you just one example: On the day Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf area, my phone rings.  It’s Oprah.  She says, ‘John, I know you’ve got a big Boeing jet sitting in your backyard.  Now here’s what you do, you fill it with medical supplies and you meet me down there.’  And then she added, ‘Now!’  Well, when Oprah calls, you answer!  So I got the medical supplies, plus food, doctors and survival equipment.  I flew my airplane into New Orleans, and who was there waiting for me?  Oprah-with 10 of the biggest trucks you ever saw.  Take note, world, that’s how you use people.”

Multiple Emmy Award winner Barbara Walters, a broadcasting legend and inspiration for a young Oprah, was next, saying “Oprah has lived every moment of her life with great courage.  She has told the most private things about herself, without ever losing her dignity.  That’s what makes her such a sensitive and powerful actress, such a warm and

welcoming host, such an easy and caring friend, and, simply put, the best interviewer ever.  No one even comes close.  Not even me.  And if you know me, you’ll know how difficult that was to say.”

Emmy Award-winning comedian Chris Rock then joined Travolta and Walters on stage for a humorous send up of Oprah’s titular talk show.  This was followed by a rousing rendition of the song, “I’m Here,” from the Broadway hit, “The Color Purple,” performed by Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson.

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress Claire Danes, who is a Patron’s Circle Contributor to Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, paid tribute to Tony Award-winning dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones by saying, “Bill and I-despite some obvious differences in, say, age, gender, and race-both began our careers in the downtown dance scene in New York City.  My debut was at a theater on the Lower East Side when I was 6 years old.  I was surrounded by performers on stilts and quacked like a duck.  This humble origin-in dance, at least-lead to a humble end.  Bill, on the other hand, has become the virtuosic dancer, choreographer and theatre director that we know and love today.  To these disciplines, he brings an unflinching honesty, curiosity, and to borrow one of his words, ‘fierceness’…in all of his diverse works, Bill asks a lot of himself and us; he knows that art is not for the faint of heart.  But he is there, always inviting us-no, urging us-to dance along with him.”  Danes then introduced a poignant performance tribute by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

Multiple Tony Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Angela Lansbury, a 2000 Kennedy Center Honoree, took the stage to talk about Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jerry Herman’s contributions to the world of musical theater.  ”I will never forget the first time we worked together.  It was ‘Mame’ and what an entrance you gave me…you had me stand at the top of the stairs with bugle in hand, then slide down that long banister into an elegant party singing your great song, ‘It’s Today.’  Now, that was an entrance!  Well, ‘it is today,’ and it’s your day!  And, who would have thought that 45 years later I would be here joining in this wonderful occasion celebrating your enormous contribution to the American musical theater?  Bravo!”

Lansbury continued, “His genius has been to keep one foot firmly planted in the great musical theater traditions, and the other always opening new windows…Jerry’s first Broadway hit was 50 years ago-50 years!  But we’re not looking back.  The spectacular new revival of “La Cage aux Folles” is packing them in every night on the Great White Way and, because of that, it is a more exciting, more musical, more romantic, more funny and more fun place to be.  There’s only one last thing to say: ‘Jerry: it’s so nice to have you back where you belong.’”

With those closing remarks, a rousing musical medley of Herman’s songs began with “We Are What We Are,” from “La Cage aux Folles,” performed by Golden Globe and

Emmy Award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer, who is currently starring in the stage revival of the show on Broadway.  This led into “Hello, Jerry,” a playful send-up of his famous song, “Hello, Dolly,” with Tony Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Carol Channing performing her most famous role.  Then, Emmy and Tony Award nominated actor Matthew Morrison showed off his singing and dancing prowess with “It’s Today,” followed by another favorite, “Bosom Buddies,” performed by Tony Award-winning actresses Christine Baranski and Christine Ebersole.  Next, Tony Award winner Laura Benanti sang “Time Heals Everything,” followed by Tony Award winner Sutton Foster with “Before The Parade Passes By.”  Singers Matthew Bomer and Kelli O’Hara performed “It Only Takes a Moment,” and Tony Award winner and 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree Chita Rivera sang and danced to “I Don’t Want to Know.”  The Jerry Herman Tribute Choir performed “I Am What I Am.”  In conclusion, Angela Lansbury returned to the stage to perform “The Best of Times” with the rest of the tribute performers.

Multiple Grammy Award-winning country music artist Vince Gill opened the tribute to Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Merle Haggard, saying “I’m proud to be here to see my old friend-on a personal note, my favorite-Merle Haggard receive the Kennedy Center Honor.  But I don’t really know what to say.  Merle has already revealed everything we need to know about the man; it’s all in his songs.  What can I add?  I can say that I admire how he writes for all of those who lack voices of their own.  Society’s forgotten or pushed aside.  He captures their dignity as they struggle to make ends meet as drifters, factory workers, farmhands, fathers, sons and prisoners-as they fight the demons we all know…I know what Merle is thinking right now…he’s thinking, ‘Vince, shut the hell up and get to the music.’  I’m almost there, Hag.”

Gill then introduced a musical tribute to Haggard that began with Golden Globe and Grammy Award winner Kris Kristofferson and Grammy Award nominee Miranda Lambert singing “Silver Wings,” followed by “Workin’ Man Blues,” performed by multi-Grammy winners Vince Gill and Brad Paisley.  Up next were multi-Grammy winner Sheryl Crow and 1998 Kennedy Center Honoree Willie Nelson with “Today I Started Loving You Again” and, in closing, Nelson joined Grammy Award nominees Jamey Johnson and Kid Rock for a rockin’ version of “Ramblin’ Fever.”

