Oprah Winfrey, the iconic talk show host, has interviewed over 37,000 people during her legendary career on The Oprah Winfrey Show from 1986 to 2011. Among the countless celebrities, politicians, and everyday heroes she has spoken with, one guest stands out as her 'worst'—a lawyer who could not stop promoting his book.
Oprah's Dublin Show
The media mogul recently announced an intimate one-night-only event in Dublin, titled 'Up Close with Oprah Winfrey,' scheduled for September 14 at the 3Arena. The show will feature a live conversation with David Meade, where Oprah will reflect on her extraordinary career. Tickets go on presale on May 6, with prices ranging from €25 (£21) to €695 (£600) for a VIP experience.
The 'Worst Guest' Revelation
During a conversation with musician Harry Connick Jr., Oprah was asked about the most annoying guests she had encountered. She described two types: those who ramble about unrelated topics and those who overhype their own achievements. Her go-to reaction, she said, was a simple 'Wow! Really?' to deflate their ego.
She then recalled a specific incident: 'I had a guest on who was a lawyer... he mentioned the book 29 times. That’s after I started counting. Every sentence started “In my book, in my book, and if you buy my book.” Finally, around the third segment, I said, “We all know the name of the book. Audience, tell him the name of the book… so you don’t have to say the name of the book anymore.” After that, we started to have conversations. Our intention was to tell the people, “You don’t have to sell your book. I will mention the book. I will take care of the book.”'
Oprah's Legacy
Now 72, Oprah remains a towering figure in media. Her Dublin appearance is her first live show in Ireland, and Norma Murphy, boss of Up Close, expressed her excitement: 'Oprah has been my inspirational compass from a young age. I was mesmerised by her warmth, empathy, and energy. She treats vulnerability as strength and believes true success lies in lifting others. I am so grateful she chose us for her first live appearance.'
