SHERRYL WILSON is a lecturer in Media Theory at Bournemouth Media School, Bournemouth University, UK. Her interests include the cult of celebrity, reality TV, popular culture and identity. She has previously taught at the School of Media and Cultural Studies, University of the West of England, UK.

'...interesting and challenging...offer[s] a nuanced and appreciated analysis of the way that experience is explored in the talk show whilst retaining a critical perspective of of the overall social significance of these performances.' - Peter Lunt, University College London

• List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction About Television Talk Shows Anxiety and Agency: Oprah and Constructions of Self Confessional Discourse on Oprah Oprah and Narrating the Self The Oprah Persona Conclusion Appendix Bibliography

SHERRYL WILSON is a lecturer in Media Theory at Bournemouth Media School, Bournemouth University, UK. Her interests include the cult of celebrity, reality TV, popular culture and identity. She has previously taught at the School of Media and Cultural Studies, University of the West of England, UK.

'...interesting and challenging...offer[s] a nuanced and appreciated analysis of the way that experience is explored in the talk show whilst retaining a critical perspective of of the overall social significance of these performances.' - Peter Lunt, University College London

• List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction About Television Talk Shows Anxiety and Agency: Oprah and Constructions of Self Confessional Discourse on Oprah Oprah and Narrating the Self The Oprah Persona Conclusion Appendix Bibliography

SHERRYL WILSON is a lecturer in Media Theory at Bournemouth Media School, Bournemouth University, UK. Her interests include the cult of celebrity, reality TV, popular culture and identity. She has previously taught at the School of Media and Cultural Studies, University of the West of England, UK.

'...interesting and challenging...offer[s] a nuanced and appreciated analysis of the way that experience is explored in the talk show whilst retaining a critical perspective of of the overall social significance of these performances.' - Peter Lunt, University College London

• List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction About Television Talk Shows Anxiety and Agency: Oprah and Constructions of Self Confessional Discourse on Oprah Oprah and Narrating the Self The Oprah Persona Conclusion Appendix Bibliography