For those who watched today's show about class, did anyone else feel there was a 600-pound gorilla in the room? I was dying for Oprah to mention HER place on the country's class ladder. My favorite moment was when she asked the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune how the super-rich are being impacted be the recession. Isn't Oprah the super rich? Why doesn't she tell us what it's like? Do you think she needs to stay neutral on this so she doesn't alienate her viewers suffering financially?
Today was an interesting show. The first one, in a long time, that I've been drawn to. I would like to see more shows that feel cutting edge and current, like this morning's episode...as opposed to shows pretending to be cutting edge like the recent episodes about Skype and Twitter.
I'm glad to learn that education impacts class. I might be 50 grand in debt from college and grad school loans, but damn it, I'm CLASSY! Just look at my diplomas!
Just a couple more days left on the BAKLAVA challenge (see the last post, if you want to get involved). If you have witnessed, read or heard an references to Oprah in the media, in the grocery line, or at the dinner table, please share. I always wonder how deeply she's woven herself into the fabric of our lives. Does anyone else have the "cotton" commercial jingle stuck in their head now? Evertime I say "fabric of our lives" it takes me DAYS to shake that song.
Here's what I've come up with: this week:
1) I saw two yoga students wearing Oprah t-shirts
2) I heard a mom say to her son, "Who do you think I am, Oprah?" when he asked her for a pricey pastry at a cafe
3) I keep getting junk mail and seeing banner ads that say, "Dr Oz Resveratrol Research As Seen on Oprah"
Of course, I can't win. The baklava goes to one of you. I can't wait to see what else you find!
Have a great weekend.
xo
LO
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I'm curious what you would ask Oprah Winfrey if you had the opportunity for just one question.
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11 comments:
We talked about Oprah at my crafty club the other day. Mostly we discussed the James Frey thing (we mostly sided with Frey) and whether it is easier to watch her show at 9am or 4pm. We also agree that The Secret is a lot of bunk.
I don't care how much Oprah has fits of excitement over Skype. I don't want to video chat with people.
Since Oprah has crossed every possible social class, she has an interesting perspective, but since we've already heard her experience, I liked the role she played on the show as host to other people's stories.
I agree with you that class has more to do with being "classy" in all situations and groups rather than appearances. I know plenty of upper-middle class people who drive modest, practical cars and do not flaunt their wealth in ostentatious ways.
Class to me is not just about education, but also being interesting, informed, curious and well rounded.
I feel the same thing (the 600 pound gorilla that is Oprah's own status) when I see shows like we had the other day, too--the one about what you'd be willing to give up. I'm pleased to see that she gave up a lot of clothing. And I'm thrilled that she puts such an emphasis on serving others--I think she is a good example of that in many ways. But, you know, do you think she could do without one of her houses? It would be interesting to add her (or someone like her) to the mix of people who take part in the challenges--obviously, she has lived with much, much less than she has now. But the same could be true of any parent when it comes to personal entertainment devices--since they are still relatively new, we didn't have those things growing up, either, and now we create families of techno-addicts and its hard for us to give them up.
Strangely, even though I work in a bookstore I have not heard anyone drop the O-Bomb in a while.
Thank God. The Secret is the dumbest thing ever. I always hate people who love The Secret.
I was reading a Web page called, Fun With Words. In the category called Palindromes, was a reference to Oprah. (A palindrome is a word or sentence that reads the same forward as it does backward, e.g. Leon Noel.) Here is the Oprah palindrome:
Ed, I saw Harpo Marx ram Oprah W. aside.
I went book shopping this weekend and in 2 different stores I saw displays of "Oprah's picks" complete with The Secret and all her book club picks.
Quick scan of the pantry reveals 6 different products/brands with the Best Life seal, and my bookcases have at least 4 books with the Oprah's Book Club label, and my copy of "The Color Purple" has a little ad on the front that says, "Now a major motion picture staring Oprah Winfrey!"
My 16-month-old son babbled something today and my five-year-old neighbor said "He said OPRAH!!!"
Hey Robyn! Looking forward to catching the special on Thursday. I was excited to see this pop up in my Google Reader subscription to Entertainment Weekly's Popwatch:
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/05/the-oprah-effec.html?xid=rss-popwatch-%27The+Oprah+Effect%27%3A+What+has+the+daytime+queen+entranced+you+into+buying%3F
Wow...big deal... she gave up alot of clothing, like she can't just run out and buy some more!
I, too, was waiting for Oprah to at least say her famous "In case you didn't know, I have a lot of money" line that she has used in the past!
I was looking around Hastings last night and there in the self-improvement section were a bunch of Dr. Phil (I know he's gone solo) books and I thought if it weren't for Oprah, he wouldn't be were he is now. (I personally don't care for him or his approach to therapy/helping people). I know I have a copy of While Olenander, with the Oprah book club seal, as well as Paradise, but I take some perverse pleasure in knowing I read these books because the authors writing is good and interested me not because Oprah told me to.
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