As Oprah's show draws to close, a big farewell

Queen of all media Oprah Winfrey will be going out with a bang next month, as producers announced Thursday that she'll host a free farewell bash while the clock ticks down to the finale of her daytime talk show.

The biggest names in movies, music and TV will make appearances, though the lineup will remain a secret even to Winfrey during the 200,000-person celebration at Chicago's United Center on May 17.

“Being surprised is not one of Oprah's favorite things,'" executive producer Sheri Salata said. “She is making a rare exception and we intend to make the most of that opportunity."

The fete, dubbed "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," will air in two parts, May 23 and May 24. Tickets are available only through oprah.com. The last episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" will air May 25, ending the show's 25-year run.

Final-season mania for Oprah's show was in full force this week, as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle stopped for a chat Wednesday for a show that will air on Monday.

Among other things, Oprah asked Obama why it took so long for him to release his long-form birth certificate, which he distributed Wednesday. “I was there, so I knew ... I had been born. I remembered it," he said.

Asked about some of the first family’s best moments, Michelle recalled when her daughters met Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. The president joked that, as the girls got tired, every time someone wearing a frock passed by, they asked, "Is that the pope?" He said he told them they will know when it’s the pope.

(with Reuters)

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In honor of Take Your Child to Work day on Thursday, Michelle took questions from about 200 children of White House employees and she revealed some of her favorite things:

Books: “Song of Solomon”
Sport: Tennis
Color: Lavender
Hobby: Spending time with her girls and exercising
Football team: Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers