Well, it is the end of an era. After 25 years on the air, Oprah is gone, long live Oprah. She has already reinvented herself on cable, but yesterday's teary goodbye marked the end of the Oprah Winfrey show.
During those years Winfrey did some truly remarkable things including promoting reading of literature, addressing health issues never before addressed on network television, and sharing the stories of remarkable individuals whose courage would touch even the stoniest and most cynical hearts. http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Memorable-Guests/7 She probably played a significant role in getting Barak Obama elected as president and she embodies the American "rags to riches" dream.
There were also moments of questionable medical advice, dangerous pop psychology, and obscene celebration of materialism. The Saturday Night Live send-up of an Oprah giveaway show is a classic.http://kaycaskey.blogspot.com/2007/11/oprahs-favorite-things-snl-parody.html
Some conservative Christians have viewed Oprah as akin to the anti-Christ, creating a quasi-religion of self-actualization. Actually, yesterday I heard the story of someone who was refused a transfer by the driver of a bus until the person asked What Would Oprah Do?, a variation of the What Would Jesus Do? catch phrase of a few years ago. The driver coughed up the transfer.
And there is a book, pictured above, which explores the phenomenon of Oprah, who began life as a Baptist but moved away from orthodox Christianity. Hey, you have to be impressed that 1.4 million people applied to be part of her congregation of 400 yesterday, as she delivered what one pundit called a cross between a valedictory address and a sermon.
Were you watching the final episodes of the show? Are you sad to see her go, or good riddance? Was/is Oprah a force for good or evil? Is she a New Age entertainer or carrying the torch for a modern spiritual approach? What's an Oprah?
Although not an Oprah watcher, I would say Oprah has been a friend to many. I watched a re-run of the final 10 minutes of her last show a day late and realized that she had been something worthwhile to watch for many, when often the tv is filled with junk. She has inspired many, informed many and although I don't necessarily agree with the path, or understand the root of her good will...I don't see her as evil.
ReplyDeleteI have pondered her last line..."to God be the Glory", as I haven't always felt that in what I have seen of her...
As a little aside, it was a bigger tv day at our house because American Idol was chosen, and the humble young baritone, who took it all, thanked God first up...and I was glad my kids had witnessed that example.
Oprah did a ton of good, in the balance, I'd say. That said, I too have heaped more than my share of scorn and cynicism on her for things like her holiday programme.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is who's going to fill that time slot? Dr. Oz? Maybe Rev. David should get his own show ...