Highest Paid Talking Heads
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Siphiwe Sibeko, Reuters
Whoever said talk is cheap hasn't met Oprah Winfrey. Or Howard Stern. Or David Letterman.
And these three aren't the only ones being paid big bucks to gab. Between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, the 10 stars on our list of the best-paid personalities banked a combined $604 million largely on their ability to do precisely that: talk.
Read the Article
First Up: Oprah Winfrey -
Kevin Dietsch, Pool / Getty Images
No. 1: Oprah Winfrey
$275 Million
Ratings for the self-made billionaire's flagship production, The Oprah Winfrey Show, may have diminished, but her earning power appears bulletproof--at least for now.
More on Oprah Winfrey
Next: Howard Stern -
AP
No. 2: Howard Stern
$70 Million
Stern's Sirius Satellite Radio deal pays him $100 million a year (minus the production costs for the show, which come out of his pocket).
More on Howard Stern
Next: David Letterman -
No. 3: David Letterman (Tie)
$45 Million
The veteran late-night host became a hero last December when his production company hammered out a deal with its striking Writers Guild members.
More on David Letterman
Next: Judge Judy Sheindlin -
No. 3: Judge Judy Sheindlin (Tie)
$45 million
The tough-talking former New York City family court judge arrived on the national scene when 60 Minutes profiled her in 1993. Three years later, Hollywood producers offered Sheindlin her own television show, Judge Judy.
More on Judge Judy Sheindlin
Next: Dr. Phil McGraw -
Getty Images
No. 5: Dr. Phil McGraw
$40 Million
America's relationship guru attracts consumers--and enhances his brand--through his show (Dr. Phil), books and an endorsement of Match.com.
More on Dr. Phil McGraw
See All the Highest Paid Talking Heads
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Recent Comments
Flscorpion9 04:21:43 AM Sep 07 2008
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Kaya510 02:36:54 AM Sep 07 2008
Have any of you heard of the saying,"if you cant say something nice,don't say nothing at all) or are you so miserable w/your life you have a need to get on blogs and spread hatred,the world will never be a better place with people like you in it!! more power to the people who care to help others and God Bless you!
TmSjKiTtEnLuVr96 12:10:55 AM Sep 07 2008
You people here are so full hate it makes me sick. Saying how much you hate people here just makes you look like a complete ass... Some people never learn, Oprah donates to people everyday, im not a big fan of Dr. Phil, or Judge Judy, but you guys are just sad wasting your time to hate instead of doing something worht while or making somebody feel good or happy about themselves.
Createpartney 08:56:47 PM Sep 06 2008
Oprah is a fat phoney pig ! Who cares how much money she makes ? she for sure is way over paid ! !
Miradocrow 08:27:21 PM Sep 06 2008
I think that Oprah is one of the biggest RACISTS out there, next to OBAMA!
Turnersseabag 08:25:28 PM Sep 06 2008
Oprah sux. I just dont see it.I cant believe these women making an idol or a heroin out of this woman.I cant se it that she spent millions of dollars in Africa on one school .I just dont understand how people will idolize this woman . I cannot understand how trivial she is in the bigger scheme and how much credit she is given for doing absolutely nothing but lose weight or gain weight. Some people would act like they would die of joy if they just would meet her,but most of us would not even let her into our house.
Sandra9786 08:07:40 PM Sep 06 2008
So many jealous people on this board. Would you rather they be on welfare like , probably you are?
Newjeff121 06:51:32 PM Sep 03 2008
Hate is not a strong enough word to express how I feel about Oprah and Phil and all the phony "judges", and -- especally -- the network heads that put this crap on television.
Tootielbira2 05:38:22 AM Sep 03 2008
HEY ALL YOU SPADES PLAYERS OUT THERE COME TO http://www.pogo.com/home/home.do SIGN UP AND THEN COME TO http://www.myleague.com/alien/ AND HAVE THE BEST FUN PLAYING LEAGUE SPADES. BEST OF ALL ITS ALL FREE.
Spark7417 02:07:04 AM Sep 03 2008
Sad that we can pay them so much yet watch in owe as American's are being thrown from there homes because they can't make the payment. I say that America should take back what has been stolen from it, and enjoy the life style we should all be living in one of the rickest countrys in the world. Music, and TV are a joke we pay more and more so they can live without worry. What is up with that we make less so they can make more ? Go to hell Oprah, and Dr. Phil take your greed with you on the way, and then maybe America will be happy.
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