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. …
But I would still love to have Oprah endorse my product consider her intense following. She makes NASCAR look like dilletantes.
who?
I've been an avid reader since I was a kid. Oprah's Book Club turned me on to some great authors. I've almost read every book she recommended. I don't watch her show much, though. I just went to her website and printed a list of the books. I do thank her for this.
Oprah in love with Oprah.......
Dope-rah...
The children of the wealthy who succeeded in building their own wealth independently were almost always the ones who were given very little or nothing by their parents. In fact some of these successful children refused gifts and cash from their wealthy parents. Most of the children who were showered with gifts and cash by their well-meaning parents never learned how to manage the wealth they received and became perpetual parasites.
The gift-receiving children never learned the connection between hard work and discipline as the keys to building wealth. The moral of the story echoes the one about teaching someone to fish or giving them a fish. Teaching someone always works out better than giving them something.
When did you run your last marathon?
The ONLY time I've ever seen that program was when it was on TV when I walked into the room. I was absolutely stunned last year when my brother said that he'd "seen this on Oprah." That's the first time I'd ever heard of ANY male watching Oprah.
"I was absolutely stunned last year when my brother said that he'd "seen this on Oprah."
OH NO!!!! Better arrange an "intervention" for your brother before his testicles completely athropy and disappear.... LOL
It's too late for that. And he votes for Nader every time he runs. All my attempts at influencing him when were kids were a waste of time, it turns out. But I still love him.
The only show I ever watch is the one she airs during the Holidays. "Oprahs Favorite Things".
The audience is unaware they have been chosen to receive thousands of dollars in free pricey gifts, even a car! It's a great show.
sw
lol I apoligize if I offended anyone. The comedians in the world seem to be all right with making Oprah jokes. I guess I need more practice.
Don't watch the show nor do I like her politics but she's known as an extremely generous person (remember giving everyone in the audience a car?). Heard this morning that she gave her staff an all expense trip to Hawaii and gave all students in an elementary class and paid trip to Disney World. I know she's actively involved in helping the poor in Africa but don't know the full particulars.
I have no need to throw rocks at her except for her weak, wishy washy far too new-agey theology.
She has helped 10's of millions of people improve their lives and relationships very significantly.
She has undoubtedly LITERALLY SAVED THE LIVES of 10's of thousands of spouses and children from horrid, murderous abuse.
She has saved countless marriages. She has improved the quality of 10's of millions of marriages and child/parent/family relationships.
She has given people PRICELESS HOPE.
She has evidently remained fairly down-home in her heart and demeaner--escaping a lot of the arrogance of so many of fame. No small feat, that.
She--in spite of her new age excesses--has managed to keep the issues of spirituality in the public consciousnesses as a valid persuit regardless of the idiocies of PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY.
She has used her considerable wealth in 100's of small and large projects to better people's lives.
She's candid, blunt, seemingly honest, REAL, practical and generous to fairly unprecedented levels for someone of her fame and resources.
She can be entertaining with punch--punch that leaves lasting impact for good in peoples' lives.
When you have achieved 1/100,000th what she has done for GOOD in millions of peoples' lives around the world, I'll respect slightly more the rocks you seem to so gleefully throw at her.
She has my support.
Now if we could just make her far more of a conservative politically . . . but even there, she's not the idiot a lot of her ilk and social circles are.
She wasn't the "giver" of those cars, or am I mistaken?
Small wonder.
Oprah offers more practical hope in far more palatable bites than, sadly, even a lot of the TV evangelists do.
HOPE is a priceless thing. And all the more so for the desperately mired in their own messes.
Well put. You might appreciate my post above.
Well put.
And imagine the thousands of people who put more food and better clothes in their families' hands because of hope and practical advice they received via Oprah. More power to her.
She does manage to present the opposing views far more than most of her ilk. I applaud that vs throw rocks at it.
She probably gets more liberals to think a little above slightly than even FR.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.