Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29, 1954) is best known as the multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history.  She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a magazine publisher. According to Forbes magazine, she was the richest African American of the 20th century and the world’s only black billionaire as of 2004. 

Early life
Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi to a Baptist family. Her parents were unmarried teenagers. She was originally named Orpah Gail Winfrey, after the Bible’s Book of Ruth however Winfrey has claimed that because of problems spelling or pronouncing Orpah, the “r” and the “p” were reversed.  Her mother, Vernita Lee, was a housemaid, and her father, Vernon Winfrey, was a coal miner and later worked as a barber before becoming a city councilperson. Winfrey’s father was in the Armed Forces when she was born. After her birth, Winfrey’s mother travelled north and Winfrey spent her first six years living in rural poverty with her Grandma Hattie Mae. Winfrey’s grandmother taught her to read before the age of three and took her to the local church, where she was nicknamed “The Preacher” for her ability to recite Bible verses. When Winfrey was a child, her grandmother would take a switch and would hit her with it when she didn’t do chores or if she misbehaved in any way.

At age six and a half, Winfrey moved to a Milwaukee inner city ghetto with her mother, who was less supportive and encouraging than her grandmother. Winfrey has stated that she was raped by her cousin, uncle, and a family friend. Despite her dysfunctional home life, Winfrey skipped two of her earliest grades, became the teacher’s pet, and by the time she was thirteen received a scholarship to attend a prestigious all white high school in the suburbs. Although Winfrey was very popular, she couldn’t afford to go out on the town as frequently as her rich classmates. Like a lot of teenagers at the end of the 1960s, Winfrey rebelled, ran away from home, and ran the streets. At age 14 her frustrated mother sent her to live with her father in Nashville, Tennessee. Vernon was strict but encouraging, and made her education a priority. Winfrey became an honors student, was voted “Most Popular Girl” and joined her High School Speech Team, and she placed 2nd in the nation in Dramatic interpretation. She won an oratory contest which secured her a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, a historically black institution, where she studied communications. At age 18, Winfrey won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.

Winfrey’s grandmother has said that ever since Winfrey could talk, she was “on stage”. In her youth she played games interviewing her corncob doll and the crows on the fence of her family’s property. But her true media career began at age seventeen, working at a local radio station while attending Tennessee State University.

Working in local media, she was both the youngest news anchor and the first black female news anchor at Nashville’s WTVF-TV. She moved to Baltimore’s WJZ-TV in 1976 to co-anchor the six o’clock news. She was then recruited to join Richard Sher as co-host of WJZ’s local talk show, People Are Talking, which premiered on August 14, 1978. She also hosted Dialing for Dollars there as well.
Career and success

Television
In 1983, Winfrey relocated to Chicago, Illinois to host WLS-TV’s low-rated half-hour morning talk show, AM Chicago. The first episode aired on January 2, 1984. Within months after Winfrey took over, the show went from last place in the ratings to overtaking Donahue as the highest rated talk show in Chicago, was renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show, expanded to a full hour and broadcast nationally beginning September 8, 1986. Having surpassed Donahue in the local market Winfrey quickly doubled her national audience, her show replacing his as the number one day-time talk show in America. Their much publicised contest was the subject of enormous scrutiny.

 

 

Time magazine wrote, “Few people would have bet on Oprah Winfrey’s swift rise to host of the most popular talk show on TV. In a field dominated by white males, she is a black female of ample bulk. As interviewers go, she is no match for, say, Phil Donahue…What she lacks in journalistic toughness, she makes up for in plainspoken curiosity, robust humor and, above all empathy. Guests with sad stories to tell are apt to rouse a tear in Oprah’s eye….They, in turn, often find themselves revealing things they would not imagine telling anyone, much less a national TV audience. It is the talk show as a group therapy session.”

TV columnist Howard Rosenberg said “She’s a roundhouse, a full course meal, big, brassy, loud, aggressive, hyper, laughable, lovable, soulful, tender, low-down, earthy and hungry. And she may know the way to Phil Donahue’s jugular.”

Newsday’s Les Payne observed, “Oprah Winfrey is sharper than Donahue, wittier, more genuine, and far better attuned to her audience, if not the world.”

Martha Bayles of the Wall Street Journal wrote, “It’s a relief to see a gab-monger with a fond but realistic assessment of her own cultural and religious roots.”

In the mid-1990s Winfrey adopted a much less tabloid format doing shows about heart-disease in women, geopolitics with Lisa Ling, spirituality and meditation, and gift-giving and home decorating shows. She often interviews celebrities on issues that directly involve them in some way, such as cancer, charity work, or substance abuse. In addition, she interviews ordinary people who have done extraordinary things or been involved in important current issues.

 

 

In 1992 Winfrey hosted a rare prime-time interview with Michael Jackson which became the fourth most watched event in American television history, with an audience of one hundred million. Perhaps Winfrey’s most famous recent show was the first episode of the nineteenth season of The Oprah Winfrey Show in the fall of 2004. During the show each member of the audience received a new G6 sedan; the 276 cars were donated by Pontiac as part of a publicity stunt. The show received so much media attention that even the taxes on the cars became controversial.

 

 

During a lawsuit against Winfrey (see Influence), she hired Dr. Phil McGraw’s company Courtroom Sciences, Inc. to help her analyze and read the jury. Dr. Phil made such an impression on Winfrey that she invited him to appear on her show. He accepted the invitation and was a resounding success. McGraw appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show for several years before launching his own show, Dr. Phil, in 2002, which was created by Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions in partnership with Paramount which produced the show.

Winfrey recently made a deal to extend her show until the 2010 – 2011 season, by which time it will have been on the air for twenty-five years. She plans to host 140 episodes per season, until her final season, when it will return to its current number, 130.

The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Concert was hosted by Oprah and Tom Cruise. There were musical performances by Cyndi Lauper, Andrea Bocelli, Joss Stone, Chris Botti, Diana Krall, Tony Bennett and others. The concert was broad-casted in the United States on Dec. 23, 2004 by E!. An unofficial Winfrey fan-club also organized a petition drive in 2005 to nominate Oprah for the Nobel Peace Prize.

As well as hosting and appearing on television shows, Winfrey co-founded the women’s cable television network Oxygen. She is also the president of Harpo Productions (Oprah spelled backwards).

Film
In 1985, Winfrey co-starred in Steven Spielberg’s epic film adaptation of Alice Walker’s award-winning novel The Color Purple. She earned immediate acclaim as Sofia, the distraught housewife. The following year Winfrey was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, but she lost to Anjelica Huston. The Color Purple has now been made into a Broadway musical and opened late 2005, with Winfrey credited as a producer.

 

 

In October 1998, Winfrey produced and starred in the film Beloved, based upon Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel of the same name. To prepare for her role as Sethe, the protagonist and former slave, Winfrey experienced a 24-hour simulation of the experience of slavery, which included being tied up and blindfolded and left alone in the woods. Despite major advertising, including two episodes of her talk show dedicated solely to the film, and good critical reviews, Beloved opened to poor box-office results, losing approximately $30 million. Many have suggested that the film was too long and complex for the movie going public, and the subject matter too politically sensitive. Despite the film’s depressing themes, Winfrey managed to keep the cast motivated and inspired. “Here we were working on this project with the heavy underbelly of political and social realism, and she managed to lighten things up,” said costar Thandie Newton. “I’ve worked with a lot of good actors, and I know Oprah hasn’t made many films. I was stunned. She’s a very strong technical actress and it’s because she’s so smart. She’s acute. She’s got a mind like a razor blade.”

In 2005, Harpo Productions released another film adaptation of a famous American novel, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937). The made-for-television film Their Eyes Were Watching God was based upon a teleplay by Suzan-Lori Parks, and starred Halle Berry in the lead female role.

Books and magazines
Winfrey publishes two magazines: O, The Oprah Magazine and O at Home. She has co-authored five books; at the announcement of her future weight loss book (to be co-authored with her personal trainer Bob Greene), it was said that her undisclosed advance fee had broken the record for the world’s highest book advance fee, previously held by former U.S. President Bill Clinton for his autobiography My Life. In 2002 Fortune Magazine called O, the Oprah Magazine the most successful start-up ever in the industry.

 

 

Online
Oprah.com is a website created by Winfrey’s company to provide resources and interactive content relating to her shows, magazines, book club, and public charity. Through Oprah.com Winfrey raised over 3 million dollars for Katrina victims and helped to capture 4 accused child predators. Oprah.com averages more than 100 million page views and more than three million users per month.

