Oprah Winfrey’s just days away from revealing her “Ultimate Favorite Things” list (we can hear the women in her audience screeching with glee already), but the upcoming edition of her magazine that’s yet to hit newsstands may be an early clue to revealing several of the gifts on her secret list this year.

Originally reported by Huffington Post Chicago. Read the original story here.

A Sneak Preview Of Oprah’s ‘Favorite Things’ | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King have been longtime friends, business partners and, if you believe the rumors, lovers.

Their latest collaboration has less to do with overseeing an empire and more to do with getting back to nature, with the pair undertaking a two-day camping adventure in Yosemite National Park.

Originally reported by PopEater.com. Read the original article here.

Home on the Strange: The Best of Oprah and Gayle’s Big Yosemite Camping Adventure | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Microsoft’s Kinect hits stores next week. Available Nov. 4, Kinect is an Xbox 360 add-on that allows users to play games without a controller.

The Kinect is a slim bar that is placed near a TV to detect players movements. It lets users control games, music, and movies with hand movements and voice commands.

As a standalone product, Kinect costs $149.99. A bundle that includes an Xbox 360 250GB and the game Kinect Adventures is also available for $399.99. Sales of the bundle have already been popular and were a top 40 purchase on Amazon.com this week.

Many Kinect games have a family or group-focus. Last week, Microsoft revealed 17 Kinect-enabled games for Xbox. on the Nov. 4 launch, games like “Kinect Joy Ride,” “Sonic Free Rider,” and the “Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout” will go on sale. Five more games such as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1″ and “EA Sports Active 2″ will be released throughout November and Decemeber.

Kinect will launch in Europe on Nov. 10, in Australia on Nov. 18, and in Japan on the 20th.

Microsoft is taking Kinect on a media Blitz that includes appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the Ellen Degeneres Show. Microsoft said in a press release that pre-order sales have been strong.

“For me it is a big, big deal,” Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer said in a New York Times story. “There’s nothing like it on the market.”

There’s a lot at stake for Ballmer, whose bonus was slashed in half after the failure of the Kin phone.

Microsoft Kinect Hits Stores Next Week (PC Magazine) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“This year you will see lots of surprises for other people, dreams coming true for other people, really honoring the essence of what has made this show work for the past 25 years and that’s the viewer,” Winfrey said in an interview with The Associated Press.

“The last season is a celebration of the past 24 years. For me, it is about holding a place of reverence and honor for the people who made this possible for me: that would be the viewers.”

Harpo Productions has released a schedule highlighting the first week of new shows, but Monday’s season premiere remains “top secret” with only hints of celebrity guests and a surprise musical performance.

During the remainder of that first week, Winfrey will host country music stars The Judds and revisit the city of Williamson, W.Va., where she filmed a town hall episode about AIDS in 1987. During a live Friday show, she will announce her first book club selection in nearly a year.

So what else can fans and longtime watchers expect over this season? A-list celebrities? More makeovers? An outdoor extravaganza similar to Winfrey’s show that shut down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue last season?

“I would anticipate that they’re going to pull out all the stops,” said Bill Carroll, an expert on the daytime television market for Katz Television in New York. “If any production team has that ability and certainly the Oprah folks, the folks at Harpo, have proved that over the years.”

Winfrey’s departure from a daily talk show on broadcast television is akin to host Johnny Carson’s departure from “The Tonight Show,” Carroll said.

“People of a certain era remember Johnny Carson’s last show,” Carroll said. “This generation is going to, in a bittersweet way, say goodbye to this chapter of Oprah’s story.”

But this farewell isn’t a final goodbye. Winfrey is set to launch her Oprah Winfrey Network, or OWN, on cable Jan. 1. The end of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will be featured on that network with “Behind the Scenes: Oprah’s 25th Season,” a one-hour series giving viewers a look at the making of the last season of Winfrey’s talk show.

Winfrey describes her show, which is syndicated to 145 countries, as having a cultural impact on her viewers around the world.

“I’m learning more about that and being more accepting of what that has been as I look over these 25 years and prepare to go into the last season — hearing stories about how the show has affected people’s lives over the years,” Winfrey said.

Jennifer Todd, 43, of Dothan, Ala., says she has watched Winfrey for at least the last 20 years. Todd expects Winfrey’s last season to be huge and filled with charity efforts.

On her 19th season premiere in 2004, Winfrey gave a car to the nearly 300 people in her studio audience. It was a $7 million giveaway during which she famously exclaimed, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!”

