Oprah

[giftedmadness@hotmail.com]

Okay, I had to post this in the Women section. Oprah has been getting on my nerves lately. First off, the election registration episode with the celebs such as Barrymore, Diaz, and Aguliera, was sickening.

Diaz basically said that if you want the rape of women to be legal, you should go ahead and not vote.

Barrymore said that since the government controls every part of your life, you may as well go and vote. Nothing was mentioned that this submission to an all powerful and controlling government is not good in the first place.

And then today she had a child molester on, so she could interview him and "try to understand him". I could only watch a few moments of it, while his victim sat beside Oprah quietly, with wide, hurt eyes.

What will she do next?

[synchronous]

Shock effect. The masses are addicted to it. Increases the ratings. I think all of these Oprah type shows seem to have an interesting hook at first, towards the end of their runs though the content is a bit pitiful. I've only watch Oprah maybe 3 times so I really can't comment with objectivity :)

[EternalCynic]

I can't stand Oprah. She pisses me off and I'm not quite sure why.. I think it's because she forces this matriarchal image when really I think she is more about money than anything else.. then again, that's not really suprising.

[synchronous]

I can't say I hate Oprah. I found her engaging and sincere years ago when she first appeared on TV being interviewed after some movie successes. I think her desire to help others via the show was an honest attempt like all other shows with similar format. After awhile though, I often observe a switchover in these shows, where the ratings starts to fuel the content and the attitude/demeaner of the host changes similarly.

After some of the gimmicks I've heard Oprah pull recently though it sounds like she's turned materialistic and self serving. One of the few times I watched the show was when she gave away all sorts of goodies to the TV audience. I was fascinated by the audience reaction -their eyes especially. Many of the members were mesmerized by Oprah, like one would be in awe of a cult leader. Quite disconcerting. I understand she picks audience members most in need - like when she gave away cars recently. Now, you could argue she is just being benevolent, but, when you publish a press release and make the upcoming event a big deal, it seems more like there is some ego at play.

Giftedmadness, I find it interesting you opted to start this thread here, in the women's section.... lol

[cloakable]

I hate all chat shows.

[synchronous]

I hate all chat shows.

I only like these shows for the benefit of observing human behaviour (like audience interaction, for example), as much as I have an interest in watching shows about serial killers - to learn what makes them tick. Armchair social psychology... lol. I can observe in the privacy of my own home. It's a little difficult to stare and observe people behave in a real setting. They consider you a little odd. Well, yes, I am a little odd. ;)

[cloakable]

I hate all chat shows.

I only like these shows for the benefit of observing human behaviour (like audience interaction, for example), as much as I have an interest in watching shows about serial killers - to learn what makes them tick. Armchair social psychology... lol. I can observe in the privacy of my own home. It's a little difficult to stare and observe people behave in a real setting. They consider you a little odd. Well, yes, I am a little odd. ;)

But a chat show cannot be considered a 'real setting' because it's a chat show. People are going to behave differently there. I'm also lucky to be English, as we have a fairly introverted society, so people don't really care if I come out with fairly odd behavior (such as observing them) as long as I don't get in their way 'do what thy will, an it harm none' I think is a good description (though I've probably mangled the quote).

[synchronous]

But a chat show cannot be considered a 'real setting' because it's a chat show. People are going to behave differently there.

Well, obviously, there is alot on TV that is not real. Even the news is skewed to entice more viewers to watch. That is a given. There is obvious audience obligatory participation in chat shows. Studio flahes a big electronic sign "Big loud, enthusiastic applause now", etc and the audience obliges obediently. But, there is also a part of these shows that is spontaneous human behaviour - like when audience members are given outrageous gifts worth hundreds of dollars - they shake in disbelief, cry, scream. You can't fake some of this stuff. I also like to analyze what is fake behaviour, and what is real. I watch the body language, how the people project. But, I don't spend my days watch TV shows. It's just what I do when I so happen to fall up something I see incidently.

Where I come from, gawking at people to study human behaviour would be frowned upon. As long as you are lost in a large crowd (I live in a small town), you're ok, you can gawk all you want.

[cloakable]

Where I come from, gawking at people to study human behaviour would be frowned upon. As long as you are lost in a large crowd (I live in a small town), you're ok, you can gawk all you want.

That's why I love England. :D

And the skewering is why I don't watch chat shows (or TV, for that matter. Haven't watched it for, oh, three months plus now, and cannot say I miss it.) I prefer my psychcology to be of the 'real life' variety, rather than the 'manipulated' variety.

[synchronous]

Well then, I guess you are fortunate to be living in England, and to have the luxury of gawking in real life. Congrats...

[giftedmadness@hotmail.com]

You're veering off topic! Not on my thread, oh no you didn't, talk to the hand, mmhmm.

[HairlessBluetick]

Hmm... I don't really have a strong opinion on Oprah, just a little mild dislike... I did think it was interesting that you called the thread "Orpah" though, as that was originally what Oprah's name was supposed to be.

[giftedmadness@hotmail.com]

Typo, I just corrected it before I read your post Bluey, funny eh.

[HairlessBluetick]

Bluey? *shrug* ok. Heh, yeah that is funny...

[Anacaona]

I kinda like Oprah... I think she's an ENFJ? Anyway, I like her positive way of seeing life and I feel she genuinely wants to help other people, or maybe Im being naive? But sometimes Im bothered when it's too "emotional" on her show, though...

[ohnoaninfp]

Okay, I had to post this in the Women section. Oprah has been getting on my nerves lately. First off, the election registration episode with the celebs such as Barrymore, Diaz, and Aguliera, was sickening.

