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Oprah and Religion

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:29:51 CDT

Oprah's childhood experiences with church

Oprah Winfrey attended Progressive Missionary Baptist Church with her father, a church deacon. She was attentive, took notes, and would often repeat the Sunday sermon on the playground during her "Monday morning devotion." She learned the Golden Rule, having written it over and over and carried it around in her book bag. She donated her lunch money to Progressive Baptist's fund for poor Costa Rican children. She also convinced her friends to do the same. She talked her way out of a fight and into a new nickname—Preacher Woman. The teenage Oprah Winfrey is remembered by some members for her organizing and directing a series of presentations from James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones at local churches to raise funds for the church's new youth choir robes. She and other teens presented the seven sermons in the book. Oprah also spoke frequently at Nashville churches. The article reports that when a Los Angeles pastor heard her speak in Nashville, he invited her to his church to speak. Mr. Winfrey recalled that she was paid $500 to speak to the youth. The article reports that while she was there, her trip to the Hollywood Walk of Fame reinforced her desire to become a star.

Oprah's Ministry

From the beginning, Oprah regularly featured spiritual themes on her shows. But her emergence as a spiritual force is said to have begun during the 1994-95 season. It's been said that each year Oprah Winfrey asked God for a different gift or insight. In 1994, she says, it was clarity. "I have become more clear about my purpose in television and this show," she told a reporter that year. She decided to clean up her program. She abandoned the traditional talk-show format for more edifying content. In 1998, when she began 'Change Your Life TV', Christianity Today reported that Oprah's most significant role became that of spiritual leader. Oprah often refers to her show as "my ministry." To her audience of more than 22 million mostly female viewers, she became "a postmodern priestess—an icon of church-free spirituality." Similar sentiment was also expressed by Marcia Z. Nelson in her book The Gospel According to Oprah.

What Oprah Believes

The Christianity Today article notes that "Oprah clearly believes part of her role as a talk show host is to call her audience to some sort of higher plane. " The theological nature and her methods are what sound alarms for many of her Christian critics. Since there are no authorized biographies and she declined an interview with Christianity Today for its article, it's not real clear what Oprah actually believes. Only Oprah Winfrey can answer that question. In her monthly column "What I Know for Sure" in O: the Oprah Magazine, Oprah Winfrey frequently refers to the Bible, her church background, and lessons God has taught her. She has spoken about reading the Bible, praying, and meditating daily. She has talked of how her faith has sustained her. She refers to a "higher power." Oprah said, "I'm Christian..." on the April 9, 2008, show covering the impact of the A New Earth web class on her viewers. However, some say, as in the Christianity Today article, that Oprah's show has normalized a generic spirituality that perceives all religions as equally valid paths to God. The article notes that Oprah herself has said, "One of the biggest mistakes humans make is to believe there is only one way. Actually, there are many diverse paths leading to what you call God." Many strongly believe that what she is teaching does not represent traditional, historical Christianity, according to the Scriptures.

Where Oprah Worships

Baltimore

Oprah Winfrey attended Bethel AME Church during her years in Baltimore. Mentoring young girls was one of her primary interests while at Bethel.

Chicago

When Oprah attends, she goes to Trinity United Church of Christ, located on the city's South Side. It is the largest church in its denomination, with more than 8,000 members. It is an Afrocentric church whose membership is largely composed of the upper middle class. According to Trinity's senior pastor, Jeremiah Wright, to Christianity Today in 2002, Oprah had not attended a service there during the last eight years. When she first came to Trinity in the 1980s, it seemed that she would become an active participant. Wright said, "She walked the aisle to become a member, publicly claimed us as her church in Ebony magazine, and when I would run into her socially, like at a United Negro College Fund dinner, she would say, 'Here's my pastor!'" However, Wright reported that Oprah never completed the membership classes and after awhile her attendance dropped off. He noted that when The Oprah Winfrey Show went national, it altered the course of her life. "Sundays got to be a hassle for her," Wright says. "Everybody came at her with notes, with portfolios, with ideas and requests. It made her coming to church a problem." Shortly after her show was syndicated in 1986, Oprah also spoke about the challenges of being a celebrity in a public worship service. She described an incident one Sunday, when "a deacon tapped me on the knee and asked me for my autograph," she said. "I told him, 'I don't do autographs in church. Jesus is the star here.' "