“I think she’s going to be full of surprises this year,” Todd said after stopping in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood to snap photographs of Harpo Studios. “She’s such a giver. I think she’s going to use this as a last chance to give even bigger than before.”

Janice Peck, author of “The Age of Oprah: Cultural Icon for the Neoliberal Era,” foresees Winfrey filling the season with giveaways, flashbacks and visits from past guests “who can come in and talk about how they’ve been affected by her.”

She has hosted high-powered celebrities as Michael Jackson, Julia Roberts and John Travolta. Tom Cruise famously jumped on Winfrey’s sofa to proclaim his love for wife Katie Holmes.

Winfrey’s sofa has been the go-to seat for many caught up in controversy, too.

Last season, Rielle Hunter, the mistress of former U.S. senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, told Winfrey her story. And an apologetic Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, told Winfrey what was behind an offer to sell access to her former husband, Prince Andrew.

“She’s going to hit the nostalgia button very strongly,” Peck said.

Last November, when Winfrey made a live emotional statement announcing she would end her show after a quarter-century, she touched on her final season, too, saying, “We are going to knock your socks off.”

But what does that mean for a billionaire often described as one of the most powerful women in the world? Peck thinks it will be a season filled with the kind of top-notch shows that only air during viewer-wooing sweeps periods.

“That’s what knocking the socks off is,” Peck said.

Kathleen Rooney, author of “Reading With Oprah: The Book Club that Changed America,” said for many Winfrey fans, come Monday, it won’t be the beginning of the end.

“It’s not goodbye. It’s see you over here in a minute,” Rooney said. “There’s a generation of people who don’t know what it’s like to live in a world without Oprah — and they’re not going to find out anytime soon.”

___

Online: http://www.oprah.com

___

Associated Press reporter Kathleen Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

Viewers are Oprah’s focus during 25th, last season | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

WASHINGTON – TV host and actress Oprah Winfrey has been chosen as a Kennedy Center honoree right before the start of the 25th and final season of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Winfrey was one of five honorees revealed Tuesday.

The 56-year-old TV host and actress will be honored at the 33rd annual event in Washington on Dec. 5, along with former Beatles member Paul McCartney; dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones; country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard; and Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman.

“I love surprising people, I don’t like being surprised,” Winfrey said. “Releasing any kind of control over a show and allowing myself to sit there and be surprised is not going to be easy but I’m willing to do that.”

The Kennedy Center Honors recognize performing artists for their contributions to American culture. Winners are selected by the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees.

In addition to her award-winning TV show, Winfrey earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her work in the film adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel “The Color Purple.”

Winfrey is used to celebrating others, both on her popular television show and at previous Kennedy Center Honors programs, but she said she’s looking forward to being celebrated this time around.

“When I’ve done them in the past for people, it has always felt a little bit like being bombarded with a love festival that is about you, and you know that’s gotta feel good,” Winfrey said during a phone interview in between filming for her show.

The man who is responsible for the event, creator and producer George Stevens Jr., said being a spectator is part of the fun for attendees.

“We don’t put much of a burden on them,” Stevens said. “You don’t sing for your supper. They are not asked to speak or perform. They simply receive the tribute of their colleagues and peers, which really makes it very different for them, and is part of what makes it so special.”

Country star Haggard, perhaps best known for his song “Mama Tried,” acknowledged being an audience member will be a new role for him too.

“I don’t know exactly what to do, I guess just sit there and look like you’re having fun,” Haggard said in his trademark plainspeak, while acknowledging how honored he will feel to hear others sing part of his music.

Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a written statement about the honorees that the honesty of Haggard’s music and poetic lyrics “has helped to shape the world of country music for nearly five decades.”

McCartney had been named to receive the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002 but backed out because of a personal obligation.

President Barack Obama and the first lady will host the 2010 honorees at the White House before attending the gala with them at the Kennedy Center.

Jones, who co-founded the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company as part of an openly gay, interracial couple, says the award and White House reception will shape his worldview.

“I’ve always had this kind of position of feeling just outside, maybe the other, I don’t know why but maybe a stepchild,” Jones said. “As one gets older and you realize that your brand of art-making with its implied protest is actually something that people in positions of power respect, it’s a very important change, very important change, it makes you feel more of a sense of responsibility but it’s a responsibility you can accept joyfully.”

The gala will be recorded for broadcast as a two-hour prime-time special on CBS. This year’s will air Dec. 28.

