Posted: October 15, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
Oprah Winfrey had a “true breakdown” after seeing a video montage of her late Cocker Spaniel Sophie during a taping of her show after the dog’s death, “Oprah Winfrey Show” correspondent Lisa Ling reveals in “Oprah: The E! True Hollywood Story,” debuting Oct. 17 on E! Entertainment Television.
Ling offers an intimate look at how vulnerable Winfrey was after her beloved dog Sophie passed away in March at 13. Ling says Winfrey broke down after seeing the memorial video, causing show executives to halt the day’s production for a time. Winfrey, who owns several dogs, has called Sophie her “once-in-a-lifetime” dog.
Ling and other Winfrey intimates appear on “True Hollywood,” including best friend Gayle King, celebrity chef and talk show host Rachael Ray, and singer Alicia Keys.
King reveals that Winfrey will likely continue her top-rated show after her contract ends in 2010.
“I know she still so loves doing what she’s doing,” King says. “She’s never done anything for the money, but she’s in a stage in her life where if she wanted to go to her home in California and sit under a tree and read a book for the rest of her life she certainly could do that.
“But, the truth of the matter is Oprah loves working.”
“Oprah: The E! True Hollywood Story,” debuts Oct. 17 at 9:00 p.m. on E!.