Radio
On February 9, 2006 it was announced that Winfrey signed a $55 million, 3-year contract with XM Satellite Radio to establish a new radio channel. The channel will be called Oprah & Friends and will feature popular contributors to The Oprah Winfrey Show and ‘O’ Magazine including Nate Berkus, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Bob Greene, Dr. Robin Smith and Marianne Williamson. Oprah & Friends will air 24/7 on XM Radio Channel 156. Winfrey’s contract requires her to be on air 30 minutes a week, 39 weeks a year. The 30-minute weekly show will feature Winfrey with friend Gayle King. Winfrey’s audience is extremely loyal and XM hopes that the “Oprah Effect” can have the same effect on XM subscription sales that she does on the New York Times Best Seller list, thanks to her book club. The channel will be broadcast from a new studio at Winfrey’s Chicago headquarters and is set to air in September 2006.

Future projects
Winfrey’s latest television project will be developing and producing a new talk show for popular Food Network celebrity chef, Rachael Ray, which will begin airing sometime in 2006.

Winfrey will voice the part of Gussy the Goose in the upcoming Charlotte’s Web movie.

Personal life
Winfrey currently lives on “The Promised Land”, her 42 acre (170,000 m²) ocean and mountain view estate in Montecito, California, outside of Santa Barbara. Rumors state that Winfrey was at a party the previous owners were throwing and fell so in love with the estate that she was reported to have purchased it by writing a personal check for $50,000,000 USD, although it was not for sale. Winfrey also owns a house in Lavallette, New Jersey.

 

 

Winfrey has never married, but it is widely assumed that she has lived with her partner Stedman Graham for almost twenty years and is the mother of adopted orphans who live in Africa. She previously dated movie critic Roger Ebert, who she credits with advising her to take her show into syndication. The relationship of Winfrey and Graham has been documented through the years with numerous romantic tabloid articles often accompanied by color spreads of the couple at home and on lavish vacations. Prior to meeting Graham, Winfrey’s love life was a lot less stable. A self-described promiscuous teen who was a victim of sexual abuse, Winfrey became a mother at the age of 14, though her son died while still in infancy. A relationship with a married man caused Winfrey to contemplate suicide in her twenties and an ex-lover from that same period tried to write a tell-all book in which he claimed that he and Winfrey smoked crack together.

Winfrey’s best friend since their early twenties is Gayle King. King was formerly the host on “The Gayle King Show,” and is currently an editor of “O,” the Oprah Magazine. Since 1997, when Winfrey played the therapist on an episode of the sitcom Ellen in which Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet, Winfrey and King have been the target of persistent rumours that they were gay. “I understand why people think we’re gay,” Winfrey says in the August 2006 issue of “O magazine”. “There isn’t a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women. So I get why people have to label it – how can you be this close without it being sexual?”People Magazine “I’ve told nearly everything there is to tell. All my stuff is out there. People think I’d be so ashamed of being gay that I wouldn’t admit it? Oh, please.”

Her celebrity status notwithstanding, the billionaire Winfrey served in 2004 on a murder-trial jury. The trial was held in Chicago, and involved a man accused of murder after an argument over a counterfeit fifty-dollar bill. The jury voted to convict the man of murder.

In June 2005, Winfrey was denied access to the Hermès company’s flagship store in Paris, France. Winfrey arrived fifteen minutes after the store’s formal closing time, though the store was still very active and high end stores routinely extend hours for VIP customers. Winfrey believed she would have been allowed in the store if she were a white celebrity. “I know the difference between a store that is closed and a store that is closed to me,” explained Winfrey. In September 2005, Hermès USA CEO Robert Chavez was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and sincerely apologized for a rude employee.

On December 1, 2005, Winfrey appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to promote the new Broadway musical The Color Purple, of which she was a producer, joining the host for the first time in sixteen years. The episode was hailed by some as the “television event of the decade” and helped Letterman attract his largest audience in more than 11 years: 13.45 million viewers. Although a much-rumored feud was said to have been the cause of the rift, both Winfrey and Letterman balked at such talk. “I want you to know, it’s really over, whatever you thought was happening,” said Winfrey.

Winfrey’s show is based in Chicago, so she spends time there, specifically in the neighborhood of Streeterville, but otherwise resides in California. She purchased at least one property on Maui, Hawaii, which was featured on the cover of the first edition of O at Home and on her TV show.

For the 2006 PBS program, African American Lives, Winfrey had her DNA tested. This genetic test determined that her maternal line originated among the Kpelle ethnic group, in the area that today is Liberia. It was also determined that she is part Native American (about 8 % according to the test) and East Asian (about 3% according to the test).

To celebrate her African American heritage and to honor her cultural and political heroines of the civil rights era, Winfrey hosted the Legends Weekend; a televised ball that took place at her California home and was watched by 11 million viewers. Among the most prominent honorees were civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King who both died less than a year after being honored.

Wealth and philanthropy
Born in rural poverty, then raised by a welfare mother in the ghetto, Winfrey became a millionaire at age 32 when her talk show went national. Because of the amount of revenue the show generated, Winfrey was in a position to negotiate ownership of the show and start her own production company. By 1994 the show’s ratings were still thriving and Winfrey negotiated a contract that earned her nine figures a year. Considered the richest woman in entertainment by the early 1990s, at age 41 Winfrey’s wealth crossed another milestone when with a net worth of $340 million, she replaced Bill Cosby as the only African American on the Forbes 400. Although blacks are 12% of the U.S. population, Winfrey has remained the only black person wealthy enough to rank among America’s 400 richest people nearly every year since 1995. (BET founder Bob Johnson briefly joined her on the list from 2001-2003 before his ex-wife reportedly acquired part of his fortune.)

With a 2000 net-worth of $800 million, Winfrey is believed to have been the richest African American of the 20th century. To celebrate her status as a historical figure, Professor Juliet E.K. Walker of the University of Illinois created the course “Oprah the tycoon”.

Forbes’ international rich list has listed Winfrey as the world’s only black billionaire for the past three straight years and as the first black woman billionaire in world history. Winfrey’s 2006 net-worth of $1.4 billion USD placed her as the 562nd richest person in the world.

In 1998, Winfrey began Oprah’s Angel Network, a charity aimed at encouraging people around the world to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged others. Accordingly, Oprah’s Angel Network supports charitable projects and provides grants to nonprofit organizations around the world that share this vision. To date, Oprah’s Angel Network has raised more than (US)$51,000,000. (1 Million dollars donated by Jon Bon Jovi on 6/21/06) Winfrey personally covers all administrative costs associated with the charity, so 100% of all funds raised go to charity programs.

Although Winfrey’s show is known for raising money through her public charity and the cars and gifts she gives away on TV are often donated by corporations in exchange for publicity, behind the scenes Winfrey personally donates more of her own money to charity than any other show business celebrity in America. In 2005 she became the first black listed by Business Week as one of America’s top 50 most generous philanthropists, having given an estimated $250 million. Despite being the 235th richest American in 2005, Winfrey was the 32nd most philanthropic.

Winfrey was the recipient of the first Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2002 Emmy Awards for services to television and film. In 2004, Winfrey and her team filmed an episode of her show entitled Oprah’s Christmas Kindness, in which Winfrey, her best friend Gayle King, her partner Stedman Graham, and some crew members travelled to South Africa to bring attention to the plight of young children affected by poverty and AIDS. During the 21-day whirlwind trip, Winfrey and her crew visited schools and orphanages in poverty-stricken areas, and at different set-up points in the areas distributed Christmas presents to 50,000 children, with dolls for the girls and soccer balls for the boys. In addition, each child was given a backpack full of school supplies and received two sets of school uniforms for their sex, in addition to two sets of socks, two sets of underwear, and a pair of shoes. Throughout the show, Winfrey appealed to viewers to donate money to Oprah’s Angel Network for poverty-stricken and AIDS-affected children in Africa, and pledged that she personally would oversee where that money was spent. From that show alone, viewers around the world donated over (US)$7,000,000.

Influence
Rankings as world’s most influential woman Winfrey was called “arguably the world’s most powerful woman” by CNN and Time.com.  Time Magazine named Winfrey one of the 100 people who most influenced the 20th century, as well as one of the 100 most influential people of 2004, 2005, and again in 2006. Winfrey and Bill Gates are the only two people in the world to make all four lists. At the end of the 20th century Life magazine listed Winfrey as both the most influential woman and the most influential black person of her generation, and in a cover story profile the magazine called her “America’s most powerful woman”. Ladies Home Journal also ranked Winfrey number one in their list of the most powerful women in America. In 2003 Winfrey edged out both Superman and Elvis to be named the greatest pop culture icon of all time by VH1. In 2005 Forbes named her the world’s most powerful celebrity. Columnist Maureen Dowd seems to agree with such assessments:

“She is the top alpha female in this country. She has more credibility than the president. Other successful women, such as Hillary Clinton and Martha Stewart, had to be publicly slapped down before they could move forward. Even Condi has had to play the protege with Bush. None of this happened to Oprah — she is a straight ahead success story.”

