Bologna Eating Oprah...
Oprah Winfrey doing what she does best...
This year Time Magazine left Oprah off it's 100 most influential people list for the first time since 2004.
Now, I'll be honest...I used to NEVER miss a show. But then I sort of slowed to a stop until I hadn't watched the show for years. I have never tuned in to the OWN network. And I really don't pay that much attention to what has been going on with O for quite a while.
But still, it shocked me that Oprah was off the list.
She's our titan. She is THE role model of women.
Isn't she?
Maybe not so much anymore...and I see it like this...
Oprah used to be that friend you were just comfortable with, who you could count on, and look to for solid company. Then something changed...she started being more Hollywood less Heartland. She no longer talked about bologna sandwiches being a weakness; she started poking fun at holiday sweaters; and sadly, she lost me when she commented that she will not stay over at a home without a guest bath, because "who wants to share a shower with people?".
She no longer seems like that kick off your shoes without worrying about the hole in your sock buddy who doesn't mind if your dog jumps on her lap. Now she feels like the sort of judgmental, new age religion following vegan regular people avoid.
But still, to take her off the list?
I can't deny the impact she has had on my life. And no matter what, I love her. She is a source of wisdom and encouragement, a big hearted lady who has spent a life time prodding everyone who hears her voice to dig deep and be the best you that you can be.
But I admit, I miss bologna eating Oprah.
Oh my goodness!!! How did you nail down exactly how I feel about Oprah. She has been slowly loosing my favor for years.
ReplyDeleteShe is too Hollywood for me. I don't care that she is best friends with Julia Roberts and next door neighbors with Adam Sandler. Where are the shows about bras and how to be a better person.
But what really lost me are all the shows about women leaving their husbands and families to "find themselves"!!! I'm sorry but selfishness is not a trait I think is worthwhile. In my book sacrifice is love. At some point you need to put other peoples needs above your own!
Sorry Oprah, I'm out. And sorry Elizabeth for ranting :)
How hard is it to find yourself? You don't need a GPS, you are right...there! I too am sick to death of selfishness and irresponsibility. Man up world...life ain't fair, so stop expecting it.
DeleteAnd the sad thing is, Oprah used to push people to be strong...what happened?
I think when someone has such a huge influence on so many people, it's hard to keep the ego in check. It happens to all of us at some point. Unfortunately, for people like Oprah, more people notice it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, getting back to the heart of family and personal struggles and being real is where it's at. We women can find ourselves in the midst of our families without leaving our husbands or attempting to do the things we missed out on in our twenties. As you say, "Man up!" or "Woman up!" You show your true self by the sacrifices you make.
Always got to keep it real, Jessie. But then maybe for her, real is Hollywood. All of her friends and neighbors are celebrities.
DeleteWow. I didn't know this. How can she not be influential anymore? Her shows are still playing on reruns and etc. aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI was shocked they took her off the list. Even though her show is off and her network is struggling, she still does all the charities and stuff. I wouldn't have dropped her.
DeleteBeing British, I never really saw Oprah the way you guys did.
ReplyDeleteBut on the Times list in general - Pippa Middleton is on it! So on that basis, I choose to believe the list ain't worth much!
But Pippa has that butt...and we all know having a nice one or being a total one is the best way to get recognized!
ReplyDeleteI never watched Oprah, I was too young to find her interesting and by the time I was old enough to listen, I couldn't, for the same reasons you listed above.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassie for reminding me I'm old. :)
DeleteThat's why I stole your doggone comma!
Well, Oprah is getting older and she's been rich for a long time. Both probably contribute to her being set in her ways.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have cable so I've never seen OWN. I did like the interviews she used to do, tho.
The day she mentioned the guest bath, my first thought was..."Oh no!! Don't go Howard Hughes on us!"
DeleteMaybe being a genius wears on a person after a while.
I love that video. And I miss the bologna days of Oprah as well. Ahh! Couldn't have put it better. She really was a star that we could all connect to and she was down to earth and striving for the better good. Maybe she'll join us back on earth before long. I'll always love her too. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that video great? She really is a smart lady and I want her back too. I blame Tom Cruise, the Travolta's and scientology...it's taken her off her center.
DeleteSuprised that she's off the llist but must admit she's lost some influence since ending her talk show. But the whole never stay at a home without a guest bath statement is kind of off putting. I didn't know she said that.
ReplyDeleteIt was on a show about how long people keep things. She mentioned it in passing during a discussion on things that creep people out. And that doesn't make her a bad person, it just makes her seem out of touch. (Truth be told, I hate to use facilities other than my own...if I spend a single night in a hotel, I'll wait till I get home to shower...it's the shower curtain that seems to chase you while you bathe that creeps me out!)
DeleteBut she'll be back. Give her time to regroup, reflect and she'll be back like a force to be reckoned with. I can just feel it!
Oprah definitely had a huge influence on tons of people. I never watched her show much, but I still admire her.
ReplyDeleteI think her influence is still immense. If she backs a book, a movie, a service, or anything and it's an instant best seller. I don't think half the people on the Time's list have that kind of influence!
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