I PRETTY SURE SHE PICKED OUR PRESIDENT! READ NEWSWEEKS THOUGHTS OF OPRAH!
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NEWSWEEK may have the biggest balls in the entire universe. They dare to mess with the Great Oprah! I thought this article was a very interesting read!
Newsweek even goes on to say that her health advice my not give you an "AHA Moment" but an "UH OH" one!
I'm just shocked that knowing she may be more powerful then God-Newsweek totally went there!
Oprah is fun to watch but I'm not running to the store everytime she says she likes something. Buy boy do people run and buy! I guess the article is hinting she maybe using her otherworldly influence and power a bit irresponsibly .
If you have time check the article out- but here is what I'm wondering?
Honestly, how much influence does Oprah Winfrey have over your life and your wallet? Enquiring Minds WANT TO KNOW!!
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Comments
i take oprah with a pinch of salt.... sure she always looks great and so polished but i doubt its down to any product in particular more like a posse of make up artists, hairdressers and great lighting!! please do not think im being harsh as i do think she is an amazing lady what with all the work she does for charity and using her name and influence to champion worthy causes but iv never ran out and bought anything just because oprah loved it
I have to admit that I have a Neti Pot, thanks to Oprah... but honestly, that's about it. I do however, enjoy hearing what Dr. Oz has to say. However, because of him, I no longer eat roasted nuts, since they become hydronated oils once roasted. That being said, Oprah is NOT god-like, but she does have a HUGE following. When she says that she likes something, many women run in masses to buy the product. If I ever wrote a book or invented something, I would make sure to send a copy to Oprah.
I have watched the Oprah show sporadically but I do have some coworkers and friends that enjoy watching her show. Occasionally our conversation leads into them recommending something that they saw Oprah recommend on their show. Whether it's a beauty product, a procedure, or a book, they recommend it. After actually purchasing / investing some money on those recommendations, I have to say that I do not take her opinions very seriously for they have not worked for me. From what I've read in that article and from what I've gathered from the show and those friends and coworkers that regularly watch it, I think Oprah mismanages her celebritydom to influence a naive audience into buying whatever she recommends. She lacks any real conclusive studies that support whatever she and her guest claims. But I guess how can those products thrive in a market if Oprah and her guest (s) were to properly educate the audience and provide any challenges or drawbacks? Does she really expect an overeager audience that just eats up whatever she says to really research whatever she is talking about? Sure, there are some that will and many that won’t. And people are built differently so it’s natural for their reaction to be different from yours. That’s why you should research products before buying them to get a better assessment on their effectiveness for you.
And I have to say that I am appalled by the great extent that Suzanne Somers goes to stay young. Taking 60 vitamins a day?! Injecting hormones onto your body?! Smearing estrogen cream onto your arms every day?! She puts way too much effort in maintaining a youthful appearance and trying to live longer. The Japanese, specifically those that reside in Okinawa, have the highest rate of centagenarians simply by their diet and lifestyle - and that doesn't include subjecting your body to numerous forms of vitamins or hormones through supplements or injections or creams. I recognize and understand that both Suzanne and Oprah are entitled to their opinions and to voice their personal experiences but it seems like Suzanne is being a bit vocally aggressive. She has personal experience but lacks the necessary evidence to back up her claims - such as statistics and claims from studies or doctors who have independently conducted research to see the effectiveness of her methods (it reminds me of a recent study that the our government has spent 2.5 billion dollars researching the effectiveness of alternative therapy curing or helping certain illnesses - and it wasn't really but there were some exceptions http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31190909/). Maybe Suzanne is just experiencing the placebo effect? And does Suzanne also touch on the sometimes dangerous side effects that hormonal therapy can cause? My mother takes estrogen supplements for surgery that she had a long time ago and blood clots are just one of the side effects that she experienced. Overall, I am really disappointed in Oprah as a role model for women of all ages and races. It seems she is more concerned with getting a paycheck by endorsing whatever product on her show without verifying how truly effective it is in an objective study and without relaying the risks to an audience. Oprah, it seems, is a great manipulator.
i think it's a curse oprah has to deal with being who she is. i know she makes a lot of money for companies but i can't get into watching her show or following her advice word for word. i only watch her once in a while now. i feel like the magic is gone lol
-Miss Yaya
http://myownjudge.blogspot.com/
I believe that her charity work is amazing but....... just because something worked for one person does not mean it will work for another, I don't run out and buy whatever she says to.
while i admire Oprah and the effect she has on people, she is only human and her weight struggle has showed it well. She has billions and yet she still cannot find a device or a pill that would keep her thinner. I cannot really trust what she says, since she doesnt always show 2 sides of the issue. She is just a person, and a rich one at that- but many housewives tend to forget that when they watch her show.
