Some people might say Oprah put the 'O' in ego.
- Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune
Okay, okay, Oprah. Goodbye already. Really. People are being killed by tornadoes left and right in this country while you hosted a two day extravaganza love fest to yourself, where you invited your most famous friends to come onstage at a huge venue and proclaim their love for you and everything you touch. All because you decided to bring your talk show to an end.
I have a like-hate relationship with Oprah. On one hand, I do admire what she's done to get people reading. I don't personally know anyone who reads more because Oprah told them to, but judging from the success of the books to which she has given her logo blessing, people are reading them somewhere. And keeping the publishing industry in the black is a good thing. I also know she has shed light on a lot of serious issues that maybe we would otherwise avoid thinking about -- domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, etc. And I admire how far she has come in life give her rough childhood; clearly she didn't come from privilege. So for those things, I'll give her credit.
I sat in her audience two years ago for a taping, and it was a memorable experience. She definitely has a presence, and the topic (how we Americans can provide microloans to women in third world countries who want to start their own businesses to become self-sufficient) was certainly important. But she didn't try to hide the fact that she is the boss on that show, berating one of her directors in front of her guests and audience. I sort of cringed for the guy when she got pissed about the wrong camera being used. Okay, so she's a woman who knows what she wants, whatever.
What bugs me is the preachiness that we should live our best life. You know, Oprah, maybe there are days when I just want to be mediocre and not try so hard. Is that so wrong? I don't want to read "A New Earth" and believe in "The Secret" so I can be like you. I'm pretty happy being who I am. Stop making us feel like we aren't good enough.
And then there's the multiple accents, depending on who her guest is. She has Paula Deen on, she's suddenly back in Mississippi with a drawl. Chris Rock is a guest and she's a sista. Celine Dion? I'm surprised she didn't articulate like a French Canadian. Just be yourself, Oprah, the accent-free broadcaster you started your career as.
The other thing that gets me is the ego. You start a magazine, and you only ever put yourself on the cover? And make sure every cover photo is airbrushed to death? Please. We know it's your magazine, you don't have to cram yourself down our throats. And now this self-hosted tribute show, which supposedly her staff put together and was a total "surprise." I'm sure she didn't have a hand in any of it.
