In light of the recent rerun starring Oprah's favorite windsuit-wearing trainer, I went on a crazed hunt within my own cabinets to see what Best Life products I might own. I was not thrilled to see 5 items/brands on my shelves with the BL logo. How the heck did they get there? Looks like I need to have a little talk with the Jimster. I prefer to shop as Dr. Oz advises: on the perimeter of the supermarket, rather than in the prepared food aisles. And I mean the INSIDE perimeter of the market, not the outside. I'm not one of the Freegans, once seen on Oprah's show, dumpster-diving for produce. I wish I could be as thrifty as these folks, but I'm too grossed out by germs. I don't even believe in the 5-second rule.
Check out your shelves/refrigerators, will you? How many BL products do you own?
The Oprah Effect is on Thursday night! Woohoo! I'm really looking forward to seeing the show, which focuses on Oprah's ability to make entrepreneurs into millionaires by her endorsement of their products. I'm writing about Oprah's power as a marketing force in my own book, so I'm excited to see this! I did an interview for the show last fall, while I was still in the midst of Living Oprah. CBNC is highlighting my project at some point during the hour. I'm looking forward to seeing if I looked way more stressed out last year than I do now.
Please tune in, if you can. I'd love to hear what you think.
Here's the website for the show
Show premiers: Thursday, May 28th on CBNC at 9p ET/ 10pm PT. My peeps in Chicago can see the show at 8pm.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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71 comments:
The five second rule is total crap. That has been disproved. Helooo urban legend. If it hits the floor- that is it.
I don't buy Bob Greene stuff. We are about 75% organic.
no BL items on my shelves! yippee!
No Best Life products in my house. We're not a strict health-nut, organic household, but don't buy much of what I call "convenience food".
I own ZERO Bob-endorsed products. I really don't like any of the Best Life stuff anyway. I've been eating a lot of salads and beans lately, trying to get back on the organic vegan wagon.
I don't own any Best Life products, and in fact I've never noticed that logo anywhere. Am I the only person who, if not for this blog, wouldn't even have heard of Best Life? I find it very easy to live in a world devoid of Oprah and Oprah-related things. Maybe this is because I only watch tv online, which has limited commercials, and don't read the shiny magazines, and am at work during the day when Oprah is on. I have never even watched a full episode of Oprah but follow this blog simply because I find Robyn's Oprah-spurred thoughts to be wise and valuable to me personally, even though I have never watched whatever episode she's blogging about.
I'm saying all this because I wonder if the discussions on this blog, while rightly focusing on Oprah, are also serving to give Robyn a false sense of the centricity of Oprah and Oprah-related products in women's lives. Maybe a better audience for the question Robyn posed today would be a non-Oprah-related blog where you could gage how many of the general public is aware of Best Life products?
KG describes me exactly.
We don't own a tv, we share a computer (I share much better than my husband). We don't buy magazines. We do buy the Honolulu Advertiser, and the Sunday New York Times (the SNYT can last all week).
Of course, we have no BL products.
I'm looking forward to your book. I work very part time at a book store. I will be hand selling your book (if my book store is still in business). Hurry LO.
Okay, I had to Google the Best Life logo because I had only a vague idea of what it looked like. After I saw it, I thought that I had no Best Life products, but instead of going through my pantry and fridge I went to the Best Life web site where there was a convenient list of Approved Products. Perfect. I noticed I had a few of the items listed so I looked at the labels, but found only one logo. Hmm. I have Barilla pasta, Wish Bone Light salad dressing, Benefiber for Children, Lipton tea bags, and Best Foods (Hellman's) Light mayonnaise; all are products listed on Bob's site, but none of mine have logos. Wassup with that? However, my Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches (yummy!) have the logo and are listed. I also found the logo on a box of Fiber One bars in my pantry, but they are not on the Approved Product list. Are they no longer good for me? Am I allowed to eat them anymore or will they ruin my Best Life?
The thing is I was completely unaware of the logo being on anything I owned before now. I certainly didn't shop looking for it, and I won't start looking. I'm content buying mostly healthful foods for my family and splurging on a few treats.
I'm only vaguely aware that there's some kind of Best Life granola bar and that's because of this website. I've never been aware of seeing any BL products in the stores and I don't have any in the house, but we do most of our food shopping at Trader Joe's and I'd be shocked to see them there!
But, related to a previous post - I saw an Oprah mention in my daily life! It was on a show on E! called Stars Without Makeup. Yowzers.