I know women who follow her every word. And I, like fatcat, have a NetiPot. But let me preface that by saying I have the NetiPot because of my mom...who got the info from Oprah.So while I can sit here and honestly say I don't EVER watch her show..I don't listen to what she says at all..and I couldn't care less about what she's on about this week...I still have to admit that I guess she's affecting my life indirectly.The women that I chit chat to over coffee in the morning...the mom that I adore and talk to constantly about everything under the sun...the friends at work who give me interesting tidbits of advice on everything from frozen dinners to foot cream..a LOT of them get their info from Oprah.This is a little scary.
http://wishfuleyesbeauty.blogspot.com
Thank you for bringing up this rather sensitive issue. I like Oprah; I really, truly like her. But I am continually befuddled at the throngs who will obey her every suggestion. Have people handed over their minds to whatever she dictates? I find it frightening. Friends of mine who have had hysterectomies are terrified of hormones, with good reason--and she promotes Suzanne Somers' use of them? When Oprah introduced her own production of Their Eyes Were Watching God, an old and controversial book written by a Black woman years ago, people embraced it. Zora Neal Hurston's novel was first panned and now is pretty much prescribed reading in most colleges for many reasons--she did not "discover" it. I like Oprah's generosity, but it is easy to give out of your surplus, not your need. She gives out of an enormous surplus. She's been on a pedestal for too long; she is a woman with the same fears and self-esteem issues we all have (her continually-changing weight is a red flag here). Sometimes, when I'm struggling with a few unwanted pounds, I wonder how she could go wrong with a team of chefs and trainers. She is human, not God, and thus I listen to what she says and decide for myself. Well, at least KFC made a killing from her! I mean no wrong but fear that I should have checked with her PR agents before penning this!
i dont have anyhting on oprah i just want alll of the knowledge. everyone is human so what?! give me the recipe to thin your thighs.
Jean Queen Jacci
I am no Oprah freak. But I am ok with her. I am pretty sure that her success comes from the fact that people feel that they can relate to her. Obviously her current life is not that relatable to average people but she came from humble and average beginnings. People desperately want to trust and believe in someone or something. She has obviously inspired that trust in billions just by being relatable. This is not something to fault her for. She tapped into the right public need. So because people deeply trust her they buy products that she loves or follow regimes of hers. If you really think about it that is kind of what happens on this site. People trust Meg and the review panel so they will often buy products that they believe in. The real problem with Oprah is as they say in Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility!" So she must be very selective with what she tauts. Unfortunately the public will often follow blindly. So what may be good for Oprah and friends may be dangerous and destructive to certain portions of said public. So I feel that she has a responsibility to carefully select her featured show products and topics. Perhaps she should have more disclaimers. But she is not fully culpable. People need to stop being mindless cows. You can admire someone and take their advice but use your brain when doing so! We are all individuals or at least should be.Sorry for my rant!!
Oprah is a force that should be recognized, as with any strong independent person, especially woman out there. I'm sure it's very difficult to live up to or please the public for any in the limelight let alone one that has done so much with influence and inspiration, which seems undying. Its great to see one of the most powerful and influential people out there a woman, intelligent and zestful at that too. I laugh like i'm sure she does when all odds especially coming from the media seem to be constant flak about disappointment and "what were you thinking?!" reactions.No one on this earth is perfect. No one person in the spotlight President or not can make everyone think alike and agree. That's what some might think world peace or a perfect world is. But what's so perfect about basically all the same person when it comes to most aspects and decisions? Isn't that what makes us beautiful and stimiulate our minds, thoughts, and indivualities? Different isn't always a bad thing. Some people might agree perfectly and others will only agree to disagree.I love to watch Ellen, Oprah, Tyra, and so many others who have great shows or just points of views period. I don't live my life around what they suggest and urge not to go for. Taking others opinions and advice is a great part of growing and learning. But i'm not a fanatic to point where I feel their words are like my own personal bible or conscious. Don't me wrong a lot of what they say and recommend is admirable and nobel. But at the end of the day they're just like us, trying to make their mark and a difference in this world.They're human too. We make mistakes, have success in our own ways, cry, laugh, bleed, and conquer. I think sometimes things are blown out of proportion and just get ridiculous when it comes to talk of them because they're simply, strong women and so many of the public eyes and ears are on them. That's a lot of pressure to live by even if you don't choose to.This is my life. The mistakes I make and learn from. Recognition and good deeds I may come by due to my decisions. At the end of the day no one can live my life and decide how great or what not it will be, except me. Ok i'm done haha i'll shut up now haha. Love this post it's something i've noticed many people just throw out there over and over, well she picked our President, so what she says goes.
