Who hates/likes Oprah Winfrey? Why?

WickedHo · November 11th, 2005, 05:16 PM

So I'm curious: how do you folks feel about Oprah Winfrey. I can't say I'm an "Oprah fan," but I definitely don't dislike her. I admire her, actually: philanthropist, life-long learner, doesn't care if people see her without makeup, etc. Those are the first things that come to mind when I think of her.

What about you?

miss_perfect · November 11th, 2005, 05:45 PM

This is my thing: I think her story is great. I applaud anyone who comes from a bad past and works their ass off to make something of themselves. Oprah is living proof that you don't have to be a victim all your life.

However, it seems like she is veering further and further away from empowering others and moving closer to celebrity and self-worship.

So, I'm torn between admiring her strength and courage and disliking her Hollywood pandering.

WickedHo · November 11th, 2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss_perfect

This is my thing: I think her story is great. I applaud anyone who comes from a bad past and works their ass off to make something of themselves. Oprah is living proof that you don't have to be a victim all your life.

However, it seems like she is veering further and further away from empowering others and moving closer to celebrity and self-worship.

So, I'm torn between admiring her strength and courage and disliking her Hollywood pandering.

I used to think so, but I keep seeing her do stuff like:
-- create a gift registry for Katrina victims, where you can buy A HOUSE if you want, or just household items that people need (talk about charity)
-- go to New Orleans and see the Superdome for herself, actually GO INSIDE, despite Mayor Nagin's insisting it would be too overwhelming (talk about bravery)
-- create an Angel Network
-- appear on national television without makeup (and Lord knows she's a hard woman to look at without it!)

So all I can say about Oprah is that she's become "bourgie" (as in "boo-jhee," a derogatory term Blacks call other Blacks who "act white" or seem to have gotten away from their po' black rootz). But won't millions upon millions of dollars make anyone "bourgie," LOL?

muchlove · November 11th, 2005, 06:03 PM

I've only started really disliking her within the last few years. She does do good things. Mostly I just find her intensely annoying. "It's Toooooooooooooooooooooommmm Crruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuissssseee, PayPULL!!!"

God, I want to punch her in the throat when she starts that shit.

WickedHo · November 11th, 2005, 06:06 PM

^^ Yeah the drawn-out intros can be annoying. I don't find it annoying myself, but I can totally see how it would get under people's skin.

Y'all remember that "controversy" with Hermes in Paris this summer? Well, this season, she had the President or CEO or something of the company (the head honcho, basically) on her show, and she elaborated on what went down, how she didn't hold any grudges against Hermes, yadda yadda. Now, some people might roll their eyes and suspect she's doing it for her own personal gain, but I say: Would you expect any less? You better damn well believe I sure as hell would've done THE SAME THING if it were my show and I called all the shots! I'm all about setting records straight and hearing what really happened when a scandal breaks out. So good for Oprah. I mean, if people were trashing you in public, wouldn't you want to defend yourself, especially if what's being said isn't the truth??

CrabApple19777 · November 11th, 2005, 06:08 PM

I think she does alot of good, but she knows it, and worships herself, which in my opinion takes away from it. And all this stuff about "You have the power to change it" Sounds wonderful coming from her mouth, and I know she comes from nothing, but come on, people need more than pretty words to accomplish life altering/changing things. Just my Opinion.

britlitgal · November 11th, 2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabApple19777

I think she does alot of good, but she knows it, and worships herself, which in my opinion takes away from it. And all this stuff about "You have the power to change it" Sounds wonderful coming from her mouth, and I know she comes from nothing, but come on, people need more than pretty words to accomplish life altering/changing things. Just my Opinion.

i agree!

WickedHo · November 11th, 2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabApple19777

I think she does alot of good, but she knows it, and worships herself, which in my opinion takes away from it. And all this stuff about "You have the power to change it" Sounds wonderful coming from her mouth, and I know she comes from nothing, but come on, people need more than pretty words to accomplish life altering/changing things. Just my Opinion.

Well, what else would you expect her to do? I just don't get it. What's the problem with being a force of positivity and encouraging people?? Seriously, what would you have her do differently?? Words of empowerment are the catalyst for change, people!!

I am thoroughly perplexed by why you have a problem with her using "pretty words" to encourage people to change their lives. Thoroughly and completely perplexed.

And how does she worship herself exactly??? By having her own magazine and being on the cover of every issue? Well, it is called "O," afterall, LOL!

CrabApple19777 · November 11th, 2005, 06:28 PM

Honestly I expect her to be realistic about what the average North American is dealing with. Every day barriers. I know if you set your mind to it you can accomplish it all. My every day life, 2 kids, husband with MS, dictates a different outcome/dream than maybe what I'd want. I can't quit my job, and "make this your best life" Maybe I'm cynical, I don't know, I just find myself thinking "pretty words" alot when I watch her. I do think that her "make this your best life" philosphy is a good one, and I buy O magazine faithfully!

