Rather than playing some of the salacious scenarios and versions of the theme song in your head, old-school Oprah fans will soon be able to hear full episodes from the 25-year run of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” like it was yesterday.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” won’t be available on the screen, but it is launching as a podcast, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Winfrey’s company, OWN, has announced that the media maven’s groundbreaking talk show will be released as a serialized podcast early next month, People reported first.
“As we head into a new decade, it’s a great time for fans of The Oprah Winfrey Show to revisit the joy, laughter and inspiration that kept us all tuning in daily for 25 years,” OWN President Tina Perry told People. “The Oprah Winfrey Show The Podcast is the perfect opportunity to look back and reflect, take stock of how we’ve grown and to be reminded that we’re all in this together.”
The podcast will feature segments ranging from the show’s early iteration in September 1986 to its last airing in May 2011. All of the episodes will stream, but they will not be in chronological order. To start the flashback podcast, a selection of the series’ most-watched telecasts, guest-starring Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Suze Orman and more will stream in March. Listeners can expect the signature mix of hard-hitting and lifestyle topics the show was known for to be covered, including race relations, drug addiction, divorce and weight loss.
Credit: CHARLES BENNETT
Credit: CHARLES BENNETT
Winfrey’s media endeavors have been the topic of discussion lately, with the icon receiving backlash for her role in a documentary on claims Russell Simmons sexually assaulted several women. Winfrey eventually dropped out of the documentary. Several critics panned her for hosting a post-show interview show for “Leaving Neverland” with Michael Jackson sexual abuse accusers as well.
Though documentaries have put her in hot water, the billionaire has found her niche with podcasts, including the growing slate of OWN audio projects that include “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations,” “Oprah’s Master Class,” “Iyanla: Fix My Life” and “A New Earth.”
Fans can subscribe now to “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which will be available to stream on Apple podcasts and more platforms starting next month.
Audible versions of more than 4,500 episodes spanning 25 years will launch weekly after the first 10 installments debut March 3.