Well, I know that I was involved in getting the President elected. I hope that this makes me as awesome and powerful as the big "O"! Probably not. Well, I am awesome-just not very powerful in a monetary sense!
I have only watched her show twice and although I admire her drive and success,I'm simply not a huge fan.I do think it's great that she enjoys "sharing" but it's just too much hysteria for me...people go crazy over her and I am not sure any one person honestly deserves that much credit for anything.Lovely intelligent woman and if course,it would be great fun to chat with her but I'd never buy to do something or buy something on her say-so.
Very interesting article! I rarely see Oprah's show, but I think she seems like a decent person. This article made me think twice about the impact she apparently has on American women. I take advice from celebrities with a grain or two of salt anyway. Oprah's endorsement might make me interested in learning more about whatever it is... but certainly it's not a "run right and and buy (or do) this" kind of thing. I'm sorry for people who have so little self confidence that they become like lemmings.
Carole
Like cac, I take everything Oprah says with the proverbial "grain of salt". I have read some of the "Oprah-endorsed" books and tried some of the "Oprah-endorsed" products and was left thinking -- wow, she must have gotten paid to endorse this. I feel bad for those people who have to run out to buy something just because Oprah said so.
I seldom am home to watch Oprah since I work full time. When I have watched her show it’s mainly because I’m interested in what Dr. Oz has to say! I am fascinated with his tips and advice. If I do hear any tips or suggestions or flat out “You have to try this!” from guests on her show, even the doctors…well I’m a research freak when it comes to information. I will write down the product or idea that was strongly toted as helping me, the viewer, to improve something or another before I even think of making the purchase! Almost every time, by the time I finish my research (the internet is just bursting with information), I end up not purchasing whatever it was that I heard about on Oprah, 99% of the time. The biggest Oprah toting product out there is the Acai Berry! Everywhere you look you will find Oprah’s name affiliated with the amazing weight loss results from the Acai berry, but then as others here have recognized…if that berry is so fantastic, why does Oprah have weight loss/gain issues. If you even type in the word ‘Acai berry’ you’ll find Oprah’s face on just about every ‘Acai berry’ website out-there even if she personally doesn’t endorse that website! Apparently just the fact that she once talked about it gives people license to her image as part of their ads! And if you see Oprah’s photo on an advertisement – well without a doubt it will compel people to buy whatever it is! I haven’t purchased a single thing because Oprah endorsed it. I do think that Oprah is one powerful woman and she definitely influences billions of people in general, not just women! I read a poll once that asked if Oprah ran for president, would you vote for her and there are a lot of people that would just because she’s Oprah! The fact that Oprah endorsed Obama – HUGE positive effect for his campaign! I will admit, I’d love to be in her audience when she has one of her gigantic Oprah give-aways for sure! I’d love to be a guest on her show actually – one visit and people would instantly think whatever I had to say was worth listening to! I mean – that’s how influential she is! There is a song by Jackie Harris and the main words are “I’ve got the power – heh yeah!” That definitely could be Oprah’s theme song!
Jeanasina!http://jhasleftthebuilding.blogspot.com/
Personally I love Oprah but I have a mind of my own. I don't just BLINDLY purchase something because she has it on her show. And just because she has it on her show doesn't even mean she's endorsing it. She's just checking out what is out there. If people run out buying EVERYTHING she mentions then that's their fault. We aren't sheep people...don't blame Oprah because people can't think for themselves. And just like with my Green Chi Tuesdays reviews...some things I love and may work for me so I write about it but it might not for others. That doesn't mean I should be blamed for someone spending $ and it not working for them. That' ludicrious. Seriously. I understand that as a celebrity she does have influence and that has to be handled responsibly but we can't place all of the blame on her. She has a TALK SHOW. If she stopped talking about what people are doing, buying, using...there wouldn't be much left to TALK about!!!!!
Love, hugs and shoes...Angie
LOL... Sweetassgal I love your post! So funny and the sad part it's SO TRUE!!! I couldn't agree with you more. I love Oprah too. But I do take what I like and leave the rest. I have to admit I've never purchase anything because she had it on her show because I don't really get to watch Oprah with my work schedule, only when I'm home sick. ;-) And I would only buy something if I really want it and I think it's going to work for me of anything or from anyone. All great post from everyone!
I do like Oprah. Just not the cult of Oprah. Sometimes it is a little disarming to see the mania that she inspires. But this is ultimately a result of her doing her job very well. Her success comes from her likability and work ethic. You can hardly fault her for that. I do sometimes wonder if I would lose my sh*t if I were an audience member during her favorite things episode. In all honesty I think that I definitely would!
