I dunno, doesn't look as bad as being moved to chat.
Posted on 05/18/2004 7:48:54 AM PDT by presidio9
Imagine one of the wealthiest people on Earth living without indoor plumbing.
Granted, she only lasted a few days, but Oprah Winfrey took that challenge. She sat down with KMBC's Kelly Eckerman to talk about what life is like without electricity, running water or modern conveniences of any kind.
Oprah and her friend, Gail, recently stayed in the PBS "Colonial House," where the pair agreed to live as people did 400 years ago.
Eckerman: "Were some people surprised you were anxious to do it?"
Oprah: "I come from a very poor family, so it was like going back in my own time for me. Gail, on the other hand, grew up with a maid and always had indoor plumbing."
There were many unforgettable moments for the television talk-show guru. Oprah seemed to take most tasks in stride, but Gail was another story.
Oprah: "First, you arrive and they make you strip all your underwear because women didn't have underwear in the 16th century. Just one of those facts, I guess I never knew that."
Eckerman: "I never thought about that."
Oprah: "You never think about it. The panties have to come off, bras off."
The chores were another big adjustment for Gail.
Oprah: "We're trying to cook bacon, gasping for air, and Gail says, 'I'd like mine extra crispy.' And I said, 'This is not the Fairmont Hotel, sister.'"
A rodent finally sent the pair packing -- that was where Oprah drew the line.
Oprah: "I'm not going to survive if a rat falls on my face!"
Oprah's said her stay was short, but priceless for "seeing how far we've come as women, as people, and all the people who did so much for us to have this exquisite life that we so often take for granted."
Oprah added that the most revealing thing about her colonial experience -- besides no underwear -- is how hard they had to work. The women, especially, never had a minute to themselves, Oprah said.
It was a really good show. I caught the last half of it, and want to see the whole series. The women wore enough clothes that not wearing undies was remotely an issue. Unlike Kerry's daughter.
Oh my. Maybe Alexandra Kerry was just doin' her colonial thang in Cannes?
Oh come on, Orpah.
If you're really interested in authentic living 400 years ago, you'll work as a slave and clean out the privy.
That is what struck me when I read a biography of Abigail Adams. The work never stopped, from planting to cooking to sewing.
You beat me to it.
The Simple Life III: Oprah Style
I've got to be honest, the show got a lot less interesting to me when Brittany left. Apparently there was a scene at the beginning of the show where she was ordered to remove her underwear. I'm disappointed that I missed it.
I am fascinated by this show, especially the reaction of the non-Christians to the strict Sabbath-keeping of the Puritans.
One of the women talked about that too. How hard it was for a colonial wife back then and the non stop work. Bizarre. People today couldn't begin to work like these people, and NO INTERNET. I'd be dead.
Very strict... I can't wait to see the whole thing.
You missed the first part,when they did the bio's of the participants.
P.B.S made sure they included enough unrepentant liberals to balance that Texas family of (Gasp!) Christians.
Hopefully there will be reruns *lol*
I happened to be home early yesterday and watched this on the Oprah show. Gayle and Opray made an interesting comment that they have only focused on their own ancestors' plight as slaves and never before thought about the hardships and hard work of the early "white" settlers.
I dunno, doesn't look as bad as being moved to chat.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/
I noticed that from some of the comments.
I am trying to figure out how you can be poor and have a maid!
Hey they should have did that when one of the colonists got caught stealing the old mattress.
Her friend Gail had a maid. Oprah was a bit more homely I guess.
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