Retro Friday: Oprah Edition

Before the 1986 launch of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" into nationwide syndication, Winfrey hosted the local "A.M. Chicago" on WLS-TV in Chicago. Here she is in those "A.M. Chicago" days, interviewing John Denver.

Most disturbing note: She was doing that I'll-scream-my-guest's-name-in-a-shrill-sing-songy-way thing even back then. ("Johnnnn DEN-VERRRR!")

Of course, Oprah announced on Thursday her intention to leave the talk show in September 2011 to focus on her new cable network.