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(Due to a technical error, this post is only now seeing the light of day – apologies the K.G. and you, our readers.)
Hello all, welcome to the first installment of your weekly update of the good, the bad and the ugly in the world of the Queen of all media, Ms. Oprah Winfrey.
Last week Opes (yeah “Opes,” we’re cool like that) was a huge Debbie Downer. Every day I looked forward to either a show with some sort of insane give-a-ways that would cause the audience to go rabid, or maybe one of her newly patented, “come on my show so I can tear you a new asshole in front of millions of viewers,” type of show, best exampled by Mr. James Frey. Alas, last week was serious Oprah with the Holocaust and suicide being big themes of the week. (Fun!)
Opes featured two days with Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor and author of the book Night. She traveled with Weisel to Auschwitz where the horrors of the holocaust were recounted. To summarize; Oprah was moved, Oprah cried, Oprah called Wiesel her hero.
The next day Oprah continues to depress America with a follow up episode featuring Elie Wiesel and a bunch of students from around the country who were winners in an essay contest describing how Wiesel’s Night is relevant to their lives. To summarize; Oprah was moved, Oprah cried, Oprah called the kids brave.
The following day Oprah featured CNN’s silver fox Mr. Anderson Cooper. Again the show was depressing as shit. Cooper discussed his childhood as the son of Gloria Vanderbilt, the loss of his father at age 10, the suicide of his brother and all the horrors he has witnessed as a journalist. To summarize; Oprah was moved, Oprah cried…you get the point.
More on the Anderson Cooper interview, after the jump.
Highlights of the Cooper interview:
- A rare interview with Cooper’s mother Gloria Vanderbilt, whose bad plastic surgery explained why her interviews are probably so rare.
- Cooper admitting to a past as a child model. (Of course he was)
-The best part was Oprah repeatedly trying to get Anderson to own up to the fact that he was insanely wealthy. An example:
Opes discussing Cooper’s background:
Oprah: So, Anderson, really, you grew up like royalty. You know, your mother–your mother is considered American royalty. If Charlie Chaplin is in your living room with Truman Capote, that’s kind of like royalty. That’s American royalty, wouldn’t you say?
Cooper: Yeah. Well, you know, we can’t help where we’re born, we can help, you know, how we choose to live our lives… And I’ve chosen to live my life in a way which, you know, is…
Oprah: Yeah. But listen, don’t apologize for being rich, Anderson. Do not apologize for being rich. It’s OK.
Oprah and Cooper discussing why he puts himself as such risk as a journalist:
Oprah: (Faces Cooper) Obviously you don’t do it for the money
Cooper: (Stuttering) I’m–I need a salary just like everybody else.
(Nervous laughter from the audience as the camera pans over the Oprah’s face with the expression that can only translate to “Bitch please!”)
To save the housewives of America from OD’ing on Prozac, Opes decided to lighten the mood on Friday by featuring Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey), filling the void left by Calista Flockhart as network television’s most beloved anorexic, and Isaiah Washington (Dr. Burke) of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy to talk about the success of the show and reveal what lies in store for next season. This was one of those random episodes with two show topics in one hour, so Opes also interviewed Uma Thurman on her life after divorce from Ethan Hawke. Sadly, it was the Friday before the holiday weekend so I had to mosey out of the Big Apple and didn’t see the entire show. I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss anything important other than about 30 minutes of watching Pompeo squint.
Until next week ….
Written by K.G.
sharlene | June 2, 2006 at 8:56 am
This should be a fun new series to read on Socialite LIfe.
While I do think that Oprah makes a positive contribution in this world, it seems almost impossible for her not to vibe on her own press.
Ultimately, as long as she continues to put a spotlight on world causes that may help humanity, I’ll continue to watch.
Typical Oprah Fan | June 2, 2006 at 9:41 am
Oprah’s farts cure cancer!! She should win the Nobel Prize for medicine, be named Pope, and also elected President. If you don’t agree, its because she’s black!
jenn | June 2, 2006 at 12:12 pm
I love Opera, I think that she is great. I really enjoyed her show about the holocaust. I have never taken history so it was very interesting to me and I think that it was very educational as well. Everyone is different so of course not everyone is going to enjoy her show everyday. I don’t know why Opera is such a target on this website lately but I feel that she is doing a great job and I watch her show all the time.
To the typical Opera fan… I mean racist BITCH!!!! Get a life and stop being jealous!!!
KittyLiterati | June 2, 2006 at 12:48 pm
jenn, aren’t you being a little close-minded by calling “Opera fan” (sic) a racist bitch? I mean, I enjoyed Don Giovanni and Tosca, but that doesn’t mean I’m part of the KKK.
