Which famous talk-show host appeared as herself in season 3, episode 9?

Oprah Winfrey appeared as herself in season 3, episode 9 of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The episode, titled "A Night at the Oprah," originally aired on November 9, 1992. Its story sends the Banks family to Chicago to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where Will expects to share the spotlight but discovers that the onstage guests are limited to the immediate family.

Will's disappointment drives the episode's central comic conflict. From the audience, he begins airing the family's private disagreements on national television, undermining the polished image the Bankses hoped to present. Oprah's appearance works because she plays the real host rather than a fictional character, turning the crossover-style premise into a satire of celebrity talk-show culture.

The episode also reflects the show's expanding profile in the early 1990s. By season 3, the sitcom regularly used prominent guest stars, including Sherman Hemsley, Vanessa Williams, and Tom Jones. "A Night at the Oprah" remains especially memorable because its guest star was inseparable from the talk-show setting itself.