Winfrey, McCartney among Kennedy Center honorees (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Birthday celebration to feature food, music, entertainment and chance to win prizes

CHICAGO, Aug. 3 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Doctors, nurses, board and staff members of Loretto Hospital will reconnect with “Loretto Babies,” area residents who were born at the hospital back when it still operated a delivery center, at a first-of-its-kind public birthday celebration:

The outdoor birthday celebration will pay tribute to a long and diverse history at Loretto, one of a few remaining, nonprofit stand-alone community hospitals in the Chicagoland area. The event will feature the Jesse White Tumblers and Quick Change Artists David and Dania, as seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show and America’s Got Talent, as well as food, music, entertainment and a chance to win a 32-inch LCD television.

Hospital officials put out a call for Loretto Babies starting in the spring through newspaper ads, PSAs on Chicago-area radio stations and a large sign that hangs on the side of the hospital that is visible from the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290).

Loretto has been serving Chicago’s largest community, Austin, located on the West Side, for more than 70 years. The hospital, which is funded by government grants and private donations, stopped delivering babies in the early 1980s as insurance costs for obstetrics departments around the country began to rise.

“Most community hospitals cannot afford to have maternity wards any more because the insurance costs are simply too high,” said Camille Y. Lilly, Vice President of External Affairs for the hospital. “I think people will be surprised to learn about the hospital’s diverse history and that, in spite of changes in healthcare organizations and insurance costs over the years, Loretto is still here and going strong.”

In 2009, Loretto introduced the new Kimberly A. Lightford Emergency Department, a state-of-the-art facility featuring electronic medical records technology and monitoring equipment. It was named in honor of Illinois state senator Kimberly A. Lightford, Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois General Assembly.

SOURCE Loretto Hospital

Babies Come Back! Loretto Hospital to Reunite With ‘Children’ Born at the West Side Healthcare Facility in Its Delivery Center Heyday | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“She made Obama, she’s up there so high nobody could assail this pick,” Blagojevich is heard telling his chief of staff, John Harris, who is now a prosecution witness.

Blagojevich had mentioned in TV interviews last year that Winfrey’s name had come up in discussions about the seat. Winfrey said last year that she was “amused” by the revelation and that she was unaware at the time that she was under consideration.

On the tape played Monday, Harris says picking Winfrey would be a mistake and he is “not sure what she stands for.” Blagojevich brushes such concerns aside, saying she was obviously a Democrat and her support in the 2008 election had “made Obama.”

But a few minutes later, Blagojevich is heard complaining that he needs more potential candidates. At one point, the governor considers trying to appoint Obama family friend Valerie Jarrett, even though she has withdrawn her name from consideration and taken a post as a White House adviser. And he erupts when Harris brings up former press secretary Cheryl Jackson.

“There’s no (expletive) way,” he screams. He calls her an “(expletive) incompetent.”

The secretly made FBI tapes show that as time passed, Blagojevich warms to the idea of picking Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., someone he had been heard on tape earlier in the trial as saying was “a bad guy, a really bad guy.”

But Harris testified that Blagojevich told him that a “third party” with ties to Jackson had visited the governor and dangled the possibility of a $1.5 million campaign contribution. Harris did not address that person’s identity in testimony Monday.

Blagojevich 53, has pleaded not guilty to scheming to get a high-paying job or a massive campaign contribution in return for appointing someone to the Obama Senate seat. He also has pleaded not guilty to plotting to use the powers of the governor’s office to launch a racketeering scheme.

His brother, Robert Blagojevich, 54, has pleaded not guilty to taking part in the alleged scheme to sell or trade the Senate seat and illegally pressuring a campaign contributor.

Judge James Zagel on Monday denied a defense motion to see documents containing Obama’s statements to investigators. Blagojevich’s attorneys had filed a motion last week asking to see the FBI’s summaries of the interviews, saying they needed them to conduct a meaningful cross-examination of Harris.

Zagel said Monday that there was nothing “even remotely relevant” to Harris’ testimony.

As the trial began its fourth full week, Harris finished his testimony for prosecutors and Blagojevich’s defense began cross-examination.

But before prosecutors finished with him, Harris told jurors that the day before Blagojevich was arrested the governor met with Jackson Jr. in the governor’s office. Jackson had come to plead his case for appointment to the Senate.

Harris, who was on hand for the meeting, testified that the two men “buried the hatchet” and exchanged reminiscences about when they served on Capitol Hill together.

