I'm all about celebrating my birthday, so I can appreciate the way Oprah parties on her big day. My husband, Jim, always jokes that I don't celebrate my birthDAY, I celebrate my birthWEEK. It's true. I love it. I've never had a 400-pound birthday cake, like Oprah, but I go all out on my own budget.
I'm about to run out the door and will have to watch the rest of the show later, but I want you to know, I did go "Awwwwwww....." when Oprah had her new springer spaniel puppies brought out onstage in a basket and baby buggy. I'm such a sucker for baby animals. Especially pound puppies. But I also rolled my eyes (a little) when Oprah said she was urged by a friend to hire help to take care of the dogs. Oprah's so excited that she can get help with the pups! Then I realized I would like a nanny for my cats. Mainly when it comes to poop-scooping, claw-clipping, and cat hair-removal. Any takers?
Happy birthday, Oprah! Hope it's a great one...and happy birthday to the special folks who share January 29th as their birthday. Admit it, how many of you, when asked what your birthday is, quickly inform anyone who will listen, "It's Oprah's birthday, too!"
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Conan, call Oprah
Jay Leno will be appearing on Oprah’s show this Thursday, but I’m going to opt out of watching the new episode. Sure, I might be a sit-in of one, but I need to stand firm on this. In fact, earlier this week, I wrote the following little op-ed piece for The Huffington Post, hoping Conan might show his big pale face on Oprah instead of Jay.
I did my best to ignore all the Jay Leno vs. Conan O’Brien coverage. It was hard for me to whip up enthusiasm over the passive-aggressive battle between these two men, as much heavier, tragic human drama was going on the news (like Heidi Montag’s plastic surgery and the whereabouts of Tiger Woods). Besides, I didn’t care all that much who helmed The Tonight Show. I stopped watching soon after Johnny Carson stepped down in 1992, and NBC gave David Letterman the shaft. I became almost instantly turned off by Leno. I’m not a fan of his humor because I find it irritatingly mean. I don’t like that he has so many bits that point out people on the street as stupid. Sure, there are some major ignoramuses (ignorami?) out there, but really, do these folks (who might be on their way home from a 48-hour shift at the soup kitchen, for all we know) need to be called out as dummies on national TV?
Wait! I digress. I really, really digress...
In my habit of rooting for an underdog, I leaned toward Conan to come out on top of the late night smackdown. And in my habit of choosing the wrong side to lean, I was disappointed that O’Brien’s last show was Friday. I even watched, in solidarity with all the other faux-fans, who decided to flip on NBC like so many rubberneckers clogging traffic to stare at an accident scene on the side of the road.
When I heard rumors that O'Brien will kick off a new show on Fox, it hit me: Forget starting a late-nighter on another network, Conan. Do you really want to face off with Letterman AND Leno for the same audience who didn’t watch you enough to secure your job in the first place? Don’t waste your energy in attempts to claw your way up that slippery slope. Why not take a step back, shake yourself off, and call Oprah. If anyone can help you develop a loyal fan base before launching a new show, it’s crafter-of-careers, Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah appreciates a person who can laugh at himself, who can dust himself off and stay in the game. You’ve handled yourself well in the past weeks of stress and kept your head held high. Winfrey admires strength even in depths of adversity (although, truth be told, adversity is usually defined on her show as having your face torn off by a chimpanzee, not being given $32.5M in severance and a free pass to another network, but still). And she’s all about second chances. Look at her two-day show with Whitney. Houston's album sold like hotcakes after her appearance on Oprah. Come on, Conan, think about it.
I know it might be a blow to the pride to go from captaining a ship to taking on the role of apprentice. But really, is the Titanic the boat you want to be steering? If she takes you under her wing, Oprah is the most effective Master to anyone’s Grasshopper. Call Winfrey and ask her, nay, beg for her tutelage. If you can make it through Oprah-bootcamp (like Rachael Ray, like Dr. Phil, like Dr. Oz), you’ll have any network wrapped around your pinky. But get moving, you only have a short amount of time before Oprah’s off the air and you lose your chance. She’ll teach you how to draw an audience and keep it. To build loyalty and love from a wider range of fans. Sure, you will probably be on daytime instead of sexier late night TV, but beggars can’t be choosers.
