Oprah Winfrey will return to the small screen on Monday to debut an hour-long television program entitled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution.” The new special follows Winfrey’s exit from the board of WeightWatchers, where she served for nearly a decade after acquiring a 10% stake in the company.
“I look forward to continuing to advise and collaborate with WeightWatchers and CEO Sima Sistani in elevating the conversation around recognizing obesity as a chronic condition, working to reduce stigma, and advocating for health equity,” Winfrey said in a statement.
In December, Winfrey spoke to People about her use of weight-loss drugs, though she didn’t specify which ones she used.
“The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for,” she told the magazine.
Ahead, learn more about Winfrey’s upcoming special.
What is the special about?
Taped in front of a live studio audience, Winfrey will sit down with medical experts to discuss a variety of weight loss medications including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Winfrey will be joined by Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. W. Scott Butsch, ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Dr. Amanda Velazquez. Winfrey will also speak to patients from around the country about their experience using weight loss drugs.
Questions addressed in the special include: Who are the medications really intended for? Who is eligible to receive weight loss drugs? What are the short-term and long-term side effects?
“We are thrilled to work with Oprah and the voices she has assembled to open a dialogue that destigmatizes and educates viewers on the important and polarizing topic of weight loss,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, in a statement. “I can think of no one better to lead this meaningful conversation about such a critical issue that touches all of our lives.”
What has Oprah said about it?
“It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity,” said Oprah in a statement. “This special will bring together medical experts, leaders in the space and people in the day-to-day struggle to talk about health equity and obesity with the intention to ultimately release the shame, judgment and stigma surrounding weight.”
Where will it air?
“An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution” airs Monday, March 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Is it available to stream?
“An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution” will be available to stream on Hulu starting March 19.
