- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 2
- 22
-
Sparkle (0)
You've heard of the great reality TV show hunt? The one with the prize being your own show on Oprah's new network, OWN (for Oprah Winfrey Network)? If not, Melissa Ford has the back story.
Last week the Internet was abuzz with rumor that Oprah was rigging the contest in favor of an African-American woman so that a young man with cerebral palsy who was leading in the vote count for the online video auditions would not win. The myth has now been debunked, but I knew it wasn't true all along because I'm a wee bit obsessed with this competition.
I love Oprah and am fascinated by her business. Not her life with S.O. Steadman and BFF Gayle, but rather with Harpo Inc and Miss Winfrey's multi-billion dollar media empire. When I read in a business profile of her that she would be holding this competition for a slot on her new network, I immediately signed up for the OWN newsletter. I received a personalized video greeting from Oprah herself. I took a screen shot of her pointing at my mail-merged-in name and then printed it and put it in front of my journal. Oprah can totally guide my hopes and dreams and tell me how to live my life. Also, I have long fantasized about having a TV talk show. I love TV. I love talking. I love listening to people tell their fascinating stories (everyone has them). And I'm opinionated about many, many things. It's perfect, really.
But when I got the email announcing the opening of the competition, I froze. Paralyzed by my neuroses, I did not submit a video nor book a ticket for one of the live auditions. This was, in large part, due to my close reading of the rules. The top vote getter in each of the five show-type categories from the online competition would be guaranteed a shot in front of the producers and one of the ten eventual reality show competition contestants competing for the show was guaranteed to be chosen from those five. The other nine would be chosen by producers from all the video and live auditions. This is how I knew Oprah's people weren't spending any time rigging votes. It didn't matter. Ultimately the top vote getter is guaranteed nothing but an interview for a shot at being one of ten competing for the show. The producers will pick the competitors so it's already rigged according to the rules.
I have neither the energy to stump for votes online nor the patience to attempt to magically intuit the right mix of just-Omarosa-crazy-enough-to-make-for-good-TV vs. so-crazy-you're-the-next-William-Hung. Plus, I overthink everything, so trying to figure out which category I would audition for let alone what the focus of my show would be left me tied up in knots. This business of being a TV star ain't easy, my friends! So my dream lives on as a dream. But a bunch of bloggers and social media friends did take the plunge. Who knows - perhaps one of these fine folks will end up winning the show of their dreams. You've got until July 3rd to vote for your favorite!
Did you audition? Online or live? How did it go?
What Bloggers are Saying About Oprah's Reality Show Auditions
BlogHer CE Nordette Adams predicted all this years ago and shared the audition of Queen Unique.
Former City Council candidate and Oakland community activist, Aimee Allison, brings her experience as a radio host, TV commentator and frequent speaker to her audition.
Melinda Emerson, AKA "SmallBizLady", proposed a show to help entrepreneurs.
Jennifer Taggart, the blogger behind The Smart Mama, is hoping to bring her message of green and healthy living to OWN.
Coach Vanessa wants to help your life bloom.
Several bloggers pointed out that Lissa Rankin, M.D. of Owning Pink is auditioning. She's got some fans! And perhaps I should have read her excellent post
