Oprah

The Sydney Opera House is too small for Oprah according to organisers of the chatshow queen’s visit down under with ticket registrations through the roof.

It is believed that around 75,000 people have registered for the December extravaganza which will see Oprah spend a week in Australia filming for her show.

Managing director of Tourism Australia Andrew McEvoy said the rush for seats has been overwhelming and he wouldn’t be surprised if the number was more than 75,000.

”[Oprah's production company Harpo] haven’t released the numbers to us other than to say that there has been no end of people trying to get tickets,” McEvoy said.

”Between ourselves and Harpo and the Opera House, we’re thinking about how do we get the best possible audience at that incredible venue … there’s discussions around what can be done to maximise that opportunity.”

The Opera’ House’s forecourt capacity is only 3000 for the shows which will film in December and screen later in January 2011.

Oprah herself is jetting her audience of 300 out for the shows with a crew numbering 150.

Source: SMH

Portia de Rossi has been tipped to be the first high-profile guest to appear on Oprah’s Australian showcase later in the year.

The actress is said to be appearing on Oprah’s show sometime before the end of the year and many are picking her to be a part of the December show at the Opera House.

Oprah’s website is hyping the actress, asking fans a number of questions regarding de Rossi.

“Did you watch her on Ally McBeal or Arrested Development? Do you think [Portia is] courageous for being openly gay in Hollywood? What do you think about her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres? Did her public battle with anorexia inspire you to tackle your own eating disorder? How have Portia’s highly publicised struggles with food and sexuality helped you in your own life?”

The notice finishes with: “If you’ve been inspired by Portia de Rossi, we’d love to hear from you!”

Other Aussies rumoured to feature on the show include Jamie Durie and Curtis Stone.

Source: News.com.au

Oprah is coming to Australia, and Network Ten’s Angela Bishop has secured an exclusive interview with the world’s most influential entertainer.

Later this week Angela will interview Oprah via satellite and the exclusive interview will broadcast across TEN news, The Circle, and The 7pm Project.

Plus, the Australian Adventure announcement episode has been fast-tracked and you can watch Oprah make this spectacular announcement to her studio audience, tomorrow (Wednesday 15 September) at 1pm on TEN.

Oprah will land on Australian shores, along with 300 of her American studio audience in December 2010. Here for just over a week, Oprah will record two shows in Australia, including one at the Sydney Opera House and another following Oprah and her audience as they travel to some of the country’s most iconic locations.

Australian fans will also get a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of this experience. Oprah will announce a ticket lottery later this month, and Australian audiences will be able to apply via www.Ten.com.au for tickets to this amazing event where for one day only, Sydney’s Opera House transforms into the Oprah House.

Keep watching The Oprah Winfrey Show, weekdays on TEN at 1pm for more details.

CSI: NY replaces actress

CSI: NY has been quick to fill the void left by departing actress Melina Kanakaredes with an announcement today saying Emmy-winning actress Sela Ward will join the cast. Ward’s previous credits include House, Sisters, and Once and Again.

Promotion for Glee actor

Glee’s Mike O’Malley has been promoted to a series regular for the second season after receiving an Emmy nod for ‘Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series’. The actor, who plays Kurt’s dad Burt Hummel in the series, joins Heather Morris (Brittany) and Nay Rivera (Santana) in receiving promotions.

Zefron guests on Robot Chicken special

Zac Efron will join the voice acting team at Robot Chicken for a Star Wars parody special alongside C3PO voice artist Anthony Daniels. The Robot Chicken series, which screens on Adult Swim, is co-created by actor Seth Green.

Oprah TV biopic on the way

A TV biopic centring on daytime star Oprah Winfrey is in the works with producers looking at a two to four hour production. Both known and unknown actresses are said to be intended for auditions to play the TV personality.

Glee’s Brittany to step up

Glee’s planned Britney Spears episode for next season will reportedly feature series regular Brittany (Heather Morris) singing two of the popstar’s tracks. Although the character has played a largely supporting role over the first season, her role will be beefed up for the second run

TEN will be airing Oprah’s interview with Fergie, The Duchess of York TODAY at 1pm.

