Without question, Oprah Winfrey is the most influential talk show host of all time!
The Emmy Award-winning TV icon is ending her daytime talk show after 25 years of dominating in television, which led her to become a media juggernaut.
Though we all know Winfrey is irreplaceable, BV Buzz has assembled a list of seven worthy women who both deserve a shot at daytime TV and could potentially follow in the mighty O's footsteps.
ROLONDA WATTS: Best known fo
r hosting the nationally syndicated 'Rolonda' show from 1994 to 1997. The former 'Inside Edition' host and Emmy-nominated news anchor also hosted an afternoon radio show for the now defunct women's radio network GreenStone Media from 2006 to 2007. Watts hosted a show for PAX TV called 'Lie Detector' and has had acting roles on 'Days of our Lives,' 'Sister, Sister,' 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' 'My Wife and Kids' and 'The West Wing.' The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native has become one of the queens of voiceover work, serving as the announcer on the syndicated court show 'Judge Joe Brown' and voicing commercial campaigns for companies like Boeing, Wells Fargo Bank, Wendy's, Tropicana and Southwest Airlines.
SHAUN ROBINSON: She's the weekend anchor and c
orrespondent on the news magazine series 'Access Hollywood.' An Emmy Award-winning news anchor, Robinson also hosted 'Access Hollywood's' sister program 'TV One Access' for the cable channel TV One for three seasons. Robinson has hosted red carpet specials for the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards. She has contributed reports to the 'Today Show,' MSNBC, 'NBC Nightly News' and CNN. The Detroit-bred journalist released her first book in 2009, a self-esteem tome titled 'Exactly As I Am' that features interviews with everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Jennifer Aniston. Named by Victoria's Secret as "Sexiest Female TV Personality," Robinson recently filled in for host Meredith Vieira and guest-hosted 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.'
JACQUE REID: She's a former anchor of CNN's 'Headli
ne News' and was the sole anchor of 'BET Nightly News.' Reid was considered one of the front-runners to fill Star Jones' vacated seat on the ABC talk show 'The View.' Reid was a lead anchor for TV One's 2008 Presidential Election Coverage, and hosted several network specials during Democratic National Convention. The Atlanta native also hosted TV One's live coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial service in Los Angeles. Currently, Reid is a featured contributor to the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show,' where she presents the segments 'Inside Her Story.' A former co-host on the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show,' Reid now co-hosts the soon-to-be syndicated 'D.L Hughley Morning Show' in New York City.
BO GRIFFIN: She was a featured correspondent on the Fox mid-day sh
ow 'Good Day Live,' where Griffin became popular for the show's infamous "Knock Knock Makeovers." Griffin previously was a co-host on the syndicated TV talk show 'Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus' and a correspondent on the syndicated news magazine show 'Extra.' A celebrated radio personality, the Greenville, South Carolina-bred talent has been called "the Oprah of radio." She was the first female radio personality to host a morning drive show in Miami. Currently, Griffin has been guest-hosting the Game Show Network's 'GSN Live.'.
KIM COLES: Though she hit the mai
nstream as a cast member on 'In Living Color,' this popular comedienne and actress is best known as the likeable Synclaire James on the sitcom 'Living Single.' No stranger to talk shows, Coles guest-hosted on 'The View' in 2007 and hosted the NBC daytime show 'In The Loop With iVillage' alongside season one winner of 'The Apprentice' Bill Rancic and 'The Apprentice' contestant Ereka Vetrini. The Brooklyn-bred talent has appeared on several reality series, including 'Celebrity Fit Club' and 'Celebrity Mole: Hawaii.' The author of a book, 'I'm Free But It Will Cost You' currently hosts the BET game show 'Pay It Off,' making her the first African-American woman to host a primetime game show.
TANIKA RAY: She's the former weekend co-host and co
rrespondent on the news magazine show 'Extra,' where she worked five years. Ray's uniquely curly hair made headlines when she guest-hosted 'The View' in 2006 and Barbara Walters asked could she "touch it." She has also hosted The CW pop culture weekly series 'CW Now,' Lifetime's makeover show 'Head 2 Toe' and SoapNet's 'SoapCenter.' As an expert in pop culture and entertainment news, Ray has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, HLN and Fox News Channel as a panelist. The Washington, DC native, who began her career dancing in music videos for Will Smith and Brandy, appeared as herself on an episode of 'All My Children' and has had acting roles on shows such as 'NYPD Blue,' 'Lois and Clark,' 'Living Single' and 'The Wayans Bros.'