WickedHo · November 11th, 2005, 06:35 PM

First, Crab Apple, let me say I hope your husband is doing well! And I hope you all have more good days than bad.

Now, back to "You have the power to change." Well, you do! Each and every human being on this planet is responsible for themselves and the energy they put into the world. NO ONE is going to change your life for you. (Well, ok, maybe Oprah will.) YOU have to take responsibility for YOUR life. It's all about empowering people and giving them their self-esteem back, their hope. Therefore, I don't have any problem whatsoever with that philosophy. People forget: WE EACH HAVE FREE WILL. You shouldn't expect other people to change your life for you.

That's why I don't think those are "pretty words." They actuallty mean something, and they are firmly rooted in truth.

CrabApple19777 · November 11th, 2005, 06:45 PM

Maybe it's her glibness......I believe all that as well........and my husband is doing well, and I'm always having a good day, being "Crab Apple" is my outlet for being rude, and saying the things I think about celebrities! I have a strong sense of faith, purpose, and love my job, etc. just not my dream job, y'know what I mean? Oprah has done alot to encourage middle americans, and kudos to her

To add one more thing, when I was a little kid (b/c you know she's been on for 20years ) She had a whole episode on sexual abuse, and how it had happened to her, and that if it happened to you, to speak up etc. and I remember watching it, all 9years old of me, and listening to it. Not being able to get it out of my head, and telling someone what was happening to me. I have often though of that show, and thanked God for it. I'm not an Oprah hater, just not a lover!

ourmaninBusan · November 11th, 2005, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedHo

So all I can say about Oprah is that she's become "bourgie" (as in "boo-jhee," a derogatory term Blacks call other Blacks who "act white" or seem to have gotten away from their po' black rootz). But won't millions upon millions of dollars make anyone "bourgie," LOL?

I certainly hope so. I don't intend on rotting out here in Korea forever.
I'm already shopping for villas to live in:

$500/night!

Besides, those with "po' black rootz" are just ticked off
that they aren't part of Oprah's posse.

A*O · November 11th, 2005, 09:55 PM

I'm indifferent to be honest, but I wish she'd stop crawling up the ass of every Hollywood celeb who comes on her show to promote a movie.

DeChayz · November 11th, 2005, 10:52 PM

I think this was from an interview with Billy Bush..he's Access Hollywood right? Anyway, she flat out called Tom's bullshit:

"I was not buying it," Winfrey said of Cruise's declarations of love. "That's why I kept saying to him, 'you're gone, you're really gone.'"

Now c'mon, isn't it refreshing to finally have a celebrity voice what we've all been thinking? Take that, Cruise lawyers!!!

HWBL · November 12th, 2005, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrabApple19777

I think she does alot of good, but she knows it, and worships herself, which in my opinion takes away from it. And all this stuff about "You have the power to change it" Sounds wonderful coming from her mouth, and I know she comes from nothing, but come on, people need more than pretty words to accomplish life altering/changing things. Just my Opinion.

Exactly, couldn't agree more!

And you're right about the "You have the power to change it"/"You can be everything you want to be" crap all these folks like Oprah and Dr. Phil continue to spout out. It's like a slap in the face of all "normal" people who have their happy little lives, and even more so for people who are living less than average lives. It's like saying "Look, if you're in the gutter, that's because it's your choice". Unbelievable crap, especially coming from people who had bad lives before. Is their memory so easily wiped out, after they hit it big?
Most people with less than fortunate lives do not live in that situation by choice, that's a much too simple way of putting it. There's so many circumstances (not to mention other people) that influence the course of a person's life. Saying it is simply a matter of choice is way too black and white.
I believe Dr. Phil once even told someone if they didn't succeed at achieving something, they obviously didn't want it enough (with Oprah nodding in complete support of this fantastic conclusion). Well, that one just took the cake in my opinion.
If you really follow that logic it should work in reverse too, so people who have been homeless for a few decades "must really want" that too, since they've become so good at it

Paul Newman once said that anyone who is successful and leaves out the word "luck" in describing how they got to be that way, is lying, and THAT'S the truth. There is NO such thing as a "self made millionaire". SOMEBODY at some point has to give someone a break or support, before they can make their dreams come true.
Sometimes Oprah gives off the vibe on the one hand that she owes it all to herself and she's so special, yet on the other hand - along with types like Dr. Phil - sends out the message that her entire audience could do what she did, and if they don't succeed it's because they don't "want it enough".