Ugh. Today's Oprah made me so insanely tense, I'm going for a bike ride to blow off some steam. I usually turn off shows like this, but I was captivated by the tension. I have to be honest: I wish I hadn't seen it. Maybe the positive lessons of watching a man on death row (for brutally murdering his estranged wife, her brother and his wife, while 4 kids were in the house) will show themselves in the future. I hope his family got some closure from talking to him via satellite.
I'm just feeling sick, unsettled and there's a cloud hanging over my head.
I still have to watch yesterday's show with Ellen. Maybe that'll brighten my day.
This just in - The lovely Betsy just sent me this link about Harpo's request that Mutual of Omaha cease use of the "aha moment" phrase. You know what's strange? When I was doing the Living Oprah project in 2008, I didn't use the term "aha moment" once in day-to-day speech. I might have used it online in reference to the show, but I think that's it. It never actually made its way into my lexicon. How about you? Do you use it? If so, did you adopt it because of Oprah?
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17 comments:
urg...sorry. sounds unpalatable.
fwiw, stephnie meyer will be making a rare appearance on Oprah Friday, because "she's so amazed with what Weitz has done with New Moon."
I call BS. She's getting a huge paycheck, or her publisher said, "GO!"
I feel the same way about shows like these.
I will also not be watching her Sarah Palin show either.
Just watching Ellen and Portia's faces light up when they're together will put you in a good mood.
Actually, I believe that it is Mutual of Omaha who fired the first volley way back in April, filing suit against Oprah and Harpo.
I've never used the term and never will. Thanks to Oprah, it's one of those cliche phrases that will go down in history as totally overused and annoying.
BTW, you will enjoy the Ellen episode. Watch it soon to wash the taste of the other episode out of your mind's mouth!
I usually say "I realized", or "I never thought if that before". Lots of Oprah's "Aha Moments" seem to have a hint of the "Well, Duh" to them.
Ellen and Portia are fantastic- so wonderful to watch them together on O.
She's seriously going after Mutual of Omaha for use of "aha moment"? Wow that is BALSY!
I've never associated that phrase with her and have used it for over 20 years.
On the episode with Ellen, I learned when she's happy she high fives people -- does this mean she's going to start suing people, particularly sports people, when they do that?
I really admired Oprah until this. Now, I will probably never watch her again and will let my magazine lapse.
Arrogance is a horrible attribute.
I just had an aha moment! I just realized that if I start using a phrase that's been in use for at least 30 years and then claim it's mine, I can sue others for using it!
Seriously, "aha moment" was a phrase that was used in corporate training situations back in the 70s and I believe I also heard it used in Dale Carnegie courses. Who does she think she is??
I have used the term "just do it!" with my son for many years. Can I sue Nike??
I didn't care for yesterday's show. I thought Oprah asked some good questions and on the whole I was so sad for those kids, but didn't Tracy seem drugged or something? She seemed to take a long time to formulate and speak her thoughts, spoke strangely, and seemed off to me. (And there were moments when I worried this would turn out like a Jerry Springer show.)
I think my biggest take way was this--I was thankful that Mary raised the kids not to hate Eric and to have peace. What a true gift not to blame their life's problems on him.
That said, I do think that being orphans affected their lives more than the show discussed. The fact that Matt fathered a child while in high school (and may have other behavioral issues) might have something to do with his past.
As Margaux said about Monday's show, it was wonderful and so funny. Truly a great episode.
I haven't ever used the phrase aha moment. I don't know why.
I think Oprah's Lawyer's should take a look at dictionary.com.
Aha Moment Entered the lexicon in 1939. It'll be interesting to see if they get their case tossed out of court for something that's been in everyday usage for 70 years.
Main Entry: aha moment
Part of Speech: n
Definition: a sudden understanding, recognition, or resolution; also called [aha reaction]
Example: Once she had that aha moment, she knew how to proceed.
Etymology: 1939
Yeah, I'd been hearing that term for years before it became one of her things.
I'm pretty out of the Oprah loop, so maybe it's really attained the same status as Marta Stewart's 'it's a Good Thing' phrase. Still, I can't imagine a brouhaha erupting over that uless a housewares co. wanted to use the phrase, imlying endorsement.
It mostly makes me sad that this whole TM thing will make it a headache for anyone *else* who wants to use that utterly generic, widespread phrase for anything.
Like others have said..watch the Ellen show..quick! She is so funny and seems so happy and content with herself and her life she just oozes joy...that sounded kind of gross, radiates joy. Oozing anything other than money (which I have never seen happen) just is not a pleasant thought, I digress. I cancelled my magazine subscription when Oprah made me mad awhile back. I will sneak into the library to read the Ellen interview though. Oprah has been over the top on a few things lately...start with trying to strong arm the Olympic committee into giving the Olympics to Chicago. It is alot like Obama and his belief of regardless of what people say, he knows what is best for them. WRONG0! Earth to Oprah: Go back to talking to people Oprah...you are a talk show hostess..yes, you do good things in the world but you don't get to trademark things just because you said them or used them in your magazine. Thanks for letting me rant...I feel much better and bet I have a glow like Ellen now...oh, I wonder if she has rights to the "happiness glow" or does Cover girl own it?
First, so fun to be back here! Second, will have to (maybe?) based on this post and comments, check out today's 11 pm rebroadcast. BUT: I have to say that I've felt that way about many of Oprah's shows this season - we had too much Whitney, too much McKenzie (as I believe LO mentioned), I thought the MJ show was a bit self-serving (but loved L'Oprah at least admitting her unpreparedness for that interview). I don't know, maybe I'm just O-ver it?
As for "the aha moment" complaint, I had not heard this, and can only say WOW. I agree that she can't possibly win that one - she might have a stronger case with "What I know for sure" - but I bet if we dig deep enough we can find prior use of that too...
I occasionally use "Aha moment," but not being a big O watcher, don't recall ever hearing her say it. I know she does, mainly because of this blog, but I don't know when I heard the phrase first. It's so silly (not to mention selfish) to claim a common phrase for oneself.
A-ha Moment : First seen in the early to mid eighties. Now performed in lounge rooms and karaoke bars around the world to the high part in 'Take On Me'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFlSpM1cnvQ&feature=related
Seb
Your comment is good. It made my laugh first thing this morning.
Good pun :)
I just had an aha moment. That's crazy.
Ellen is hilarious. Every time I watch her it makes me laugh.
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