The New Republic

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey taped her farewell show yesterday at the United Center in Chicago. In front of 13,000 spectators (13,000!), a host of celebrities made surprise guest appearances, including Michael Jordan, Tom Cruise, Maya Angelou, Will Smith, and Madonna. READ MORE >>

At a Christmas party in 2004, a cousin asked me "Do you like Medea?" For a minute I was a confused, since it didn’t seem to be the occasion for sharing our impressions of Greek mythology. But it turned out she was talking about Madea, the massive, loudmouthed, pistol-packing black grandmother who Tyler Perry performs as in drag in a series of "chitlin' circuit" touring shows. READ MORE >>

From Oprah, going just a little overboard: I speak for myself and every woman I know when I say that you all have made us so proud by the way you have handled this entire ordeal. You've handled it with such grace. And I want to borrow a line from Maya Angelou, who is a personal mentor of mine, and I know you also feel the same way about her. And she has said this many times, and I say this to you. On behalf of myself and every woman that I know, you make me proud to spell my name W-O-M-A-N. You've really handled this beautifully. --Isaac Chotiner READ MORE >>

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