Worldwide Exclusive: Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson Speaks Out About The Headline-Making Undercover Video

In a worldwide exclusive interview, Oprah talks to the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, as she speaks for the first time about the recent video that has made headlines around the world.

Definitely one worth catching, although apologies go out to anyone who was looking forward to seeing Raquel Welch today.

Project Runway spin-offs

Two new Project Runways spin-offs are in the works over in the US according to Variety. The first, already in pre-production, will feature former contestants Santino Rice and Austin Scarlett travelling around the country giving wardrobe advice and makeovers to in-need women. The second will focus on host Heidi Klum and husband Seal dishing out marriage counselling.

Lee DeWyze wins American Idol

Lee DeWyze has taken out the ninth season of American Idol, edging fellow finalist Crystal Bowersox in last night’s season finale. The three-hour special also saw a farewell tribute to departing judge Simon Cowell which featured many familiar faces from previous seasons returning to the stage alongside celebrity performers.

Bret Michaels on Idol

Also on the Idol finale was a special appearance by rocker and reality star Bret Michaels who is fresh from his Celebrity Apprentice win in the US. The Poison front-man teamed up with top three finalist Casey James for a rendition of Every Rose Has Its Thorn.

Green Lantern series

Cartoon Network is planning a new animated series based on the Green Lantern DC comics character. The series, creatively entitled Green Lantern: The Animated Series, is scheduled for a 2011 release and looks as though it may screen around the same time as the Warner Bros. movie starring Ryan Reynolds hits cinemas.

Sarah Ferguson on Oprah

Royal Sarah Ferguson is set to appear on Oprah to chat about her actions in the recent press scandal. The Duchess of York has agreed to be interviewed on the daytime chat-show following the embarrassing tape released of her offering access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew in exchange for a large sum of money. In related news, Ferguson has also said she wants to appear on Dancing with the Stars.

The Hills tell-all book

The Hills newcomer Kristin Cavallari is planning to write a tell-all book which will reveal the behind-the-scenes goings on of the hit MTV show. The 23-year-old hopes to release the book following her contract expiry where she will reveal what actually went on during filming of the so-called reality show, which has long been accused of scripting scenes.

Remake of Alias?

American network ABC is reportedly in talks over producing a new series based on J.J. Abrams’ spy series Alias. Word is the remake would feature some parts of the original series, which ran from 2001 to 2006, while avoiding others.

BBC criticised

The BBC has been criticised for planning to shelve the pilot episode of its new Sherlock Holmes series despite spending £800,000 to produce it. The series stars The Office’s Martin Freeman and is made by Doctor Who’s showrunner Steven Moffat but despite the firepower there has been talk the pilot episode is “a real stinker”, hence why it will never be shown to the public.

A seriously fast tracked Oprah special will be seen on Ten tonight (Tuesday Dec 15) at 7.30pm. The Oprah special – called “Christmas at the White House” sees Oprah usher in the holidays at the White House, visiting President Obama and the First lady as they prepare for the families first Christmas there. Oprah will also sit down for an exclusive interview with the First Couple. The special has only aired in the US today as well.

That means that Accidentally on Purpose and the Office will not be seen tonight, returning to their Thursday night time slot as usual.

In an attempt to fight back from very low summer ratings which has seen Ten fourth behind Nine, Seven and the ABC for last week, Ten have changed their Friday night line up as well. Even during ratings season though the network was having difficulty with Friday nights.

The new line up sees another episode of Malcolm in the Middle at 8pm – so combined with the 6.30 episode, it surrounds the 7pm Project and a movie – “The First Wives Club” at 8.30pm. Bondi Vet repeats, Law and Order and Outrageous Fortune will no longer be seen.

Malcolm in the Middle could well become Ten’s Two and a Half Men with double episodes to air over the week that sits between Christmas and New Years while the 7pm Project has a week off. Be interesting to see what the programming will end up as on Friday Jan 1, 2010 given that Malcolm is now on at 8pm Fridays.

Some programming information from TV Tonight.

1.00PM monday / September 1

It’s the sex talk your parents never had. Open marriages, sex over 60, friends with benefits and erotica. What’s really going on in America’s bedrooms?

Oprah goes under the covers. to reveal the 237 reasons to have sex!