A huge congratulations to Tyler Perry who, on Saturday, became the first African-American ever to launch his own major TV and film studio. He celebrated by throwing a huge bash in Atlanta, where the studio is based.

“I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me,” said Sidney Poitier of Perry’s achievement.

And check out Oprah Winfrey crying her eyes out over this!

Also there to celebrate: Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett, Jr., Holly Robinson Peete, Tracey Edmonds, music mogul L.A. Reid, John Legend, Eva Pigford, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.

Congratulations to Mr. Perry!

John McCain may accuse Barack Obama of being the “biggest celebrity in the world,” but perhaps that honor belongs more to Oprah Winfrey, who will be on-hand to support Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month. But she’ll just be there as a fan.

“Oprah has not been asked to introduce him, is not expecting to be asked to introduce him and I would doubt that she would want to introduce him. She thinks this is his moment,” said Oprah’s BFF Gayle King.

Heh. Wherever Oprah goes, it’s Oprah’s moment.

I wonder if Heidi Montag will be at the Republicans’ convention.

One can only hope.

As if Oxygen weren’t enough, Oprah Winfrey has announced she is launching ANOTHER network, OWN, the Opray Winfrey Network.

“For me, the launch of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Network’ is the evolution of the work I’ve been doing on television all these years and a natural extension of my (syndicated daytime) show,” Winfrey said in a statement.

And with that, guys, I’m taking the rest of the day as a mental health day. Sorry, but I need it. Love you guys bunches.

Ya know, Oprah and Obama makes me think of that schtick David Letterman used when he was hosting the Oscars. Remember that? “Oprah, Uma. Uma, Oprah.” You could just as easily stick “Obama” in that joke; it’s equally funny.

Anyway.

This is interesting.

One in three New Hampshire women between the ages of 18 and 29 said the talk-show queen’s recent campaign appearances with Barack Obama made them less likely to vote for the Illinois Democrat, according to a poll released yesterday by Zogby International and Lifetime Television.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 17 percent of women over 65 said Oprah’s support lowered their opinions of Obama.

And 73 percent of women said it made no difference to their campaign choices at all.

Voters don’t want “to have their entertainment figures involved in political support,” Fritz Wenzel, director of communications at Zogby International, told the Chicago Sun-Times.

In fairness, these statistics don’t address that all-important demo of women between 29 and 65, and the 73% figure isn’t qualified (which demo does it apply to?), and, with women 18-29, how did the remaining 2/3 respond? You always have to look at stats like this with a critical eye. I’d be interested in seeing the raw data. I checked the Zogby site for it, but couldn’t track it down. Anyone have any thoughts on where I might find it?

I was chatting with a friend last night about — what else? — celebrity sex tapes, and we went back and forth about who Oprah needs to make a sex tape with. The final decision?

Denzel.

Anyway, Denzel recently donated $1M to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, to help the school re-establish its once-famous debate team.

The actor was in Marshall last week to screen The Great Debaters, the story of Wiley’s 1930s debate team. He stars as educator and poet Melvin Tolson, who led the all-black college’s elite debate squad.

Heh.

You might even call them “Master Debaters.” Heh heh heh.

The film is produced by Harpo films and directed by Denzel himself. Check out the trailer above, and Oprah talking about the film below. So at least Denzel and Oprah are collaborating on some film, even if it’s not a sex tape.

“I regret that she didn’t live past 1963 and see that I did get some really good white folks … working for me.”

Oprah Winfrey, at Howard University’s commencement ceremony, on her grandmother’s hope that she would find “some good white folks” to work for.

Doesn’t Larry look like he might die any minute? Do you think CNN already has the obit video ready? I bet they do. Bastards.

Also, the interview was to announce that Oprah just opened a school in Senegal for any child named Harpo. Renaming your child is allowed, so it’s actually pretty inclusive.

Angelina Jolie may have barely escaped a supposed third-world plot to kidnap her and extort a ransom while working as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, but she’ll never escape the consequent positive publicity. Poor dear. [The Blemish]

Students at Oprah’s free South African boarding school are faced with the difficult choice between rape and junk food. I know, I know. It seems like a no-brainer. But think about Milk Duds, people. [IBBB]

Thank God Paris Hilton’s nipples are visible in this outfit. It means you don’t have to think too much about the skirt. [Yeeeah]

I am obsessed with this Claire Danes/Patrick Wilson GAP commercial, and now I want to buy Boyfriend Trousers. I am so easily brainwashed by a cute commercial. [popbytes]

Paris Hilton’s record label plans to drop her. Paris Hilton had a record label? Oh, yeah, right. Back when she was a “singer.” [Buzznet]

Sienna Miller is drunk, if you can believe that. [Gossip or Truth]

Awww … Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is making her acting debut in Papa Pitt’s latest film. This is great. She’s not going to turn out like the Olsen twins at all. No way. [Cele|bitchy]

Sweet Jesus, Suri Cruise only has four fingers. Like, seriously, the kid is missing an entire finger. This is what happens, people, when you create a baby from the 20-year-old frozen sperm of L. Ron Hubbard. Four fingers. [POTP]

Antonella Barba’s not planning to return to school right away, in order to “strike while the iron’s hot,” which means I can no longer effectively argue that everything Antonella Barba has ever decided to do is stupid. [Ninja Dude]