Vanity Fair wrote:

“Oprah Winfrey arguably has more influence on the culture than any university president, politician, or religious leader, except perhaps the Pope.”

Winfrey’s influence reaches far beyond pop-culture and into unrelated industries where many believe she has the power to cause enormous market swings and radical price changes with a single comment. During a show about mad cow disease with Howard Lyman (aired on April 16, 1996), Winfrey exclaimed, “It has just stopped me cold from eating another burger!” Texas cattlemen sued her and Lyman in early 1998 for “false defamation of perishable food” and “business disparagement,” claiming that Winfrey’s remarks subsequently sent cattle prices tumbling, costing beef producers some USD$12 million. On February 26, after a trial spanning over two months in an Amarillo, Texas court in the thick of cattle country, a jury found Winfrey and Lyman were not liable for damages. (After the trial, she received a postcard from Rosanne Barr reading, “Congratulations, you beat the meat!”) In June 2005 the first case of mad cow disease in a cow native to the United States was detected in Texas. The USDA concluded that it was most likely infected in Texas prior to 1997.

In 2005 Winfrey was named the greatest woman in American history as part of a public poll as part of The Greatest American. She was ranked #9 overall on the list of greatest Americans.

Media counterculture
While Phil Donahue has been credited with pioneering the tabloid talk show genre, what has been described as the warmth, intimacy and personal confession Winfrey brought to the format is believed to have both popularized and revolutionized it. In the scholarly text Freaks Talk Back, Yale sociology professor Joshua Gamson credits the tabloid talk show genre with providing much needed high impact media visibility for gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, and transgender people and doing more to make them mainstream and socially acceptable than any other development of the 20th century. In the book’s editorial review Michael Bronski wrote “In the recent past, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people had almost no presence on television. With the invention and propagation of tabloid talk shows such as Jerry Springer, Jenny Jones, Oprah, and Geraldo, people outside the sexual mainstream now appear in living rooms across America almost every day of the week.”

An example of one such show by Winfey occurred in the 1980s where for the entire hour, members of the studio audience stood up one by one, gave their name and announced that they were gay. Also in the 1980s Winfrey took her show to West Virgina to confront a town gripped by AIDS paranoia because a gay man living in the town had HIV. Winfrey interviewed the man who had become a social outcast, the town’s mayor who drained the swimming pool because the man had gone swimming, and debated the town’s hostile residents. “But I hear this is a God fearing town” Winfrey scolded the homophobic studio audience, “where’s all that Christian love and understanding?” During a show on gay marriage in the 1990s, a woman in Winfrey’s audience stood up to complain that gays were constantly flaunting their sex lives and she announced that she was tired of it. “You know what I’m tired of,” replied Winfrey, “heterosexual males raping and sodomizing young girls. That’s what I’m tired of.” Her rebuttal inspired a screaming standing ovation from that show’s mostly gay studio audience.

Gamson credits the tabloid talk show fad with making society more socially progressive towards sexual nonconformists. Examples include a recent Time magazine article describing early 21st century gays coming out of the closet younger and younger and gay suicide rates plummeting. Gamson also believes that tabloid talk shows caused gays to be embraced on more traditional forms of media. Examples include sitcoms like Will & Grace, primetime shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Oscar nominated feature films like Brokeback Mountain.

While having changed with the times from her tabloid talk show roots, Winfrey continues to include gay guests by using her show to promote openly gay personalities like her hairdresser, makeup artist, and decorator Nate Berkus who inspired an outpouring of sympathy from middle America after grieving the loss of his partner in the 2004 Tsunami on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey’s “therapeutic” hosting style and the tabloid talk show genre has been credited or blamed for leading the media counterculture of the 1980s and 1990s which some believe broke 20th century taboos, led to America’s self-help obsession, and created confession culture.[citation needed] The Wall Street Journal coined the term “Oprahfication” which means public confession as a form of therapy.

In April 1997, Winfrey played the therapist on the sitcom Ellen to whom the character (and the real life Ellen DeGeneres) confessed she was a lesbian. In 1998, Mark Steyn in the National Review wrote of Winfrey “Today, no truly epochal moment in the history of the Republic occurs unless it is validated by her presence. When Ellen said, ‘Yep! I’m gay,’ Oprah was by her side, guesting on the sitcom as (what else?) the star’s therapist. She is, of course, therapist to an entire nation. If only it weren’t so hard for the rest of us to get an appointment. Asked to explain the cause of the 1992 riots, one angry black looter from South Central said: ‘We had to do something to get Oprah to Los Angeles’”

Communication style
By confessing intimate details about her weight problems, tumultuous love life, and sexual abuse, and crying along side her guests, Time Magazine credits Winfrey with creating a new form of media communication known as “rapport talk” as distinguished from the “report talk” of Phil Donahue:

Winfrey saw television’s power to blend public and private; while it links strangers and conveys information over public airwaves, TV is most often viewed in the privacy of our homes. Like a family member, it sits down to meals with us and talks to us in the lonely afternoons. Grasping this paradox, …She makes people care because she cares. That is Winfrey’s genius, and will be her legacy, as the changes she has wrought in the talk show continue to permeate our culture and shape our lives.

Observers even noted the “Oprahfication” of politics by noting “Oprah-style debates” and Bill Clinton’s empathetic speaking style. Columnist Maureen Dowd commented on the symbolism of Bill Clinton seeking an “Oprah-style” talk show when he left the presidency:

There is a delicious symmetry in Clinton’s exploring the idea of a daytime syndicated talk show: the man who brought Oprah-style psychobabble and misty confessions to politics taking the next step and actually transmogrifying into Oprah.

Winfrey’s intimate confessions about her weight (which peaked at 108 kg (238 lb), also paved the way for other plus sized women in media such as Roseanne Barr, Rosie O’Donnell and Star Jones. The November 1988 Ms. magazine observed that “in a society where fat is taboo, she made it in a medium that worships thin and celebrates a bland, white-bread prettiness of body and personality…But Winfrey made fat sexy, elegant - damned near gorgeous - with her drop-dead wardrobe, easy body language, and cheerful sensuality.”

Oprah’s Book Club
In the late 1990s, Winfrey introduced a new segment on her television show: Oprah’s Book Club. The segment focused on new books and classics, and often brought obscure novels to popular attention. The book club became such a powerful force that whenever Winfrey introduced a new book as her book-club selection, it instantly became a best-seller (known as the Oprah Effect); for example, when she selected the classic John Steinbeck novel East of Eden, it soared to the top of the book charts. Being recognized by Winfrey often means a million additional book sales for an author.

 

 

In Reading with Oprah: The book club that changed America, Kathleen Rooney describes Winfrey as “a serious American intellectual who pioneered the use of electronic media, specifically television and the Internet, to take reading-a decidedly non-technological and highly individual act-and highlight its social elements and uses in such a way to motivate millions of erstwhile non-readers to pick up books.”

Oprah’s Book Club is so powerful that, when she selected his memoir Night in 2006, just a few months later Time Magazine named author Elie Wiesel as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet. Winfrey and Wiesel travelled together back to the Auschwitz concentration camp with Wiesel telling Winfrey that he would not have made the trip with just anyone and that it was probably his last trip there. “What you did was so respectful,” Wiesel told Oprah. 50,000 high school students competed to be part of a follow-up show in which only 50 winners of an essay contest were selected to meet Winfrey and Wiesel. Consistent with the book’s theme, many of the winning students had endured their own forms of discrimination including homophobia and surviving the Rwandan Genocide (and being reunited with lost family on the show). The students were surprised to learn that AT&T had given them all a $5000 scholarship to the college of their choice, and even more surprised when Winfrey decided to double their scholarships herself by adding an additional $5000.

