The Valley remembers The Oprah Winfrey Show

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Oprah's final episode airs Wednesday and viewers all over the Valley and the world are waiting to see what surprises the queen of talk has in store. After 25 years Oprah's audience has a lot of fond memories to last long after her show ends.

Action News has learned a few more details about Oprah Winfrey's final episode, which was taped Tuesday in Chicago. Fans leaving the show said there were no celebrities on stage with Oprah, but some celebrities were in the audience. There were no freebies and no giveaways during the final episode -- but it did include a lot of crying, and a lot of hugs.

The show premiered on ABC30 in 1986.

Oprah and Gayle's Yosemite adventure last fall is still the talk of the town. "My favorite one is the Yosemite one. I like what she did and she's very luck," said 9-year-old Jaiden Corth.

Oprah visited the national park at the invitation of Ranger Shelton Johnson who personally showed her around. "They say oh you're the ranger that was with Oprah in Yosemite and we're here because we saw that show!! It was a quantum leap an exponential leap having Oprah's assistance in getting the word out that national parks belong to everyone and she did that!"

Oprah's star power turned her into a star maker, launching the careers of dozens of authors and singers. Ordinary people with extraordinary talents. "My favorite episode would be when Oprah brought Cherise in the Philippines and just found her and now she's big. She was on Glee and now I see her in commercials and that just inspires me to follow my dreams," said Jacqueline Castro of Madera.

Oprah Winfrey has done 4,560 shows with plenty of celebrities and news makers, but some of the most memorable episodes tackled difficult topics like aids, racism, and sexual abuse. "I think it was amazing how she touches so much on like people who have been abused in their past. I think that it's such a taboo topic that people are so ashamed to talk about. But I think with her coming forward and allowing people to come forward, it's gonna make a big difference in the world," said Susan Osse of Fresno.

Now that Oprah's reign is ending, plenty of people are willing to try to fill her shoes. Alonzo Guyton shared this sentiment in a rap: "Not only did you inspire millions but especially me it's really sad to hear that you're leaving TV. Maybe I can be the next talk show host to be."

Wednesday's final episode is expected to be one of the most-watched daytime shows in television history. Audience members say Oprah's final message was "This isn't goodbye. This is until we meet again."

On a side note, the Ahwahnee Hotel added the drink "Camper's Moscow Mule" by Oprah to their drink menu.

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oprah winfrey, entertainment, christine park

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