OK, I am just going to say this and then duck and cover. First I have to say that in all honesty, I watch Oprah perhaps 10-12 times a year, mostly in my osteopath's office where it is playing on a giant flat screen TV whenever I have a PT appointment. Otherwise I am at work when her show airs, with no opportunity to see it. That being said, I seem to read a lot about her, and hear about her life, her opinions and her guests, from my sister -- a real fan -- and several of the secretaries at work. And having had for the past two years a gift subscrption to O Magazine I have developed a genuine admiration for her life story, and for the amazing way she has succeeded at virtually everything she has put her hand to. She is a truly remarkable woman. And, to my mind, a truly dangerous one, as the Newsweek piece makes clear.Last summer, a friend (a gay man) and I vacationed in Chicago, and went to Table 52, which is a wonderful restaurant owned by Art Smith, who is Oprah's personal chef. Naturally our talk touched on Oprah, and a remark I made almost ended our 28 year friendship, right there on the street a block away from the restaurant. What did I say that so enraged my friend, who is a liberal, highly educated WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, for the 3 people walking the earth who do not know the acronym)? I compared Oprah to Hitler, something which I, as a Jew, am apparently more comfortable in mentioning than he was. Naturally I did not mean that Ms. Winfrey was a rabid Anti-Semite with a lust for world domination. What I meant was that, like Hitler, Oprah has an amazing power to use her pulpit -- her talk show and magazine -- to mesmerize and sway public opinion. Oprah can sell out stores by mentioning she sleeps in a particular brand of pajamas. She can make books go from modest potboilers to national bestsellers in lightning-quick time. When a new singer mentions that his record has not yet turned platinum she holds it up to the audience's view and says, "It has now." And it had, within one day. That kind of power to sway public opinion is, to me, a little frightening. In fact, Oprah's early declaration that Barack Obama was"her" candidate for president made me determined to remain a Hillary Clinton supporter to the very last, and then to give Obama my vote almost with a sense of dread that only lifted weeks before the actual election. I just did not want to be one of Oprah's sheep.I know my reaction was an overreaction, just as I know that it is the extreme loyalty of her audience that gives her the power that frightens me, not any wish on her part to rule the world. (At least I hope she does not harbor such hopes.) While the article highlights ways in which Oprah uses her platform to promote dubious causes, health schemes or pseudo-psychology, there is no doubt that Oprah's heart is warm and sympathetic, not megalomaniacal. She is no Hitler. But I am glad Meg put up this piece because perhaps it will let some clarity in through some otherwise overly-rose colored glasses. And now, as promised, I will creep away and avoid flying brickbats. Just one woman's opinion, after all.
Joan, I don't think that you will have to duck. What you have said is amazingly perceptive. And I agree with you on many points.Of course being the rabid Obama supporter that I am I disagree on that point. I am sure that many people voted for Obama because of her support. But as a person who worked very closely on the campaign for over a year I can tell you that her support was generally more harmful than not. This particular instance may be one of the only times when she did not touch something and make it turn to gold. The campaign had massive Oprah backlash. People would tell us that they hated him because of her support. We constantly had to clarify that he is not Oprah! It was challenging. And I believe that she even stood back a bit and didn't give full throttle support for quite awhile for that very reason.
Kellie, thanks for that. And perhaps I should make it clear that once I could see him for himself, I became wholeheartedly an Obama supporter, and glad to be one. And every day since the election has confirmed my confidence in him, especially since he ordered Stephen Colbert to get that buzz cut...
TJ-The Colbert buzz cut should become the offical haircut of the nation. That was great! I am so glad that you grew to love Obama. My husband and I really enjoyed the time we spent working on the campaign. We even had the pleasure of meeting him. It was so exciting!
What I really think is that real life isn't like the TV. I watcher show when I can but I don't buy into everything she says. She gives some great info, some good info, some info and then some not-so-good info. That's what I think
I like Oprah. Thanks for pointing out the article. Like most, I take what Oprah says with a grain of salt, running it all through my own BS detector, like I do most things. I always remember some animated show, can't think of the name of it, was on Fox, that was set in the future and talked about the religion of Oprahologists, LOL.I do adore her magazine though. It is one of my favorites. And I have enjoyed a lot of her book recommendations through the years. And, if given the chance, I would love to see a taping of her show. Preferably one with lots of goodies for the audience.
You are probably talking about Futurama.