Wright had other opinions of why Oprah Winfrey does not attend regularly, besides her celebrity status, noting that other celebrities seem to be able to manage it. "I think it is hard for most very wealthy people to be a part of the church," he says. "Somebody who makes $100 a week has no problem tithing. But start making $35 million a year, and you'll want to renegotiate the contract. You don't want to be a part of 'organized religion' at that point. That's a generalized statement, but that's what I've found across the years. The wealthier somebody gets, the more they pull away from the church."

In the 2002 Christianity Today article, Oprah's relationship with Trinity and Jeremiah Wright was reported as strained. In a column for an issue of Black Collegian magazine, Wright mentioned Oprah as an example of African Americans who forget their roots in the church after finding success. "A lot of us do not even like the word faith anymore," he wrote. "We prefer the more chic-sounding word, spirituality! We are caught up in an Oprah-generated mentality and a 12-step vocabulary that prevents us from using the very words and the very bridge that 'brought us over!' " Oprah Winfrey did not respond to Christianity Today's request for comment about that article, but Wright stands by his statement. He is clearly put off by the direction Oprah's faith seems to have taken. He further elaborates. "She has broken with the [traditional faith]," he says. "She now has this sort of 'God is everywhere, God is in me, I don't need to go to church, I don't need to be a part of a body of believers, I can meditate, I can do positive thinking' spirituality. It's a strange gospel. It has nothing to do with the church Jesus Christ founded."

Guests with eclectic religious ties:

Gary Zukav
Carolyn Myss
Marianne Williamson (featured on Oprah and Friends on XM)
Iyanla Vanzant
Deepak Chopra

Gospel artists who have appeared on her show:

Yolanda Adams
BeBe and CeCe Winans
Wintley Phipps
Donnie McClurkin

The Church of Oprah Exposed	New Age Oprah - World's Most Dangerous Woman
Please pray for Oprah As posted on YouTube by hartmut77

Reference: Christianity Today's article, The Church of O

Oprah's Honors and Awards

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:11:58 CDT

In recognition of her extraordinary achievements and contributions, Oprah has received numerous honors, including the most prestigious awards and highest industry acknowledgments.

2008

For the second year in a row, Oprah Winfrey was named “Most Powerful Celebrity” according to a new survey by Forbes magazine. She was given the title again by the money magazine, which ranked celebrities based on their earnings over the last year (a total of $275 million for her), along with press clippings, Google hits, television mentions and magazine covers.

2007

Time Magazine—100 Most Influential People in the World
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity—2007 Humanitarian Award

2006

Time Magazine—100 Most Influential People in the World
The New York Public Library—Library Lion 2006

2005

National Civil Rights Museum – 2005 National Freedom Award
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — Hall of Fame
Time Magazine — 100 Most Influential People in the World
International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences — 2005 International Emmy Founders Award

2004

United Nations Association of the United States of America – Global Humanitarian Action Award
National Association of Broadcasters – Distinguished Service Award
Time Magazine – 100 Most Influential People in the World

2003

Association of American Publishers – AAP Honors Award

2002

54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards® – Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
Broadcasting & Cable – Hall of Fame

1999

National Book Foundation – 50th Anniversary Gold Medal

1998

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences® – Lifetime Achievement Award

The following year, after accepting this pinnacle honor, Oprah removed herself from future Emmy® consideration and the show followed suit in 2000. Oprah and The Oprah Winfrey Show received more than 40 Daytime Emmy Awards®: seven for Outstanding Host; nine for Outstanding Talk Show; more than 20 in the Creative Arts categories; and one for Oprah's work as supervising producer of the ABC After School Special Shades of Single Protein.