After making several appearances on Oprah’s show as an expert in...what are you an expert in, Conan...dignity? Sticking to your guns? Being loyal to your staff and your show? It’s a good start, but you’ll have to think of other talents you can pass on to Oprah’s viewers. How are you with decluttering? Just think about it, because once you’ve made an impact on Oprah’s fans, they’ll probably follow you to your own show.
And start thinking of the product tie-in possibilities! Dr. Phil sold weight loss shakes and energy bars, Rachael Ray has cookware, and you can’t throw a dart in a grocery store without hitting one of Bob Greene’s “Best Life” endorsed products. I’m thinking you can start with skinny ties and hair gel and move on from there.
It's probable you might go all “Al Gore” after losing this round - letting yourself go and becoming a bit of a recluse for several months. But don’t pout for too long. Just like Al, you too can rise like a phoenix and reinvent yourself after a brief period of mourning. My advice: Start drafting your resume and cover letter to Oprah now. When she bets on a horse, it usually wins. And you never know, when Oprah exits her show in 2011, it sure leaves an opening that daytime audiences will clamor to be filled. If you're game, you might want to start practicing walking in Christian Louboutin stilettos.
Oh, and one last thing: NBC, would it kill you to put a fabulous woman on your late-night throne instead of going back to mine the boys' club over and over and over again? I'm just saying...maybe it's time to think outside the box. Just like Oprah showed the world that Phil Donahue didn't have to be the only one who wore the pants on daytime TV, I can think of a long list of XX'ers who are primed to take over late night.
I did my best to ignore all the Jay Leno vs. Conan O’Brien coverage. It was hard for me to whip up enthusiasm over the passive-aggressive battle between these two men, as much heavier, tragic human drama was going on the news (like Heidi Montag’s plastic surgery and the whereabouts of Tiger Woods). Besides, I didn’t care all that much who helmed The Tonight Show. I stopped watching soon after Johnny Carson stepped down in 1992, and NBC gave David Letterman the shaft. I became almost instantly turned off by Leno. I’m not a fan of his humor because I find it irritatingly mean. I don’t like that he has so many bits that point out people on the street as stupid. Sure, there are some major ignoramuses (ignorami?) out there, but really, do these folks (who might be on their way home from a 48-hour shift at the soup kitchen, for all we know) need to be called out as dummies on national TV?
Wait! I digress. I really, really digress...
In my habit of rooting for an underdog, I leaned toward Conan to come out on top of the late night smackdown. And in my habit of choosing the wrong side to lean, I was disappointed that O’Brien’s last show was Friday. I even watched, in solidarity with all the other faux-fans, who decided to flip on NBC like so many rubberneckers clogging traffic to stare at an accident scene on the side of the road.
When I heard rumors that O'Brien will kick off a new show on Fox, it hit me: Forget starting a late-nighter on another network, Conan. Do you really want to face off with Letterman AND Leno for the same audience who didn’t watch you enough to secure your job in the first place? Don’t waste your energy in attempts to claw your way up that slippery slope. Why not take a step back, shake yourself off, and call Oprah. If anyone can help you develop a loyal fan base before launching a new show, it’s crafter-of-careers, Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah appreciates a person who can laugh at himself, who can dust himself off and stay in the game. You’ve handled yourself well in the past weeks of stress and kept your head held high. Winfrey admires strength even in depths of adversity (although, truth be told, adversity is usually defined on her show as having your face torn off by a chimpanzee, not being given $32.5M in severance and a free pass to another network, but still). And she’s all about second chances. Look at her two-day show with Whitney. Houston's album sold like hotcakes after her appearance on Oprah. Come on, Conan, think about it.
