# Oprah Winfrey - Eat Me **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 1, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938 "2001-11-01T17:06:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/81 "2001-11-01T22:44:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*… the same book I’ve been reading since June (Pillars of the Earth, I hate it) \*\* OMG, I **loved** that book! It’s one of my favorites. I’ve read it several times. I love Ken Follett’s stuff. > [@](#): > > **My point is, why should I read the Poisonwood Bible? WHAT about ME that YOU know indicates I should read it? Maybe I should, but not just because there’s a sticker on it.** I think it’s just a matter of literary taste. A lot of people are very disdainful of the Oprah books, but I wonder how many of them have ever actually sat down and **read** one. They’re not all romance and fluff. _The Poisonwood Bible_ is a good book. Why should you read it? Well, I don’t know. But if you (or anyone) started a thread asking for reading suggestions, I would mention that one since I liked it. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/82 "2001-11-01T22:48:15Z")
I don’t _want_ an apology. And I don’t _want_ you to like Oprah. And I don’t _care_ if you hate Oprah so much that when she dies you make a daily trip to the cemetary to spit on her grave. For me, Oprah herself is no longer the point. What I do want is to _understand_ why you are so angry over the fact that people read books because she recommends them. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less. Ok, let me rephrase the question; Are you upset because people are reading books based on recommendations by someone (in general. Just any ole body) they don’t know, or are you upset because they are reading books based on what _Oprah_ recommends? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/83 "2001-11-01T22:54:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\* > I hate Oprah. I also hate Rosie. Good god, they suck. > > \*\* Well gee, **Guin** , are you saying we finally have something in common? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/84 "2001-11-01T22:57:15Z")
I do want to express my gratitude, by the way, for this being in the pit so I can tell all of you that when I read “I Know This Much is True” I thought it sucked rat cock. Sorry about disagreeing with those of you who loved it. I liked some other books that Oprah also happened to like. That warn’t one of 'em. Had this thread not been in the pit, I’d have had to say something like “That work was something of a disappointment to me.” Sucking rat cock is far more indicative of my true reaction to the book. Since I liked Pillars of the Earth, and think Oprah is okay, I think it’s time to tackle jarbaby and start a catfight. _pounces_ Oops! What’s this? Your bra came undone! _curls up into ball to avoid being trampled by male (and female) Dopers rushing into thread to watch_ C’mon Pepper, Green Bean, the rest of you. Let’s BRAWL! _makes snatch for Pepper’s brastrap_ ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/85 "2001-11-01T22:57:58Z")
Jeez techchick! Quit taking stuff so personally, wouldja? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/86 "2001-11-01T23:00:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > Ok, let me rephrase the question; Are you upset because people are reading books based on recommendations by someone (in general. Just any ole body) they don’t know, or are you upset because they are reading books based on what _Oprah_ recommends? I am upset that more people in this world don’t just go to the library or bookstore and pick out books via browsing. I, myself, very rarely take recommendations because I’m so weird that they’re never going to mesh with my tastes, and why should I waste my time. I like to read DeSade, but no one else does. I like Story of O, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I wish more people developed their own tastes. jar ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/87 "2001-11-01T23:01:26Z")
Ha! The joke is on you **Cranky** because I’m not _wearing_ a bar. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/88 "2001-11-01T23:02:49Z")
And if I may use Cranky as an example here…I want to ask, is anyone allowed to say “This book was horribly boring” on book discussion day on Oprah (I honestly don’t know) or is all the bad commentary edited out? This would actually make a big difference in how I felt about it. jar ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/89 "2001-11-01T23:05:44Z")
Actually **jarbabyj** the participants are handpicked by Oprah’s assistants. So, in order to get some good discussion going, I have seen a few shows (out of a dozen book discussions I’ve actually watched) where people basically said, “I really hated this book.” Or “I really hated these characters.” It doesn’t happen a lot, and it’s usually just one lone person, but at least they make an effort once in awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/90 "2001-11-01T23:06:42Z")
I’d be happy to brawl with ya, **Cranky** , if only I knew which side I’m supposed to be on. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/91 "2001-11-01T23:07:33Z")
