I think watching so many ambush makeovers (home, finance, style) this season has hardened me a bit. Viewing heart-wrenching stories of people whose troubles are lifted for a short time by new window treatments and chandeliers doesn't tug on my heart strings like it used to. I know I am supposed to get teary and feel my heart swell in my chest when I see the unveiling of these home makeovers, but as the culture is so steeped in these shows, the people feel less like human beings and more like stereotypical characters in a formulaic television show.
I actually had to watch the show three times because I started to glaze over. There were two design-jobs intertwined today. One was for a family with an 1100 square foot home. Oprah, upon seeing the small space, blurted, "That's it?!" It made me laugh because when my husband and I were first married, he moved into my one-room studio which was about 170 square feet. Our place now is even less than 1100! I love my apartment, but Oprah might be get claustrophobic if she came for a visit. We'd have to keep all the windows open for her.
She gave her audience a warning: "Viewers, do not try this at home." She was referring to the 1-hour home makeover, led by designer, Thom Filicia, and put into action by workers from (you guessed it) Lowes hardware. Assignment accepted: I will not attempt to overhaul two rooms of my home in an hour. I like the "do not" suggestions. I feel like I'm getting a get-out-of-jail-free card!
The second storyline was a very nice family, with a lovely mom who has cancer. Her husband and boys were given a madeover basement and Nate sent them home with new furnishings for their master bedroom. I guess it just left me empty, which filled me with guilt. The people were very nice. The woman is dying of cancer. They were given new home furnishings. Eh. Had she gone home with a clean bill of health, I probably would have been a sobbing pile of weepiness. But, these feel-good shows are no longer making me feel so good.
Even outside my daily viewing of Oprah, I still go through the motions of watching other makeover shows, but I no longer get all dreamy about them. Is anyone else feeling like this at all? If so, is it because we're inundated with this type of show and know what to expect? Is it because a veil has been lifted and we no longer see material goods as helpful band-aids on serious troubles? Is it because we've got enough troubles of our own that we aren't finding escape anymore? I'd love to hear what you think.
Finally - in her glowy endorsement of Lowes' contribution to today's show, Oprah said, "That's who you call. Call Lowes!" I find this pretty funny. Because they do so much work for her (donated, maybe, in trade for advertising time?), she speaks of them as if they are a giant philanthropic organization instead of a giant corporation. As if they're donating time, money and goods to EVERYONE in need. Maybe when I call them this week, I'll ask if they'll give me a 1-hour free home makeover. Or maybe I'll wimp out and just ask them their store hours....
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29 comments:
i know you brought up some real questions, but i just laughed out loud at you calling Loews for anything. Hilarious - at least you can quickly cross that one of your to-do list
I want to sign up for the show that comes over and fixes my home's structural problems in an hour. THAT would make me weepy.
When you call Lowe's, ask if their refrigerators are running! No, seriously, is there anything you think they would tell you about their relationship with Oprah that would be helpful for your experiment?
LO,
This is just an example of why I think O is so out of touch. I live in an 1,100 sq. ft. house with two boys and my DH. We're also hoping to adopt two girls early next year. So for her to say, "That's it?" makes me laugh. By the way, we also have three cats and a dog; we love kids and animals, what can I say? :>) As for the home makeover shows, I'd be happy for someone to come over and add on a second bathroom. Maybe I should call Lowe's. ;>)
P.S. Do you think that just maybe she gave the caveat against doing this at home just for you? It's a thought.
I commend you , LO. I have never been able to watch a whole episode. After reading your entry today, I thought "ok I'll watch it." Nope, 5 minutes in and I had to hit mute.
I am frequently asked by various people if I saw such and such an Oprah episode. It airs at 4:00 PM here so I can't figure out who can watch it? I am self employed with no kids and it's very rare that I have the time.
I also teach Cosmetology and a few years back a student remarked that Oprah flew her brow lady to Texas when she was there for that trial. My student remarked how great would it be to have that job. I told her that for what Oprah spent flying her brow waxer in and putting her up in a hotel could have paid for one of our students to go to school for a year.