“I’m glad somebody is thinking about me and how they can help me,” Harris quoted Blagojevich as saying as the meeting broke up. He did not explain further.

The following morning, on Dec. 9, 2008, FBI agents arrested both Blagojevich and Harris. The next month Blagojevich was impeached and thrown out of office. Before he left, he appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the Senate seat.

Witness: Blagojevich considered Winfrey for Senate | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Blagojevich was heard on the tape played Monday at his corruption trial saying Winfrey’s name carried so much prestige that no one could criticize him if he named her to the Senate.

His former chief of staff John Harris, who is on the witness stand, is heard on the tape saying he didn’t know what Winfrey stood for politically.

But the former governor says he knows she is a Democrat and supported Obama in his race for president.

He calls her a “kingmaker.”

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to charges including that he schemed to sell or trade Obama’s former seat.

Tape shows Blagojevich eyed Winfrey for Senate | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Now she can add a third.

At 7:36 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Ling, 33, and financial analyst Clayton, 43, welcomed daughter Li Jefferson Clayton at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, California. She weighed 8 lbs., 2 oz.

“Her parents are too speechless,” Laura’s sister Lisa Ling, former co-host on “The View” — and now a correspondent for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” — tells PEOPLE. But Lisa adds, “Li is super adorable!”

Laura Ling told PEOPLE last month that while she was in captivity, she thought, “I am never going to be able to start a family.” But after learning she would have a girl in January, she and Clayton decided to name her “Li,” after sister Lisa.

As for Li’s middle name, Jefferson, Lisa Ling explains it is in tribute to William Jefferson Clinton. “He has checked in on me several times to see how I’m doing,” Laura told PEOPLE, “and has been so concerned and caring. He’s such a wonderful human being.”

Both Laura and Lisa, 36, co-wrote “Somewhere Inside,” a memoir about their relationship and the events of the previous year. Laura and Euna Lee also appear together on their own network in a special currently featured online on Current TV’s Web site.

Laura Ling names new baby for her sister, Bill Clinton | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Was it me, or was season 10 the most exciting ever? Kate Gosselin’s diva behavior, Jake Pavelka’s cornball glances at Vienna Girardi, and Nicole’s spats with Pamela Anderson made it must-watch TV, not to mention Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s major snafu regarding Erin Andrews’ wardrobe.

The show seriously picked the right contestants this time around. To help them out for season 11, here are the 15 stars we’d love to see do the rumba next.

Katie Holmes

So she might be a bit out of reach, especially since Katie Holmes is stuck in the Tom Cruise isolation bubble, but this could be a rebirth for her. Let’s face it: Holmes has a lost some of her flair and she lets her daughter do most of the fancy dressing. “Dancing with the Stars” would allow Holmes to separate herself from TomKat, and at least get her out of the house.

Heidi Klum and Seal

The couple has said in interviews that they are interested in joining “Dancing with the Stars.” It would be good for everyone. Heidi Klum could get away from judging those sassy “Project Runway” stylists and rock some tacky, sparkly clothes. Seal could get back on the radar for something other than being Klum’s husband. And the show could get to play off the drama of having a competing couple.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah may be leaving her iconic television show behind, but that doesn’t mean she can’t move on to something else. She needs to think of all the fans she has been shepherding for so many years! Honestly, with the number of women who look to her for advice on what to eat, read, and wear — I don’t think there’s any way she could lose.

Josh “Sawyer” Holloway

Now that “Lost” is over, people are going to have to find their dose of shirtless Sawyer somewhere else. We can sit around and watch old “Lost” clips, but I think seeing him get sweaty and strip down in a samba would be a better alternative. Yes?

Celine Dion

Back in 2007, the Canadian songstress said that she was interested in doing the show. Why hasn’t “DWTS” snatched her up yet? They have a pretty loose definition of “star,” and she would be one of their biggest grabs. I am picturing a “Titanic”-themed waltz to “My Heart Would Go On.” It would be cheesily epic.

Betty White

This lady is 2010′s big thing, and rightfully so. Betty White is adorable, feisty, and totally held her own on “Saturday Night Live” this month. If White ends up in a set of dancing shoes, I am officially dubbing her the coolest grandma ever.

Johnny Weir

So Evan Lysacek gave it his shot and got to the final three, but I think Johnny Weir could take it all the way. Throughout the Olympics, he was known for bringing theatricality and flair to all his performances. The dance floor is the only other place that I can think of that could capture Weir’s signature brand of pizzazz. Plus, we’d get the added perks of more self-designed outfits and seeing him get to beat Lysacek at something.

