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The best of the star-studded Oprah farewell

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise

The Oprah show, hosted by the multitalented Oprah Winfrey, is finally winding up after 25 record-breaking, incredibly successful seasons.

And before Oprah's final episode -- slated to be a surprise known only to Winfrey and her closest -- the biggest stars of Hollywood came together to pay tribute to the queen of the talkshow.

Here, then, are ten highlights from the two hour Oprah farewell special:

Tom Cruise

Things kicked off with a pair of Toms (Tom-Tom, perhaps?) as Tom Hanks hosted the first hour of the show, with Tom Cruise showing up as the first guest.

Cruise, who announced that he'd been on the Oprah show a dozen times, must remember his couch-jumping on the show: surely one of his most infamous moments.

Madonna

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Madonna

The outspoken pop superstar took the stage next, only to admit that Oprah Winfrey was the only living person who she looked on to for inspiration.

It's a massive compliment, even if Oprah's been all about positive affirmation and a healthy body image, and Madonna of late seems all about a faux-British accent and a weird body.

Halle Berry

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Halle Berry

Halle Berry, the only black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, was joined by Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah and Tom Cruise's wife Katie Holmes.

The trio congratulated Oprah and reminded her how her show has led to thousands of viewers worldwide becoming foster parents as well as starting and supporting charities.

Beyonce

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Beyonce

All the guests came back to stage to wrap up the first hour of the show, with an array of musical guests including Beyonce Knowles, Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle and Rascal Flatts.

Beyonce, the obvious headliner, has always described herself as a huge Oprah fan. A visibly overwhelmed Oprah hugged all her guests one by one

Michael Jordan

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Michael Jordan
Basketball superstar Michael Jordan was the first guest of the second hour of the show, the hour hosted by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Jordan, the biggest sporting icon basketball has ever seen, informed Oprah that he moved to Chicago -- where he played memorably for the Chicago Bulls -- in the same year that Winfrey did, 1984.

Jerry Seinfeld

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Jerry Seinfeld
Co-creator and face of Seinfeld, one of the most successful sitcoms in television history, Jerry Seinfeld -- who has recently launched his own website www.jerryseinfeld.com to give aspiring comedians a glimpse into his older material -- performed an all-new standup comedy routine to bid Oprah's show a fond farewell

Jamie Foxx and Stevie Wonder

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Stevie Wonder, Oprah and Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx, who won an Oscar for playing blind jazz legend Ray Charles in Ray, sang next, alongside another visually-impaired legend.

Stevie Wonder played the piano while Foxx sang, leaving Oprah visibly thrilled. Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell sang as well, performing Fever while changing the words to make the song about missing Oprah.

Maya Angelou with Alicia Keys

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey

Joanne Braxton once called the poet Maya Angelou "America's most visible black female autobiographer." Angelou, who wrote a poem specifically for Winfrey, performed the work while Alicia Keys played the piano.

Oprah's best friend Maria Shriver -- dealing with the shocking revelations coming from husband Arnold Schwarzenegger -- joined her for the show.

Stedman Graham

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Stedman Graham

Perhaps the biggest moment of the night for the iconic talkshow host, however, came when her longtime partner Stedman Graham came on stage to pay affectionate tribute to her.

Oprah completely freaked out, saying, "Holy Jesus from God, what is happening? Stedman is on stage!" It was a candid, off-guard and quite lovely moment.

Usher

Last updated on: May 25, 2011 13:09 IST
Usher
Stedman finally introduced soul superstar Aretha Franklin, the first female artist to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Franklin -- perhaps most famous for the R.E.S.P.E.C.T song -- belted out a number for Oprah to thunderous applause before R&B star Usher came in and finished off the show.