BlogHer - Oprah Winfrey - Comments

Great insights

Maria Niles — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:52:05 -0600

Your comments betray your generous heart, Mata.

I agree that her philanthropy is wonderful but what is even better is that she uses her platform to encourage us all to join in the joy such giving brings.

But you're right that she does get disproportionately criticized and some even delight in seeing anyone on such a high pedestal knocked down even a millimeter. The difference between Oprah and Bill Gates is that Gates sells us tools whereas Oprah sells us herself. We do and buy what she asks of us because she has opened herself up to her audience. If she didn't share her life, her difficulties and the ways in which she is human and like us I doubt she would have the loyal and devoted viewership that she does. It's a catch-22.

So Oprah's tiniest flaws get magnified while Bill's go mostly unnoticed. But I bet you if he screwed up in a big way, the tabloids would eat him alive and many would gladly join in the feasting.

I'm glad she is rich

Mata H — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:45:48 -0600

I am always glad when a generous person gets rich. Her world has changed, and she is out of the money-worry slipstream. How great is that? I wish every one who had such a generous heart was free of financial angst. If she was not such a philanthropist I would feel critical of her, but she pours money out.

Oprah only has to make one flub and she gets knocked loud and hard for it. Here we have a woman who had struggled and through hard work has made it to the top of her profession. Yes, she has ego issues and blind spots --- but we also get to see her face them. She is proud of herself. Why do we think that looks bad on her and not bad on Bill Gates? There is another generous rich person -- but we do not clamor to know and crow about his failings and flaws. But man, the moment Oprah screws up, in moments she is held uber-responsible.

I do think what she said on the show was way out of line, and have emailed her. I figure she'll get to take that seriously. But is seems to me that some people (not you, Maria -- I think you were on point) want a chance to dislike her.

~~ Contributing Editor, Mata H. also blogs right along at Time's Fool

Very true

Maria Niles — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:51:27 -0600

She definitely no longer knows many of the worries she once had and that anyone who is not a billionaire feels in the pocketbook. And it does seem sometimes that she no longer can relate. But I was impressed that this year instead of doing a show about her "favorite" material things because it would be so inappropriate given the state of the economy, she instead highlighted gifts people have given and received that cost virtually nothing yet are the wonderful presents people never forget receiving and cherish.

vodkamom

vodkamom — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:19:51 -0600

I just can't watch Oprah. She cannot speak for the average every day woman. Not when she's worth a GAZILLION dollars. She does not know my pain. no way.

Apologies not necessary

Maria Niles — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:22:56 -0600

You're right - Oprah is everywhere and inescapable even if you don't watch her show :)

Somebody will always be put off no matter what she says or does so, as long as she does not see her remarks as conflicting with her values, any apology would be hollow. Personally I'm still watching apology or not, I wear a watch from a company I learned about on one of her shows and I continue to bug my hairdresser to give me her style (even though I realize the folly since I can't employ her to come set and curl my hair daily).

I guess I was just surprised because I think I know her values and her remarks didn't seem to square. But ultimately it is up to me to recognize and express mine and if my outrage were sufficient I could turn off my television.

Thanks for your comments, Carla!

Making up our own minds

Maria Niles — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:15:46 -0600

Excellent reminder, Belinda. All television should be watched with an eye towards viewing everything through the filter of our own values. Thanks!

wow

greenandchic — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:02:32 -0600

I haven’t watched the Oprah show in about ten years due to working a 9-5 (no daytime TV here!) almost consistently; and I can say that I am shocked and disappointed by what I’m reading – about some of the things she has said and done.

On the other hand, Oprah is probably one of the most public figures in our time, so everything she does, see, feel, eat is going to be known to those who follow her and to those of us who doesn’t.

I would think more of her if she were to apologize for some of the things she has said, but at the point in her career, I can see why she wouldn’t even feel the need.

Carla

www.greenandchic.com/blog
www.greenandchic.com

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Human After All

Creatively Belle — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:35:11 -0600

I'm thinking at least this sort of mistake shows her to be human after all and not some sort of unattainable uber woman!