Soooo very out of touch.
I think I'd like the home makeover shows better without the whole thing about how needy the recipients are. I just like to see the room re-do. I used to watch HGTV all the time until I got sick of the way the shows make people feel like their stuff is all old and outdated and they ought to be ashamed of themselves for living that way.
I remember one of my apartments was 1200 square feet. We thought we were in heaven with all that space!
Still though.. I only saw the last few minutes this morning and I loved that room Thom Filicia did for the teacher family. They'll love having that giant table for all the stuff they need to do!
I'm not surprised you're becoming numb to these. I wish I would. I think of that mom, who is not that much older than I am, with these kids, and how she must be praying every day to see them graduate, or even get through the school year...and to know that they have a place--a man-cave!--to help them be together and heal when she's gone...well, it worked on me. Maybe because I have two boys. Maybe because my best friend had cancer when she was pregnant. Maybe because my sister in law died of cancer when her sons were in 7th and 9th grade. Maybe I'm just too attached to the fantasy of a clean, coordinated space! Not to be sexist but it can be hard for boys to heal emotionally after a loss like that. And honestly, my SIL used her almost two years of remission whipping her house in to shape for her family. She didn't do the same sort of man-cave that Nate pulled off but it was similar.
Clearly I'm too emotionally attached to the situation. And wishing someone would redo our space, that I'm so happy to cheer on others who get that!
Meanwhile, I cracked up when Oprah asked what they thought they would be doing that way and (of COURSE) the answer was "going to work!" Even Miss O does that!
Enjoy the call to Lowes. Do you have any looming Oprah-related (or not!!!) home projects you can ask about so you don't feel so goofy? But I love Paula's idea of *really* calling Lowes. I know that Snapfish and the Container Store were completely overwhelmed by the double edged sword that is an Oprah endorsement. I never even got my Snapfish freebie book because the site took too long to load, or kicked me out, or had other issues. I don't think Lowes will have quite the same problems (she didn't recommend a particular item) but you never know!
I loathe shows which use families' tragedies to boost ratings and make themselves look as though they are doing something tangible.
I don't think you are cold.
This had to be the most boring show I tried to watch in a long time.
I felt sorry for the family who's mom had cancer but it now, Oprah could just find a cure for that.
It idin't make me feel any better that she had a new basement.
I still felt just as bad for her. I couldn't get the point.
If Lowes is anything like Home Depot, expect to either not get anyone to pick up the phone or B) they pick up the phone, put you on hold, The End. Or better yet, you skip the phone call and go there in person...you see 3 employees. Two of them ignore you and the 3rd is a 45 year old man who's not completely "there in the head" but his sole job is to sign people up for store credit cards. You ask this man your question, he gives you a blank stare and then repeats "You want a credit card, ma'am?".
True story.
I gladly pay extra and shop at ACE or real lumber stores. The difference in customer service is staggering. It like going from you local Juvie Hall to the halls of Harvard.
my hubby said "now I know why I can never get any help at Lowe's, they're all locked in a truck".....
I really thought today was stand up comedy day! That Thom is a riot!
Don't touch the walls, the paint is wet!
1100 square feet ONLY!???
OMG!!! HOW CAN THEY BREATHE!!!?
Hearing things like that has always made me sick to my stomach. I thought Oprah grew up in poverty?
I grew up in a 600 square foot house shared, at one point by seven people.
Ugh.
All the comments today were better than the makeover show -- in every way. Humor, pathos, insight. Oprah should read them and weep.
And, while I'm on my soapbox -- Why doesn't she do a makeover of a room at a homeless shelter or a room used for foster child respite care? Or for anyone who doesn't have a room to call home?
I think Oprah is out of touch with reality, even though she didn't grew up rich.
1100 sq ft can be tough with many people, but good furniture will make it work. When I was 12-14, I lived in Europe in a 650 sq ft condo with my parents. It was plenty, i can't complain. The trick was to have furniture (like bookcases or wardrobes) that are 7ft-7.5ft high , and beds that fold, or can be hidden.
