May is the end date for the 25-year run of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' (weekdays, syndicated) and Winfrey is getting ready to "walk across the stage for the last time." On Wednesday's show she assembled five well-known daytime talk-show hosts to find out what they felt the last time they walked across the stage.

The ex-hosts -- Montel Williams, Ricki Lake, Sally Jessy Raphael, Geraldo Rivera and Phil Donahue, with champagne glasses in hand -- had brief, poignant (and some humorous) thoughts and feelings about their last "date," ranging from a sense of relief and hope to a sense of redemption to gratitude for all the people who tuned in. Last up was Donahue, who Winfrey toasted for paving the way and making it possible for her and the other guests to have their own daytime talk shows. (Donahue's talk show lasted 29 years).

"You will hold the record for me," Winfrey said