Diaz basically said that if you want the rape of women to be legal, you should go ahead and not vote.

Barrymore said that since the government controls every part of your life, you may as well go and vote. Nothing was mentioned that this submission to an all powerful and controlling government is not good in the first place.

And then today she had a child molester on, so she could interview him and "try to understand him". I could only watch a few moments of it, while his victim sat beside Oprah quietly, with wide, hurt eyes.

What will she do next?

WTF!!!!!!!! She had a child molester on her show, and tried to "understand" him, when his victim is sitting right there. That is so messed up. Talk about putting salt on a wound. The poor kid.

[KentOhio]

WTF!!!!!!!! She had a child molester on her show, and tried to "understand" him, when his victim is sitting right there. That is so messed up. Talk about putting salt on a wound. The poor kid.

You go girl! :D

[songbird36]

Oprah? Yuck - too low brow for me!

[Chaos Symphony]

WTF!!!!!!!! She had a child molester on her show, and tried to "understand" him, when his victim is sitting right there. That is so messed up. Talk about putting salt on a wound. The poor kid.

Not quite that bad... The victim apparently /wanted/ to talk to him, ask him "why?" And the molester was apparently 'reformed'... All I can really say about that is that he certainly isn't a fool. He understands himself, and while not trying to justify his actions, he explained the motivations behind them. Showed a fairly believable remorse as well.

There was a second show on the same subject a little while ago. In that one, the two returned and the girl forgave and hugged him. Caused a bit of discord when one of the other guests there disapproved. Couldn't believe that she could let the man touch her again.

Oprah has made several references that imply that she herself has experienced molestation at some point in her life, which is why I doubt that this particular series of shows is just empty sensationalism. But perhaps I'm a bit too trusting.

[India]

I like Oprah and her show, but sometimes I wonder why she's so stingy with her money. As an African American woman, I wonder why she doesn't use her money to REALLY help the black communities in America.

Her audience is always filled with middle aged white women, when her studio is close to the black ghettos of Chicago. I love the content she has on the show (except for when she has Hollywood guest, that's very korny) But for the most part, I don't feel she gives to good causes, only to causes she's interested in.

[Aryan]

Oprah, hold on --
She's an INFJ

[booyalab]

I like Oprah and her show, but sometimes I wonder why she's so stingy with her money. As an African American woman, I wonder why she doesn't use her money to REALLY help the black communities in America.

Her audience is always filled with middle aged white women, when her studio is close to the black ghettos of Chicago. I love the content she has on the show (except for when she has Hollywood guest, that's very korny) But for the most part, I don't feel she gives to good causes, only to causes she's interested in.

As a double-jointed caucasion American woman with size 9 shoes and green eyes (couldn't resist..), I wonder why some African American people (or anyone for that matter) feel they can have some say in how members of their community spend their money when they make it big. How you would define a 'good cause' is just as subjective as how Oprah would define the causes she's interested in. I'm also going to play the BAD-EVIL-UN-PC card and say that if my European immigrant ancestors had to start from nothing and get nothing from the government to sustain themselves, why should the African American community need so much money poured into it to 'save' it? ...and now I predict you call me a racist, so you might as well not bother. :)

[Birdsnest]

Oh, we posted at exactly the same moment Booyalab.

Its not really Oprah I don't like, its the general idea of a tv talk show that publically embarrasses someone that bothers me. I don't like any of the drama type talk shows, I find that to be the cheapest meanest form of entertainment and am embarrassed that anyone actually wants to be on those. For what? Who would ever want to publically tell anyone anything on tv. How does that help anyone? So its not just Oprah, but the whole idea of discussing everyones problems in front of the world that I can't get into. I am way too private to be interested in that. Kind of reminds me of gladiator type entertainment. I don't trust public opinion anyway.

There are people that like that thing, its the first thing they turn on, but its definitely not my interest.

[booyalab]

Oh, we posted at exactly the same moment Booyalab.

Its not really Oprah I don't like, its the general idea of a tv talk show that publically embarrasses someone that bothers me. I don't like any of the drama type talk shows, I find that to be the cheapest meanest form of entertainment and am embarrassed that anyone actually wants to be on those. For what? Who would ever want to publically tell anyone anything on tv. How does that help anyone? So its not just Oprah, but the whole idea of discussing everyones problems in front of the world that I can't get into. I am way to private to be interested in that. Kind of reminds me of gladiator type entertainment. I don't trust public opinion anyway.

There are people that like that thing, its the first thing they turn on, but its definitely not my interest.

I agree with this, I also can't stand how the literature tastes of some people completely revolve around what Oprah considers to be the 'book of the month' or whatever. I know it's popular to think that any reading is good, but that's a lie.

[booyalab]

Oprah, hold on --
She's an INFJ

I'm quite sure she's an ENFJ. If there are any introverted talk show hosts, I doubt they're so animated and talkative and dynamic in front of their audience.

[Anacaona]

I like Oprah and her show, but sometimes I wonder why she's so stingy with her money. As an African American woman, I wonder why she doesn't use her money to REALLY help the black communities in America.

Her audience is always filled with middle aged white women, when her studio is close to the black ghettos of Chicago. I love the content she has on the show (except for when she has Hollywood guest, that's very korny) But for the most part, I don't feel she gives to good causes, only to causes she's interested in.


I think she should use her money to help African-American too (if she isn't doing it already) But I think she has an organistion for children of Africa.

As for the audience, i agree that it is mostly white, but I think White women may relate more to her... Besides,if Black people want to come to her shows, I don't think the doors are close to them... I thnk its also a question of demography.