I agree with kg - I don't see or hear much about Oprah. I see her magazines in line at the grocery store and I read this website and that's about it. Her show is on at 4pm here and I'm never watching TV at that time so I don't see it.
But I'm totally interested in watching the Oprah Effect! Thanks for the reminder!
I don't have cable so I won't be able to watch the O Effects show this evening; even so, it's my son's eighth grade graduation--I'd miss the show anyway. However, I went to the show's site and re-watched your video. I don't think I mentioned it before, but you totally rock those black boots! Of all the things you modeled, those were the best. Not O mandated, but cool nonetheless.
I am glad that I found your website. My name is C. A. Webb, a native of Mississippi---like Oprah. Some in the state call me the "Male Oprah" because my life has led me in some of the same circles: radio and television show host, newspaper columnist, publisher of magazine, etc.
Thanks for providing this forum! Looking forward to the special tonight, and I look forward to talking with you.
I remember seeing the Best Life logo on some packaged meals in the store, but I just rolled my eyes and walked away from them. There aren't any in my house because I don't buy a lot of pre-packaged meals and convenience food.
My PVR (like your TiVo) is set to record The Oprah Effect, it should be interesting :)
I'm watching your segment now - and it's quite interesting. BTW, I LOVE that trench coat you got. Wherever did you find that??
you were great! congrats on the book deal and I look forward to following your blog and your journey.
Am I the only one who spazzed when I saw my name scroll by on The Oprah Effect?
While I was watching I found myself wanting to create cosmetics in my kitchen and buy enormous European soaps.
Liked your piece. Glad you still post ever now and again. Hope the writing is going well.
Wow Jerry, great way to take advantage of her media exposure by spamming her blog with promotion.
Just watched The Oprah Effect, you did a great interview. What did your research project conclude? Was your life any better with Oprah's best life products?
All the best with your writing!
I enjoyed the segment with the soap company finally making it on oprah.
Am in the rehearsal stage of filming my cooking show and loving every bit of it.
Utube: Rachel Valentin
Good evening to everyone ...!!!
I happened to be flipping channels
& watched "The Oprah Effect" .
That's how I found out about this
"famous blogger" ...!!!!
I used to watch The Oprah Show ,too...
some years ago...She is truely a PHENOM ...or was ,now she has
become another commercialized-hey-look-at-me "product",she still is among the few handpicked who DARE
LECTURE about "doing the right thing",but we all know right from wrong.... it's simply a matter of how we the "human beings" "have been wired/programmed".
The world is divided into 2 kinds of people...the EXTRAORDINARY &
THE ORDINARY...guess who we are...
We need an EXTRAORDINARY to tell us what to do ,yet we all know
what to do....anyway I consider you
"THE FOLLOWER" a very smart person.
From the DISTINGUISHED CLUB trying to rescue THE TRUTH &THE
DECENCY ...so WE are on the same boat ..!!! THANKS a bunch ..!!!!!
G. Rod
P.S:I am a blogger ,too ..
If interested log in ,it's worth it!11
www.itsworthitg-g.blogspot.com
www.valelapenag-g.blogspot.com
NOT for the snobbish , please
It's for sensitive/conscientious
ONLY .... !!!!1
BYE now ...!!!!!
AG, we screamed when we saw your name. And Susie's and Sam's and Paula's and others'. They must have filmed that in their own studio.
Sweet Jean, the trench is from Target!
Thanks everyone for the support. But not the spam. The spam is going away right now...
xo
James Frey- Ever since that Oprah I committed to my book and my memoir www.atruemillionlittlepieces.com . I submitted Photos and proof as you can see on my web site, no one has an interest me, what do I have to do to get my memoir out there?
Maybe you can be my Ghost Writer I been looking for…
Joseph Aiello
Go Robyn
Wow I just watched the Oprah effect with your segment. I think it is an excellent and extremely interesting idea! This is the very first post I've ever made EVER! I look forward to reading your blog. Congratulations on your coming success.
It's too bad your experiment has been over for several months because I predict new blog traffic from the CNBC exposure..
I have no BL stuff, mostly because it is unlikely to be the cheapest brand at the store. I cook a lot of our foods from scratch. I might have to find a recipe for Key Lime Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting because after watching the special, I have a craving.
AG- I did the same thing when I saw my name! My husband gave me a high five. Too funny!
Ok, I also want to know where to get the trench coat. Seriously!
