SHORT TAKES : Oprah, Cher Like Their Reality

Two of the most talked about women in Hollywood--Oprah Winfrey and Cher--agree they like themselves just the way they are.

A crowd of fans showed up at the Wheeler Opera House over the weekend to see Cher and Winfrey discuss Cher’s new movie, “Mermaids,” and a variety of other topics during a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show.

The segment is scheduled to air Friday. A second, more intimate interview with Cher, taped at her Aspen home, will be televised Dec. 31.

Cher said she moved to Aspen recently because excessive media exposure forced her to seek privacy. The singer-actress said she was “tired of having to defend my actions.”

Winfrey said she admires Cher’s confidence and announced that she is trying to confront her own reality. Winfrey gained attention two years ago when she lost 67 pounds on a crash diet. She has since regained most of the weight and has no plans to diet again.

“I believed I was going to be among the 2%” who don’t regain weight after dieting, she said. “It pains me to say it, but I was wrong. I recently said to the universe, ‘OK, take me, come on.’ I’m ready.”