How Amarillo Became Oprah’s Home Base for Five Weeks

The year was 1998 in Amarillo, and we were about to be bombarded with Hollywood.  OK, Hollywood and one very famous resident from Chicago. We were just starting to worry about Y2K when Amarillo was suddenly pushed into national headlines.

The most famous talk show host was about to be here in Amarillo. She wasn't just coming to visit. She wasn’t just visiting or stopping by The Big Texan and then heading out of town. No, she was going to call Amarillo home for several weeks.

Why Amarillo? Oprah’s Food-Safety Lawsuit

She was going to make sure her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, continued during her stay. Amarillo was really excited. Who were we going to run into? Oprah was getting ready to start a long trial where she was being sued by the Texas Cattlemen, who did not like something that was said on her show. It was during an episode about food safety. Who would have thought one episode would bring Amarillo to the spotlight?

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Oprah stayed at the Adaberry Inn, which blocked windows, doors, and whatever to protect her privacy. They are no longer there, but I remember them somehow using some type of material to block us from seeing in. We weren't able to see her leave. We all knew she was staying there, but nobody could get close.

Live from the Amarillo Little Theater

They had about five weeks of shows that were filmed here in Amarillo. Where did they host the show? Well, the Amarillo Little Theater, of course. Patrick Swayze was one of the guests. He taught Oprah how to two-step.

Guests and Moments That Shaped the Visit

Dr. Phil was one of her lawyers back then. He, of course, made the trip to Amarillo, too, and he ended up catching his big break. He became Dr. Phil, whom we had watched for years on his own show.

Of course, she wasn't able to talk about the trial on her show, but that didn't stop Oprah from being Oprah.

“We’re down here in Amarillo – y’all know why,” she said during one segment. Of course, that made the audience, mostly filled with Amarillo residents, laugh. We knew why she was in town.

Maybe it was because the Amarillo Little Theater was so close to Georgia Street. Maybe because some people were staying at The Ambassador.

I just know that Gardski's was an evening hangout for some of the stars and production crew. It's Gotta be Gardski's? Right?

After weeks of trials and weeks of Oprah shows, it had to come to an end. Oprah was found victorious.

Amarillo went back to being Amarillo. Oh, and twenty-five years later we still remember the fun our town turned when Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Patrick Swayze came to visit.