Latin talk show queen Cristina to end 'El Show de Cristina'

First, Oprah. Now, Cristina.

Cristina Saralegui, one of Spanish-language media's most powerful and identifiable women (that trademark hair tint!), is ending "El Show de Cristina" (The Cristina Show).

After more than 20 years of unabashed candor and interviews with A-list Latino stars, Saralegui’s widely watched talk show on Univision, the largest Spanish-language television network in this country, will have its final episode Monday, Nov.1.

“It is bittersweet to announce the end of what has been a very rewarding experience, but after many wonderful years, now is the perfect time to retire the show and move on to the next exciting phase of my career,” Saralegui said in a statement.

But the Cuban-American version of Oprah isn’t totally giving up her mic; she’ll host specials on Univision.

“Cristina has been an inspirational and powerful force in the television industry throughout her career and her celebrated show has been one of the most beloved and popular programs in Spanish-language television history,” said Cesar Conde, president of the Univision Networks, in a statement.

[Update 2:07 p.m.: In 2001, her talk show went from daily afternoon to weekly on Monday nights.]

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo credit: Getty Images

Comments

[GETREAL]

Everyone is chasing Oprah, but they're not in her rearview because she's light years ahead.

[melissa luciano]

cristina im mad as hell you are a strong woman you tell us the woman to be strong what happen to you are yougoing to throw away twenty years of the show de cristina and you take this lying down girl.if i were you i would let my latin temper get even and would go to competition telemundo you would give them the ratings not topher popeye and his wife yolanda

[Roberto]

about freaking time... she wasnt the spanish version of oprah are u kidding me...her show was so tacky...the first few years was an ok show..then it became a GOSSIP show for artist to bring up their dirty laundry...see ya cristina...and by the way i dont think telemundo will be bring her on to their network.. they know better