New York's Oprah Fans, Terry Brown and Francine Lesson

In September 2007, Oprah Winfrey came to New York City to tape two shows at the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden. It was the beginning of the Oprah Show’s twenty second season and she kicked the season off with a bang before a combined audience of 11,200 fans, filling the theater to its capacity for both shows. Oprah normally tapes her show in Chicago where the studio is much smaller, holding roughly 500 audience members, so this was, in the memorable words of the late Ed Sullivan, “a really big show.”

New York’s Oprah fans were excited and considered themselves very lucky to be there. Some even came all the way from their native Chicago to be part of the New York crowd, like Terry Delgado, who said that Oprah “really brought it.” New York fan Terry Brown of Oyster Bay, Long Island, admitted, “I welled up with tears. It’s something so close to my heart. She helps so many people.” Francine Lesson of Patchogue, Long Island, who attended the show with her husband Jonathan, stated, “She’s special, because she started from nothing and made something of herself, by working hard and sacrificing. Now, she’s a great force; she’s giving and teaching others to give.”

Oprah mentioned one of her reasons for coming to New York in September was to be there for the anniversary of 9/11. Her first guest of the season, David Letterman, making his premiere appearance on her show, was amazed that she had received a standing ovation the moment she appeared on stage. Oprah simply smiled, saying, “That’s New York for you.” Thousands of people from all walks of life had gathered on the sidewalks outside the theater, hoping to catch a glimpse of Oprah. It’s definitely no secret that New York loves Oprah!