Spiritual icon
In 2002, Christianity Today published an article called “The Church of O” in which they concluded that Winfrey had emerged as an influential spiritual leader. “Since 1994, when she abandoned traditional talk-show fare for more edifying content, and 1998, when she began ‘Change Your Life TV,’ Oprah’s most significant role has become that of spiritual leader. To her audience of more than 22 million mostly female viewers, she has become a postmodern priestess—an icon of church-free spirituality.”The sentiment was seconded by Marcia Z. Nelson in her book The Gospel According to Oprah. On the season premier of Winfrey’s 13th season Rosanne Barr told Winfrey “you’re the African Mother Goddess of us all” inspiring much enthusiasm from the studio audience. The animated sieries Futurama aluded to her spirtual influence by suggesting that, a thousand years from now, a religion known as “Oprahism” exists.”

Fan base
Winfrey’s audience is mostly female, especially consisting of stay at home moms. Winfrey has said many times that she considers being a mom to be the hardest job on Earth and that mothers are the “true spiritual leaders”. Her audience is racially and economically diverse but Fortune described her show as appealing to the “middle-aged, middlebrow audience that advertisers such as Procter & Gamble, Sears, and Wal-Mart are eager to reach”. The audience for her magazine is considerably more upscale, earning US$63,000 a year (well above the median for U.S. women). Although Winfrey’s audience is sometimes spoofed for their fanatical devotion by shows like Saturday Night Live, Winfrey has been very protective of them and gets very offended when they are publicly disparaged.

Winfrey is unique among entertainers and other talk show hosts in that she doesn’t actively seek a young audience, instead reaching out more to fans her own age. Winfrey prefers shows relating to health problems related to ageing. Still Winfrey remains popular among young viewers. When professor Juliet Walker polled students at her university, female students were generally positive, although male students often dismissed Winfrey as a “messiah for stay at home moms”.

Many of Winfrey’s biggest fans are gay males, and she has been described as a gay icon. Many gay men are attracted to Oprah’s theatrical touchy-feely personality, her over the top facial expressions, her flamboyant body language, her church-free spirituality, her broadway musical The Color Purple, her enthusiastic support for the Oscars and share her admiration for Mary Tyler Moore, Barbra Streisand and Meryl Streep. One of the stars of the reality TV show The Benefactor was a gay African American man named Kevin who was so obsessed with Winfrey that he would ask “What would Oprah do?” before making any strategic decision. Another gay man included Oprah on his published list of women worshipped by gay men and asked, “What gay man hasn’t watched at least 1,000 episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show?”

Criticisms and controversies
Though since the mid 1990s Winfrey has changed the focus of her show, her success has been blamed for popularizing the “tabloid talk show” genre and turning it into thriving industry that has included Ricki Lake, The Jenny Jones Show, and The Jerry Springer Show. Sociologist Vicki Abt criticised tabloid talk shows for redefining social norms. In her book Coming After Oprah: Cultural Fallout in the Age of the TV talk show, Abt warned that the media revolution that followed Winfrey’s success was blurring the lines between “normal” and “deviant” behavior.

Leading up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Winfrey’s show received criticism for having an anti-war bias. Ben Shapiro of Townhall.com wrote:

“Oprah Winfrey is the most powerful woman in America. She decides what makes the New York Times best-seller lists. Her touchy-feely style sucks in audiences at the rate of 14 million viewers per day. But Oprah is far more than a cultural force — she’s a dangerous political force as well, a woman with unpredictable and mercurial attitudes toward the major issues of the day.”

In 2006, rappers Ludacris, 50 Cent and Ice Cube criticized Winfrey for what they perceived as an anti-hip hop bias. In an interview with GQ magazine, Ludacris said that Winfrey gave him a “hard time” about his lyrics and edited comments he made during an appearance on her show with the cast of the film Crash. He also claimed that he wasn’t initially invited on the show with the rest of the cast. Winfrey responded by saying that she’s opposed to rap lyrics that “marginalize women,” but enjoys some artists, including Kanye West, who appeared on her show. She said she spoke with Ludracris backstage after his appearance to explain her position and said she understood that his music was for entertainment purposes, but that some of his listeners might take it literally.

Oprah’s Book Club
Main article: Oprah’s Book Club

Oprah’s Book Club has occasionally chosen books which have proven to be controversial. Most notably, Jonathan Franzen questioned the Club’s selection process and credibility, and there was a live television confrontation over allegations of fabrication regarding James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces.

 

75 Comments »

1. My neice has two bachelor degrees and is now working to seek achieving her masters. She wrote to Oprah and I was wondering why she has received to response. She’s twenty-three years old and has accomplished this with a mother in the federal pentitentary and father, too. She lost her only brother in an automobile accident and all she’s requesting is an opportunity to work for Oprah based in Chicago to help assist her mother whom was recently released after serving thirteen years.
   She resides in Atlanta,
   Ga. her mom in Chicago, Il. working in a beauty salon. Is there anyway she can get a response?

   Comment by LYNN BATTL — October 5, 2006 @ 3:53 pm

2. I recently read in “Yellowstone Trivia” that the only mammal thatis immune to cancer is the bison. It would be interesting to know if any research has been done with this information. I should think that there must be an enzyme or perhaps something in the bark of the pine tree which they are known to eat. I know if any person can pass this information to the right place for research, it is you.
   Thank you, Linda Hicks 5983 Bayshore Dr, Stansbury Park, Ut 84074 (435)843-0099

   Comment by linda d hicks — October 17, 2006 @ 8:50 pm

3. hiiiiiiii

   Comment by thomas — November 28, 2006 @ 1:03 pm

4. Dear Oprah, Hi I have been a fan of yours for years and my Boyfriend Guy just recently went to Chicago, this past weekend To see his Friend and watch the Chicago Bulls VS Our Toronto Raptors, He also was Shown your studio ( sight seeing ) as well as Your Condo just driving by. He was braggin to me about it, your over looking the Lake Michigan, IM now jealous.
   Anywas hes home now and was braggin about it. So i would love to recieve newsletters if it is at all possible. I live in Brantford,Ontario. Im sorta in a depressed mood lately i am 43 years old and i have a 17 month old baby which i am losing to CCAS here in Ontario. A newsletter from you would make my day. I will be having him up for adolption, they say it is now an open Adolption, Where i get to meet the parents and Maybe see Dalton ( MY BABY ) on special Holidays Christmas ETC…So Could you please reply.
   Thank You Oprah
   A Forever Fan
   Marie Julie Berry

   Comment by Marie Julie Berry — December 11, 2006 @ 10:21 am

5. Dear Oprah,

   I watched your segment on Christmas kindness and I had tears on my cheeks.It reminds me that unless we physically engage our support to others we do not receive the gift of hope and gratitude.

   My story is but one in a million you have heard.I grew up in a middle class family.I was molested by a brother at 5 and suffered abuse from my mom as well.I was raped at 17.I finished high school but never finished college.I just never believed in myself.I married at 21 to a successful man but as in many divorce cases,I got the short end of the stick.I live in Los Angeles,Ca.I was wondering if there are any support groups for single moms.I have 2 kids and I was a stay at home.I had dreams of being a therapist and could only afford to go to school for a little while,actually up in Santa Barbara.It’s called Antioch University.I think you are a smart and intelligent woman and if you have any info for me or just a simple prayer I would greatly appreciate it.

   Many Thanks,

   Karla Kay

   Comment by Karla Kay — January 1, 2007 @ 8:45 pm

6. Your show yesterday about cutting hair for “locks of love” was wonderful! My 8 year old granddaughter Quinn started a campaign in Novemeer at her Dos Caminos elementary school in Camarillo, Ca. She made all of the posters and information for the cause herself. She is donating her own long blonde hair, as well. The cuts are scheduled for February. There will be many hair contributors. I am so proud of her and her school. Thanks for being such a role model for our children.
   Proud Grandmother, Lorraine

   Comment by lorraine harwood — January 5, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

7. Dear,Oprah
   I chose to pick you as my role model for our school project.I want to know what charity do u donate.Please email me back!:)

   Thank you♥

   Comment by lizzie — January 15, 2007 @ 10:12 am

8. will you ever get married do you have a boyfriend and how is Africa?

