Photo: www.oprah.com -- Oprah says good-bye to her millions of fans on the finale of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which aired May 25, 2011

 ”The Oprah Winfrey Show”  finale was huge — in true Oprah style. On Wednesday, Oprah’s talk show wrapped up 25 years with a tribute to her fans, who stuck with her year after year. That show scored its biggest overnight rating for Oprah’s talker in 17 years,  according to the website TV by the Numbers.

If you missed the big episode, click over to the Oprah.com website and share some of the finale highlights. Here is some of what the queen of talk shows had to say to her fans.

Oprah:

“After deliberating for some time, we decided to do what we do best, and that is a show about and with everyday people. This show always allows people, hopefully, to understand the power they have to change their own lives. If there’s one thread running through each show we do, it is the message that you are not alone. Twenty-five years and I’m still saying thank you, America. Thank you so much. There are no words to match this moment. Every word I’ve ever spoken from this stage of The Oprah Show for 4,561 days of my life is what this moment is all about.”

More of Oprah’s love letter to the fans here. Also, check out Oprah’s farewell season in videos, photos, and articles on the Oprah website.

Rosie O’Donnell gets new daytime talk show

Comedienne/Talk Show Host Rosie O’Donnell is headed back to daytime television on the new Oprah Winfrey Network. O’Donnell’s new talker will debut next year on OWN.

“Rosie is an undeniable talent who has captivated TV audiences for nearly 20 years,” said Oprah Winfrey in a PR Newswire press release. “She’s a true original, who brings her authentic voice, dynamic energy and pure passion to everything she does.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work with Oprah Winfrey on her network,” said Rosie O’Donnell. “I’m excited to be back on daytime television.”

O’Donnell has won six consecutive DayTime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host.   “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” ran from 1996 to 2002.

Hollywood producers buy novel for $2 million-plus

Author Nicholas Sparks just scored a major Hollywood deal.  Movie rights for Sparks’ new novel, “Safe Haven,”were snatched up in a bidding war. The book plot centers on romance and a mysterious woman with a dark secret in a North Carolina town. The selling price – $2-$5 million.

“Safe Haven” publishes next month. Reviews and more on the novel up on the Barnes & Noble website.

Hollywood has had a love affair with Sparks’ romantic novels for some time. Several have been turned  into successful films including “Dear John” (2010) , and “The Notebook” (2004), and “Message in a Bottle” “1999.  Deadline.com has more on Sparks’ new deal.

Unauthorized bio of Angelina Jolie

Actress Angelina Jolie has a hot new movie out, “Salt.” In two weeks of release, the spy thriller has racked up about  $79 million at the domestic Box Office, but a new book about Jolie may be even hotter. The  Los Angeles Times has a review of “Angelina” by Andrew Morton. Check it out  here.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The entrance to The Walt Disney Studios on South Buena Vista in Burbank

 Actor Rob Lowe reportedly part of the group that bought Miramax

Miramax, a hot commodity in Hollywood, has been sold to a group of investors led by Billionaire/Construction Magnate, Ronald Tutor. The price tag — somewhere between $600-$675 million. The announcement came out yesterday. Late today, The Wrap reported that Actor Rob Lowe is among the investors.

The prestigious Miramax library includes such films as “My Left Foot”  (1989), “Pulp Fiction”(1994), and “Shakespeare in Love” (1998).  The Wrap has several reports on the deal and the behind the scenes drama.

President Obama’s appearance generates the best ratings ever for “The View”

Thursday’s edition of “The View” is now historic for two reasons. President Barack Obama’s appearance was the first ever on a daytime talk show by a sitting president. Also, the show’s rating went through the roof.  

Obama’s chit-chat with the ladies of “The View” was  reportedly watched by an average of 6.6 million viewers — the most ever for the talker.

“We were honored to have President Obama on ‘The View.’ The ratings indicate that our show continues to break new ground. ‘The View’ has proven to be an important stop for political candidates and is appointment television for our loyal audience who value our opposing views,” Barbara Walters, the co-executive producer and one of the show’s hosts, is quoted as saying on TV by the Numbers website.  Also, Walters returned to the show yesterday for the first time since having heart surgery.

And a first for the “Black Eyed Peas”

Super successful rockers, the” Black Eyed Peas” keep racking up the accolades. The latest involves the SoCal band’s single, “I Gotta Feeling,” which has become the first digital download to pass the 6 million mark.

The song is from the group’s Grammy-winning album, “The E.N.D,” which has sold more than 7 million worldwide.  “The E.N.D.” won a 2009 Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Also, it’s the first album in two decades to deliver five top ten hits.

In a PR Newswire press release band members reacted to their latest milestone:

“I am so proud to be leading our industry with 6 million digital sales,” said will.i.am. “It means so much for the future of the music industry.”

This is an incredible accomplishment for us,” said Taboo. “Of all the exciting news that has happened to us over the past year, reaching this 6 million mark with ‘I Gotta Feeling’ stands out as one of our proudest achievements.” “Congratulations to all the people behind the scenes who made this happen, and most of all the fans – they are the best!” added Fergie.

Meanwhile, the “Peas” are on the final leg of their “The E.N.D. World Tour 2010.” As of June, the 100-date tour has raked in nearly $50 million and it’s not over until August 23. 2010 is shaping up to be one heck of year for the “Peas.” More on what’s happening with the “Peas” on their website.

Photo: Pete Souza/White House ---The cameras were clicking and flashing during a break in the taping of President Obama's appearance on "The View" on July 28, 2010

Cheers, criticism, and kudos for President Barack Obama’s appearance on the daytime talker, “The View,” today.  President Obama’s visit to the program was taped at ABC Studios in New York, yesterday.

 AOL has some reaction and reviews of the sit-down on “The View” by the Prez. Here’s a link to the post and the more than 300 comments.

A great movie poster, solid reviews, and a debut estimated at $36.5 million were not enough for the new Angelina Jolie film, “Salt,” to win the weekend domestic Box Office derby. The Leonardo DiCaprio sci-fi action flick, “Inception,” held onto the number one spot for the second week in a row with around $43 million.

“Salt” opened in second place. The spy thriller is about a CIA agent who gets fingered as a sleeper KGB operative and must go on the run to clear herself. The project was originally set up with Tom Cruise in the lead role.

The animated film, “Despicable Me” raked in somewhere in the range of $24 million to take third, followed by “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with just under $10 million, and rounding out the top five, “Toy Story 3″ with an estimated $9 million.

Another big story, Comic-Con, that huge comic book convention-turned-media-event in San Diego. The Wrap and Deadline.com have several posts on the stars, events,  movies, panels, and the deals.

A hot topic in Hollywood and politics — President Barack Obama’s planned appearance on “The View.” Obama is scheduled to visit the program this Thursday. He will become the first sitting U.S. president to appear on a daytime talk show. Details on The Hollywood Reporter.