LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - There were rumors that Oprah would do her final episode on-the-air live, but that's not the case. The final episode will be taped - although the topic for the last show is still a very closely guarded secret.

Winfrey handed over her third-to-last and penultimate shows to her staff. Part 1 aired Monday, and Part 2 airs Tuesday. Oprah's executive producer, Sheri Salata says the staff will have mixed feelings once the show goes dark after 25 years.

"We'll be toasting up a storm. Probably weeping a bit, holding each other tight. And most definitely feeling a sense of closure for what has been such an unforgettable chapter in all of our lives," she says.

Winfrey is confident she's stepping down at the right time.

"I'm so happy I didn't stay in the wing until I was punch drunk and people had to drag me out with my microphone and say, 'Enough already!'" Winfrey says.

"I always thought I would take my cues from the viewers. I took the cue from the landscape of television. It got harder and harder and harder to raise the bar every day. What we're doing is primetime television done in the daytime. The amount of money spent, editors. everything it takes to do this show. it got harder to raise the bar."

"Oprah as we know it with a studio audience is over. We can't do it any better than we've done it," Salata says. "I think you can expect to see Oprah out in the world, and having the look and feel very different. It's about what Oprah is interested in exploring and interested in life."

The closure of Winfrey's talk show will definitely make her hometown - where Winfrey has taped the show, a lot less glamorous. "When I interview celebs and mention Chicago, they're like 'Oh my God, I love Chicago,'" "E! News" hostess and part-time Chicago resident Giuliana Rancic says. "Yes, we'll miss Oprah - I'm her biggest fan - but it'll be the same city. There won't be a lack of celebs."

Count Table Fifty-Two co-owner and Winfrey's former personal chef Art Smith among those who will miss the talk show host. Winfrey often recommended that her famous guests dine at Smith's Gold Coast restaurant, as well as RL restaurant, where she had dinner with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes last year.