You know, I think you might be onto something here. I don’t think Nzinga is trolling but considering she’s admitted to really enjoying (and even sometimes instigating) train wrecks, it’s hard to read the OP as anything but poking self-important people in the ribs.
(deleting board drama related comments)
I like Oprah okay. I don’t much watch her show because it’s not on when I’m near a television, but she’s a tv personality, not someone I’d listen to for medical advice and especially not for child-rearing tips.
Is it her fault people treat her that way?
Yes, it’s her fault if she has full knowledge that a certain number of people are going to react to her work this way and still she doesn’t take reasonable steps to prevent it.
I have affection and respect for Oprah. I think what she’s done over the course of her lifetime is amazing. If we were to take anyone to task it would have to be the portion of her audience that doesn’t exercise critical thinking. As far as I’m concerned it’s her show and she can do what the hell she wants. I consider her ‘mostly harmless’.
I did want to get the haters riled up. I admit that. I can’t really deny that. I didn’t really thnx of it as trolling though. Now that I think of it, I guess that’s what it means. Sorry. I mean, really, I am. I genuinely don’t want to be a troll. I thought the OH would be having fun with the thread like I am. I did bring up MLK sky magic knowing that would rub folks wrong, and I feel bad about the MLK comment (feel bad for bringing up in THIS thread) and I am going to bow out of this thread now. I still think its funny, I’ll be real about that, but I don’t want a rep for trolling. Posting from phone, at work dope is blocked, please excuse any typos.
There’s a lot of money to be made out of ‘psychics’ and ‘ghosts’. And of course you never bring reason to the table.
Sadly I have no suggestion for an opposing viewpoint. The people that watch Oprah want easy happy solutions, not anything to do with hard work or science.
I think there are a lot of people like me who could post with complete honesty in an “I love Oprah” or “I can’t stand Oprah” thread. (I wouldn’t say ‘hate’ as I reserve that for people I know personally or public figures who affect people’s lives greatly and negatively.) I greatly respect her as an American success story who’s a master of media and business who’s used her platform and Q factor to help a lot of people and shine a bright light on issues that need to be addressed. I also think that like most super-rich A-list celebrities she’s a self absorbed self promoter who sees what she believes rather than believes what she sees and who though her opinions may change from time to time the fact she is absolutely right never does. In short, she’d be a great Doper (if she’s not already).
She’s by far the classiest of a seldom classy breed. Compared to talk-show host/activists like Geraldo “Satanic Panic” Rivera or John “I’m going to give you two castrated semi-relevant facts to completely prove poor people are lazy” Stossel or to self-confessed sleazemeisters like Jerry Springer is like comparing Michelangelo to the guy who pees on a decapitated St. Francis statue and calls it art. Compared to the remains of Larry King as celebrity interviewer and platform guard she’s a blend of Woodward & Bernstein, Nellie Bly, Upton Sinclair and Johnny Carson. However, my gold standard as entertainer/interviewer/commentator is Jon Stewart and I don’t think she’s in his league.
I’ve spoken to Oprah! Yes - I’ve been to two tapings. We lived in Chicago so it was doable. The first one was right after 9/11, and instead of Dr. Phil they did a tribute to some victims. PISSED OFF some of the ladies in the audience, they WANTED their Dr. Phil. They’d been WAITING for their guru. They’re probably still mad.
The second taping was when I talked w/her, just briefly, to share something pertinent to the show’s topic. Oprah made a joke with the friend I’d brought with me. She’d noticed that my friend was NOT being especially responsive to her, and she remarked on it. I was surprised that my friend was being distant (she’d enthusiastically accepted my invitation) and even more surprised that Oprah noticed it and said something.
Anyway, the thing I noticed about watching her work is that she is SO freaking SMART. She appears to know every single detail about her program, all the content. All of her people snap-to, they know she’s on top of what’s going on.
The woo-factor thing - meh. Personally I think a little woo is essential in life. I know you empiricists don’t like it, but there IS a God. Personally I enjoy her spiritual and literary quests much more than the celebrity worship - that aspect of her show turns me off.