K.G., I thought this was cute. if you maintain this caustic perspective of recapping Oprah’s shows, this column has potential to be one of the better new contributions to this site. Keep up the good work, and be sure to check your spelling like the others (and jenn) don’t.
King Smart Ian | June 2, 2006 at 1:33 pm
I agree with KittyLiterati. Not all opera fans are bitches or racist. Many are quite cultivated. Jenn: I haven’t seen the holocaust opera you mentioned. Is it in German? You’re not thinking of Die Walkure are you?
BoredinNYC | June 2, 2006 at 1:58 pm
I think the typical oprah fan was being silly and flippant. I mean she starts the post with Oprah’s farts cures cancer!
I do love Oprah though. Her show is cool because she mixes serious with just fun and indulgence. I actually don’t watch the show because its too sappy but I appreciate what she does for television. She keeps a huge swatch of the American population entertained without degrading the show to what’s of the moment. That takes talent and guts!
I love the recaps too. They’re just so right on point.
FunMe | June 2, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Oprah is so into HERSELF and should be ashamed of herself in being so in awe of $$$ MONEY when she is pretending to be truly focused on charity.
She had a TV special on Africa a few years back. I wrote her with a complaint. She never answered back. I wonder why? Here’s the letter:
“Dear Oprah,
I just watched your show on South Africa. The scenery was lovely and the smiles on those kid’s faces were priceless! Thanks!
Now I appeal to your morality. Do you realize how flashy your earrings were? They must have cost at least $12,000!!! Most of those unfortunate children will never even see that type of money, and maybe for the better. Money is the root of most evil. Can you see how Marie Antionette acted back in the day? Let the children wear diamonds you should say.
Are you aware that alot of the problems that happened in South Africa were caused by the quest to steal the peoples land and mine for the evil white rocks that lead to apartheid. You are fool number one and obviously are way out of touch with what is history.
I am COMPLETELY offended by your callous disregard for truth by doing something as stupid as be so bling bling whilst pretending to be concerned with the plight of South Africans.
Martha Stewart wore a pair very similar in her interview with Barbara Walters. I am sick of her and now am sick of you. You have some nerve. I wish one of those kids knew the worth of your rocks and pulled them out of your ears.
Just a thought, when visiting with the poverty stricken of the world, do not feel the need to impress them with your bling bling.
You are not keeping it real, and I hope many people wrote in about this tacky show of greed and waste.
Decidedly not a fan,
dc20008 | June 2, 2006 at 3:27 pm
SO just exactly how rich is Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vandebilt?
The only Vanderbilt money she inherited was $5 million when she turned 21 and she blew through that in no time. She never married really rich men. In fact didn’t she file for bankruptcy in the 1980s?
Anderson probably makes a couple million as an anchor, but that isn’t big money. I think it’s all window dressing.
brenda | June 2, 2006 at 4:49 pm
is anderson cooper gay???????
jar | June 3, 2006 at 10:51 am
Oprah’s truly amazing. She’s become the world’s ONLY black billionaire and the Queen of All Media by bringing light, love, laughter, literature & enlitenment into the homes of millions of soccer moms.
I love her audience too. Her fans are constantly donating TENS OF MILLIONS to Africa and Katrina Victims. Her sponsors are constantly giving deserving people free cars and college scholarships.
And then Oprah herself has given a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS of her OWN MONEY to charity behind the scenes. More than every other Hollywood celeb COMBINED!
And yet she’s so humble, bowing down to Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandella, treating them like Gods.
I really really like that woman. I find her funny, compassionate and brilliant. She’s the most charismatic person of our time (or is it all time?).
kriquer | June 4, 2006 at 2:40 pm
I’m hardly ever home to watch day-time TV, but I must say I tape Oprah every single day. There’s just something about her personality I really like. She’s the only entertainer that can make me laugh and cry everyday, and she’s the only eneterainer talented enough to make even educational topics fun and get millions of couch potatoes to read Elie Wiesel and Toni Morrison, and learn about issues in Africa.
She’s fantastic.
bex | June 4, 2006 at 3:37 pm
I read that Oprah was finishing the show 2006. Do you know if this is true? A new contract was signed 2002-2006 so I wonder is this the end with it being the 20th anniversary and everything?
bex | June 4, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Funme obviously hadn’t checked the facts out before writing the letter so proudly copied above(number 7) and sent to Oprah ‘a few years back’. She is an inspirational and entertaining woman.
Why would you knock somebody who has highlighted so many of the wrongs that need putting right in the world. How much do entertainers get paid in the States and they’re just pretending to be somebody else. She’s being real; she’s a success but she isn’t complacent. Ofcourse she should get paid and she has every right to be proud. Suggesting anything other than that is like saying that the heads of charities should’t take a salary for themselves. She’s doing alot of what the politicains should do and don’t. You should be glad that America has somebody like her.