By Daily Mail Reporter


Going out with a bang: Oprah Winfrey is flanked by Beyonce, Madonna, Dakota Fanning and Halle Berry as she taped her Surprise Spectacular show in Chicago today


Oprah Winfrey kicked off one of her last-ever national talk shows today with hugs from Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Madonna in a packed Chicago arena.

'She's a self-made woman who's been at the top of her game for over 25 years - and she's still kicking ass,' Madonna told a delighted audience of about 13,000 as a stunned-looking Winfrey stood beside her onstage.

The show, was taped on Tuesday for airing on May 23 and 24, is billed as Oprah's Surprise Spectacular - because not even the talk show queen was said to have known who would be appearing.

What a send off: Tuesday's taping will air on U.S. television on May 23 and 24, before Winfrey's final show on May 25. From left Oprah on stage with guests including Tom Hanks, Queen Latifah, Madonna, Dakota, Halle, Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise

Big hugs: Aretha Franklin and Dakota Fanning both take the hands on approach with Oprah


Winfrey's final original Oprah Winfrey Show, whose contents are still under wraps, will air on May 25, bringing to a close 25 years of the most-watched daytime talk show on U.S. television.

'Your show has turned surprise into an art form,' Hanks told Winfrey.

He added: 'Oprah Winfrey, today you are surrounded by nothing but love. Your studio was not big enough to hold it all, so here we are,' he said, gesturing around the glittering basketball arena and concert venue.

Brave face: Arnold Schwarzenegger's estranged wife Maria Shriver made an appearance too in the wake of revelations about Arnie's secret love child

Love you: Oprah's best friend Gayle King (L) and Maria Shriver (R) show the love and embrace the star on stage

Big stars: The chat show queen shows her delight as NBA legend Michael Jordan takes to the stage


Shortly after, Madonna walked onstage and praised Winfrey for her courage.

'It's no secret that millions of people are inspired by Oprah,' she said. 'I am one of those people ... She fights for things she believes in, even if it makes her unpopular ... I have learned so much from her.'

Despite her personal turmoil, Arnold Schwarzenegger's estranged wife Maria Shriver put aside her difficulties to show up in the wake of revelations about Arnie's secret love child.

All-star guests: Hollywood power couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes jetted in from Miami especially for the Chicago taping

Momentous event: Halle Berry, left, in a Victoria Beckham dress, Katie and Queen Latifah wave to the crowd

Great heights: Tom and his wife Katie Holmes paid a joint tribute to the chat show queen


It has been claimed that the Terminator star's former housekeeper Mildred Baena, 50,fell pregnant with her son, who is now aged around 14, while working for the former California governor and his wife as a housekeeper.

Shriver came on stage at the United Center with Winfrey's best friend, Gayle King.

Shriver told Winfrey that the talk show host has 'given me love, support, wisdom and most of all the truth." Shriver said she knew she wasn't "alone in receiving those gifts.'

Celebration: Oprah hugs Usher next to actor Tom Cruise and Aretha Franklin

Full of love: There were tears of emotion from both guests and hosts during the epic farewell show

On song: Stevie Wonder and Jamie Foxx sang Isn't She Lovely in tribute to Oprah on the show


Oprah' long term partner Stedman was one of the real surprise guests on the night.

A man who deliberately keeps himself in the background, he took to the stage and proclaimed: 'Oprah changes people’s lives, but she also takes her lunch to work everyday. She says it’s to save money.'

While the audience chuckled, Oprah started crying - and when Stedman called her 'sweetheart' in a bid to stem her tears, the audience gave up a great big 'awww.'

He then surprised everyone including Oprah by introducing Aretha Franklin, who emerged to sing a version of Amazing Grace.

song for you: Usher serenades Oprah during the star-studded recording

Here's looking at you: Will Smith and wife Jada spot another guest about to pay tribute to Oprah

Funny guy: Jerry Seinfeld took over from Tom Hanks to be MC at the event during the filming


During today's taping a beaming Cruise told Winfrey it was an honour to have been on her show 12 times since 1988.

Referring to his first appearance on the show 23 years ago, Winfrey quipped: 'You looked like you were 10.'

R&B singer Beyonce prefaced a song and dance performance by declaring: 'Oprah Winfrey, because of you, women everywhere have graduated to a new level of understanding of what we are, who we are, and who we can be ... We can run the world!'

Big hugs: The outgoing chatshow queen shares a hug with Madonna and, right, with Tom Hanks

Fans frenzy: Audience members hold up lights as Rascal Flatts perform

Hands in the air: Beyonce and her dancers get a big reception


The show also featured Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry, who wore a Victoria Beckham dress, and singer-actress Queen Latifah.

Josh Groban and Patti LaBelle sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and comedy stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell sent in video-taped tributes.

Legs on show: Singer Beyonce performed in a pair of fishnet tights

On the run: Beyonce and her trouper performing their energetic dance routine

Strong woman: Beyonce said Oprah had inspired her and woman around the world to be strong


Winfrey, regarded as the most influential woman on U.S. television, is wrapping the final season of her syndicated Chicago-based show to devote more energy to her fledgling OWN cable network, which launched in January.

Winfrey announced in November 2009 that she would end her talk show, which airs five days a week on Walt Disney.

Ready to rumble: Crowds assemble outside the United Center in Chicago where the show was taped










source:dailymail