Oprah in Australia

Only 6,000 lucky Oprah fans were given the chance to watch one of her two Sydney shows at the Opera House last December, and aside from being able to see the queen of TV in the flesh they received another surprise — they were going to receive either pearl necklace or a diamond pendant as a memento (depending on which taping they attended)! Last week people started grumbling that they hadn’t received their diamond necklaces, and now that the goodies have started making their way to Australian mailboxes it seems some people aren’t pleased with what they’ve received. Fans thought they’d be getting pink argyle diamonds in the shape of an ‘O’ on a gold chain and claim the actual necklace features seven “tiny” diamonds on the O-shaped pendant on a silver chain. In our eyes a diamond necklace is a diamond necklace — and it was a free one at that! If anyone wants to give theirs away . . .

After three massive nights of Oprah on TV, it all comes to an end in tonight’s episode of Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure. Oprah conquered our screens this week and we’ve seen her do it all — from getting up close and personal with a pair of mating koalas in Queensland to conquering the Harbour Bridge climb. Along the way she’s also seen the best Australian landscape (though Oprah’s camera lenses everything looks like a postcard) and met up with some of our best-loved stars like Russell Crowe. On tonight’s episode we see the second taping at the Opera House with guests including Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, U2’s Bono and Olivia Newton-John. We’ll also witness Hugh Jackman’s headline-making entrance and he’ll introduce Oprah to Vegemite. Yep, it’s all happening tonight! I have a feeling most of us will be tuning in, so get comfy and prepare to watch Oprah and her famous friends bring the (Opera) House down!

Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure concludes tonight at 7:30pm on Network Ten.

Actually make that the “Oprah” House. The first of two big shows at the iconic Australian landmark, tonight’s episode includes guests Terri Irwin and her kids Bindi and Robert (as well as a tribute to the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin), Oprah’s sailing buddy Russell Crowe, Jay-Z and a rocking performance from Bon Jovi. Plus more surprises for very deserving viewers!

Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure continues airing tonight at 7:30pm on Network Ten.

From the looks of it most of you will be tuning in to the second episode of Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure tonight, so let’s find out what we can look forward to. Since Oprah did most of her sightseeing in last night’s show, tonight we’ll see Oprah get a firsthand look at the Aussie way of life. This includes surprising a viewer by dropping by her place for a BBQ (seriously, how would you react if you opened your door to find Ms. Winfrey there, ready for a coldie?), making a special delivery to a nine-months-pregnant fan, attempting to break a world record by taking her American viewers to the top of the Harbour Bridge, and sailing with Russell Crowe. Oprah had a jam-packed schedule, I tell ya! And while I’m yet to climb the Harbour Bridge and have a feeling most of us haven’t taken a ride on Russell’s boat, at least we can experience it through Oprah’s eyes!

Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure continues airing tonight at 7:30pm on Network Ten.

The year has started off in such a big way that it’s hard to believe Oprah and her audience were only in Australia a month ago! They were here for just over a week and over the course of their trip they filmed enough footage for four shows instead of the original two. The episodes start airing tonight and the following ones will air tomorrow, Friday and Sunday. Tonight’s show will follow Oprah as she lands in Hamilton Island, meets a “pair of frisky koalas”, checks out the beautiful Great Barrier Reef and has a beach barbeque with Curtis Stone. It also follows her stop in Uluru and meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and a crowd of 10,000 fans in Melbourne. Phew, that’s quite a show — and it’s only the first one! Rewind with us for a recap on Oprah’s trip Down Under.

Oprah’s Ultimate Australian Adventure starts airing tonight at 7:30pm on Network Ten.

Meeting Koalas!	Visiting Uluru!	Sailing with Russell Crowe!
First Show Details!	Second Show Details!	Aussie Adventure Ends

Oprah Winfrey has left the country. The talk show queen boarded her private plane this morning, ending her Ultimate Australian Adventure. She left the country wearing an outback-style hat and loaded down with heaps of luggage from her shopping expeditions. Oprah was a bit teary during her goodbyes saying, “I'm really going to miss Australia. I had the best time here...it was amazing.” But she did add that she would return soon with BFF Gayle King so Gayle could score an “outbacky Aussie guy.” She wouldn’t confirm her next destination, but reports say she may be stopping in Fiji for a romantic holiday with partner Stedman Graham.

Oprah Winfrey’s second show taping made headlines around the world yesterday as Wolverine star Hugh Jackman face-planted into a stage light and got a black eye. But the show must go on and Hugh was a trooper. Also joining Oprah were Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and Olivia Newton-John, who showed off her tiny Sandy spandex pants from Grease. The second audience also received a necklace, but this time it was pink argyle diamonds in the shape of an “O” worth $450 from the Rio Tinto mines in Western Australia. The show ended with the celebs and Qantas choir singing, “I Still Call Australia Home.” Oprah’s audience is flying back to the US today, but Oprah is staying to attend a VIP party at Star City Casino tonight. On her the way home she’ll be taking some time out for a romantic holiday with long-time boyfriend Stedman Graham at a luxurious resort in Fiji. If you haven't seen Hugh's stunt gone wrong, check out the clip below!

 
Oprah filmed her first show at the Sydney Opera House this morning and she didn’t disappoint. She danced her way to the stage to the song "Land Down Under” and opened the show with the chant, “Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi.” She was joined by Bon Jovi, Russell Crowe and Jay-Z, as well as Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin. Robert spoke movingly about his beloved dad Steve, which made his mum Terri cry. Bless. Oprah then waved her magic wand, spreading Christmas cheer across Sydney. She gave a $250,000 cheque to cancer sufferer Kristian Anderson and his wife (Kristian made the loving video to his wife featuring Hugh Jackman) and $1 million worth of computer equipment to Canterbury Boys School. Meanwhile, all 6,000 members of her audience received a Kailis Jewellery pearl necklace as a memento. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for show #2. Stay tuned!

Thousands of people are gathering at the Sydney Opera House this morning to see Oprah Winfrey film her two Australian shows. The queues started at sunrise and 6,000 audience members are expected. The show received more than 350,000 requests for tickets to the tapings through an online lottery system. Russell Crowe, Bindi Irwin, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Olivia Newton-John are all confirmed as special guests. Rock legends Bon Jovi will perform some of their greatest hits and Jay-Z will also stop by. The first of Oprah’s shows is due to be filmed at 10am and the second about 5pm. Authorities are warning fans who do not have tickets to stay away from Circular Quay, where there are road closures and a maritime exclusion zone set up. The programmes are set to air in January in the U.S. and Australia.