NIECY NASH: Known for wearing her signature flower in her hair, Nash i
s most recognized for her hit Style Network show 'Clean House.' The comedienne also starred on the Comedy Central series 'Reno 911,' which was also made into a feature film called 'Reno 911: Miami' in 2007. Nash contributes regular features to syndicated talk show 'The Bonnie Hunt Show' and used to provide contributing segments on 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.' As an actress, the Palmdale, California-bred talent has appeared in films like 'Guess Who,' 'Not Easily Broken,' and 'Code Name: The Cleaner;' as well as guest starring on TV shows such as 'The Bernie Mac Show,' 'C.S.I.,' and 'Monk.' Currently, Nash is a featured correspondent on the news magazine series 'The Insider.'
*****
Read also: 'Oprah Winfrey Ending Talk Show in 2011.'
& 'BeBe Booted: Oprah Winfrey Removes Winans From Her Talk Show.'
Oprah Hair Transformation
This was Oprah in 1986, the same year 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' entered national syndication. Oprah brought her style of emotional reporting to the main stream wearing a short hair style with feathered bangs. Winfrey's look said "working mother" not "power broker." (Photo: AP)
Perhaps inspired by shocking '80s hair styles, Oprah teased her hair to towering heights in 1987. By this time, her show was the highest rated talk show in television history. (Photo: Getty Images)
Fast forward to 1996: Almost ten years later, Winfrey's look is considerably more stylish. By this time she has established her media dominance, becoming the third woman in entertainment history to found her own production facility, Harpo Studios. (Photo: Chris Kasson, AP)
In the year 2000, Oprah began to take her hair to new lengths, while keeping a demure sensibility. This was also the year she launched O, The Oprah Magazine. (Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images)
By 2004, Oprah took her magazine game to the next level with the introduction of O at Home. Her hair was spunkier and younger, with layers that finally gave it a modern silhouette. (Photo: Carlo Allegri, Getty Images)
Oprah also began exploring more feminine hair styles in 2004. She looked almost girlish in chin-length curls as she received the United Nations Association's Global Humanitarian Action Award that year. (Photo: Getty Images)
Winfrey finally began looking more like a woman of power in 2005. She softened a severe bob by bending the ends under slightly for a sophisticated finish. (Photo: Getty Images)
At the 60th annual Tony Awards later in 2006, Oprah seemed to take two steps back with her hair, perhaps looking to keep it simple. Her hair lacked volume and shine, but at least it looked like it was all real! (Photo: Seth Wenig, AP)
In a look almost inspired by Marilyn Monroe, Oprah wore a softer bob in early 2006. (Photo: Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images)
In 2007, Oprah often wore soft curls. While not her first attempt at rocking this hair style, the more recent rendition looked more natural. (Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)



Comments: (23)
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By: iolastar on 11/23/2009 6:40PM
I like all the women listed, but none will succeed Oprah. What happened with Oprah was a once in a lifetime thing. She opened the door for so many. However the talk show circuit is full.
I honestly think people will resort to who we already have as far as talk show host: Ellen, Tyra, and even Wendy. We're all gonna follow Oprah no matter where she go.
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By: sharkchops on 12/01/2009 10:47AM
I agree. Oprah worked hard all by herself to get where she is and no one is just gonna step into her shoes and take over what she's taken decades to build on her own with all the exposure and criticism she's endured and savvy she's shown. It's not easy getting all those women of different backgrounds to tune in and trust in the quality of a show on a regular basis. That a black woman was able to due that is truly special. On top of that, what's kept Oprah on top for so long is that she really sacrificed her life to create an empire, , probably to the detriment of her love life. She's always tried to keep most of her personal life away from the media. Despite a few controversies the media tried to hang her with (beef wars, T.Hilfiger, African girls' school), she's never pulled a "Tiger" and always handled her few public problems with class that chased the "yellow journalism" media away. I know they've been salivating waiting for her to pull have a public "angry black women" moment on Steadman or whoever she's dating.
