Oprah's Last Season: Will TV Ever be the Same?

Sept. 13, 2010— -- It's the beginning of the end of an era. And it started with a bang.

The audience for today's 25th and final season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was treated to the news that Winfrey is sending them all on on an all-expenses-paid eight-day trip to Australia.

The supersized top secret surprise was presented with the help of John Travolta, who stepped out of a mocked up Qantas Airlines jet to help make the announcement.

"I started to think about where would I most want to go. Maybe I should take all of you with me to the other side of the world ... We're going to Australia! We are going to Australia! You and you and you and you, are going to Australia!" the talk show queen said, sparking euphoric cheers, and even some tears, from the already keyed up studio audience.

And that's just day one in a season that promises a big endeavor.

They are going through 5,000 hours of footage and have stories from 70,000 viewers to comb through from people who say the show has impacted their lives in a major way.

"This is my last chance to do something really big!!" Oprah said.

Winfrey said her intention is be fully present this season and to take in every experience and feel it all.

"I don't intend to be crying the whole season," she told TV Guide. "The only time I get really emotional and nostalgic about the show is when I think about the viewers."

Forbes named her the most powerful celebrity this year for the fourth time.

The media mogul is worth an estimated $2.4 billion -- books and products with her blessing fly off the shelves and she's launched countless careers.