Yidio Exclusive: Oprah and Gayle Exit Harpo Studios After Final Taping (Includes Photos and Spoilers on the Last Episode)

The Yidio crew is not exactly anyone's idea of the paparazzi, but when we heard via Twitter that Oprah was absolutely going to be shooting her final episode today, we scooted over to Harpo Studios (just a few blocks from our editorial HQ) to see how Chicago was seeing O off.

Sure enough, there were busloads of folks pouring into the Oprah gift shop, and throngs of slightly crazy and adoring fans gathered around the studios hoping to catch just one more glimpse of the big O before she closed up shop in Chi-town.

Legendary Chicago Cubs cheerleader Ronnie Woo Woo was on hand in full uniform, ready to give Winfrey an "Oprah, Woo!" as she departed the scene.

Oprah super-fan and singer/performer Kimberly Adams sported some sort of bright spangly Queen-like talk-show superhero getup complete with tiara, hoping to get noticed by Winfrey on the way out the door.

Several fans had been waiting since the morning to catch a glimpse of their hero, and for a while, it didn't seem like she was going to show. As the day wore on, the temperature dropped to typical Chicago May (read: cold), the throngs seemed discouraged and wondered if O had left out a side entrance, or simply was in one of the SUVs with darkly tinted windows that had exited earlier.

Even the interminable Ronnie Woo Woo's spirit seemed broken for a while as he said "I sure hope she comes out. I can only stay until 6:30. I got a game to go to." Amen, brother. Amen.

Spoiler Alert: If you don't want to know anything about the finale episode, don't read further.

But wait! There's action! The first exit from Harpo was Stedman Graham, who walked Oprah's fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Mary Duncan out to her towncar.

In previous interviews, Oprah has credited Duncan with helping her realize her potential. Stedman was kind to the gathered crowd of fans and Chicago style faux-parazzi, and said that he and Oprah were very grateful for all the fan support. Duncan said she was proud of everything Oprah had become.

Sources from the audience tell us that, as opposed to being another cavalcade of celebrities, the final show was focused on revisiting Oprah's career and getting back to the roots of her success.The intimate last show reportedly focused solely on Oprah speaking to the audience, "a love letter" to her fans.

While celebrities weren't the focus of the show, Maria Shriver was spotted exiting Harpo Studios, and the Chicago Tribune reported that Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson and Suze Orman were also present in the taping. Taping for the show reportedly began at 1 p.m. and audience members left after an hour.

Oprah Exits Stage Left

Finally, after several hours of waiting, Oprah emerged in a Cadillac Escalade, with her dog in her arms and her best friend Gayle King at her side. "We love you Oprah! We'll miss you! Thank you!" said the crowd. "Oprah! Woo!" said Ronnie. Winfrey waved, and that was that.

After 25 years of taping her show in Chicago, O had officially left the building. Sigh.

The crowds dispersed, comparing their photos, some stopping by the big Harpo Studios signs to take a pic or pose with Ronnie. Others scattered, wondering what the hell they were going to do with all those daytime hours to fill.

For Chicagoans, the closing of Oprah's show is a hard pill to swallow. While Oprah has done much to raise the profile of the city, and may have lent a powerful hand to bringing one of our own to the White House, the hole she will leave by closing up shop will be substantial, in terms of jobs for the production community, revenue from audiences and tourism dollars for those drawn to Chicago by the cult of O.

At Harpo Studios, though, all is not lost. Studio space will soon be put into play by Rosie O'Donnell for her OWN Network Talk Show.

“Speaking from experience, she will be working with the best team in television in one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Winfrey when the announcement was made back in March.

Will Rosie be able to fill Oprah's shows? Not by a Windy City mile, but what the hell, we'll definitely take the jobs.

"Oprah's Next Chapter"

Life will also go on for Oprah's fans. Besides her magazine, OWN network and various publishing and radio ventures, we also learned that fans of Oprah will not have to go too long without a dedicated Oprah show.

As reported by the Wall Street Journal last year, Oprah will continue her celebrity interviews with a new show tentatively called "Oprah's Next Chapter," where Winfrey will travel around the world with celebrities, interviewing them as she goes.

Our sources tell us that production for that show, involving Harpo Studios, may begin as early as January of 2012.

In the meantime, enjoy the final show, and to you, Oprah, we thank you for all the class you brought to TV and the credit you brought to the great city of Chicago.