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By: Kevin on 11/23/2009 6:59PM
I love these ladies. I think any one of them deserve a shot at daytime TV. No one will replace Oprah... but these women are so talented in their own right!
Kev
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By: tracysipper on 11/23/2009 8:16PM
Before I was Tracy Sipp Stylist of Real Housewives of Atlanta, I had been an ardent friend and fan of Lisa Wu-Hartwell of Real Housewives of Atlanta. A virtual titan when it comes to moving and communicating with a crowd. Hands down on my 25 years in the entertainment field; I would put all my money on Lisa Wu-Hatwell, being on her own talk show. Lisa Wu-Hartwell is the consummate professional with the poise of any runway model. I have little stood in awe of her as she works a crowd with the most austere sincerity. My very publicist Tim (Chattermouth)Johnson was rendered speechless when he witnessed how omnipresent Lisa Wu-Hartwell can be in a crowd of hundreds.
Lisa Wu-Hartwell is no stranger to camera nor stage nor big screen. Lisa Wu-Hartwell has the quick wit and ability to stay current on events. Lisa Wu-Hartwell keeps herself relevant to topical issues of the day. Lisa Wu-Hartwell is THE doting mother and housewife who still brings home her fair share of bacon...and cooks it!!
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By: john on 11/24/2009 12:01AM
Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh should succeed Oprah since they have common sense ideas and can relate to everyone
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By: Edna R. Lutz on 11/24/2009 5:55PM
Its hard to choose between Rolanda and Raemali...so (chicken me)lol....I will give each one a vote...Big Grin..
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By: solomon on 11/27/2009 4:41PM
SOLOMON...GOSSIP SHOW'S ARE NOTHING BUT A FEAST FOR FOOL'S...OPRAH IS A SISTER WITH GREAT INSIGHT AND WISDOM...BUT HER SHOW'S HAS TURNED INTO NOTHING BUT A PLACE FOR WHITE CELEBRITY TO COME AND BE GLORIFIED AT...AND TO GIVE JOB'S AND NEW SHOW'S TO WHITE PEOPLE LIKE,DR.FELD AND RACHAL RAY AND OTHER NONE BLACK'S...WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME IF SHE HAS HELP A BLACK PERSON GET A SHOW...ALL SO,CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT,ONE OF THE TOP RATED SHOW'S WAS ABOUT A WHITE BOY NAME TOM WHO[JUMPED ON HER COUCH...THAT IS INSANE...WE MUST TAKE THAT KIND OF THINKING OUT OF ROTATION,RIGHT NOW...AS FAR AS WHO SHOULD BE THE NEXT SISTER TO TAKE THAT SPOT...MY CHOSE WOULD BE...DR.FRANCES CRESS WELSING...THAT SISTER IS ONE OF THE...BADEST SISTER'S...ON PLANET EARTH...SHE IS THE ONE WHO WROTE THE BOOK...THE ISIS PAPER'S...ALL SO,THE SISTER'S THAT YOU MENTION ARE OK,BUT THEY WOULD BE NOTHING BUT...PUPPET'S...FOR THE WHITE MEDIA,LOOK AT WHAT THEY DO NOW...ISIS DONT PLAY THAT STUFF...SOLOMON
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By: Tee on 11/29/2009 10:01AM
I agree with your comment.Who has she help, she rarely has African americans on her show. Im not sad at all that she is leaving. I watch Ellen, Wendy, Wanda, CNN, Not a fan of Mo show, shes just to LOUD and Ghetto, she to old for all that screaming.
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By: julia on 12/02/2009 12:22AM
Oprah has helped many black people like the girls of South Africa who really appreciate her help and are not haters like you. She might would've helped black people more if they stopped talking against her and hating on her and more black people need to help themselves and stop playing the blame game looking for a hand out from oprah
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By: Mrblue on 11/28/2009 6:28AM
Who ever is fake white with the BIGGEST white woman style wig, And nosey will replace Oprah. And what the h**l is a Wendy Williams ???
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