As long as you are eating enough calorie throughout the day, you will not go into "starvation mode" and slow your metabolism.
I do think that it IS better if you are on a reduced calorie diet to eat smaller meals and snacks more often-rather than eat one or two large meals. Not just for weight loss, but for energy and blood sugar levels as well. (So-no skipping breakfast so you can eat a double cheeseburger for dinner and still stay in your calorie range!
)
I personally find that mini-meals work better for me-because I don't get hungry this way. I do eat before bed-but it is a small 150 calorie or less snack-and a healthy one like yogurt or fruit.
It isn't the eating before bed that makes you gain, it is the comparison of calories eaten vs. calories burned through the entire day.
I do agree that people have different times where they have to be careful. If Oprah's problem is night binging-then maybe it is best for her to just avoid the kitchen after dinner completely-if she can't stop at a small snack.
For me-my bad time is between lunch and dinner-at around 2-4 pm. I usually try to have a cup of hot flavored tea or keep really busy during that time to avoid food. You have to develop individual coping strategies for your personal overeating triggers.