I know it might be a blow to the pride to go from captaining a ship to taking on the role of apprentice. But really, is the Titanic the boat you want to be steering? If she takes you under her wing, Oprah is the most effective Master to anyone’s Grasshopper. Call Winfrey and ask her, nay, beg for her tutelage. If you can make it through Oprah-bootcamp (like Rachael Ray, like Dr. Phil, like Dr. Oz), you’ll have any network wrapped around your pinky. But get moving, you only have a short amount of time before Oprah’s off the air and you lose your chance. She’ll teach you how to draw an audience and keep it. To build loyalty and love from a wider range of fans. Sure, you will probably be on daytime instead of sexier late night TV, but beggars can’t be choosers.
After making several appearances on Oprah’s show as an expert in...what are you an expert in, Conan...dignity? Sticking to your guns? Being loyal to your staff and your show? It’s a good start, but you’ll have to think of other talents you can pass on to Oprah’s viewers. How are you with decluttering? Just think about it, because once you’ve made an impact on Oprah’s fans, they’ll probably follow you to your own show.
And start thinking of the product tie-in possibilities! Dr. Phil sold weight loss shakes and energy bars, Rachael Ray has cookware, and you can’t throw a dart in a grocery store without hitting one of Bob Greene’s “Best Life” endorsed products. I’m thinking you can start with skinny ties and hair gel and move on from there.
It's probable you might go all “Al Gore” after losing this round - letting yourself go and becoming a bit of a recluse for several months. But don’t pout for too long. Just like Al, you too can rise like a phoenix and reinvent yourself after a brief period of mourning. My advice: Start drafting your resume and cover letter to Oprah now. When she bets on a horse, it usually wins. And you never know, when Oprah exits her show in 2011, it sure leaves an opening that daytime audiences will clamor to be filled. If you're game, you might want to start practicing walking in Christian Louboutin stilettos.
Oh, and one last thing: NBC, would it kill you to put a fabulous woman on your late-night throne instead of going back to mine the boys' club over and over and over again? I'm just saying...maybe it's time to think outside the box. Just like Oprah showed the world that Phil Donahue didn't have to be the only one who wore the pants on daytime TV, I can think of a long list of XX'ers who are primed to take over late night.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tag. You're It.
I did receive many helpful messages during my year of Living Oprah that I will continue (I hope) for my lifetime. And while I learned lessons for which I'm grateful, there were less positive ramifications for me. The one that looms over me, even though the experiment is over, is that I continue to be really self-conscious about my physical appearance, my body, my clothes. Everytime I get dressed, I can't help but think, "Does this make me look old, or fat, or out of style?" and "What must other women think of me? Could I be ambushed on the street today for what I'm wearing, urged into a head-to-toe makeover?" The weird thing is, I love watching many of the makeovers on Oprah. They're fun. The people who are transformed seem to glow afterward. And yet, without realizing it, I've been feeling less and less confident.
So, the following video is my own response to my state of mind. Let me know what you think.
I am off to get dressed with my head held a little higher.
So, the following video is my own response to my state of mind. Let me know what you think.
I am off to get dressed with my head held a little higher.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Gaga for Oprah today
Can't help it. I love me some Lady Gaga. I probably don't fit in with her fanbase, but I'm fascinated with her and impressed by her fearlessness. I'm not blown away with how well she wields a mace, however - that didn't seem to go too well today. But I appreciate the effort. When I was in high school I was asked during a summer job to smash old toilet bowls with a sledge hammer. Best day of my adolescence. Gaga frequently allows herself the same release onstage that I've only experienced once. But, I can relate to her need to experiment publicly, to test her limits, to comment on society as she sees it. What she spoke about today - why it's important for her to be provocative AND touch people AND start discourse - really resonated with me. I feel connected to this 23-year old show stopper. I'm just not NEARLY as cool.