FWIW, Oprah is on right now, and she’s annoying me because she’s getting preachy. “you need ot have faith to get through the tragedy.” Well, I don’t have faith, and I’m doing just fine… ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/92 "2001-11-01T23:11:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*Jeez techchick! Quit taking stuff so personally, wouldja? \*\* Jeez, hate to sound like GD in the Pit, **Green Bean** , but your response to my post is what? Ya gonna take it like a man or are you going to try to argue that _BOMC_ was Oprah’s inspiration for the book club? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/93 "2001-11-01T23:16:18Z")
Huh? Maybe it was the inspiration. I’ll take your word for it, okay? _Bridges of Madison County_ still wasn’t a Book Club selection. Sorry I was remiss in my duty in responding to you. I found nothing to disagree with, or even to discuss, in your post. And, no, I won’t take it like a man, thankyouverymuch. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/94 "2001-11-01T23:18:16Z")
Like you, **jarbabyj** , I can’t stand Oprah, for many (but not all) of the reasons you’ve stated. But you know what? _Oprah has no power over me. None. Zero. Nada. Zip._ Why get flustered over something as inconsequential as her? Why do you watch her show if you can’t stand her? So what if moronic people are glued to her show. In fact, we should _encourage_ these dopes to buy the worthless crap she’s pushing; it helps the economy when people spend money. (multiplier effect, etc.) So turn her off and _forgetaboutit_. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/95 "2001-11-01T23:20:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*And if I may use Cranky as an example here…I want to ask, is anyone allowed to say “This book was horribly boring” on book discussion day on Oprah (I honestly don’t know) or is all the bad commentary edited out? > > This would actually make a big difference in how I felt about it. > > jar \*\* I don’t know about that, but if I had been there, I would have really dumped on “Icy Sparks”. I liked the House of Sand and Fog, I like Wally Lamb, I really liked Map of the World, but I must say that as voracious a reader as I am, I couldn’t make a dent in Icy Sparks. One chapter in and I laid it down and never picked it up again. But to get back on topic, I don’t see anything wrong with Oprah recommending books. Most of them have been a decent read. I find Opra herself likeable as well. Give me a thousand Oprah Winfreys to one Dr. Laura. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/96 "2001-11-02T00:05:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > I am upset that more people in this world don’t just go to the library or bookstore and pick out books via browsing. > > I, myself, very rarely take recommendations because I’m so weird that they’re never going to mesh with my tastes, and why should I waste my time. > > I like to read DeSade, but no one else does. I like Story of O, but I wouldn’t recommend it. > > I wish more people developed their own tastes. So, in other words, people who only read books if Oprah reccomends them. It’s fine to go and get a book you heard about on Oprah, and you’re interested, but to refuse to read a book because Oprah DIDN’T reccommend or mention it, that’s annoying. For the record, I agree. **Guin** , who reads everything from V. C. Andrews, to Boris Pasternak, to non-fiction history, to _Star Wars_ novels. Two of my favorite books are _A Tree Grows in Brooklyn_ and _Maggie Now_, both by Betty Smith. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/97 "2001-11-02T00:20:23Z")
One of Oprah’s favorite books is _A Tree Grows in Brooklyn_, too. (I saw that on her website when I was looking for the book list.) Did you ever read _Joy in the Morning_? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/98 "2001-11-02T00:28:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*One of Oprah’s favorite books is _A Tree Grows in Brooklyn_, too. (I saw that on her website when I was looking for the book list.) Did you ever read _Joy in the Morning_? \*\* I loved _A Tree Grows In Brooklyn_, but (to paraphrase Cranky) I thought _Joy In The Morning_ sucked major rat cock. Just my opinion, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/99 "2001-11-02T00:32:54Z")
No, I didn’t read that one, did you read _Maggie Now_? One of the best-it’s so sweet, and sad, but funny too. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938/100 "2001-11-02T00:43:45Z")
There’s a certain sameness to a alot of her fiction choices that make them sorta predictable after awhile. I think she needs to expand her horizons. Or maybe it’s just the O choices I’ve read. And it sounds as though people who are irritated with her are less irritated with HER than with her FANS. Oh, and about Dr. Phil… what you’ve SEEN is the theatre of self-improvement. His BOOK rocks the house right down to the ground. I don’t think there’s a single thing in it that isn’t true. And there’s definitely no touchy-feely stuff. stoid [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oprah-winfrey-eat-me/90938.md?page=6)