How could one not commend her for that. Props to her. As much as I dislike much about Oprah, I must give credit where it is due.

I will bump this up

I hardly watch Oprah anymore, but I used to watch her and Phil Donahue more when I was younger.

I think her heart is in the right place and she tries hard to do what's right. She does a lot of good in the world and she's always in the public eye while doing it.

It sounds like her to leave everything to charity. Good idea!

i also used to watch her quite a bit.  i found her shows becoming more inconsistent to my tastes, though, and so i've gradually stopped watching... i doubt i would even recognize her style anymore.

i think that no matter what you think of her, she has changed the pop culture and television landscape forever. 

I am not an Oprah fan, but I do admire her and her efforts. I think she is one of our modern day prophets.

bump

I admire anyone who has taken what has been given to them and, with the help of others, has been able to affect so many people.  All in the name of helping humanity, which is what matters, really.  When there can be such a mainstream show as this today, it shows me how far humanity has come and represents the further death-cries of easy cynicism...

I do think it rather self-serving of her to focus on her own accomplishments during her last shows. Hey everyone, look at how great I am kind of stuff.

as much as i'd like to agree with you, mc, i have to say that to me, her highlighting all the good she has done over the 20+ years she has been on tv is pretty much what all her fans would want to see.  she has evolved so much from when she started... she is kind of an example of what is possible on television... when you look at where she is now, vs where someone like jerry springer wound up, it gives ya hope, you know??

she is a phenomenon for sure though I never really got it.

It is amazing how she affected the cultural media.  To get on Oprah was to get success.  Weird

I've watched Oprah off and on over the years, definitely not an "ultimate fan" (I guess that's why I didn't get to go to Australia ).  I've enjoyed her shows and have learned much from her guests and from her.  I respect the fact that she came from a background of poverty and was born in a place, time, sex, and race that could have prevented her from going anywhere, but rose to the top despite the odds.  Wow - when she looks on her own life she must be in awe of where she has risen.  In her rising she could have chosen to focus on herself and friends, but instead chose to share it with others . . . many others . . . and encouraged others to share too.  Despite whether one likes or dislikes Oprah, her show, or her empire . . . despite her intentions or whether they were God-satisfying or self-satisfying   . . . one cannot take away the fact that she has overwhelmingly given, done, and changed many lives with her wealth, power, and presence.  And for all that has happened to the good in others lives through her and her means, we give thanks!