The apartment we lived in had 2 bedrooms, one larger living room/dining room, mid-size bathroom, kitchen, and even a small hallway. To fit people easier, the key is to have smaller separate rooms vs fewer large rooms, and of course furniture (e.g. wall units) that work in small spaces.
I can't stand those makeover shows anymore, either. I like the ones that actually SHOW you how to do the projects, or do them in a weekend while the husband is on a golf trip, but the ones that swoop in on a family that has gone through a massive tragedy, show how awful their situation is, show them crying on TV, then pick up and build them a massive house they can't afford to keep up then drive away to count the money rolling in from advertisers - yuck. Feels like exploitation. It's 20 minutes of tugging on the heart strings, 5 minutes of actual home makeover, 10 minutes of "look how awesome our sponsors are" and 5 minutes of seeing the finished house - and 20 minutes of commercials in between. No thanks! If I want to cry I'll watch Grey's Anatomy. =)
While I'm sure Lowe's has lovely stuff, their commercials make me roll my eyes. In our quest for blinds on our window-treatment free new home, Lowe's was one of the places we checked. 1) When you go there, there will be zero employees around to help you. you will wait 30 m. to ask, "can we get a quote on blinds?"
2) You must pay $30 for a quote.
3) Trying to get any sort of follow up is impossible.
Those commercials they have where a guy is all smiley and ready to help you with paint colors? Ha! While waiting for my blinds person, I watched various employees yell to whomever to get someone to help a customer with paint.
Hey, to LO and everyone commenting here, I just want to share a shout-out -- I really enjoy LO's blog (of course!) but I enjoy your comments a ton. Thank you all for sharing.
And I'm with teresa--go to Ace or True Value!
Wow, you guys here nitpick every little thing about Oprah as if she's supposed to be this perfect person, but yet I've never read so much negativity until I came to this blog. Oprah is not the only person who needs to be criticized here.
I know this blog is an experiment, but it's becoming more and more of a bashfest against Oprah. Sometimes, I don't even want to read this blog because of it, because I know you will only look for the "negative" things that happened in Oprah's shows and not the positive.
"Why doesn't she do a makeover of a room at a homeless shelter or a room used for foster child respite care? Or for anyone who doesn't have a room to call home?"
Did you forget that Oprah built A NEIGHBORHOOD for Hurricane Katrina families?
There was an episode of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" recently where, inspired by their vision boards, the characters decide to remodel a home for a poor family. Of course they go to Sears to get free supplies since its an "extreme home makeover" and are promptly laughed out. It was very funny and captured the misguidedness of these makeovers that capitalize on misery and corporate sponsorship.
Anonymous wrote:
"I know this blog is an experiment, but it's becoming more and more of a bashfest against Oprah. Sometimes, I don't even want to read this blog because of it, because I know you will only look for the 'negative' things that happened in Oprah's shows and not the positive."
Anonymous I so agree with you. The tone of this blog has really deteriorated lately. I used to love coming here because LO offered a balanced perspective; she wasn’t a huge fan nor was she a huge detractor. But lately I find I’ll enjoy a show, only to come to here and see nothing but negativity. I don’t mind criticism, but it’s become the same criticism over and over again, usually some variant on the theme of Oprah being out of touch with average Americans or Oprah not doing enough to free women of cultural pressures.
I think the reason Oprah feels free to note how small someone’s home is because she understands that the size of our home doesn’t define us as human beings; hence it’s okay to poke fun at such things because they’re not what actually matters. The fact that people are so hypersensitive to any comment about their square footage only shows that deep down we equate net worth with self worth to the point that we perceive a comment about our home as an attack on us personally.
I understand that LO may have overdosed on Oprah to the point where she’s become negative, but it would be great if she could resurrect the balanced voice that made this blog a level headed island in a sea of internet hysteria. I can find extreme opinions (either positive or negative) everywhere I look on the web, but what made this blog so refreshing and credible was its balanced neutrality.
Thank you Morepower. I'm glad someone understands my point. I've said many times before, if I do not care for an Oprah show, I just will not watch it. LO, I know you do not have this option which is understandable.