With a dash of common sense you can tell that these things - unrealistic skin care, weight management etc - are simply silly and although cultural sensitivities are needed they don't need to mean we all follow other trends - we are, after all, capable of making our own minds up. :)

All the best,

Belinda

Great Earring Holders - great Christmas presents and no more messy jewelry tangles!

Perspective

Maria Niles — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:28:23 -0600

Thanks, as always, for your patented loving perspective, Babz.

And you make a very good point here:

I control when I watch her, not the other way around. I take whatever she says with a grain of salt as I do anybody and everybody.

O is cool with me.

Lovebabz — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:21:08 -0600

I don't look to O to tell me who I am. Her show is entertaining. ENTERTAINMENT. If you like her...you like her flaws.

We all got them. Do I wish her to be more of something? NO she isn't elected to office. I control when I watch her, not the other way around. I take whatever she says with a grain of salt as I do anybody and everybody.

She is powerful and has a captive audience. But at the end of the day you get to decide if you want to be influenced or not. She makes being rich seem do-able. I like that very much. She struggles with her weight. I struggle with my weight. Do I wish I would let go of that illusive skinnier size...some days.

If we could do as much good in our lives and in our circles as she does in hers, this would be a different conversation entirely. Then what annoys us about her, would be much smaller and put in it's place...back on us.

Be loving & Be in LOVE

Tough balancing act

Maria Niles — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:41:18 -0600

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Abby and Mandy. I am sure you are not alone in your reaction and it totally makes sense. I wonder though if there is a point of perfect balance. I suspect that she would turn off some who want confidence (even arrogance) from aspirational celebrity (as others have noted above) if she sought to project more humility. I can't imagine how hard it must be to figure out how to craft your personality for a TV audience. Overall I think Oprah has struck a balance that works for her but certainly is not going to work for all viewers.

Thank you, Christine

Maria Niles — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:34:33 -0600

I appreciate very much you adding a different take on the show than mine and many of the commenters here. It is important. And that's one of the reasons why I wanted to blog about my reaction - to get some perspective on my reaction so your comment is valuable to me.

While it is good to remember that Oprah is human like the rest of us, by offering her words for public consumption to millions she has to expect some scrutiny (just as I would expect as a blogger). I think she can handle and even appreciate critical (as in examining but even as negative) feedback. For all of us it helps us grow and get better at what we do even if it stings.

Stop

Steals and Deals — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:12:12 -0600

I stopped watching Oprah three years ago. Her lack of humility was too much for me. I find her disappointing, not saying she has not done great things, that is a given but humility goes A LONG ways.

Abby and Mandy

I didn't get that at all...

Colormepink — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:51:14 -0600

as a woman who struggles with weight and body image, I understood her reaction to Mauritania. I didn't feel that they "glossed over" the force feeding, but this show wasn't about indignation, it was about exploring the many, many different views on beauty around the world. I have to feel that we, also are guilty of the focus on weight even in these comments. It's interesting to me that not one commenter mentioned the scarring of the girls in Karo, Ethiopia or the neck elongation rings of the Kayan tribe. Oprah is a daytime show and commercially must appeal to a broad audience. I think she has done topics that question standard behavior and beliefs as well as lighter fare.

I did not see the french fry issue, spoken of above, and while I agree that was an unfortunate thing to say to a guest, I would have to imagine that she was referring to the deeper pain of binge eating and emotional eating - which is a very serious issue as well as a painful one.

We're all human and we all have occasion where our choice of words leaves a bit to be desired... I'm certainly glad that my words and actions aren't picked apart the way we pick apart celebrities.

Christine
It's My World. Welcome To It.
Blog: http://www.colormepink.com
Homeschool Blog: http://web.mac.com/colormepink/
Jewelry Blog: http://www.starbrightjewels.com/blog

Those pumps!

Maria Niles — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:14:48 -0600

Thanks so much for your comments, Carole. Good food for thought.

And as for those pumps, unlike Louboutin's those from Cole Haan are at least in the low hundreds. I've tried them but unfortunately they run a bit narrow so I can't run in them but they do seem great!