   Comment by alisha and kristen and murphy — January 25, 2007 @ 2:46 pm

9. oprah I love you so much. could you send me a ticket to your show

   Comment by Caleb — January 25, 2007 @ 2:50 pm

10. you are the love of my life i am in first grade

    Comment by jackson — January 25, 2007 @ 2:51 pm

11. i love you oprah you are really really really really hot and sexy

    Comment by jackson — January 25, 2007 @ 3:00 pm

12. Dear Oprah,
    Ilove you very much!
    YOU ARE VERY GOOD WOMAN.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    congratulation for all!
    A pensioner of Romania
    PS. SORY FOR MISTAKES

    Comment by cornelia — January 26, 2007 @ 4:49 am

13. i love your shows oprah but sometimes i feel sorry for you after you cot raped by your uncle,cousin and a family friend

    But you are still the best

    {im 10 years sold}

    Comment by perla — January 31, 2007 @ 6:28 pm

14. oprah please buy me a house
    thank you

    Comment by yvonne middleton — February 1, 2007 @ 4:17 am

15. please make my dream come tru please buy me a house no complications no procedures something different by just buying me a house thank you

    Comment by yvonne middleton — February 1, 2007 @ 4:25 am

16. I would really like to know why you got named the worst role model. To me you don’t seem like that much of a bad person when watching you on tv. Well you came up from nothing and became something. You are a real inspraration to me. I believe that you deserve much better than what you receieve. But too much money and too much power in one person in not good. You may be the richest african american women but you have to be considerate of others. My mother once told me that you have to give respect to get it and that seems to be something that you had to learn the hard way. But maybe you didn’t never listen to your parents when they use to tell you that. But you should have, I know I did.But other than that you are really cool people.I know that you didn’t come up from alot but now you have something that others don’t and wished they had especially where I live. So you need to act like it and have more pride in yourself and others and treat others like they are human.I am in norfolk, Virginia and 13 in the 8th grade and this is how I feel.

    Comment by Shaquina Purvis — February 6, 2007 @ 8:50 pm

17. Dear Oprah,

    I am 17 year old who is going to graduate this May
    and have a high GPA score.
    I would like to ask you, If you can support me with a little help to go to collage.

    Thanks

    Comment by L. Obsive — February 14, 2007 @ 1:59 pm

18. Oprah you’re great i love you’re show but…i get to to watch a half of it because i got to scoll at the time you’re show comes up

    Comment by Hawwa — February 19, 2007 @ 5:52 am

19. sorry it school*

    Comment by Hawwa — February 19, 2007 @ 5:53 am

20. Dear Oprah
    i am stting here with my friend damiann and we are both 8th grade girls. i am doing a research project on you and i just wanted to tell you that you are o wonderful woman. i also wated to tell you that we think you are such an important influence on young girls because you are such a good role model. well i just wanted to let you know that i admire you. thankyou and keep up the good work!! ♥layla abraham

    ps. i think that your charity work is so amazing!

    Comment by Layla Abraham — February 26, 2007 @ 2:16 pm

21. oprah i am doin a report for u at school sometime this mounth… u really incurage me on a lot of things i love ur show i watch it all the time. i was wondering if u could actually come to my school and visit if u can u can e mail me bk if not oh well i still love u!!! i am only 13 and u r my role model!!! i love u oprah ur the best!!!!

    Comment by sarah — March 5, 2007 @ 1:47 pm

22. oppps i spelt month wrong my bad sorry…lol

    Comment by sarah — March 5, 2007 @ 1:47 pm

23. hey can u loan us your house for like a week? just a week.. PLEASE

    Comment by victoria & kaylee — March 7, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

24. hi Oprah, i chose to do a school project on you because you have inspired so many people in this generation. I truly believe that we are all blessed that you do what you do, you help all stereo types and you seem to understand every one for who they are. You seem to be an outstanding woman and you should be very proud of what you do.

    I hope you get this.

    sincerely,
    shai

    Comment by shai — March 8, 2007 @ 3:07 pm

25. Hi Oprah, I really respect you for all you have been through and still remain strong. However, I would like to meet you in person, as I am a young West Indian desirous of doing the same things you have been doing, in terms of charity, volunteering et al. I was also very moved by the South African girl who brought you to tears, the entire program reminded me so much about slavery, and I was really happy to see Nelson Mandela, alive to see this event. asking if you thought she was good enough to attend your school. God’s richest Blessings to you and I would love to see you do the same in the caribbean, which is my dream goal. Lots of respect to you!!!!

    lavenna

    Comment by lavenna — March 22, 2007 @ 1:19 am

26. Wow, I had read the books about Oprah and continue to be so amazed. Indeed, she is a success, she influences my life and the lives of my family friends and the way I speak to the little ones. Her wealth is just a a fraction of how she has trasnformed lives. I am thankful there is someone in the world like Oprah!

    Comment by Guttenberg — April 14, 2007 @ 9:51 pm

27. I greet you in the sweet name of jesus. I am 17 years old with 5 older brothers and 1 older sister. i am writting to you today in need of your help. my one older sister by the name of Carline Pierre is going through some tough times with her son Evans Pierre. Carline Pierre has Four girls 3,4,6,and16. This young boy is only 14 years old and he is insaboardenet. he comes in out when he wants, talks the way he wants,and acts the way he wants. the sitution has become to much to bear.They once lived in New Jersey were he was admitted in a hospital for his behaviors.then they moved to spring Valley were she is crying out for help and it is not given. My sister has been admitted in the hospital cause of her son. If not for hitting herit would be for mild strokes. My sister has four other children to stick around and try to rais but with this young man in the house hold it is not possible. please help us and put him some where they can give him the supervision he needs. His behavior is not controllable. try your best to respond to this message. you could even try to put him in Boot camp what ever it is we need your help!

    Comment by Cassandra Alcindor — May 16, 2007 @ 5:59 pm

28. OH MY GOD .. opraaaah !! im joiana from syria arabia .
    i watch ur show evrey single day i love u soO MUCH evrey time i see u on tv i cry .
    my life is musery
    but i like it because i look at u and i say that some day illl be like u ..
    i just love u so much god bless you ur the one and only love u a lot xoxoxo joiana

    Comment by joiana jamil — June 13, 2007 @ 4:57 pm

29. OPRAH PLEASE HELP MY GRANDSON HE NEED $10,000.00 TO HELP HIM WALK. WE ARE DOING FUND RAISER AND IT HARD MY BABY IS A BY RACIAL BABY HIS MOTHER IS WHITE AND AS YOU KNOW I AM BLACK. PLEASE HELP.

    PEARL LIVINGSTON
    1169 OUACHITA 67
    CAMDEN, ARKANSAS
    71701 (870-231-5558) OR870-833-1766

    Comment by Pearl Livingston — June 20, 2007 @ 4:13 pm

30. I notice on your web-site,lots of people are asking you to give them something. Of course I’m in need to, but I don’t want you to give me anything. I learned a long time ago that if someone gives you something they usual want something in return. As a matter of fact, I am willing to work for my request and believe me I have several skills, (will send resume upon request). Oprah you life has been very busy, yet you’ve conquered most things. You must know that an angel is watching over you. My life has been a disturbing map with several trails & tribulations. I was raped on a regular from the age of 6-12, and presently I’m 49. “I almost allowed my past to predict my future.” I’ve made every wrong choice possible previously, but God has turned that around. I’m not religious just very spiritual. I started a letter to you about two-years ago about my life, but I erased it. Everyone has a life story, I know you don’t have time for all the stories you get. Plus after the way society talked about Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and you of course, who would possible want their business in the streets. A Fact is when Michael & Whitney had it going on, they had it going on! Another fact is you still have it going on; you’re an awesome woman with a caring heart. I’ve watched your shows throughout the years, the message I received was this: “Trails & tribulations will always come your way, hold your head high and never forget to look down, find a higher power, love yourself, keep a positive attitude regardless of your circumstances, and go beyond the call of duty for self, to reach your goals. Chances are you probably won’t even give this message, but “A closed mouth don’t get feed.” My request is to have my teeth fixed it hurts so bad, I just want to be able to eat in peace, plus have a pretty smile. The job I have doesn’t have benefits, please respond if time permits.

    Comment by Cathy B. — June 27, 2007 @ 1:26 am

31. Oprah. I just read that you once signed a personal cheque for 50 million dollars American. Not many people can do that. How many lives could you have saved with that kind of money. Yiu need to change your life. You give to charity. Not enough. You must go to wherever there is poverty. You must be a leader in changing peoiples views of poverty. Usew your money with the greatest comeback. Do not be a bob geldoff by telling other people to put their hands in their pockets. You must put your hand in your pocket.
    FEED THE WORLD LITERALLY. You have the money. DO IT TODAY. Spend 50 million dollars on feeding the poor.

    Comment by gerry — June 28, 2007 @ 1:25 pm

32. ‘Oprah Winfrey tops ‘most generous’ celeb list
    Australian Broadcasting Corporation
    Oprah Winfrey has topped a new survey to find the most generous celebrity philanthropists, donating more than $US50 million of her fortune to charity last year.’