Time Magazine – 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century

1997

Newsweek – Most Important Person in Books and Media
TV Guide – Television Performer of the Year
Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

1996

International Radio & Television Society Foundation – Gold Medal Award
George Foster Peabody Awards – 1995 Individual Achievement Award

1995

Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

1994

Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Image Award, NAACP
Named to the Television Academy Hall of Fame, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

1993

Horatio Alger Award, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans

1992

Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Image Award, NAACP

1991

Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences 1992, 1994, 1995, and 1997
Image Award, NAACP
Industry Achievement Award, Broadcast Promotion Marketing Executives/Broadcast Design Association

1990

She won the inaugural Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

1989

Entertainer of the Year Award, NAACP
Image Award, NAACP

1988

Broadcaster of the Year, International Radio and Television Society

1987

Emmy Award for best daytime talk show host, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

1986

She received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her film debut role in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple
Woman of Achievement Award, National Organization for Women
One of the Ten Most Admired Women, Playgirl

Source: www.oprah.com and www.answers.com

Oprah Speaks

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:07:55 CDT

Oprah Winfrey at Howard University

Commencements

Oprah addresses Stanford grads in June 2008

Winfrey used her speech to the 4,666 graduates, to talk about dealing with failure. She emphasized the importance of persevering through bad situations and learning from them. Oprah Winfrey told the story of her Leadership Academy for Girls, a $40 million school she had built in South Africa that was rocked by controversy after opening when 1 of its employees was charged with sexually abusing students. Winfrey said she was devastated, but that investigating the incident and providing counseling to the students helped her learn from the situation.

Howard University commencement in May 1997, to a crowd of 30,000

The media mogul brought down the house, while relating the story of her grandmother, who worked as a maid. She said her grandmother always urged her to befriend white people. Oprah Winfrey said that her grandmother's wish was for her to get "some good white folks" to work for. "I regret that she didn't live past 1963 and see that I did get some really good white folks," the talk show queen said, "working for me."

Wellesley College in May, 1997

On May 30, 1997, Oprah Winfrey gave the commencement address to Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She told the graduates that she had learned five important lessons that made her life better.

Life is a journey. Everyday experiences will teach you who you really are.
When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. This is especially helpful with men. Don’t force them to beat you over the head with the message.
Turn your wounds into wisdom. Everyone makes mistakes. They are just God’s way of telling you you’re moving in the wrong direction.
Be grateful. Keep a daily journal of the things you are thankful for. It will keep you focused on the abundance in your life.
Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.

Stanford University's Class of 2008 on June 15, 2008 at Stanford Stadium (scheduled)

Oprah's 10 Commandments for Success

In 1989, in a speech to the American Women’s Economic Development Corporation, Oprah Winfrey listed her personal ten commandments. This list appeared in Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insight from the World’s Most influential Voice, by Janet Lowe.

Don’t live your life to please others.
Don’t depend on forces outside of yourself to get ahead.
Seek harmony and compassion in your business and personal life.
Get rid of the backstabbers—surround yourself only with people who will lift you higher.
Be nice.
Rid yourself of your addictions—whether they are food, alcohol, drugs or behavior habits.
Surround yourself with people who are as smart or smarter than you.
If money is your motivation, forget it.
Never hand over your power to someone else.
Be persistent in pursuing your dreams

See also Oprah's Quotes and Oprah in Quotes (coming soon)

Oprah's Big Give

undrcuvr411 — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:19:05 CDT

Oprah's Big Give follows ten contestants as they find exciting and creative ways to impact the lives of those who really need it in cities across the country. Oprah will make several appearances throughout the show, as will plenty of A-list celebrities. After each challenge, the judges decide who to eliminate from the contestants based on four criteria: creativity, leadership, presentation and accomplishment.