I am superbummed I can't watch the end of the show right now - I have to run do an interview with WGN in Chicago. I'm gonna rock the midday news. Who knows, maybe I'll bust out the sledgehammer and go wild on camera. Or at least I'll do it in my mind...
I am superbummed I can't watch the end of the show right now - I have to run do an interview with WGN in Chicago. I'm gonna rock the midday news. Who knows, maybe I'll bust out the sledgehammer and go wild on camera. Or at least I'll do it in my mind...
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Political Oprah...really?
I keep hearing the phrase "The Political Oprah" used to describe Sarah Palin today as the one-time VP candidate is Fox's new shining star. I know Palin really resonates with many women, but to give her the "Oprah" moniker on her first day of work seems like it's jumping the gun.
The moment Oprah made her announcement about leaving her show in 2011, the media began to speculate who might fill her shoes. (In my opinion, nobody. It took decades for Oprah to create her empire, no one can jump into her Louboutins overnight.) But, what do you think - will we witness other talking heads vying to claim her spot?
On to today's show, in brief. I did enjoy the last half of this morning's episode about marriage...I have to go back and watch the first half now. I was surprised to learn that over half the marriages in the world are arranged. I'd like to know how cultures with arranged marriages compare to those without the practice when it comes to divorce rates. Of course, perhaps the accessibility to divorce in the Western world might throw the comparison off. I suppose there is no scientific way to determine happiness as a result of the manner one's marriage occurred, either. Still, when I was single (before I had gotten pretty comfortable with remaining single and satisfied) I played with the idea of visiting a Yenta. I even looked for one in the Chicago area. After watching Fiddler on the Roof, I changed my mind and decided to join jdate.com instead. (And now I'll have "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match..." in my head for the rest of the day...)
Sorry to be so rushed today. Lots of radio interviews, but I wanted to touch base. For those in the Chicago area, I'll be on Chicago Tonight on WTTW this evening at 7pm. I am excited because I've been watching Phil Ponce for years.
And also, if you're in the NY area, or have streaming radio online - I'll be interviewed by New York Radio's First Lady, Joan Hamburg, today at 1:35p EST on WOR NewsTalk Radio 710! (I take it back! The show just called and they're running a bit late...sounds like we'll be taping the interview later today. I'll let you know when it's scheduled to air. Thanks for your patience!)
The moment Oprah made her announcement about leaving her show in 2011, the media began to speculate who might fill her shoes. (In my opinion, nobody. It took decades for Oprah to create her empire, no one can jump into her Louboutins overnight.) But, what do you think - will we witness other talking heads vying to claim her spot?
On to today's show, in brief. I did enjoy the last half of this morning's episode about marriage...I have to go back and watch the first half now. I was surprised to learn that over half the marriages in the world are arranged. I'd like to know how cultures with arranged marriages compare to those without the practice when it comes to divorce rates. Of course, perhaps the accessibility to divorce in the Western world might throw the comparison off. I suppose there is no scientific way to determine happiness as a result of the manner one's marriage occurred, either. Still, when I was single (before I had gotten pretty comfortable with remaining single and satisfied) I played with the idea of visiting a Yenta. I even looked for one in the Chicago area. After watching Fiddler on the Roof, I changed my mind and decided to join jdate.com instead. (And now I'll have "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match..." in my head for the rest of the day...)
Sorry to be so rushed today. Lots of radio interviews, but I wanted to touch base. For those in the Chicago area, I'll be on Chicago Tonight on WTTW this evening at 7pm. I am excited because I've been watching Phil Ponce for years.
And also, if you're in the NY area, or have streaming radio online - I'll be interviewed by New York Radio's First Lady, Joan Hamburg, today at 1:35p EST on WOR NewsTalk Radio 710! (I take it back! The show just called and they're running a bit late...sounds like we'll be taping the interview later today. I'll let you know when it's scheduled to air. Thanks for your patience!)
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