    How much of this goes on administration? It sounds a lot. it is not . I know a great deal about charities and a great deal of the money goes on administration and other areas that do not give the whole value of the gift. You must take personal charge of the monies and start to help mankind. Giving such large sums to charities takes away from the real need to help. Yo need to do more.

    Comment by gerry — June 28, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

33. Thank you oprah for your talk shows,you are an inspiration to many African women like me.I love you oprah.

    Comment by Annet — July 5, 2007 @ 5:08 am

34. I fell like you did a very nice job. You did not just show one side of Oprah but the truth of her life. It is hard to speak about aperson with out being one sided. Thank for the truth.

    Comment by Krista — July 5, 2007 @ 1:01 pm

35. Hi there, I am from South Africa and currently having a major issue with my in-laws who find is difficult to accept that My Husband married me with my three children. We have been married for three years and currently I have a two year old with Craig and one on the way as I am 16 weeks pregnant. Craig is 31 and I am 36 yip I am the older woman. Criags dad being a pastor has more diffficulty with it as a leader. My mother in-law is just acting out the bitchy way of a woman. I cannot believe that in this day and age people still find it difficult to accept older marriges.

    Love Donell- South Africa

    Comment by Donell Arendse — August 15, 2007 @ 3:58 am

36. Hi Oprah,
    Enjoy your show. Don’t ever lose your pal Gayle.
    The two of you together are an excellent example of true friends. I loved your car trip across the U.S.A.
    I would like to be a guest on your show but I missed the details of the contest.
    Continue your great work.
    Irene Hunt (Kitchener, Ontario,
    Canada)

    Comment by Irene Hunt — August 25, 2007 @ 12:07 pm

37. hey Oprah, Bella here im from Australia.
    Im doing an assignment on you right now ha ha. I think you should change your daily show to 4 in the afternoon so i can watch it. your my idol love bella xx

    Comment by Bella — September 4, 2007 @ 7:27 pm

38. HEY OPRAH! i picked you as an inspirational hero for my essay for school. your so awesome. ive ALWAYS wanted to meet you!!!!!!!

    Comment by Katelyn D — September 10, 2007 @ 4:51 pm

39. OMG!! OPRAH I LOVE YOU!!

    Comment by nick — October 22, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

40. Please stop people personal details on the web it is upsetting. And Oprah want to talk about hacking. I am terrified on putting anything on the web.

    Comment by George Daniels — October 25, 2007 @ 8:32 am

41. I am trying to get Oprah’s address in Montecito, I used to live right by her in Ventura, in fact I went by her house to look at it, right by that sports club/tennis club and looked down at her water fall in the back yard

    The real reason I am writing here is I want her address to send her a letter. I am wondering if she can help me. I have strong circumstanicial evidence that I am the late Malcolm X’s son.

    I can go more in detail later, I am trying to get a DNA test, I talked to Attillah, and she called me back, she is aware of my mother Margaret Richmond who is Laura in Malcolm’s biography and Margaret in Bruce Perry’s book, Bruce didn’t know that Laura and Margaret were the same when writing the book because he used the autobiography by Alex Haley along with interviewing people in Boston who knew Laura’s real name was Margaret but he did not make that connection.

    I talked to Malcolm’s nephew and he knows, has photo’s of my mom as I also do, and he can tell you that he said possible I can be Malcolm’s son and Attillah does not know.

    please email me, I am in the VA Hospital, dealing with issues I have throughout my life, I can go into detail later, but on of them is want to know who my father is so I can go on with my life and address my underlining issues that have bothered me throughout my life with other issues as depression and durg abuse and physical abuse while growing up.

    Thank You,

    Lester

    my address: VAMC
    Lester Shackelford
    13001 Wilshire Blvd
    Bldg 214, Room 231, Bed 3
    Los Angeles, CA 90073

    ps: I have started writing lawyers, such as Gloria Allred, you can check with her to see if she received a letter from me and others including Barry Scheck, the innocence project. I like to resolve this issue as I will feel it will make me a better person to know for sure.

    Comment by lester shackelford — October 27, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

42. you are awsome that is why I am doing a report on you you are my hero in so many ways you do not even know

    Comment by Melanie — November 21, 2007 @ 9:48 am

43. you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Melanie — November 21, 2007 @ 9:49 am

44. If We Save Our Children…We Save America
    1719 Stella Court
    Baltimore, Maryland 21207
    poetry1119@gmail.com

    To: Parents, Grandparents, Family Members, Neighbors, Friends, School Administrators, Teachers, School Administrators, Pastors, Politicians, Police Departments, Newspapers, Radio and Television Personalities and Our Communities-At-Large.

    From: This Day Forward

    Dear Ms. Winfrey:

    My name is David Wardell Johnson, Jr. I am a writer, author, poet, children’s activist and motivational speaker. I write poetry about many aspects of life however; I prefer poetry that focuses on uniting our families, The African American Families. Truth be told, my poetry is mainly directed at those responsible for “Saving Our Children,” African American adults. MEN primarily, since for the most part women have been stepping up and stepping in when Men run away or have been locked away from their responsibilities. My first book “If We Save Our Children…We Save America” has been published and on the market.

    The future facing our young people are bordering on bleak and deplorable. Adults are not sharing the blunt of their responsibilities. Time is running out to save our current and future generations. We must come together and do it NOW, if our young people are to stand a chance at success and survival. If they are to ever be faced with anything other than teen births, drugs, prisons and death.

    THEIR FUTURE. Those two words are monumental when it comes to our children. Giving them a chance at a successful future will not materialize if we continue to ignore their cries for HELP. It does “take a village to raise a child,” and that has never been truer than here and now.

    It is truly a BLESSING to find myself in the positions I am today. Growing up I did not have the luxury of parental guidance or a family to fall back on. As a result, my life experiences have gone from horrible to great. Thanks to our Creator and concern from absolute strangers, I am therefore determined to carry on an extremely important mission. Unfortunately, I cannot do it alone. I need your help

    My life experiences are what books and movies derive from. Right now, I am concerned with sharing it in poetic fashion and in person. It is my way of motivating those responsible into doing whatever necessary to strengthen our young people. The majority of our young people are good and with parental, community and academic supervision, they will become great.

    Knowing you are in a position to do so, I ask you to allow me to share my work, my story and my poetry with your audience. If you have or have not heard about me I urge you to contact me. I would also like you to view my book on “Amazon.com” or “futureauthor.com” If you like what you read and decide to purchase a copy all monies goes to an organization my wife and are setting up to benefit children.

    I know first hand what it is like educationally for our children. My wife taught in the Baltimore, Maryland City School System for thirty plus years and we conversed daily. Some of the things teachers endure from students and parents are heart wrenchingly depressing. Support for the message I am conveying runs from classrooms, communities, church pews, State Capitols, City Halls and Capitol Hill.

    When I hear about children being killed by pedophiles, drive by shootings or other children, I am sickened to my stomach. These things are not just happen in one or two States but throughout the United States. It is clear that many with the power to change things are more concerned about matters outside the United States. Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries we stand to benefit from financially.

    Having said that, we best take matters into our own hands and make saving and educating our children, a top priority. Adults, we must lead by example and right now the examples we are setting borders on insanity. Insanity that is destroying our children’s future and our own. Ms. Winfrey, I am asking your help in winning this war of survival facing not just, African American Children but All Children.

    Thank you for your time and I anxiously await your response.

    Sincerely,

    David W. Johnson, Jr., President
    Poems & Poems In A Frame
    (410) 265-8903 (H/O)
    (410) 646-5187 ext. 14 (D/O)
    (410) 984-3086 (M)

    Comment by David W. Johnson, Jr. — December 12, 2007 @ 7:07 pm

45. COLLEGES, NOT CEMETERIES ARE THE ANSWER
    by: David W. Johnson, Jr.

    Just where do we think killing one another will get us?
    Selling drugs, robbing banks and killing police officers
    Sure, lots of things happening to us is unfair and unjust
    Gangs, drugs, dropping out of schools, are not the answers

    Our children need adults in their lives if they are to change
    Get from in front of the Keno machines and off the bar stools
    Between adults and children, let us regain parental exchange
    Crime is filling our jails, cemeteries and emptying our schools

    Instead of running towards, adults seem to be running from
    From their responsibilities, children, work, anything positive
    Things adults are doing to help destroy our children is dumb
    About the things, negative, not positive children are inquisitive

    Do not misunderstand me; there are some really good adults
    Listening to the local News on Nov. 8th I was very impressed
    Former Maryland teacher, Erica McCullough getting results
    Thanks to her, needs of our young people are being addressed

    Adults and children, visit baltimorechild.com and read about her
    There are lots of Erica McCullough’s but our children need more
    Take my word for it, adults like Erica, young people really prefer
    For a child to step into a better life adults must first open the door

    Do we really think our children want to kill, be killed or go to prison?
    This writer knows first-hand that children prefer positive motivation
    Fearing being killed, in front of their homes children cannot have fun
    Adults are we going to offer children hope or watch their destruction

    The death rate of our children continues to increase on a daily bases
    Why, because neglect of our children by adults are growing like cancer
    Just look around, you can see the hurt and neglect on their young faces
    Adults, wise-up and realize, “Colleges, Not Cemeteries Are The Answer”

    Positive Things Come From Positive Minded Adults

    Comment by David W. Johnson, Jr. — December 12, 2007 @ 7:08 pm

46. Oprah,

    I am going through a real ife crisis and was wondering if you were interested in hearing my story. I am not seeking compensation and would only like to see if you knew of some resources that could help me and my five children, as I am a single mother struggling to survive.

