Oprah Takes On Michigan Avenue

They say 09-09-09 is a lucky number and lucky day. But for Oprah, good fortune came a day earlier when Michigan Avenue shutdown so the famed television superstar could film her 24th Season Kickoff Show.

Oprah poses for a few tv shots before the kickoff officially starts.

Thousands of fans and spectators wandered in the street.  And those who came early got in. The price of admission: learning a choreographed dance to Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling.”

Not even the president of the United States, got such a royal treatment.  Backed by the city of Chicago and Richard M. Daley,  Michigan Avenue shutdown for a chance with Oprah.

For Lincoln Park’s Jill Tompkins that meant arriving at 5:30 a.m. She said there were only a surprisingly few 45 or 50 people at that time. But being a self-proclaimed celebrity groupie meant this was a must-see event.

Lincoln Park's Jill Tompkins takes a break from her kids for some Oprah time on Michigan Avenue.

To go, the stay-at-home mother of two small children, a 6 1/2 month-old and two-year-old, made a deal with her husband, an airline pilot on furlough.

The agreement: he  got to go to a New Orleans bachelor party for Labor Day weekend, but when he came back he had to watch the kids so she  could see Oprah.

“Yeah, he’s a little hungover, but I told him too bad, we made a deal,” Tompkins said with a laugh.

Ben Fort, 23, came to Chicago less than five weeks ago, after graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University. His graduation gift: a trip to L.A.

“But everyone there has the jerk vibe,” said Fort, holding a composition book and several movies including  the Biography Channel’s Best of Saturday Night Live. “I like it here, people are  friendly.”

Oklahoma Baptist University graduate, Ben Fort moved to Chicago less than five weeks ago to try his hand at Second City's famed improve classes. His dream: become a script writer for a famed t.v. show. In the meantime, he stumbled upon the filming of Oprah's kickoff show while coming back from the Harold Washington Library.

Plus, he can take improv classes at the famed Second City and wander the streets of Chicago with  lemon-colored T-shirt that says “Needs a Job.”

“A bunch of people have commented but no one has really offered me a job yet,” he said. “One lady asked me if I wanted to walk her dog, but I’m allergic to dogs.”

Fort stumbled upon the Oprah taping while coming back from the Harold Washington Library.   His goal is to become the “head creative guy” on a television show, but Oprah isn’t a likely prospect.

“I’m not really Oprah-savvy,” joked Fort, who doesn’t own a TV yet. “But I like the choreography.”

Waiting for Oprah's Kickoff Show

Oprah Fans Waiting for the Show to Begin

Squint really hard and look at the salmon-colored shirt for a glimpse of Oprah.

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Oprah prior to her film kickoff on top of her red bus

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