I have'nt watched the Opraha show in years, I did subscribe to her magazine(1 yr.) after I'd read a copy while standing in line at the grocery store. But when my subscription was over I did'nt feel the need~desire to re-subscribe. My radar is always on and I've certainly bought my share of sh*t products...I always wonder about celeb endorcements, do they really use the product? Are they only about "it" for the $$ ? I'd much rather use a forum likes Megs to see what people think about things like books, make-up, clothing,washing machines,LOL....but you all see what I mean.
Lisa
That is the genius of Meg. She tapped into a relatively untapped medium with this site. Loves it!
As part of the young teen generation, Oprah seems overrated and outdated. She doesn't have any influence over what I buy.. Maybe if she was more relevant. I turn to blogs for advice and recommendations.
I think Oprah is a pretty amazing woman who does incredible things. She's come so far and done a lot of good in her life. However, I don't listen to a flippin' thing she says. I have no idea what she's recommending to telling people to do, and I honestly find it shocking people would listen to her health advice and take it very seriously. Who gets great health advice from a daytime talk show? One thing I do love about her is her book club. I'm for anyone who tries to get people to read more and talk about it. I just wish she would discuss her books in a more analytical way with people than "I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK." I've always had a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth that she kick started Dr. Phil's TV career. Those of us in mental health usually want to beat him with a stick. We even had a discussion based on him one day in Grad school about how NOT to abuse teh term "Dr." and how much people will trust those two little letters.
Honestly I rather listen to what Ellen had to say then Oprah, I only watch Oprah when Dr. Oz is on.
www.nanisnails.blogspot.com
Maybe Oprah lost her head on this one. I also watch Oprah when Dr. Oz is on and that's that.
I like Oprah - I think that she is crazy influential, but I'm not sure that I would actually take much of her advice seriously. The only thing that Oprah has ever inspired me to do is buy some of her books from her book club. I read like crazy, so it was no big deal and the books I did read from her book club were entertaining.I believe that she definitely uses her influence to an advantage, especially in the last year so, considering she only had on politicians she supported, but it's pretty safe to say if you or me were in her position we'd probably do the same thing. I guess I don't see anything wrong with that.As for the people who go out and buy everything from her Favorite Things episodes...they're just nuts :P
Oops *in the last year or so...And excuse my bad grammar as well, haha.
I like Oprah. I listen to her as much as I do to people on various beauty blogs etc. It is nice to hear what other people think about stuff. What scares me are the Oprah ditto-heads. Have an ex-friend who was one of those. Though she seems to deify her, I doubt Oprah would approve of her behavior. (One would think that would make a difference, yet ... no.)
I like Oprah, and I used to buy all the books on her list, then I got a few that I couldn't even manage to finish, and came to my senses and realized that just because Oprah says a book is great doesn't make it so.
Oh dear lord have mercy!!!!Oprah has NO influence over my wallet, mind, life, body-- at all. What a KOOK! I don't know how many of you read that article, it was indeed a long one, and I think I lost the ounce of respect i had for her reading it... I mean- she's just a person, with apparently very strong opinions, but people, please do the research for yourselves because when you run and buy everything she says to, do everything she says to, and not do what she tells you not to do, it actually just makes us as a people, gender and culture-less intelligent.Wisdom is golden- but Oprah does not equal wisdom.She's kind of scary now-- I am glad I don't get ABC lol
I admit it...I don't even watch Oprah. I am glad she has such a successful career but I don't intend to buy things just because she says so. (after all, she's probably paid to say that).
My scrapbook shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/elle71125
champ3377, I totally agree with your comments. As for Oprah.. not a huge fan. I prefer Dr. Oz and after my own research bought a Neti Pot.I think it is disgustingly negligent to promote things such as hormones--they cause cancer. My grandmother had breast cancer and survived, but because of this my mom adamantly avoids all sorts of hormones that may have helped her menopause. Furthermore, shame on Oprah for not properly approaching the issue with having both sides up on stage. Suzanne Somers has no experience to go on but her own, just like every other average person watching the show. Oprah showed a lack of responsibility to her viewers.
Good one on the "cult of Oprah" She was in the right place at the right time and people were interested. Do I do what she says, buy what she recommends or read from her book club? No But just as I read the advice or reviews here, I get information from all places. I think she is out of touch with most people, but jmho Obviously most people do not agree....hence the Oprah effect.
I like Oprah, and I'm sorry I don't have a DVR to watch her show every day! Whenever I go to the $1 bookstore, I browse the Oprah bookclub selections to see if there are any I haven't yet read
I'm loving her new OWN network!!
http://igknowidea.blogspot.com :)
She holds a lot of influence. Her show is over now, but she's still influencing women. I went through a phase where I watched her show everyday. I became kinda depressed. Coincidence or...?
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