Sarah Silverman

The comedian just had her show on Comedy Central canceled, so now it is time to dance the pain away. Sarah Silverman strikes us as sort of klutzy, but I am sure that can be smoothed out by the tender footsteps of Tony or Derek. Silverman is sure to make the sometimes exhaustive judging process a little more entertaining.

Bob Saget

Between “Full House” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” Bob Saget seems like quite the family man. But I have heard rumors that in real life he has a dirty sense of humor. Maybe Saget could reroute that crudeness into sexy dance moves? It would be a good mix of amusing and awkward, since a lot of viewers probably couldn’t see past Saget as anyone other than Daddy Tanner.

Dr. Drew

It is time for Dr. Drew to add something else to his resume other than harassing addicted celebrities and pregnant teens. The Doc needs to come to the dance floor and switch from psychoanalysis to polka.

Ryan Seacrest

“American Idol” is finally starting to see a decline, while “Dancing with the Stars” just had one of its most successful seasons. Now I haven’t taken math since high school but it seems like it is time for Seacrest to think about switching teams. A little bit of fancy footwork could be just what he needs, though they would have to make it clear he couldn’t host the show.

Sarah Ferguson

The Duchess herself has said she wants to be on the show because her kids love to watch her dance. Now that she is stuck in the middle of a bribery controversy, she could use “DTWS” for image revitalization. Though there is a chance not even “Dancing with the Stars” could save her from this royal mess.

Kendra Wilkinson

Speaking of image revitalization, Kendra Wilkinson could use a little help right now. Her sex tape has just hit the market, and with a rumored second one on the way, Kendra needs to get people’s minds off these tapes and onto something else. And she already proved on her former reality show “The Girls Next Door” that she definitely can “shake her booty.”

Mr. T

Mr. T had a brief fling as a rapper, and now it is time for him to reach triple threat territory. I pity the fool who don’t vote for him. With the movie remake of “A-Team” out soon, he needs to make sure viewers know who the real B.A. Baracus is.

Should Betty White be on ‘DWTS’? | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

NEW YORK – Charice has already won over the mom market.

The teen wunderkind from the Philippines has been wowing audiences with her big voice and Celine Dion covers on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and other shows for the last two years. This week, she appeared on Winfrey’s show for the fourth time.

But as she releases her self-titled debut album this week, Charice finds herself with a serious challenge as she tries to translate her success with an adult audience to her peers.

“I’ve been singing big songs, and this is the actually the first time they are going to hear me sing Justin Bieber-type of songs, Miley Cyrus-type of songs,” the 18-year-old, sporting a Justin Bieber hat, said recently in her heavily accented English. “I’m just excited for all the teenagers to hear my album.”

Had Charice come along around the era of Dion or Whitney Houston, two of her idols, it would have been easier to make that move. Back then, big-ballad singers with towering voices dominated pop radio.

These days, it’s the grooves behind the big voice that matter.

David Foster, the Grammy-winning mentor behind Charice, probably knows that better than anyone. A legendary producer who has made hits for Houston, Dion, Barbra Streisand, Toni Braxton and dozens of other top names, Foster understands his sound isn’t what makes hits on pop radio anymore (though he still makes hits — he’s the producer behind multiplatinum stars Josh Groban and Michael Buble).

“I knew if I produced the album, it would be adult-oriented. It would skew older. It would be maybe a quick, easy sale, but ultimately, it’s very, very hard to skew younger after you start older, so we made a conscious decision to skew young first,” he said. “I don’t want to say that we crumbled under the pressure of having to go youthful, but I think we hit it square on.”

Though Foster and his sister Jaymes are the album’s executive producers, they left most of the music-making to younger writers and producers like Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, whose hits include Beyonce’s “Halo” and Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.”

The album’s first single is “Pyramid,” featuring singer Iyaz.

“I just thought like, teenagers are falling in love … they love this very catchy and very romantic words from all these young artists,” Charice said. “That’s why I thought that this album … they are gonna love it, all the lyrics, all the melody and all the music.”

So far, “Pyramid” is No. 2 on the dance charts, but it hasn’t yet translated to pop radio. Foster is aware of the challenge it takes to make a hit, but he thinks Charice has a lot to add to the scene.

“There is a lack of organic music right now, and it’s fine — it’s just the phase that we’re in,” he explains. “I think there is room for some more musicality.”

