Original Air Date:
Monday, January 19, 2009
Guests/Appearances:
- Demi Moore
- Ashton Kutcher
- Scarlett Johansson
- Seal
- Mary J Blige
- Forest Whitaker
- Luke Russert
- Bono
- will.i.am
- Faith Hill
- David Foster
- Justin Timberlake
- Usher
- Anderson Cooper
Oprah's Pre-Inauguration Special from the Kennedy Center:
After introducing the show with clips from Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech from August 28, 1963 and President-Elect Barack Obama's acceptance speech from Grant Park on November 4, 2008, Oprah welcomed viewers "on the eve of a great day in history when Barack Obama will fulfill the dream of MLK Jr."
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher:
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher joined Oprah on stage began by sharing the events of their day, which included a breakfast with Congressman John Lewis. Demi went on to say that she feels as if she is living in a dream; experiencing a level of inspiration she had only heard about until now. Ashton's interest in Obama began at the 2004 DNC and furthered when he heard of Obama's concern for his family's needs before considering running for president - he felt that if we could have a president who ran the country that way, he was in.
Justin Timberlake and Forest Whitaker:
Justin Timberlake was the first to share his take on the inauguration, saying that we have all been called to action - it's time to get to work and rebuild our country. He went on to boast that America is cool - we've regained our swagger.
Forest Whitaker shared his thoughts on Obama, saying that our President-Elect has made people feel empowered - Yes We Can! This feeling is what is needed to bring the country together and for us to heal; bringing an awakening and transformation of our hearts and souls.
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher - Pledge:
Ashton and Demi pointed out how much better American's feel since Obama was elected, saying that we now see ourselves differently. If we are inspired by our leader, we will be the change we want to see, shared Ashton - the real change is how Obama inspires us to want to be better; to be the change.
Responding to Obama's call to action during his November acceptance speech, Demi organized friends and colleagues to create a video stating a pledge of action. Demi stated that all pledges are valuable; no matter how big or small - pledge to do your part and be the change.
Scarlett Johansson and Luke Russert:
Scarlett Johansson's clip expressed how, at 24, she has just started being politically active and had never experienced anything like the huge celebrations in November and for the inauguration.
Luke Russert, son of Tim Russert, shared how his father's favorite line of "What a country" still holds true, regardless of individual's beliefs after the election.
Anderson Cooper on Inaugural Addresses:
Anderson Cooper's commented on the American ceremony of swearing in the president, which began 200 years ago. The inaugural address is the president's first chance to express his vision for his term in office. Sharing the magnitude of what it means 209 years after the White House was built by slave bricklayers to have an African American president in office, Anderson Cooper captured what many American's are feeling right now. The ceremony begins with Obama being sworn in at 12:00 on January 20, 2009 - repeating the same words that every president before his has said.
President-Elect Obama will be the first president to use the very bible that Abraham Lincoln used when he was sworn into office. After the swearing in, Obama will give his inaugural address - where some of the most powerful words have been spoken by past presidents. The ritual will end when then President Obama and his wife walk Former President Bush and his wife to a helicopter - it will then be the Obama's Washington.
Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden:
Oprah's surprise guests for the special were Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. Even after serving in the US Senate for over 30 years, VP Biden shared that he has never felt the country like this before. Saying how President Obama has inspired the nation, VP Biden expressed how proud he is of the country. During the interview, VP Biden and his wife shared their experience from election night and how they manage to keep their marriage strong after more than 30 years together. VP Biden was proud to introduce his 91 year-old mother who will get to see him be sworn in on January 20th.
Usher and MTV's Kim Stoltz:
Usher and Kim Stoltz from MTV appeared via satellite from an elementary school in D.C. to report on the service that is happening from young people to help make a change in the country. Usher and Kim were participating in a library renovation for the elementary school that has a 50% drop-out rate. The reveal of the renovation was set for 10:00 PM live at MTV's Be the Change Inaugural Ball.
America's Song:
To end the show, Oprah shared how she and her producers wanted a way to mark the new day in America, so they contacted David Foster and will.i.am to create a song for the occasion. "America's Song" features Foster, will.i.am, Faith Hill, Seal, Bono and Mary J Blige. The stars came together in a week to produce a song that captures the feelings of the country during this great event.