• WSJ (paid subscription required), Friday, February 3, 2006 10:48 AM

For the fourth consecutive year, Oprah Winfrey topped the Harris Interactive poll of most popular television personalities, TheWall Street Journal reports this morning.  Winfrey has been in the top three ever since the poll was initiated in 1993, a remarkable run that helps explain the unflagging ratings of her syndicated show. The poll revealed no major surprises, although Jon Stewart, who appears only on late-night cable TV, emerged as the No. 2 most popular personality, passing CBS' David Letterman, who placed second last year. Jay Leno took the fourth-place slot. And Conan O'Brien, who is set to replace Leno as “Tonight” host later in the decade, came in seventh. Interestingly, Jerry Seinfeld, who has not had a fresh TV program since the ‘90s, ranked eighth, and Tim Allen, also a no-show when it comes to current TVdom, ranked 10th. In other words, not being on TV--except in endless reruns--appears to be little impediment to popularity with the American viewing public. In specific groups, Letterman was tops among American men, Winfrey with women. Bill O'Reilly claimed the top prize in two categories in the Harris poll: Conservatives and Americans 30 to 39-years-old.  We'll be hearing lots about that on “The Factor,” no doubt.

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