There’s no denying Charice has that. During a recent interview, the diminutive singer belted out “Pyramid” on request, performed a stirring rendition of Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” for an audience of four, then continued to sing — even on her way out the door.

Singing has consumed Charice — born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco — since she was a child growing up in the Philippines. Raised with her brother by a single mother, she sang in local contests and appeared on TV talent shows in the Philippines and in South Korea.

Fans posted clips of her on YouTube, and she became a sensation. Soon, she was invited to sing on “Ellen,” then on “Oprah Winfrey,” and linked up with Foster.

So far, her rise has unfolded like a fairy tale. But Charice knows there are hurdles, like trying to capture U.S. audiences.

“It’s really, really hard … there’s a lot of great pop stars here. … They’re all talented,” she said. “I don’t know if Americans are going to love me because I’m from other country.”

But Foster said it’s only a matter of time before there’s an Asian superstar in the U.S., and he believes Charice might be the one.

“Being a great singer is not enough, and she has the entire package,” he said.

He adds: “She’s a little bit like Michael Jackson in the head … Michael Jackson was very soft-spoken and quiet and all that, but he was genius inside his head. He knew exactly where he was going, and she truly is the master of her own destiny.”

___

On the Net:

http://www.charicepempengco.com

A hit with Winfrey, singer tries to win over teens (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“I used to want to be a rapper when I was, like, 14,” the actor said during an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” alongside costars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, which is set to air Thursday.

Rap music wasn’t the only American entertainment Pattinson, who turned 24 on Thursday, enjoyed. “I grew up watching American movies and stuff,” he told Oprah.

So, what’s it like to star in one of the most popular American movie franchises in recent years?

“It’s a great position to be in because you can walk into a room and everybody’s screaming,” he said of the rapturous fan response, which will only grow stronger as their latest chapter, “Eclipse,” hits theaters June 30. But Pattinson thinks a lot of the enthusiasm is less about him and more about his character, Edward Cullen.

“It’s not really about you,” he said. “So, it never really goes to your head and you can kind of participate in it. It’s about the fans themselves. A lot of people, they just like doing Twilight-related things.”

And his costar, Taylor Lautner, agreed.

“It’s really unlike anything else,” Lautner, 18, says. “It’s amazing; over the past two years, I’ve had the time of my life. I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Robert Pattinson’s original career choice? Rapping! | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Both ABC’s “GH” and CBS’ “Restless” will vie for the outstanding drama series opposite CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” and ABC’s “All My Children,” which received 11 and 10 nominations, respectively. The canceled CBS drama “As the World Turns” earned 13 nominations, while ABC’s “One Life to Live” snagged 13. NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” earned nine.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” got eight nominations, including one for outstanding talk show, while “The View” scored five and “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” four. Veteran soap writer Agnes Nixon, who created the series “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” will be the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Here are some of the major categories:

Outstanding lead actress: Crystal Chappell as Olivia Spencer (“Guiding Light”); Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Newman (“Y&R“); Maura West as Carla Tenney (“ATWT”), Sarah Brown as Claudia Zacchara Corinthos (“GH”), Bobbie Eakes as Krystal Carey (“AMC“).

Outstanding lead actor: Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott (“Y&R”); Jon Lindstrom as Craig Montgomery (“ATWT“); Michael Park as Jack Snyder (“ATWT”); Doug Davidson as Paul Williams (“Y&R”); James Scott as EJ Dimera (“Days“).

Outstanding talk show, entertainment: “Rachel Ray,” “Live with Regis & Kelly,” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

Outstanding talk show, informative: “Dr. Phil,” “The Dr. Oz Show,” and “The Doctors.”

Outstanding talk show host: Rachael Ray, Bonnie Hunt, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, and the women of “The View.”

Outstanding morning program: “Good Morning America” (ABC), “Today Show” (NBC), and “CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/American Morning.”

‘General Hospital’ leads Daytime Emmy nods | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The Deerfield-based chain’s 24-hour stores and clinics will  offer the tests Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. People aged 18 and  older are eligible.

Also, free diabetes tests will be available at Walgreen’s stores in thousands of communities nationwide through Feb. 18.

The announcement came Thursday on Oprah Winfrey’s show, as part of her pitch to attack the epidemic.

Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and an estimated 6 million or so are undiagnosed.

Prevalence has increased dramatically over the past decade, partly because the most common type of diabetes is linked with obesity.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

Walgreen’s free blood sugar tests start | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The announcement was made today by Chief Executive Officer Christina Norman.