I'm not an everyday watcher, but only watch what interests me. At the same time, I see someone who is trying to put shows out there to help people (the best way she knows how) in many different situations, so I try to see the positive that comes from the shows.
For instance, the show the other day about what is considered beauty around the world, I actually enjoyed it and my take on it was that Oprah was enjoying herself while learning about the different cultures. But when I came in here, the blog and the comments were so negative and nasty, that I didn't want to come back here. I was also born outside of the US and didn't feel Oprah was deliberatly being offensive. Oprah haters (she's has lots of them who hate her and love her) are becoming more attracted this blog and that says alot.
I'm not saying that everything about the show should be written positive. Critiques are good, but there's a difference between critiquing and just being outright negative.
I really hope that things in this blog goes back to the way they were and I wish you (LO) well in your "experiment." But all the negativity here is just too much.
I'm listening to Oprah and Eckhart's webinar on "A New Earth". They're talking about Chapter 2, filling oneself up with things instead of filling ourself up with ourselves.
Aren't shows like this kind of filling up someone with things?
There are stories about the people who receive home makeovers from the Extreme Makeover crew: many of them cannot continue to live in their homes after the team has come in. Even if the mortgage has been paid, the insurance is too high, the cost of electricity is too high, etc. They have to move out and sell their new and beautiful homes.
It seems to me that these shows would better be suited if they helped the individual instead of fixing the outward problems. Kind of like how Peter Walsh always talks about the clutter - clutter (real clutter, not just knickknacks on the shelves) is a sign of the clutter in a person's life. Those kinds of makeover shows are so much more interesting.
Let's make over the whole person, not just a sample of that person.
I would love for Peter Walsh to come to my home and help me really get down to the bottom of why I hate to clean and help me clean and devise a plan to keep my place clean and help me let go of some of the things I have that I feel like I just can't get rid of. I'd rather that than Nate Berkus. Oh Nate's a cutie, but I'd love help instead of just a pretty band-aid.
morepower wrote:
"Anonymous I so agree with you. The tone of this blog has really deteriorated lately. I used to love coming here because LO offered a balanced perspective; she wasn’t a huge fan nor was she a huge detractor. But lately I find I’ll enjoy a show, only to come to here and see nothing but negativity. I....."
and yet s/he continues to read and post every day. i had a chuckle. thank you. --ms
Perhaps the holiday stress is getting to all off us? If so, it's going to be a long December.
Poor LO can't win, it seems. I'm the "Anonymous" that felt she was turning too pro Oprah right after the infamous Kindle incident. Now she's being accused of being anti Oprah. Guess this further proves that Oprah evokes pretty strong emotions, both for and against. I'm sure LO knew putting her experiment out there for all of us to enjoy would draw some criticism. I don't think it's LO that's been negative, but since she so graciously allows us all to comment without editorial input, perhaps we less than rabid Oprah fans have commented more; after all, this is not an Oprah fansite.
Keep up the good work LO!Happy Holidays to all.
Anonymous Kim
Oprah can't win either.
I think Oprah's makeover shows are meant to be fun, so Oprah ignores the big message of these shows that we are supposed to feel like we really better have fresh spaces and clothes if we really want to be truly happy.
I think the makeover shows are silly, but I also think they are fun and I often like the way those places and people look made over. Maybe I should lighten up on Oprah who really just wants to entertain and inform...
I think the economy has something to do with my current dislike of makeover shows. A big part of why our country is in this mess right now is because of this push to fill our lives with things.
And while, for example, I'm glad that that mother's kids have a special place now, I can't help but think it's incredibly small potatoes compared to what they may lose. I used to see these kinds of shows as, "how nice that they have this at least," but now they seem like some kind of horrible booby prize. I'm sure they'd rather have a healthy mother and a damp, scary basement.
I'm not sure what flipped the switch in my brain, but I'm with you one seeing these kinds of shows differently now.
AsI read the posts in the commnets section of this blog, my mind began to wander from the discussion of makeovers and Lowe's to Oprah.
I thought...
What would it be like to have a sexual encounter with Oprah.
Anybody ever thought about this?
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