About Oprah's Big Give

The Contestants

Oprah's Big Give - Meet the contestants

Angelo Adams The leader of more than 100 soldiers in Iraq. A former army captain and a West Point graduate.	Sheg Aranmolate At age 18, Sheg Aranmolate came to the United States from Nigeria by himself, with nothing but a duffle bag. The 24-year-old has since earned a master's degree in applied molecular biology.	Rachael Hollingsworth A survivor - Born in Brooklyn, she grew up a victim of gang violence as well as sexual and physical abuse.	Cameron Johnson At 9 years old, Cameron Johnson started his first business. By 17, his net worth had reached $1 million.	Eric Klein While Eric Klein may have modeled for Men's Health, he's not just another pretty face. He is also the founder of a nonprofit organization that enables people who make charitable donations to actually see how their money is being spent.
Brandi Milloy A four-time title holder in the Miss America Organization	Stephen Paletta A devoted father of three, who refers to his wife as his best friend, the CEO of his own company	Kim Prentiss	Marlene Snipes	Carlana Stone At 17, Carlana Stone got into a car with friends after a night of drinking. They were in an accident, and everyone walked away—except her. Today, Carlana is trying to dispel the myth that people struck by tragedy are victims forever.

The Host and Judges

Nate Berkus

The host

Jamie Oliver

"Naked Chef"

