Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
There's No Staying Away: Oprah Announces New TV Show

When Oprah Winfrey bid adieu to her studio and at-home audience of sobbing, enraptured fans back in the spring, she didn't say she was leaving television altogether. Could the American viewing public really let her? Of course not. Towards the wrap of her high-end Learning Annex-esque life lesson finale monologue, Winfrey said: "For everything there is a season, we know, and our time together on this platform is coming to a close. In a few moments when the final credits roll, I see it not as an ending, but as an extraordinary beginning. One chapter closed. The next chapter beginning for all of us."
With ratings lagging on her Los Angeles-based OWN (that's Oprah Winfrey Network, natch), Winfrey came out of her television repose to do a series of self-help workshops. Now she's going all the way: OWN announced today Oprah will be back in a show called "Oprah's Next Chapter." (You see where we were going there now, yeah?)
The big O seems poised to take the intimate interview reins from octogenarian Barbara Walters with this new show:
"After 25 years I got myself out of the studio chairs. I moved into the next chapter, and I am having more fun than ever - moving around the country and the world talking to people I'm really interested in getting to know and I think viewers will be, too," said Winfrey. "It is so energizing to be out and about in the world exploring new people, new places and new ideas."
The series starts with her getting to know Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Here's more of what we're in store for as our guru gets back on the airwaves to make us better people:
During the first season, Oprah also journeys to Haiti with Sean Penn nearly two years after the devastating earthquake that took the lives of more than 300,000 people, tours Skywalker Ranch with George Lucas as her personal guide, has a slumber party at Southern chef Paula Deen's Georgia estate and travels to a small town in Iowa devoted to the practice of Transcendental Meditation.
So maybe now people will watch OWN. Err, maybe.Just to get you warmed up for the show's January debut, here's a montage of Oprah yelling during the 25 years of her "Oprah Winfrey Show."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.