Discussing Oprah...

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icklemoley

Cathlete
Please don't flame me everyone, but i wanted to share my view, re - Oprah. I see a good few threads about Oprah and her show and wanted to air my view, albit a different one.
I used to have so much respect for Oprah, her talkshow (when it was still a talk show) was so informative. Topics that were strong, heart heavy and weighty. She would interact with her audience, talking with them, and being amongest them. It was, back then, a talkshow. She never got silly or sold herself out like Jerry Springer, Ricky Lake, etc... No fights, no bitching, no bringing out people who've been sleeping around and comfronting them on live TV. I really liked her show.

But not anymore. Now its sooooooo different. Perhaps i just don't like change, but to me, she is not the same person.

She no longer walks about and the show is no longer a talkshow. Its more about sharing your feelings, how angels can help us, and her body shape. Frankly i'm sick of how much we should all "share" and "express" ourselves.

I miss the old Oprah, the talkshow, talk topic Oprah. I miss her interaction. I am yet to find a talkshow that tackles problems and peoples issues, which adult interaction. No chair throwing, no abuse, no fighting and no "white trash" (please, no flames).

I have respect for Oprah, she started from nothing and has done an amazing job, but i do miss the old show.
 
No flaming from me! However, I do like to catch it when it is health/exercise related. Also, I'd kick a dog for the chance to be in her audience while she is doing her "Oprahs' Favorite Things"!!!
 
I have to agree about this, but I still like the show. I've noticed that she's getting some "really out there" topics to talk about lately. I don't watch if the subject doesn't interest me.

Yesterdays Oprah, however, was excellent. It was about how people and teens are using Meth amphetimines to get high. Very scary on how addicted you can get on this stuff that is easy to get. Supposedly its more addicting than heroine or cocaine.

Every once in a while she'll have interesting topics, but more often than not lately, its weird stuff.
Debbie in OH
 
Wow. I've been thinking this for a while, but I thought it was just me! Everyone I know just loooves Oprah. Don't get me wrong, I do admire her for her success and generosity, and there is no doubt that she has overcome enormous obstacles in her life. And I've been known to tune in once or twice, depending on the topic. But I can't stand the give-aways, the sensationalized stories which really seem to just exploit these people instead of truly help them (Dr. Phil is like that too - I mean, why do these people choose to go on national television to be ridiculed and humiliated????), and the celebrity crap. I think I'll vomit if I hear Oprah drop John Travolta's name again or see her mug for the camera with Julia Roberts.

I think her appeal in the beginning was that she was like "every woman" - her theme song for a while was so appropriate. But she has reached such an iconic status that I suppose that isn't possible anymore. How can she possibly relate to every woman now, when she can afford to buy them all new cars! And if she's gonna do that- why does she have to do a whole show on it?? I mean, come on...

I do like her magazine, though. And, at 50, she looks better than she ever has! That is truly inspirational!

Wow...guess I needed to vent...I'm surrounded by Oprah fans around here, and I would definitely get flamed if I let loose at home! Thanks for the thread, Iklemoley!;-)
Kerrie
 
I like Oprah. I don't watch when she has celebrities on, it's not worth my time. A lot of times there is great information on her show. I don't watch the "I killed my husband because he was molesting our daughter shows". Too sad. I do like her shows on health and weight loss, beauty, fashion. I did watch yesterday's show on crystal meth, and I was thinking to myself, wow, without this show this girl wouldn't be able to go to a top of the line treatment center. I was glad that Oprah was able to help her, no matter if Oprah was paying for it or not.

Lori
 
Have Mercy, I can't stand those "favorite things" shows that Oprah does. That hour-long scream fest is more torture than entertainment. I agree, Ickelmoley, I enjoyed the older Oprah format much better.
 
What I don't like about all the Oprah hype is that although she's been successful with her career and while I'm sure she's worked hard at getting where she is, she doesn't have any of the substantive things in life like a marriage and/or children. I cannot relate to her at all. She can cover all the touchy feely topics she wants but she's never had to raise a child with a disability. She's never had to deal with divorce and remarriage, etc... Her life is not normal so I just can't get into her.

Elaine
 
Gee, I hope you don't get upset but I don't think that because someone has not be married, divorced, remarried or had children they haven't had a normal life. I think that some of her shows are like celebrity worship and I don't tune into those episodes but because people achieve a certain status doesn't mean that their not living what might be a normal life for the field their in. I'm just saying with all that money I don't know if anyone who didn't have it would consider that lifestyle quote-unquote normal. I do think some of her topics are interesting and it's nice to get some types of information out to the public. I think there have been things regarding womens issues that have been brought out that are good and I to like the health topics. That's just my opinion. Again that's just my opinion and I don't mean to offend.
 
I agree, just because you were never married and never had children doesn't mean you don't experience the ups and downs of life.

She was raped, molested, and had a baby when she was 13 years old-that died. She had a mother that basically didn't want her. I think she is a survivor. She is in a committed relationship. She has battled her weight for most of her adult life. Now if that isn't living I don't know what is.

Lori
 
I just miss her old talkshow where i believed that she has somthing to share and something to inform us. I see very little of that now. I think, and this IMO, that Oprah would do better giving less money, cars, holidays, etc... away and start walking around and interacting with the members of the audience and remembering what it was like way back when when talkshows and the talk hoast had something to talk about.
 
>>>Have Mercy, I can't stand those "favorite things" shows that Oprah does.


I never got into those either, until I saw the one honoring teachers. I literally wept with these dedicated, self-sacrificing women. Especially when they were given things that they could NEVER EVER afford on a teacher's salary. (But, the gift these teachers were most grateful for was the gift certificate for school supplies.)
 
A woman I know was on her show a couple of years ago because she can carve extremely realistic portraits on pumpkins. (She's known as the "Pumpkin Lady.)

Anyway, she told me that hardly anyone gets to be on stage with Oprah anymore because Oprah is so "valuable." The powers that be don't want to risk anything happening to her (i.e., a nutcase killing her onstage) so they only let a select few near her. (The Pumpkin Lady was interviewed from the audience.) If Oprah died, a lot of people would lose a lot of money.
 
I lived in Chicago for 10 years and I do enjoy Oprah once in a while. She really has built quite and empire and has empowered many women. I went to the show a few times and it is a lot of fun.

I had a girlfriend who was a very junior associate producer of the show. She never could or would talk about work because Oprah makes you sign a pretty airtight confidentiality agreement. I will tell you that my girlfriend quit suddenly and without another job. She was very stresed the whole time she worked there. Her only comment when she left was - well, you know I can't say anything, but I did quit without having another job!
Melissa
 
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