Oprah Will Not Having Starring Role At Democratic Convention

Oprah Winfrey will attend the Democratic National Convention but will not speak, according to her pal Gayle King. King told "Entertainment Tonight" that she and Winfrey will both be in Denver for the Democratic convention but that Oprah will not be on stage with Barack Obama.

King told ET, "Oprah has not been asked to introduce him, is not expecting to be asked to introduce him and I would doubt that she would want to introduce him. She thinks this is HIS moment. I know that she is planning to be there."

For her part, King expects Denver to be a special experience, and she will broadcast her XM Radio show live from the Denver the week of the convention.

"I've been to Democratic conventions before, but I've never felt the way I'm feeling now about going to this convention," she told ET. "I think we have a chance to make history."

King's interview airs Thursday night, August 14, on "Entertainment Tonight."

Comments

[shiningstar1]

Still trying to get ideas on sending Oprah a gift. I make Rhinestone shirts and have beautiful Obama designs! I want to give a couple of the shirts to Oprah and Gayle since they will be attending the convention and have rented a house in Denver. Does anybody out there know how I can get them some shirts? My daughter is a reporter traveling with Obama and I might be able to arrange a hand off of some sort. www.sexyobamashirts.com Thanks!

[LillianB]

I suppose she'll be making some kind of human interest slot for her show. She isn't a politician, and won't try to be, but through her show, she still has tremendous influence, and she'll use it to humanize politics. May interview Michelle O about Michelle's role at the convention, or something along the line - making it obvious that the people claiming that M is "angry" or "cold" or "hotheaded" or "mad" have no idea what they're talking about. And that would be of a greater importance than any wannabe-politician kind of act in the convention itself.

[mredder4]

Why is Oprah so afraid to admit that she is gay?

[toocoldout]

I seriously doubt Oprah's gay. She's had many male lovers in her youth (including the guy who tried to write a tell all book about how they lived together for 5 months and did crack). She was also a promiscuous teen who had a baby at 14.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Attending, but not speaking? Thank you.

[BigLib]

Too bad. I was hoping she'd give away cars and big screen TVs.

[NYCMami]

Why is Gayle King even on the radar screen?

[haleywins]

HEY HUFFPO:

It is one thing to make a grammatical error in the body of a piece , but here in the title?

"Oprah will not HAVING STARRING role at Democratic Convention"

[Seven7s]

Agreed: Very distracting.

[Elrancho]

I love and admire Oprah too but think it would be much better if she does not speak - this is serious business and should not be seen as a 'star-studded' event. The fact that she will be in attendance is enough. This goes for any celebrities.

[bth94131]

I love Oprah and thought it was terrific she stepped out and supported Obama this year. In the past she has avoided politics. Prior in the year I read that her stance hurt her ratings, but she stood for what she felt was right even though she got heat. Glad she is attending, but do think it is best she doesn't speak. She will have time for that this fall during the election!

[treelake]

Everyone in syndicated talk shows has seen a decline in ratings over the last several years (the industry has taken a hit from competition from specialty channels, the web). There's no evidence that her political endorsement hurt her ratings though:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/08/11/dear-oprah-i-think-you-can-relax-about-the-ratings-but/4656

[shiningstar1]

I make Rhinestone shirts and have beautiful Obama designs! I love Oprah so much. I think she is the most amazing teacher on the planet and great role model. People make fun of me because I frequently mention what I have learned from her show, book recommendations, etc. But I have learned to live with it and know I am not alone. I want to give a couple of my rhinestone Obama shirts to Oprah and Gayle since they will be attending the convention and have rented a house in Denver. Does anybody out there know how I can get them some shirts for the DNC? I would appreciate serious suggestions. Maybe somebody who actually knows someone living in the area of the house they are renting? Thanks!

www.shiningstarproductions.com

[ZenSufi]

No Oprah --
No Peace.

[uheardme]

What's up with the headline? Come on.

[yhgtup]

Oprah doesn't need the attention. She gets her share, at least one hour a day, five days a week.

[CeciliaBertrand]

Oprah is a great influence on our nation and the world-and I love her too. BUT, Obama is the next President of the United States and this is politics as usual, NOT show business.

[pupbayer]

You're right that Oprah has great influence on our nation....­the world?...h­mmm, not so sure. I think it says something that this entertainer has so much influence in America period. I don't know if our obsession with celebrities is a symptom or a cause of so many of our problems in this country.

[NotMcCain]

I'm glad Oprah is such a realist. Convention speeches and tributes are for political leaders.

She was a big help to Obama, but she didn't get him elected and she hardly needs a tribute about it. I'm sure his thanks--and friendship--are enough.

[darkday]

Actually she DID get him elected:

http://www.econ.umd.edu/~garthwaite/celebrityendorsements_garthwaitemoore.pdf

In a ground breaking study two economists offer scientific proof that ONE MILLION people (count em) voted for him directly because Oprah told them to, and her biggest effect was in caucus states like all important Iowa, which changed the game.

[pupbayer]

Isn't that a pathetic commentary on our country?

[Heru1]

at least oprah realized whose moment it is...can't say the same for hill