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin paid tribute to Academy Award and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Paul McCartney, stating “First let’s get this off the table: Paul McCartney is a genius.  We’re honoring him here tonight for his achievements in the performing arts.  His genius as a maker of music is undisputed, but Paul also has a genius for life, and I think the two are related.  Paul never loses sight of what’s important…His great achievement as a musician goes beyond the millions and millions of records sold, and the millions more to come.  Paul married rock ‘n’ roll with beauty and forever raised the bar for composers, musicians and fans.  Paul, you’ve changed the world, but while everything around you changed, you never did.  We honor you

tonight for your career as a Beatle, the leader of Wings, an incredible solo performer, the creator of our favorite songs, and, yes, as a Moondog, too.”

The tribute to McCartney began with a rousing performance by Grammy Award-winning rock band No Doubt singing a medley of McCartney hits, including “Hello Goodbye,” “All My Loving” and “Penny Lane.”  Next was a tender performance of “Maybe I’m Amazed” by multi-Grammy winners Dave Grohl and Norah Jones, accompanied by the Rob Mathes band.  Then, Grammy Award-winning musician Steven Tyler belted out the first-ever live television performance of a medley of songs from the hit Beatles album, “Abbey Road,” including “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window,” “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”  Finally, multi-Grammy winner James Taylor rocked the house with an amazing performance of “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude,” joined by legendary Gospel singer Mavis Staples, The Joyce Garrett Choir and the rest of the performers, and the audience, for the evening’s rousing conclusion.

THE 33RD ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS is a production of the Kennedy Center.  George Stevens Jr., who created the Honors in 1978 with Nick Vanoff, produced and co-wrote the show for the 33rd year.  Michael Stevens was co-producer and co-writer.   This year, the show received an Emmy Award for the second consecutive year for Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy Special.  The KENNEDY CENTER HONORS telecast has also been recognized with the Peabody Award for Outstanding Meritorious Service to Broadcasting, and seven awards from the Writers Guild of America.

RATING:  To Be Announced

Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” audience receives a surprise from Oprah Winfrey

With Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” coming up, Oprah Winfrey paid a visit to the show via video and explained that the Daily Show audience had a surprise waiting for them under their seat. Lucky!!!

Simpson talks John Mayer to Oprah – “I was so disappointed in him. That’s not the John I knew.”

After John Mayer went public in an interview about his sexual life during his relationship with Jessica Simpson calling it “sexual napalm”, Jessica Simpson will be featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in which Simpson discusses the John Mayer situation.

Simpson tells Oprah, “I was so disappointed in him. That’s not the John I knew.”

Even though Mayer has apologized, Simpson tells Oprah, “I haven’t written back. I don’t accept it … I hope he gets his life together.”

Jimmy Kimmel comments about Jay Leno’s interview with Oprah Winfrey

Jimmy Kimmel spared no punches once again when commenting about Jay Leno. This time in regards to Leno telling Oprah that he felt he was suckered punch by Kimmel.

Kimmel opened his show saying, “Leno went on Oprah and rats me out. That’s a sucker-punch right there. You don’t go to Oprah and say that. He’s a tattle-tale.” Kimmel said jokingly, “Oprah and I had a wonderful relationship, and now it’s ruined because of Jay.”

“Watch out Oprah. Don’t think he won’t take your show next.”

Jay Leno in regards to Jimmy Kimmel’s comments on his show: “I got sucker-punched”

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno opens up about his “white lie” about telling people he was planning to retire (when the truth was NBC fired him for Conan O’Brien), about taking over “The Tonight Show” once again and also commenting on the scathing, comments Jimmy Kimmel gave Leno live on his show.

Leno tells Winfrey, “I got sucker-punched,” Leno said. Leno said he could of edited the footage but said, “No. Put it out there. I walked into it. You get right up again. You don’t whine and complain.”

metromediacomplex: The One about Charice Pempengco

It has been so amazing to see young Charice Pempengco achieve worldwide attention.

I have seen her on television via the Filipino channel ABS-CBN (via the Filipino Channel) while visiting my parents and then in 2007, I believe, watching her on “Ellen”.

The young singer from the Philippines was recently featured on Oprah Winfrey this month and just watching her sing “My Heart Goes On” with David Foster was just amazing!

But what touched me was to know more about the life and background of Charice in the Philippines. For so long, I have heard her amazing voice and seen her on youtube.com but for some reason, I have thought, oh…a singer from Manila has been discovered. But in reality, the episode on Oprah Winfrey showed a side of the singer having to support her family and I was truly touched.

The Philippines has amazing vocalists from Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez, Vina Morales and several years ago, I was just amazed by the voice of Carol Banawa. But Charice Pempengco, has a voice that is just so incredibly beautiful.

And one thing that I enjoy, positively, about the Internet is to see these talent get recognition worldwide, as Arnel Pineda who received recognition from youtube and is now the lead singer of Journey.

But the recognition and the fact that Oprah Winfrey brought the young singer to her show and even went further by getting Charice’s favorite singer Celine Dion to appear on the show via video to invite Charice to perform with her at Madison Square Garden is just incredible.

And before those who bring up the “well, Dennis, you should know by now that Asian singers don’t do well in America”, I agree that the musical marketing of well-known Asian artists in the America has been quite unsatisfactory.

With the latest announcement of K-Pop/J-Pop artist BoA making her American debut in a few weeks, this topic has been a big roundtable discussion amongst me and a few colleagues in the industry. We can hope she is marketed well.

I hope for big things for this vibrant performer. The appearance on Oprah is quite significant and I’m proud of her and the way she has been on television and just singing her heart out!

Charice Pempengco… keep your eyes on this singer with a wonderful voice!