callistra | Person Number 1

Oprah Winfrey - I'm not going to talk about her bio or anything like that, because it's all out there. Instead, I'm going to talk about Oprah now, about how she seems to be working very hard to keep her show firmly in one of two categories. She has the celebrity shows, where she promotes actors and actresses, up and coming movies, various friends, and keeps her foot firmly in the powerful people's list. Then, there seem to be more and more of the serious issues. She's been tackling teenage girls self esteem issues, the schooling issues in america, spouse abuse issues, feminist issues, and large human interest issues like Katrina.

Some people go off about how they hate Oprah because she always grandstands. But I'd like to say good on her for doing so. As a fat black actress, she had no hope of success. But, well, I guess she found her one in a million chance and took it for what it is worth. Oprah has a daily audience of millions and millions of women, and I think that what she is doing with the two types of shows she does shows just how brilliant she is. She's keeping the power by doing the populist shows, and weilding her power to show us what she sees as injustices. And, you know, people will whinge because she might spend a few grand on a silly issue, or raise a few million for something more weighty but not the *right* issues.... and well, you know, I think it's brilliant she's actually out there putting her face and herself in our way and occasionally saying "Hey! THIS is wrong. We gotta fix this somehow!"

So, go Oprah. Good on you. You've got the power, and I think you're very aware of it. Long may she rule! :-)

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Well said.

If Oprah wanted to be President of the United States, she could be. And I mean that. I can't remember which US magazine did it, but there was an article once where a Washington lobby group was hired to investigate which Hollywood personalities could actually have a hope of becoming President if they put their minds to it, joined a party and campaigned for four years.

They came up with Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks.

Oprah i can understand.

Tom Hanks?

Now you say that, I can see it. How interesting! But can she lie, cheat and steal well enough, since popularity doesn't count any more if there is a Supreme Court to decide an election anyway?

:-)

It's good that she's tackling serious issues, and I admire the way she balances acquiring and wielding power to bring things to light that many in her audience would never otherwise consider.

However, I'm still saddened when I see things like this (http://bbwmorgan.livejournal.com/110856.html).

To paraphrase my old school report cards - "could do sooo much better."

What, Oprah could do so much better? Or are you referring to something else?

Oprah could do better. Did you follow the link on 'this' in my comment above? (goes to http://bbwmorgan.livejournal.com/110856.html)

Yeah, I read it. I've been reading the journal. Because Morgan has a problem with a single episode out of 250 odd per year over the past ten years, you think Oprah should be embarrassed, or feel she's not doing enough?

Oprah is a symbol, and just like any other symbol, is made up of aspects, and you can choose any aspects you like to look at. I don't agree with her christian based ideals, but I do appreciate the fact that she is doing anything. I've had to decide, time and time again, how much I can do. Having children has meant I could never do the things Oprah does, although I believe the potential is there in every one.

I like Morgan. She seems like fun.
:-)

a single episode

*smile* OK, fair point, I concede. I just happened to have read the linked item a day or two back without having kept up with Oprah recently. It pushed one of my grr buttons :)

how much I can do
Deciding what battles you can take on is always challenging!

She seems like fun
Yes, yes she does. The shopping trip in NYC was a great anecdote!

I think judging Oprah by what crazy people write on her internet message boards is a little harsh.

I wasn't judging her by that; I was judging her on the way her choice of guest (and lack of a balancing counterstory) promoted a stereotype.
I do concede that I was being overly harsh for judging her on a single show in isolation. Sorry all!

sorry, possible miscommunication there, I didn't mean *you* were judging her that way, I was referring to the post that you linked to, it doesn't really review the episode, more the viewer comments, which don't sound like they really reflect the kinds of views Oprah presents in her shows.

Ah, ok :)

this page (http://www.swop-usa.org/Veronicablog.php) has more on the show in question (not sure for how long though; it looks like an extract of recent entries from a blog I've not managed to find a better link for).
The episode referred to sounds more like sloppy sensationalistic journalism than any kind of deliberate demonisation of the profession, but no less grating for that.

No, no, don't be sorry!
:-)

Thanks! :)
I was worried about taking over your positive entry with my ranty gripes about an incident that it seems was far from representative. I'm feeling a little hypocritical given how irritated I get with people who censure films and other media they've not seen :-/

Well, you're *still* going on about a single episode...

Oprah's done more than one that's annoyed me, I just don't get cranky about it.

Should I have taken the other thread to email?

Hey, even Doctor Who's had episodes that annoyed me :) I should kill my internet connection whenever I've got a cold... Eep! I should be downloading!

I don't think acting was her aim, she always focussed on journalism.

The program about unconsciously passing on your issues to your daughter the other day was a timely reminder to me about how easy it is to do that, especially about body image.

oh good god yes! that episode hit me hard this week too. especially the way most of the mothers were trying to do the right thing but were just making it worse. from that episode I learned "don't try and re-parent yourself through your child, fix your own issues within your self, your child will learn by example"

I love that you are doing this list, I can't wait to read all 50 :)

I think Oprah is great, I have a lot of respect and admiration for her.

Person Number 1 - Oprah Winfrey

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