The mysterious powers of the all-powerful Oprah Winfrey

This photo was taken at the Madame Tussauds’ in New York, where they celebrated President Obama’s birthday in early August. It shows the wax figures of three United States presidents, a former secretary of state and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. And who’s that lady right in the middle? That’s right: Oprah. Even at Obama’s fake wax birthday celebration, the O commands the center stage.

If new denominations are ever added to U.S. currency, want to take bets on whether Oprah will join the ranks of Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton as non-presidents who get their faces on the bills? We’ll bet a million dollars (soon to be known as the Oprah).

-- Patrick Kevin Day, latimes.com  (Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images)

Since she introduced Oprah’s Book Club in 1996, Winfrey has helped create bestselling authors just by mentioning their books on the air. In a nation of supposed near-illiterates, she’s made reading into something to be discussed at parties again. Shortly after Oprah chose Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” as her March 2007 selection, it was selected to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction. Here’s the Oprah version of the book. Here’s the Pulitzer version of the book. What’s the difference anymore?

-- Patrick Kevin Day, latimes.com  (George Burns / Associated Press)

Without the Oprah seal of approval, the arrogant and wacky ways of Dr. Phil and the over-the-top perkiness of Rachael Ray would never have made it to the mainstream. However, once Oprah took both under her wing, their frequent visits to “The Oprah Winfrey Show” combined with the inescapable advertising campaigns for their spin-off projects transformed both personalities into household names overnight.

-- Kate Stanhope, latimes.com  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

In early 2009, Oprah caused a finger-licking stir when she gave away coupons for a free two-piece grilled chicken meal from KFC to viewers across the country. Within days, the coupon’s website crashed and the restaurant suffered from its longest lines since ... well, ever. In 1996, Oprah was famously sued by a group of Texas cattlemen who claimed she had caused a decline in beef sales after she questioned the safety of meat on her show. The cattlemen lost the case but the power of Oprah became stronger than ever.

-- Kate Stanhope, latimes.com  (Brian Bohannon / Associated Press)

As Oprah herself might say, er, sing: Whitney Houston is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Unfortunately, Oprah chatted her up for so long that Houston was hoarse the next morning while performing on “Good Morning America.” And the singer knew it. “I’m so sorry,” Houston told the crowds. “I did Oprah. I’ve been talking for so long…I talked so much my voice…I shouldn’t be talking, I should be singing.” Jeez! Good going, Oprah!

-- Denise Martin, latimes.com  (George Burns / Associated Press)

Who could forget the day the heavens parted and Oprah, in a fabulous red dress, descended for the premiere of her 19th season. She bestowed boxes with bows to the audience and told them only one had a key to a shiny new Pontiac G6. But -- surprise! -- they all had keys!

And thus, the You Get a Car Remix” was born.

-- Denise Martin, latimes.com  (Bob Davis / Associated Press)

From Kindles to Ugg boots, Oprah puts her stamp of approval on an assortment of items during her annual “Oprah’s favorite things” special. Even though it might not seem necessary to own hand-blown crystal Champagne glasses or an HGTV refrigerator, it seems like a great idea because Oprah says so. Of course she stresses that money can’t buy happiness, but these items sure seem to help.

-- Lora Victorio, latimes.com  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)