Oprah Winfrey’s 25-year reign on daytime TV ends when she steps down in September 2011. Her departure could coincide with a TV dramatization of her life story that is most definitely not being done with Winfrey’s seal of approval. THR has details:
Veteran producer Larry A. Thompson said Monday the planned two- or four-hour Winfrey film will be based on Kitty Kelley’s tell-all biography. Thompson says he has optioned it for six figures.
Thompson has produced TV biopics about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and Sonny and Cher. He calls himself “a huge fan” of Winfrey and says he’s shopping the project to networks he declined to specify. An unknown will likely be cast to play Winfrey.
Good luck to the actress who tackles this role without Oprah’s blessing, but it’s never too soon to begin idle casting speculation. Viola Davis?