    Comment by Markisha Boomer — December 26, 2007 @ 4:25 pm

47. DEAR OPRAH WINFREY I’M CURRENTLY A SINGLE PARENT WITH 2 BOYS THEY AGES OF 4 AND 5. I WORK AT GEORGE WASHIGTON HOSPITAL/MEDICAL CENTER. IM CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT SANFORD BROWN NURSING SCHOOL I ATTEND CLASS MON.-THURSDAY FROM 6:00PM-9:50PM,I OWE 7,000.00 TO MY SCHOOL I NEED COSIGNERS FOR PERSONAL STUDENT LOANS MY FAMILY DOESN’T SEEM TO CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT ME MY DAD PAST AWAY 1997 AND MY MOTHER MARRIED ANOTHER MAN, ANYWAY MY GRANDMOTHER IS 83YRS.OLD AND I DON’T WANT TO ASK HER FOR HELP BECAUSE SHE HELPS ME PAY DAYCARE FOR BOTH OF MY KIDS. I DON’T HAVE ANY TRANSPORTATION ME AND THE KIDS CATCH CABS AND BUSES TO AND FROM AND IT’S TRUELY HARD WITH TWO LITTLE ONES.IM BEHIND IN ALOT OF BILLS SUCH AS PEPCO AND WASHIGTON GAS AND COMCAST I’M TRYING IF THERES ANY THING YOU CAN SPEAR TO ME AND MY CHILDREN PLEASE SEND IT TO 6804 CENTRAL AVE APT#403 CAPITAL HEIGHTS MARYLAND 20743. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. PLEASE I REALLY NEEDD SOME HELP I COULDN’T GET THINGS THAT I NEED FOR THEM FOR CHRISTMAS IT HURTS SO BAD WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE ANYBODY. MY NUMBERS ARE 202/409/5227CELL 240/619/4199HM AND 202/741/2440WK GOD BLESS YOU I’M AN TRUE FAIN OF YOURS SINCE I WAS LITTLE GIRL I HAVE ALOT OF YOUR INSPRING BOOKS…

    Comment by ERIN ELLIS — December 31, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

48. PLEASE GIVE ME AN CALL IF POSSIBLE

    Comment by ERIN ELLIS — December 31, 2007 @ 3:52 pm

49. MY NUMBER IS 202/409/5227

    Comment by ERIN ELLIS — December 31, 2007 @ 3:55 pm

50. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.

    Comment by ERIN ELLIS — December 31, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

51. Well all problems can be solved in live hey

    Comment by Donell Arendse — January 3, 2008 @ 6:02 am

52. Problem can be solved by working at them

    Comment by Donell Arendse — January 3, 2008 @ 6:03 am

53. Jumping and making you own conclusions

    Comment by Donell Arendse — January 3, 2008 @ 6:04 am

54. My name is David Wardell Johnson, Jr. I am a writer, author, poet, children’s activist and motivational speaker. I write poetry about many aspects of life however; I prefer poetry that focuses on uniting our families, The African American Families. Truth be told, my poetry is mainly directed at those responsible for “Saving Our Children,” African American adults. MEN primarily, since for the most part women have been stepping up and stepping in when Men run away or have been locked away from their responsibilities. My first book “If We Save Our Children…We Save America” has been published and on the market.

    Comment by DONELL aRENSE — January 7, 2008 @ 3:44 am

55. My neice has two bachelor degrees and is now working to seek achieving her masters. She wrote to Oprah and I was wondering why she has received to response. She’s twenty-three years old and has accomplished this with a mother in the federal pentitentary and father, too. She lost her only brother in an automobile accident and all she’s requesting is an opportunity to work for Oprah based in Chicago to help assist her mother whom was recently released after serving thirteen years.
    She resides in Atlanta,
    Ga. her mom in Chicago, Il. working in a beauty salon. Is there anyway she can get a response?

    Comment by DONELL aRENSE — January 7, 2008 @ 4:11 am

56. Dear Oprah,

    I am 17 year old who is going to graduate this May
    and have a high GPA score.
    I would like to ask you, If you can support me with a little help to go to collage.

    Thanks

    Comment by DONELL aRENSE — January 7, 2008 @ 4:12 am

57. Dear Oprah i enjoy watching your program.Am 17 years of age and am pregnant and i would like your help in buying baby things as my parents are in financial difficulties.It’s a boy and i would appreciate whatever you can give.My address is 7901 Juniper street, Miramar Fl.33023. Thank you very much. Yours sincerely,
    Karah-Lois Clarke.

    Comment by karah- lois clarke — January 20, 2008 @ 9:50 pm

58. Hi its karah again.I left out my due date which is March 14, 2008.

    Comment by karah- lois clarke — January 20, 2008 @ 9:55 pm

59. Hi Oprah, i am a 22 year old male from the Caribbean (the federation of St. KItts-Nevis to be exact. I have always told myself growing up that i want to be independent when i grow up and get what i need and want in life truthfully. i graduated in 2202 and was among the top five students in my class. Since graduation i have made several attempts to attend college/university to further my education but have failed miserable, mainly because everytime i make an attempt at it something else pops up and because of my families financial crises. at present my father is in prison as a debtor for outstanding bills, my mother is not able to work because she often suffer from body pains etc and my sister is still presently in high school. Basically i am the only one in the household that has a steady job and it is really hard on me most of the times. sometimes after i finish contributing to the household to pay bills i hardly have an money left to buy lunch.

    i really need some help so that i can go to college, get a good education and be able to get a nice job to look after and care for my family. so i am asking for your help

    Comment by J. Solomon — February 3, 2008 @ 6:36 pm

60. Hi Oprah, I am a 22 year old male from the Caribbean (the federation of St. KItts-Nevis to be exact)

    I have always told myself growing up that I would like to be independent and get what I need and want in life truthfully.

    I see myself as highly motivated student in regards to my academics, yet sometimes I ask my self? Will I ever go to college due to my family’s financial crisis which is still not completely settled, and I keep on saying, ‘One of these days.’ I don’t know if it’s the fear of not being accepted into a good college or not being able to afford a good college and maybe it’s just me procrastinating

    I graduated in 2002 and was among the top five students in my class. Since graduation I have made several attempts to attend college/university to further my education but have failed miserable, mainly because every time I make an attempt at it something else pops up and because of my families financial crises. At present my father is in prison as a debtor for outstanding bills, my mother is not able to work because she often suffer from body pains etc and my sister is still presently in high school. Basically I am the only one in the household that has a steady job and it is really hard on me most of the times. Sometimes after I finish contributing to the household to pay bills I hardly have any money left to buy lunch.

    I really need help financially especially in regards to going to college so that I can graduate, get a nice job and be able to look after and take care of my family.

