ater, cabaret, singing, dancing, and short-term rela-
tionships, and Grace’s personal assistant at her inte-
rior design studio, Karen Walker (Megan Mullally),
a wealthy socialite who is fond of alcohol, prescrip-
tion medication, and marrying rich men.
Will and Gracefeatured appearances by a number
of famous guest stars, including Cher, Elton John,
Matt Damon, Woody Harrelson, Harry Connick, Jr.,
Rosie O’Donnell, Glenn Close, Gene Wilder, Kevin
Bacon, Ellen DeGeneres, Patrick Dempsey, Sydney
Pollack, Debbie Reynolds, Barry Manilow, and Mi-
chael Douglas.
Impact Will and Gracedemonstrated the accept-
ability of homosexuality and paved the way for other
gay-themed shows. Its sharp writing and superb cast
helped to make it one of the most successful sitcoms
of the 1990’s.
Further Reading
Colucci, Jim.Will and Grace: Fabulously Uncensored.
New York: Time Home Entertainment, 2004.
Tropiano, Stephen.The Prime Time Closet: A Histor y
of Gays and Lesbians on TV. New York: Applause
Theatre and Cinema Books, 2002.
Kathr yn A. Cochran
See also Friends; DeGeneres, Ellen; Homosexual-
ity and gay rights; Television; Transgender commu-
nity.
Winfrey, Oprah
Identification Television talk-show host and
philanthropist
Born January 29, 1954; Kosciusko, Mississippi
Winfrey has inspired her fans through her talk show, maga-
zine, cable network, and philanthropy.
Oprah Winfrey was born in rural Mississippi and
raised by her grandmother. Winfrey moved to Mil-
waukee to be with her mother but soon ran away
from her abusive and dysfunctional home life. Her
mother sent Winfrey to live with her father in Nash-
ville, where she earned a scholarship to Tennessee
State University. During college, Winfrey worked at
radio and television stations and, after graduating,
became Nashville’s WLAC-TV’s youngest and first
African American news anchor. She cohosted the
news in Baltimore and later in Chicago, where she
also cohosted the morning talk showAM Chicago,
transforming it to a top-rated show within six
months and overtakingDonahue. Her show was re-
namedThe Oprah Winfrey Showin 1984 and nation-
ally syndicated in 1986.
The popularity ofThe Oprah Winfrey Showcontin-
ued to grow into the 1990’s. Its triumph was due to
Winfrey’s ability to connect with her audience on a
personal level. She could discuss sensitive topics
such as sexual preference, AIDS, and other personal
subjects deemed taboo. At the same time, she of-
fered reassurance to her audience and both dignity
and a voice to her guests. She showed genuine con-
cern and interest in her guests as she questioned
them tenderly and often cried alongside them, shar-
ing her history of sexual abuse, weight battles, and
other personal struggles. Her ability to highlight or-
dinary people who had done or survived extraordi-
nary acts, coupled with her compassion and willing-
ness to share her own stories, setThe Oprah Winfrey
Showapart from other talk shows.The Nineties in America Winfrey, Oprah 921
Oprah Winfrey in 1996.(AP/Wide World Photos)