Why is Gayle King Oprah's *****?

If you have ever seen her on the Oprah Winfrey Show, there is this bullying dynamic where Oprah quite openly puts her down and makes snide remarks and always has this bad, bellicose, irritable attitude towards Gayle. Gayle has been her best friend since the very start when Oprah was nothing but she did not launch quite so sucessfully as a broadcaster and presenter. She had the Gayle King Show but it was cancelled. Anyway, on one particular show, Gayle mentions some fans on her radio show in making a point re:something. In saying this, Oprah says rather out of the side of her mouth and moving swiftly to the next topic 'oh, you have fans' and Gayle looked kind of surprised with raised eyebrows. But, because this is Oprah's turf all the little minions in the audience don't bat an eyelid and remain ever sucking at her proverbial teet. I lost all respect for Oprah from that show as it basically demonstrates what a big phony the woman is with her compion and tears and empathy in cutting down her supposed best friend.