    Any assistance that you can provide for me would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance

    Comment by Solomon, J — February 3, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

61. Hi Oprah, I am a 22 year old male from the Caribbean (the federation of St. KItts-Nevis to be exact)
    I have always told myself growing up that I would like to be independent and get what I need and want in life truthfully.
    I see myself as highly motivated student in regards to my academics, yet sometimes I ask my self? Will I ever go to college due to my family’s financial crisis which is still not completely settled, and I keep on saying, ‘One of these days.’ I don’t know if it’s the fear of not being accepted into a good college or not being able to afford a good college and maybe it’s just me procrastinating
    I graduated in 2002 and was among the top five students in my class. Since graduation I have made several attempts to attend college/university to further my education but have failed miserable, mainly because every time I make an attempt at it something else pops up and because of my families financial crises. At present my father is in prison as a debtor for outstanding bills, my mother is not able to work because she often suffer from body pains etc and my sister is still presently in high school. Basically I am the only one in the household that has a steady job and it is really hard on me most of the times. Sometimes after I finish contributing to the household to pay bills I hardly have any money left to buy lunch.
    I really need help financially especially in regards to going to college so that I can graduate, get a nice job and be able to look after and take care of my family.
    Any assistance that you can provide for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

    Comment by Solomon, J — February 3, 2008 @ 7:08 pm

62. Hi Oprah, My name is Eric, I am 16 years old and I just had to write you an email to show you how much I appreciate you helping out the environment, especially for people who really need it. You are a very big influnce to my life, as I grew older I learned a lot about you that I didn’t know before. Me and you have something in common, our birthdays are in the same month but yours is eight days after mines and we both are very helpful to people and I picked that up from you, and I just wanted to thank the LORD for you being on Earth. I don’t watch your show every day but I watch it as much as I can. Well, it would be a pleasure to here back from you. Again, my e-mail is playerballeriverson@yahoo.com, feel free to e-mail me at any time, and I will be sure to write you back. Thank you

    Comment by Eric Tyler — February 5, 2008 @ 8:25 am

63. She is supporting a racist Obama so that tells a little story of her no one knows about. She says she is a Christian but tells people that there are no sins so in turn there is no savory sounds like she has been reading the Karan the terrorists bible. How can you support Obama who goes to a church that his pastor is a racist and is friends with Farakon who both hate whites and Jews. She helps schools in Africa but forgets about the schools in her own country that made her rich. Farakons words are “A Muslim will soon rule America and we will then take over” You people better wake the hell up because you are being brain washed about the truth.

    Comment by Mike J — March 1, 2008 @ 8:00 pm

64. Hi Oprah, myname is Karen and I am in need of help. I have seen your shows and I know that you help people in need and I think that is wonderful. I need help. I have two beautiful boys. I want to buy a home with my husband but we are so in debt and we can’t. I am so depressed. My oldest son is three years old and we want to live somewhere where he can go to a good school. We want to move to a house within these next two years and we can’t. Money is really tight, I am a stay at home mom and my husband work 20 hours per day and we never get to see each other. We are living paycheck by paycheck and I am just not happy. Please Help me Oprah I do not know what else to do. please email me I am in desperate need. Thank you

    Comment by Karen M — March 24, 2008 @ 1:46 pm

65. Y do you alway give money to people who don’t need it or to people that go to school? What is the rest of America livin in poverty not worthy of a way to earn your assistance?
    I met Oprah in a walgreens store over 20years ago, and she was buying a pair of knee hi stockings. I said hello she turned up her nose and moved in the other direction, without a word mind you, are we the poor that bad? Or do you not get publicity for doing for some and not for others O? Have you ever heard never let the left hand know what the right is doing, or teach’em to fish? Thank’s O. You really did get your American dream…
    As for the election everybody get out and cast your vote….. O” you suck.

    Comment by Ugolye — March 26, 2008 @ 9:41 pm

66. I LOVE YOU

    Comment by ashton and abbey — May 28, 2008 @ 9:06 am

67. Dear Oprah,
    you are one of the people who have inspired me for years.I had read your biography,the hardships you had encounter but you never gave up!In a few months I will start to work with a group of African/ Immigrants, adults and youth here in Germany,[I am an African too]I am going to talk about your courage and inspirations.
    Wishing you more happiness and blessings from the universe.

    Comment by Tuulikki Franz — June 17, 2008 @ 1:55 pm

68. I love you Oprah…I support any african american who is successfull Godbless you

    Comment by Romello Hollingsworth — June 21, 2008 @ 2:39 pm

69. Hi, my name is Bruce Haring. I’ve send this story to hundreds production company and no one will open my e-mail to read my synopsis. Thank you for your time if you read my story. Bruce Haring.

    THE SMOKE Wagon
    where ya live or die, the barrel of a smokin’ gun

    The year was 1846, under the big, blue skies of Texas. It’s 20 years before the famous U.S. Marshal, Wyatt Earp, a time when lawmen lived short lives; they were no match for the outlaws and gunmen of their day. Gunmen and outlaws roamed freely like wild horse with no one to catch them, a time ripe for notorious gunfighters like Billy the Kid and Doc. Holiday and for “Lightnin’ Bolt Jackson” a man with the fastest “Smoke Wagon” in the West.

    The ‘Smoke Wagon” is about a Colt 45 that has been past down through generations of the Jackson family. Jed Jackson becomes orphaned at fourteen when a furious tornado hits killing his parents and destroying his home. In the rubble of the old homestead, hidden away behind a rock in the fireplace, he discovers the Colt 45 and letters in a box that reveal the history of the gun. The Colt 45 becomes the devil that will challenge young Jed’s moral upbringing. He is left to fend for himself and survive life the best way he can. Jed now knows the history of the Colt45 and that his father and grandfather were the fastest gunmen of their day. All the fastest gunmen in the country know the history of the gun by the letters A.J. along with notches carved on the oak pistol grips. Young Jed picks up the smoke wagon, straps the holster around him and pulls the belt buckle tightly to his small waist, and learns to use the colt. Fifteen years later a half-breed Indian, named TaCody, working for the government as a bounty hunter, track’s Jed down to enlist his help. The two team up. During the course of his new found life, Jed meets a beautiful woman in the middle of a stagecoach robbery and falls in love. Now his heart is longing to live the life of his mother and father. With his reputation as the fastest gun in the West and a now famous U.S. Marshal, he knows that the quick jerkin’ gunmen are lookin’ to make a name for themselves by gunning him down! Jed knows that as long as he wears that “Smoke Wagon” there’s a bullet out there that’s callin’ out his name. Does he put it down or can he? He doesn’t know where he’s goin’, and only God knows where he’s been. Jed’s a young gun on the run and his life’s just a gamble in the wind.
    The Smoke Wagon was written for a cast of 23 Country Western Super Stars singer’s to play the parts in this story; Allan Jackson plays the lead roll of the

    Thank You for your time. Bruce Haring E-Mail: bruceharing@verizon.net

    Comment by bruce haring — June 25, 2008 @ 10:56 am

70. This BIACH needs to give up 50% of her moneY to help stop the U.S. from going to hell.

    Comment by Eric Aguilar — December 22, 2008 @ 11:11 am

71. Dear Oprah,

    You are so wonderful. Whne ever I get a chance to see you show, I allways get inspired. I am from Ethiopian femal. When I see you, it always helps me to dream more, make me stroge. I wanted to grow, try to live better and pay back to a community. You really impressed me with your girl school you have in South Africa. that is one of my dream with the help of God to support ethiopian orphans. Even to adopt on child the process is costy, and I am waiting the right time to raise an orphan to give love and warning home for children who does not have a family

    May the loving God Bless you more and more

    Comment by TITI — December 28, 2008 @ 3:24 pm

72. Greetings from Saudi Arabia, Ms O.
    I am writing this so so much excitement and pride that can not be described. We are originally from the Philippines but born here in Riyadh. My mother has a progressive nursing career here, as well as her many friends and colleagues from many nations. Saudi is very diverse–people, culture, languages, even fashion. But we (men and women) all rush home so we could watch the same show –thats OPRAH. We love you so much, Ms. O. You bring so much inspiration to all of us. You are a source of strength. My mother is fiesty but her tears are free when watching your show. My Korean Tita Miri can not afford to miss any of your CDs. She has not watched all of them but me and my sisters did already.

    May I have an autographed picture from you, Ms O? I will put it next to our Philippine Ambassador’s picture which is also autographed specifically addressed to me and my sisters Gabrielle and Ysobel.

    Please stay healthy so you can continue inspiring people, like my Mom. for many more years.

    Always a your fan,
    Sharmaine

    Comment by Sharmaine Badong — December 30, 2008 @ 9:58 am

73. oprah…i think that you are the most beautiful woman ever. i just wanted to say that you are my role model and i would love to meet you in peson just so i can see your face. i would prbably pass out ass soon as i caught a glipse of you/

    your number 1 fan
    aaron buchanon,15,albany new york

    Comment by aaron buchanon — February 6, 2009 @ 9:46 am

74. i just love oprah!!
    she is so funny, hard working and rich!!

    Comment by amy — February 27, 2009 @ 6:26 pm

75. i will appreciate if you could reply my comment together with my problem pliz. via my email address.

    Comment by shirley — September 14, 2009 @ 7:11 am

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