I have an allergy to gluten and MSG; is that in some of the tv dinners by lean cuisine? What other gluten free things are on the BL? Or am I doomed(LOL) only to fruit and veggies?
My family is without Bl products. My children will not eat these products anyway. Back to the basics lots of fruits and veggies...
Congratulations on your tv appearance. Good luck with the book. I'll be coming by regularly.
I love your blog .is there a place to donate .
Oh my gosh, I just saw the special "The Oprah Effect" about 1 minute ago. I had never heard of your website until that show, and i immediately logged on. Wow, information travels fast when Oprah's involved!
I taped "The Oprah Effect" show that was on tonight and saw your interview and came to your site. I think your research is so interesting and would be very interested in reading your book. I think you would be a great interview for Oprah - I'm sure in the very near future you will be on her show. While I thought the show was very interesting, you had a great persepective and looked fabulous. Hope to see you on the show soon - good luck with your endeavors!
It was such fun seeing you and all the "regulars" who had their names on the screen tonight. How exciting for all. I'm sure mine was about to come up but they cut to something else. ;-)
But seriously -- it was a great segment, and it was fun to see you on the way to the Celine concert after reading about it here a few months ago.
Did anyone else feel like Googling the companies they highlighted? I bet they get a bump in business due to this show. Off to find some cake - suddenly hungry for that some how.
Saw you on the Oprah Effect tonight! Congrats!
waiting for the day my website is highlighted for its philanthropic and educational work. :(
http://www.nysilly.com - Think you know NY?
Unfortunately I don't have Cable so I didn't get to see the Oprah Effect. So which of the Paulas was mentioned????
An inquiring Paula would like to know :)
www.atruemillionlittlepieces.com my memoir, do you think it has potential? Harpo Studios did call me and regretfully declined at the moment.
Hey there -
I wasn't sure if you knew this, but The Oprah Effect is on Hulu now. Thought you might want to mention it so people can check it out if they want. You looked great! :)
Amanda,
Thanks for telling us about Hulu carrying the O Effect. I really wanted to see this, and now, thanks to you, I can. Yay!
This Blog/site is a 100% pimp. Transparent as air. That was very obvious in the CNBC interview. It's "Who does this woman think she is?"
And what's really cheap about it is that- this covertly critical device is using Oprah much the same way others do but under a blatantly pretentious demeanor.
Congrats- you got the attention you so richly don't deserve.
Robyn,
I just finished watching the show, and I think it was really interesting. The effects that O has on anyone who is featured or mentioned on her program is just astounding. Even after your year-long experiment, do you have any insight as to why thousands (millions?) of people live their lives according to her mandates? I just don't get it. I understand that she's loved, but for goodness' sake--Soap? I guess I find it incredible that so many people have to have what she loves, even her soap. And it seems to me that most of her "favorite things" are chosen by her producers, not necessarily herself. Or did I misunderstand that?
I'm glad you did this experiment; I look forward to devouring your book. :>)
just caught the plug on 'the oprah effect' via hulu. congrats! didnt quite catch the timeframe in which you did the experiment ... if it's over, do you have any comprehensive findings?
oh, and $4K in the name of oprah!? you are a brave soul.
Hi from Miami. Just watched the Oprah Effect I recorded on the DVR. Congrats on the project, blog, and book. Maybe you'll be on her show next season! If so, be sure to hire the $500/hour consultant to help get you prepared! LOL. Just kiddin. :-)
I posed a question by email to LO..I wonder if there are any examples of companies who have not been able to handle the huge demand that being on Oprah can cause, and this has caused the demise of their business, rather than success. I own a small company with a very successful new product that's been in dozens of major magazine gear reviews (google "wicking towel" and you'll see it's mostly about my company...but even the sales this has brought (which has been wonderful) can't be compared to the influence that Oprah would garner. We make a very fast-dry sport & travel towel that never gets musty. The fabric is custom made. It takes many weeks to produce.. I plan my sales and have lots of stock but if I suddenly had tens of thousands of orders, I wouldn't be able to handle them, at least not immediately. What happens to these companies that run out of stock?
My other comment is this. I know LO will gain some fame from her association with Oprah, (even if Oprah isn't directly involved).
If LO starts to become famous, then she endorses products, which then become successful,and those companies become famous...
The implications of the original influence is amazing. You can count the seeds in an apple, but not the apples in a seed.
Neat experiment to watch.