A leader in the national and international documentary distribution world, ro*co films international has distributed eight Oscar® nominated or Oscar® winning feature documentaries including Born into Brothels, The Garden, Jesus Camp, No End in Sight, Promises, Regret to Inform, Street Fight, and The Weather Underground.

The partnership will result in a documentary film club: a multiplatform experience including a primetime monthly documentary film series airing on the channel, an online community experience and exclusive footage on OWN.tv, as well as the opportunity for some documentaries to be presented as a nationwide theatrical screening event.

The “event” films will give the audience a festival experience by creating communities nationwide that can screen the film together and participate in a live, moderated panel discussion.

As an important part of the new channel’s programming mix, OWN will spotlight cinematic documentaries that can inspire and entertain, as well as provide opportunities for the audience to engage with each film’s emotionally gripping, universally important themes.

“OWN’s commitment to Self-Discovery provides the ideal platform to elevate documentary films and the real, compelling stories they tell,” said Ms. Norman.

“Partnering with ro*co productions, OWN will deliver the very best documentaries to our audience and give them ways to connect through stories that move them.”

“There is a wide-ranging audience hungry for access to profound documentaries of substance and originality,” said Ms. Roney. “Our partnership with OWN will bring these films to a broader audience, but it doesn’t stop there; community discourse and engagement is encouraged and supported as soon as the final credits roll.”

Founder and Managing Director Annie Roney launched ro*co films international in 2000 with belief that a well-told, well-researched documentary can challenge the way people think about issues in every corner of the globe.

After nine years working in documentary distribution, she began ro*co films international with a single Oscar® nominated film, Regret to Inform and has since compiled a growing, but highly selective catalog of feature documentaries and earned the respect of countless independent filmmakers in the United States and abroad.

Ms. Roney is joined by President of ro*co productions, Sue Turley. Ms. Turley has contributed to the growth of ro*co films international since its inception and has several film projects in production.

“Documentary films have the power to entertain, educate, and engage the world, one film at a time,” said Ms. Turley.

“We are thrilled to be working with the incredibly talented team at OWN. They believe in documentaries and have committed their network to bringing these amazing stories to the world.”

Visit rocofilms.com for submission information and guidelines.

About OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives.

OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

Oprah Winfrey Network Partnering with Ro*Co Films International to Select Documentaries | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The announcement was made today by Oprah Winfrey, chairman, Harpo, Inc., to whom they will report. Both Salata and Logan will remain based at Harpo Productions’ headquarters in Chicago.

Tim Bennett, president of Harpo, Inc., will retire at the end of May 2010.

In their new positions, Salata and Logan will lead Harpo Productions’ efforts as the company develops new programming beyond The Oprah Winfrey Show for syndication, primetime, cable, radio, digital and emerging platforms.

They will oversee the company’s original programming slate on air and in development. Salata also will continue her role as executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show through its 25th season ending in 2011.

“Harpo Productions is a world-class production company in Chicago and will continue on after The Oprah Winfrey Show sunsets,” said Winfrey.

“Under Sheri and Erik’s leadership, I am confident in Harpo’s future and know that we will continue to create quality programming with compelling content for all platforms. Not even the sky is the limit for this company.”

“Without a doubt, Harpo has the best team in television,” said Salata.

“The secret to our success is that we know how to produce programming that resonates with viewers by appealing to the very best in all of us. That’s the Harpo creative ‘magic’ that we will bring to everything that we produce.”

Said Logan, “Harpo has built its reputation on consistently first-rate content with massive audience appeal on multiple platforms. Our history of proven success, combined with our unmatched production values and our ability to cultivate talent will be key drivers of our future growth.”

About Harpo Productions

Harpo Productions is the most successful production company in daytime talk, having developed or produced four of the top shows in syndication today: the award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, and Rachael Ray as well as syndication’s latest success, The Dr. Oz Show.

In addition, through its creative development team formed in 2006, Harpo creates and produces original television programming.

Past primetime specials include Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball (2006), the Oprah Winfrey Oscar® Special (2007) and Building A Dream: The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy (2007).

In addition, it will be producing Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special (2009) airing Sunday, December 13 on ABC.

About Harpo

Harpo Productions, Inc. produces the number-one-rated, award-winning The Oprah Winfrey Show; creates and develops original TV programming for primetime, syndication and cable television; and operates Oprah.com (oprah.com), a premier lifestyle Web site.

