Oprah takes Michigan: here's what you missed

Oprah took over Michigan Avenue on Tuesday. But this, surely, you know.

Preparations, super-fans and transportation: Monday, preparations were underway for Oprah's 24th season kickoff on Michigan Ave., and by Tuesday morning, the final set-up was completed. Oprah's super-fans arrived early to stake out ideal spots, thought the big crowds didn't begin to pour until just before 9am. Though we braced for serious commuter mayhem due to Michigan Ave. turning from major thoroughfare to massive block party, things went relatively smoothly, if Twitter is any indication. Perhaps we have Chicagosphere's guide to navigating Oprah's street closures and Oprah's diva detour survival guide to thank?

Love, lawsuits and Olympic speculation: Think of all Oprah has done (and worn, for better or for worse!) since her show started all those years ago. It hasn't all been rosy, take her legal battles for example, but today, we overheard people in the crowd, and online, discussing the many ways they each felt connected to Oprah over the years, much of which is discussed in Jenny Prokopy's Does this city make Oprah look fat?, L-blog's Why lesbians should care about Oprah and Jen Weigel's Oprah is spiritual, damnit! Of course, there was discussion of another kind going on, too, captured in Craig Kanalley's Is Oprah's Chicago shutdown really about the 2016 Olympics?  

Waiting for Oprah: By midday on Michigan Avenue, the people were waiting. And waiting. And doing loudspeaker-led dances we later turned into contests. And waiting. RedEye's Ernest Wilkins brought reading material and chatted people up who were waiting patiently for Oprah while Breath, Body and Balance's Maya Henderson offered yoga poses for people stuck waiting in place all afternoon. Even at ChicagoNow, we tried different things to amuse ourselves while waiting Oprah's arrival including Oprah acrostic, pick-the-book-Oprah-would-never-endorse, six-degrees of Oprah, in addition to the aforementioned photo caption contest.  Uh, and maybe we watched video of Oprah discussing her "va-jay-jay". Perhaps.

Oprah, the show and her guests: And then, Oprah arrived on a double-decker red bus, with Mario Lopez, during Jennifer Hudson's sound check. Oprah took to the stage on Michigan Avenue shortly after 5pm on Tuesday evening wearing a yellow top and jeans. (Overheard: "Is that Olympic yellow she's wearing?") The Black Eyed Peas started off the show, which included a crowd-embedded flash mob who broke into choreographed dance, followed by Criss Angel (whom we spotted strolling around Monday evening), Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Hudson and James Taylor. Lots of tweets and twitpics surfaced during the show, with some highlights showcased on Breaking Tweets Chicago. 

In the end: At evening's end, the Chicago Police reported zero arrests, not even as much as slightly rowdy behavior from any of the estimated 20,000-ish people in attendance (which is excellent news considering the finer points on the Oprah-logistics raised by Joe the Cop), and Oprah thanked her festive crowd, the city of Chicago and Mayor Daley before leaving the stage.

Oprah's 24th season opener will air Thursday, September 10th.