L. Hanes
www.discoverytrekking.com
fuck O. how spiritual, drooling over hanging out with airhead celebrities. her fucking job is SELLING TIDE DETERGENT.
Like kg and some of the others, I've never watched an OW show. However, I do watch CNBC to follow the US stk markets so heard abt the Oprah Effect repeat; which i just finished viewing. Liked that portion where u appeared best, even tho you too appeared to have benefited from the "O" effect. So, how is yr book deal coming along? Oh, yes, I too am a fan of David Sedaris, even tho I've read just one of his books: Dress yr children in denim corduroy. Btw, I'm from Singapore...
i just saw you on the oprah effect
The Oprah Effect Show on CNBC was great! Oprah is such a terrific inspiration & she makes a huge impact!
I love watching her show & can see how her approachable & down to earth nature has caused millions of others to love her too!
My favorite shows feature people being thrifty and getting wealthier! Love the inexpensive decorating segments with Nate! Gives me great ideas for my own home and to share on my blog FrugaltoRich.com
The Oprah Effect featuring Living Oprah! is on again tonight at 9p on cnbc
I saw you on the CNBC special. I love Oprah too, but I think you took it to the extreme. Not everything she does, I do. I read some of here selection of her book club(library), bought a couple of copies of her magazine, and tape her shows. Spending $4000 on things that you can't afford is ridiculous. She helped alot of people and gave so much that I feel that people don't really appreciates what she actually does. One day she will be gone..you have to live in your truth and not in her's. I love your blog and you should do a Yoga video...Much love!!
I always ate Yoplait before the big seal deal.
Good for you! I am very pleased to see someone do this experiment. I've wondered what would happen if someone really lived her suggestions. The Oprah Effect on Thursday was AWESOME! There is something about Oprah's energy that many people want to tap into. Positive energy feeds and expands and that's great! And it has become evident by all of these people who have succeeded after being on her show. Great for them!
In case you missed it, oprah effect is available on hulu.com
www.atruemillionlittlepieces.com - I love Oprah and I wish they would have considered me for there show. I did however get a "not at this time" call from Harpo. What do you guys think about my book? www.atruemillionlittlepieces.com
I saw you on t.v.
kylesdrunk.com
Chica...you ROCKED! I think you have such a lovely personality and I loved watching you! I hope you benefited from "The Oprah Effect" in the most positive of ways!
Smooches!
just saw the show... oprah effect... now I am here! can't wait!
thats pretty cool what you are doing. I have a photo blog website in hallandale. check it out if you get a chance.....good luck on your expieriment....www.cityofhallandalebeach.blogspot.com
Was it surreal seeing yourself on TV living oprah on a segment regarding how she made people wealthy?
I saw your blog just now on "The Oprah Effect," and it prompted me to visit your web-site. I'm happy to know that you're little sociological experiment has helped you fulfil your dreams of becoming a writer. You're luck and wise to come up with such a good, original niche and just go out and live the way of Oprah wholeheartedly. I'm impressed to your dedication to this project!
Just saw the CNBC show The Oprah Effect. Saw you. You are cool! I'm excited to catch up on your journey and can't wait to read your book.
Good Luck!
I'm guessing you've seen this:http://www.newsweek.com/id/200025/output/print
I'm somewhat annoyed that the tea I've been drinking my entire life is Oprah-endorsed. I got addicted to it the old fashioned way: by my grandmother drinking gallons of it everyday & teaching me to put milk & sugar in it to kill any possible healthy vibes.
Well, I 'stumbled' upon the Oprah Effect show. No, I hadn't planned to watch, since I have to say that I'm not a big 'O'fan. I am however, curious about the subject matter that people are hyped up about, so I do tune in now and then.
I have to say that the segment about 'Living Oprah' was my favorite piece. Why? Because it has heart, it is honest, and it is straightforward. No pretense...and no, "Look at me ...aren't I GREAT, because I am contributing to this and that, blah blah blah."
I know, I know....don't shoot the messenger, when it comes to the BIG 'O'. She has helped a lot of people jump start their lives into exploring the realms of healthier lifestyles...to a certain degree, but you're right. What about HER? Has she REALLY dug deep into her soul and 'done the work' that it takes to dance with the devil of her own dark side? I know, she's only human, like the rest of the wretched masses, but really...just how far does she really take it? Maybe she needs to go on a reality t.v. show like the World's Biggest Looser, and really wrangle the demons of self improvement. Maybe she needs to do a 'walk about', armed with nothing but a book of matches, a roll of t.p. or something like that, to dig deep within herself to really see what she's made of? AFter all, who wouldn't want to suffer the pangs of celebrity when there is a personal chef, trainer, housekeeper, chauffer, etc. an arms length away?
