Saved by the Oprah! On Wednesdy, a judge in Illinois granted an unusual request when he permitted a juror to be excused to attend the final taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The Chicago woman, identified only as Juror 137, was a prospective juror in the case against the state’s scandal-scarred from governor Rod Blagojevich. After 25 seasons as the reiging Queen of Talk, the lights will go dim on The Oprah Winfrey Show next month. With last than 20 shows to go until the big finale, Winfrey will host a free farewell bash at Chicago’s United Centre on May 17 as the clock ticks down to the finale of her popular syndicated talk show. Upon learning that the would-be juror had nabbed a pair of illusive tickets to be in the house for O’s historic film taping, both the defense and the prosecution agreed to excuse the woman from her duties.
Blagojevich is being re-tried for allegedly trying to sell President Obama’s Senate seat shortly after his election in Nov. 2008. After Wednesday’s hearing, the former governor told reporters that he has great admiration for Oprah, adding that he considered giving Obama’s seat to her. The prosecution is using a voice recording as evidence against Blagojevich in his new trial. The ex-politician has maintained his innocence since the trial began.
