Not even that much.
Posted on 05/24/2005 8:59:31 PM PDT by quidnunc
Last Saturday, thousands of screaming fans paid a minimum of $185 apiece to attend a motivational seminar given by a television icon who has mesmerized a generation with her ability to seem like the girl next door. Her amazing communication skills have made her Oprah-ness a veritable billionaire by connecting with a kind of desperate housewife aggregate of entertainment-starved acolytes.
Five thousand people jammed the Dallas Convention Center for the “Live your best life” seminar, many of whom got on line in the wee hours of the morning, even though they had reserved seats. Watching the TV news film clips featuring throngs of women giddily reaching toward the talk show host, as if struggling for a chance to place a hand on a god, was interesting as well as sad. Interesting because it tells us how powerful the medium of television is, and sad because so many people need to boost their self-esteem by worshipping someone else. We all admire those who lived the rags to riches story, and Oprah is a classic example of the American dream. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when practicing idolatry.
For one thing, Ms. Winfrey didn’t find a cure for cancer; she didn’t invent a formula to reverse the aging process, and she didn’t pioneer space travel for the 21st Century. Instead, she developed a super successful daytime talk show. Entertaining? Yes! Poignant, at times? Definitely! But, elevating one to god-like prominence? Gimme a break!
Ms. Winfrey, given all her talent for chatting with afternoon TV watchers, is merely famous for being, well, famous. With all of that fame and the influence that comes with it, she rarely takes on any controversial subjects. Instead, she tackles issues that could be viewed more dramatically on any given soap opera with a tear jerking script. …
Nothing.
Zip.
Not even that much.
A perfect example of the free market at its best - - or worst; dependent on one's point of view.
Same Here!LOL
Sofia. That's it.
...she tackles issues that could be viewed more dramatically on any given soap opera with a tear jerking script...
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Exactly. This is her core business plan. And it works, and to her credit, she has taken her product to market and been VERY successful doing it. She is a good business person who also does alot of good for others, much of which does not get publicly advertised.
It is sad that more black people in America are too busy BEING VICTIMS rather than following her role model. While I do not subscribe to her form of liberalism, she has still done very well and is a respectable person for the good she has done.
Well, I can say one thing for her. Watching her and Phil Donahue helped turn me into a conservative. I was so appalled at some of the PC crap I saw on both shows, it really helped opened my eyes.
...she tackles issues that could be viewed more dramatically on any given soap opera with a tear jerking script..." And that is exactly why I call her "Soap-rah".
I think she's a good person who really cares about others, and her life story is a very interesting one, but I won't watch her show.
I've always had a problem with billionaire 'liberals' - seems like a contradiction, don't you think? Afterall, according to the liberal creed, aren't people who make lots of money doing so on the 'backs of the poor'? Seems like she should give away all of it except what would be needed so that she can 'live simply so that others can simply live'. Phony, phony, phony.....
Maybe she enables people to continue to see themselves as victims?
"According to a new study, fans of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" have higher stress levels than those who are not fans. According to the study, 5 percent of the country's adult population, or 9 million people, said they feel so much stress that they can no longer cope. Half of those said they were fans of the show." http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/entertainment/2600492/detail.html
Bump to YOUR level headed view!
Isn't it obvious?
She discovered Dr. Phil!
Then she learned to shut up, so I had to change it.
agreed
Good post. I always kind of liked Oprah except when she went thru her Dr. Phil phase. Who was that other depressing freak "expert" she used to have on?
I watched her show when it first started. I don't pay attention to her politics. I was glad when she stopped the drama show and did the whole 'change your life tv'thing and the book club. At least it got people reading.
Oprah? She's a good talker. She fills the role of the koffee klatches of yesteryear. She makes you feel as if you know her, her trials and her triumphs.
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