My husband has never liked Oprah, because he feels she is really self serving. I have agreed at times, but see the struggling woman behind those sad eyes.
What I am more curious about is what YOUR findings were. I'll have to buy the book.
Oh, last note of reference. There is a Whoopie Pie company in Maine whose claim to fame evolved from being listed as a 'favorite thing'. Of course, none of us 'Maine-iacs' had ever heard of them until then. So now, during tourist season, every cash register, on every counter in Maine has a basket filled with the world famous 'Oprah's favorite' Whoopie Pies for sale.
Congratulations on creating your own 'O'-fect. It's brilliant, gentle, mild-mannered and sweet. Hope it brings you all that your heart desires.
Sue from Maine
I found you through The Oprah Effect last night on TV. :) I like what you are doing here :) Though I bet it can get expensive! lol
Interesting program. Also interesting is what was missing: the horror stories from employees of the companies whose phones and servers go crazy. But then, I'm biased. :-)
I try not to purchase anything with a Best Life logo on it.
OOps...another topic related to Oprah, regarding her weight. What about Oprah's Thyroid condition?
Forgot to mention the Thyroid Connection. It appears that everyone is claiming, Oprah's thyroid condition is cured.
It would serve the public well if she would further explore the reality of the thyroid numbers game, and bring forth the bigger story about Thyroid disease in America.
Patient advocate, Mary Shomon, has the most extensive information available on several websites, as well as in her books. Many thyroid patients are wondering about why the whole thyroid question with regards to Oprah has seemingly been silenced. Sure, maybe she doesn't have anything related to it, but it makes one wonder.
Just imagine how many people could be helped if Oprah explored ALL aspects of weight gain and obesity in America.
That is not to say that Thyroid disease is the main cause, but thyroid dysfunction is becoming rampant in the U.S.
Oprah's ongoing battle with weight, and yes, perhaps her emotional health would warrant a closer look at the Thyroid story. So many people would be helped, and it could open a door of awareness and healing for hundreds of thousands of people.
Oprah could also do an American Health Series....Raise awareness regarding the health and weight crisis of our youth, the price of sedentary, 'indoor' lifestyles and what that means to the future of the American culture in a global economy.
Sorry to get carried away. Well, you get the idea. It's a world of endless possibilities, and after all, she is just one person.
Onward and upward!
this stuff is for boring housewifes who have nothing to do,, suzanne somers did this same marketing and made alot of cash except when everyone found out she had plastic surgery to look young and that did her image in,,,phoney as hell... who wants to follow everything oprah does ,, do your own thing,, are you so needy??
I was lucky to have stumbled upon The Oprah Effect. It was such an interesting view point. I never really had thought about her as such an influence on America until I watched the special. Sure I knew that she had lots of followers but I never imagined people would take her every word and follow it like the Gospel. I am very interested to read your blogs. What a wonderful social experiment! Keep it up!
I saw your interview on the Oprah Effect!
As a mom I wanted to share a wonderful resource for stay at home moms. Here's the blog.
http://fingerbizblog.com/blog
Sharon
I have to ask what animal print shoe you said Oprah suggested? I saw you on the Oprah Effect Special and I really want those shoes. You cracked me up!
Thanks,
Melissa
The CNBC show was great! That's how I found out about your blog. You had a really creative idea to live as Oprah advises & see what it's like. I'm enjoying reading your blog. I will definitely buy your book -- for my Kindle, which was an Oprah inspired purchase.
Hi LO:
I caught you on the The Oprah Effect, I am reading you start to finish...what a great idea!
Take care,
Tina
Please! this is not the place for self promotion--that means you, City of Hallandale, and atruemillionlittlepieces!
Let's stick to the purpose of this blog.
Many of us have our own blogs, but we come here to read about Living Oprah, not to promote ourselves.
I couldn't resist looking u up after seeing the Oprah Effect by accident. I was in Switzerland on vacation with my hubby and there were only 2 channels in English, CNN and another with this show. We were riveted. I was an Oprah fan briefly before we moved overseas and still occasionally buy her mag. Fascinating and I think the idea of living the life is wild. Not something i'd do myself but I get a kick out of you doing so. Good luck on your endeavor!
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