Presenter wealth: Estimated by Forbes international at around $1.5bn. Oprah Winfrey is the world's first and only black woman billionaire.

Controversy: Never thrown a phone at anyone (that we know about). However, when Tom Cruise got hysterical about his love for Katie Holmes and leaped up and down on the famous Oprah Sofa he did at least make a plonker of himself.

Typical quote: "If you want your life to be more rewarding you have to change the way you think."

SEOIGE & O'SHEA Type of show: Live afternoon chat show featuring topical discussion and entertainment.

Presenter wealth: In 2006 the Daily Mail postulated that Grainne Seoige's salary with RTE would be between 130,000 and 160,000. Less is known of O'Shea's salary.

Controversy: A minor disagreement between Seoige and a cameraman over using his monitor to check her make-up resulted in tabloid accusations of "prima donna" behaviour but it all seems a storm in a teacup.

Typical quote: "It's never too late to change your life for the better."

DR PHIL Type of show: American psychology TV show . . . a spin-off as Oprah's resident psychologist.

Presenter wealth: Paid $15m in 2005 on a five-year extension of a syndication deal for his show. Lives in Beverly Hills.

Controversy: In 2003 Dr Phil endorsed weightloss shakes and energy bars under the brand "Shape Up", which claimed the levels of the ingredients contained "can help you change your behaviour to take control of your weight". McGraw pulled the supplements off the market in 2004 under threat of a Federal Trade Commission investigation. In 2006 McGraw settled with claimants who took a lawsuit for $10.5m.

Typical quote: "Sometimes you just got to give yourself what you wish someone else would give you."

THE AFTERNOON SHOW Type of show: RTE calls it their "flagship daytime TV programme" dealing with lifestyle issues.

Presenter wealth: Current presenters are Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh and Sheana Keane. Previous years included Anna Nolan of Big Brother fame.

Considerably less than Oprah, between them.

Controversy: Nothing personal but the resident 'Baby Whisperer' who hears babies talking to him and blaming their mothers for their sleep problems has irritated the odd viewer.

Typical quote: "Did you know that goats' cheese has its own season?"