ZoCo Productions, LLC, an affiliate of Harpo Productions, Inc., and Sony Pictures Television co-produce The Dr. Oz Show. Harpo Print, LLC and Hearst Magazines publish the monthly O, The Oprah Magazine publication.

Harpo Films produces feature films and, through an exclusive deal with HBO, scripted television programming.

Harpo Radio, Inc. produces Oprah Radio (XM channel 156, Sirius channel 195 as part of its “Best of XM” package) on Sirius XM Radio.

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, a multi-platform company, will debut in January 2011 in approximately 80 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

Erik Logan and Sheri Salata Named New Presidents of Harpo Productions | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The intimate, informative and entertaining hour-long special will include a one-on-one conversation with the president, marking the first time Oprah has interviewed him since he took office, as well as an exclusive sit-down interview with the first couple.

The special will showcase behind-the-scenes preparations as the White House gets ready for the holiday season.

Oprah Winfrey and Sheri Salata are executive producers of Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special. Lisa Erspamer is co-executive producer. Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special is a production of Harpo Productions.

Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish subtitles via secondary closed-captioning.

A TV-parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

For more information on Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special, please visit ABC.com.

Follow the Oprah Show

For more information visit oprah.com. Also, follow Oprah on Twitter @Oprah or become a fan of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Facebook.

About the Oprah Winfrey Show

The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.

It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 215 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution and to 147 countries by CBS Studios International.

About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives.

OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

President Obama, First Lady Welcome Oprah to the White House on “Christmas at the White House: A Primetime Special” | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

In her first interview since his death, Mrs. Kennedy will discuss the incredible life of her husband Senator Kennedy, their life together and his new memoir, True Compass.

Mrs. Kennedy will also be joined by her children, Senator Kennedy’s stepchildren Caroline and Curran Raclin.

Ted Kennedy, Jr. will also be by her side as he shares memories of his late father.

The Oprah Winfrey Show: Remembering Ted Kennedy—Vicki Kennedy’s First TV Interview airs on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 (check local listings).

Follow the Oprah Show

For more information visit oprah.com. Also, follow Oprah on Twitter @Oprah or become a fan of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Facebook.

About the Oprah Winfrey Show

The Oprah Winfrey Show has remained the number one talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.

It is produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 215 domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution and to 147 countries by CBS Studios International.

About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives.

OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

Vicki Kennedy Gives First Interview Since Senator Edward Kennedy’s Death on Oprah Show Nov. 25 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“There is no bigger brand in media than Oprah Winfrey. She has changed the broadcast landscape and how people consume television.

Along the way, she impacted our culture and touched us all.

We congratulate her and our friends at Harpo for their many achievements, and their years of creating truly ground-breaking television.

Discovery Communications has a tremendous partner in Oprah, and we look forward to bringing her and her creative vision, programming and unique voice to approximately 80 million homes on OWN, as well as online through the award-winning Oprah.com.”

About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives.

OWN will debut in January 2011 to approximately 80 million homes on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications ( DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.

Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com.

For more information, please visit discoverycommunications.com.

Discovery Communications’ Statement Regarding Oprah Winfrey’s Decision to Leave Chicago in 2011 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Oprah may be leaving the Windy City to pursue the long-delayed "Oprah Winfrey Network" in LA.

Oprah Winfrey may be leaving Chicago and moving her infamous daytime talk show “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to Los Angeles to finalize plans for “OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network” project with Discovery Communications.

According to TV gossip guru Nikki Finke, Oprah has decided not to renew her contract with ABC, which ends in the Fall of 2011.

Instead, Finke reports Oprah will focus on “OWN,” the highly anticipated and long-delayed Oprah Winfrey Network—that would reach more than 70 million homes—as a joint venture between Winfrey and Discovery Communications.

Sources say after the original announcement made several years ago, Discovery Communications has seen three top executives and is said to have lost millions of dollars, prompting current Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav to tell Winfrey to “move it or lose it,” meaning she either migrates her talk show to Discovery’s cable venture or the entire OWN project would be canceled.

But the move to L.A. may be the final piece of the puzzle to make Discovery a success.

After all, Oprah’s show is the “crown jewel” of daytime talk shows, remaining the number one talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.

About OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

A joint venture between Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications, OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform, and inspire people to live their best lives.

OWN will debut in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.

The venture also will include the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

RELATED STORY: Lisa Erspamer Named Chief Creative Officer of OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

Oprah May Be Leaving Chicago to Pursue “Oprah Winfrey Network” in Los Angeles | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.