It’s Johnny Carson all over again. In 1992, when Johnny Carson retired from “The Tonight Show”, I was moved for the first time by a public figure leaving the airwaves. You see, Johnny Carson started hosting The Tonight Show the month and year of my birth, September of 1962. For the next thirty years, I fell asleep at night to the sound of Johnny Carson’s voice and [for most of the first 18 years] my parents’ laughter.
When he retired in 1992, I watched his last show and sobbed at the loss I felt. I had invited Mr. Carson into my home and into my life nearly every weekday for the first 30 years of my life. We were intimate. We shared those thirty years at bedtime. He retired the month and year of my son’s birth – September of 1992.
In 1984, Oprah Winfrey came on the scene of daytime TV. Her show was filmed in Chicago – which made her a hometown girl in the daytime TV talk show game, and a personal favorite on that alone. I think I still sort of preferred Phil Donahue back in those days, but I was watching and paying attention to what Oprah brought to the table. Then, in 1985, Oprah appeared in one of my favorite movies of all time, The Color Purple. It changed the way I perceived Oprah.
Phil left TV and the remaining daytime talk show hosts were not much more than exploitative leaches – except Oprah. Her message was different. Her delivery was fresh. Her intention was of a higher standard.
Twenty-five years later, I can say that I have watched her, taped her shows, followed her accomplishments and invited her into my life. Oprah is the First Lady of TV. She has given voice to women all around the world. She has improved communication, increased awareness, empowered, inspired and shed a light on the dreams of a generation (or two or three) of women [and many of their men].
Not to mention the car give-away, Oprah’s Book Club and Oprah’s Favorite Things! I mean, really. I sat, every year, with a calculator in hand, watching the Favorite Things show – just to see how much all the loot added up to in the end. Wow.
I have grown up and matured with Oprah. I have dug deeper into my spiritual beliefs as a result of Oprah’s inspiration. I was changed by A New Earth. I recognize how silly and benign Oprah’s television existence may seem to some. But I am one of those who feels moved, inspired and affected by the extraordinary presence of Oprah. I am better for having paid attention to Oprah’s message and the intention behind her show over the past twenty-five years.
Yours is not a position which will be readily filled, Oprah. So long. Farewell. I’ll miss you.
Evolution Happens . . . 