The sitcom has completed it's first season and is currently off the air. "Whoopi" on NBC at 8/7pm Tuesdays, had it's first Season Finale 4-20-04. The Finale was entitled, "Sins of the Sister." http://www.nbc.com/Whoopi/ You can follow up with the show's return at the above URL. It would appear that new episodes are in the making, but not yet available. As of May 2004, NBC has not yet commented about re-running it's first season. Whoopi also produces (but does not star in) a Lifetime TV program called "Strong Medicine," which is aired daily on cable TV late afternoon.
	"Ex-diva Mavis Rae, a cigarette-smoking, alcohol-drinking, menopausal and especially opinionated hotelier. The former one-hit wonder runs her own small hotel in New York City -- and does it any way she wants. Fifteen years earlier, Mavis had one huge, spectacular hit song -"Don't Hide Love" - and, quickly realizing that her initial success was a fluke, she parlayed her finances from that hit into purchasing the Lamont Hotel in Manhattan. Mavis operates the hotel on her charm and wit while assisted by Nasim, her reliable handyman."    --NBC.com Purchase the "Whoopi Goldberg Book"

Whoopi is a very talented performer. She represents strength, humor and dignity.

Whoopi Goldberg [born 1955 as Caryn Elaine Johnson] and her younger brother, Clyde, were raised by their mother, Emma, in a housing project in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Whoopi's father abandoned the family, and her single mother found herself working a variety of jobs to make ends meet.

At the tender age of eight, Whoopi was already appearing on stage and was a member of a New York children's theaters, the Hudson Child Guild and the Helena Rubinstein Children's Theatre. She continued her career and between gigs she worked as a bank teller, a bricklayer and a funeral parlour make-up artist while appearing in bit Broadway parts including cult musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. Her daughter Alexandra [Alex Martin] was born in 1974, the same year in which her first marriage ended in divorce.

Alexandra was casted as an extra in The Color Purple, as well as a classroom student in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993).

Whoopi dropped out of high school and became addicted to heroin. She ended up marrying her drug counselor. She cleaned up and later divorced him. In 1974 she moved to California and helped found the San Diego Repertory Company, where she used the name, Whoopi Cushion.

When asked how she got the name "Whoopi," she replied, "from whoopie cushion - I was quite flatulent."

She went by Whoopi Cushion (pronounced Coosh-awn) for a short while, until her mother suggested she use one of her related last names. She chose Whoopi Goldberg. (Whoppi stated in a recent interview with James Lipton on Bravo TV, that she gives her beloved mother a gift every day. She is very close with her mother and considers her a best friend.)

She headed West in 1975 ending up in San Diego. While there she appeared in productions of Brecht's Mother Courage and Marsha Norman's Getting Out. In Berkeley, CA, Whoopi also portrayed Moms Mabley on stage. But most importantly her comedic skills were honed with an improv group called "Spontaneous Combustion." It was during this period of her career that Whoopi came up with an idea of a lifetime. She began appearing on stage in a one-woman show in which she changed characters in rapid succession. Her idea was so successful that she was able to take what she called her "Spook Show," on a European tour.

Whoopi became a hot performer in New York and director Mike Nichols produced her stage show as a television series. Goldberg's success drew Steven Spielberg's attention and he cast her in the title role in his film The Color Purple. It was a role that won her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Hollywood took note...Whoopi was worth more than a good belly laugh.

From there Whoopi went on to appear in a steady stream of popular motion pictures including Jumpin' Jack Flash, Fatal Beauty, Clara's Heart, and Ghost, for which she took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She scored a worldwide hit with Sister Act I & II, and has gained the respect of serious film critics the world over.

Probably one of her most noted roles however, was in the television sci-fi series, Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), where she played Guinan, bartender at the Ten-Forward and advisor to [Patrick Stewart's] Captain Picard.

It is interesting to note, in an interview found on the Star Trek (TNG) DVD set, Whoopi mentions being inspired by seeing Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) on the original Star Trek series (with Captain Kirk). Whoopi comments that she was inspired by Lt. Uhara's character (in the original Star Trek series) because she was a black woman in a position of power (on the bridge). Nichelle Nichols' role as Lt. Uhura on Star Trek was the first time that an African American actress was portrayed in a non-stereotypical role. (1966-1969) Previously, African American female actresses were depicted as maids or housekeepers, and Nichols' role broke the stereotype barrier among African American actresses. Nichols portrayed a character that was non-stereotypical.

She is also friends with Levar Burton (Geordi La Forge, TNG) and had told him she wanted a part on that series and to mention it to producer, Gene Roddenberry. Levar mentioned it to Gene, but was not taken seriously. Gene Roddenberry laughed that such a big star would be seriously interested in a role on TNG. Whoopi finally called Gene Roddenberry herself and inquired about the part. That is how the character Guinan came about.

Triva:

(2000) Broke up with boyfriend of five years Frank Langella.
Discovered by director Mike Nichols.
Became the very first woman to host the Academy Awards when she did so in 1994.
Dated Ted Danson.
Born at 12:48pm-EST
Daughter: Alexandrea; Granddaughters: Amarah and Jerzey.
Travels to locations by bus, as she hates to fly.
The name Goldberg is taken from the Jewish side of her family. Her family is Jewish, Buddhist, Baptist and Catholic.
Holds an honorary degree from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa.
Is dyslexic.
Mother of actress Alex Martin
Hosted the 2002 Oscars.
Spokesmodel of the "got milk?" campaign