Tony Gonzalez

NFL star

Malaak Compton-Rock
wife of Chris Rock

Celebrity Appearances

Danica Patrick

Tony Hawk

Andre Agassi

President George Bush

Carlos Rogers

Jennifer Aniston

Jada Pinkett-Smith

John Travolta

Episode Recap

Episode	Recap	Who was eliminated?
1	In the season premiere, the contestants get their first challenge—with nothing but a photograph, a clue and $2,500, they work in a team of two and have only five days to make dreams come true.	Marlene Snipes
2	The contestants head to Denver, where the competition gets fast and furious. Each giver had $4,800 and only 48 hours to change lives in a city filled with millions of stories.	Angelo Adams
3	It's their biggest mission yet—so Oprah's calling in some star-powered reinforcements! More than 1,000 children are depending on the givers to make miracles happen! The teams competed in Houston, Texas. Two teams were formed. a) Team Forgotten Christmas consisted of Eric, Cameron, Brandi, Stephen and World Champion skateboarder Tony Hawk. Their task was to create the ultimate Christmas celebration for the students of Velasco Elementary, many who come from disadvantaged homes where they likely have never celebrated Christmas. Tony Hawk showcased his skateboarding skills to help Team Forgotten Christmas raise money and collect toys for the big event at Velasco. b) Carlana, Sheg, Kim and Rachael were teamed up with tennis legend Andre Agassi for Project Field of Dreams. Their mission was to surprise Geraldine Sam, a teacher who's been leading the effort for a new school playground at Simms Elementary, with her very own field of dreams. The Project Field of Dreams team organized a fundraiser at the Westside Tennis Club. While the team was checking out the facility, they are treated to two surprises—first, a visit from former President George Bush and then former Houston Rocket Carlos Rogers stopped by to help out.	Carlana Stone
4	The contestants land in Miami, where they have 24 hours to create a supersized give. The host Nate Berkus introduced Joe and Gavin Maloof, the billionaire brothers who own the Sacramento Kings basketball team and the hip Las Vegas Palms Resort and Casino. They donated $700,000 for the Big Give. In the $100,000 Giveaway Mission, each contestant had only 24 hours to donate their share of the $700,000. However, there was a catch: they can't give away cash, they can't spend more than $500 on any one person, and they can't give more than $10,000 at any single location. To top it off, because the challenge was so big, two contestants were eliminated. As Big Give viewers witnessed, giving away money isn't so easy. The Maloof brothers handed out $100,000 to seven contestants, but after 24 hours of nonstop giving, there was still a lot of money left over. So Joe and Gavin Maloof decided to spread that extra cash around Miami. They first opened $5,000 bank accounts in the names of 20 babies in the hospital with medical complications. The children will have a nice savings account for their college education. However, $30,000 remained to be given away. The Maloof brothers decided to give it to the audience -- each audience member received $100. Oprah said that they could spend it on themselves, but they'd feel better if they shared it with someone else.	Kim Prentiss Eric Klein
5	Indy racing superstar Danica Patrick rev'd up the competition when she sent the contestants speeding off on a Big Give road trip. The challenge had two parts. First, the givers were given $5,000 and a map that led them to mystery locations throughout Georgia, where they performed random acts of kindness for complete strangers.	Sheg Aranmolate
6	"Operation Big Dreams" Cameron, Brandi, Rachael and Stephen are charged with granting two dramatic dying wishes in only five days. Plus, for the first time, the contestants must work together on the challenge—and while they will be evaluated individually, the judges will be paying close attention to teamwork. A dream included a performance at Carnegie Hall (with a controversial performance by Rachel) and an appearance and performance by Natalie Cole. A second dream included a special family day in NYC (including a family shopping spree and a ride in Donald Trump's helicopter), following by the news that the mortgage had been paid, a scholarship fund was set up for the children, and a new truck. Jada Pinkett Smith gave $100,000 on behalf of the Smith Family Foundation and through her additional connections all the funds for the $208,000 mortgage were raised. There were problems among team members behind the scenes though and Rachel was eliminated.	Rachel Hollingsworth
7	"Big Family Reunion" Each of the three remaining contestants, Stephen, Brandi, and Cameron, were given $10,000 to give big in their own hometowns. -- Cameron to Roanoke, Virginia; helped the family of a girl with bone cancer, obtaining donations of a widescreen laptop with wireless Internet, a website for her online diary, her room redecorated, a remodeled living room with cable television and a DVD player, $5000 to pay the rent for one year, and a new car. He entire seed money of $10,000 was given to the family. -- Stephen to Bedford, New York: coordinated a fund raising event where $43,000 was raised for the renovations needed at the Northern Westchester Shelter for women, a safe haven for victims of domestic violence -- Brandi to Sierra Vista, Arizona: spent $3,000 to send five autistic children to summer camp; obtained an honorary Miss Sierra Vista title (complete with her own parade) for a young girl with multiple brain tumors; and $1,000 to a family whose son had severe brain damage. The contestants flew back to Big Give headquarters in a private jet piloted by superstar John Travolta.	No one
8	"The Shirt Off Your Back" Only three contestants remain, Stephen, Brandi, and Cameron. They must work as a team in Chicago with no seed money for 48 hours. The team decided to raise money for the $100,000 needed for The Chicago Home Academy's new athletic field. Blue Man Productions offered to donate $100,000 to the academy and a free concert by Blue Man Group for the kids. At the end of the concert, it was announced that $60,000 had been raised for the fields. Blue Man Productions gave $50,000 for the fields and $50,000 for music and arts education programs. In addition, Fender Musical Instruments gave 15 new guitars and The Gibson Foundation gave a new Baldwin upright piano. In the meantime, Brandi, joined by Cameron, set up a free cooking class by chef Anthony Reyes for the kids at the Shriners Hospital for Children. With $10,000 donated they also provided instruments, sports equipment, books, and DVDs for the hospital. Jennifer Aniston dropped by the finale reporting that each of the seven eliminated contestants would get $30,000. The biggest giver, Stephen, was awarded $1 million--- $500,000 for more Big Gives and $500,000 to keep. The other two finalists received $100,000 each.	Brandi Milloy and Cameron Johnson Biggest Giver (winner): Stephen Paletta

Viewer Participation

Pull off your own "Big Give"

Viewers are encouraged to get involved in their neighborhoods and hometowns. They are encouraged to come up with a fun way to raise cash and then decide who deserves it most. Viewers are encouraged to write to the producers about how they touched someone's life or to make a video.

The Fine Print

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:57:58 CDT

Important information for you to understand

This site is not an official site associated with Oprah Winfrey, The Oprah Winfrey Show, or any of her companies or organizations. It is neither sponsored nor endorsed by Oprah Winfrey or her producers. It was created as an unofficial social networking site on the Internet for individuals who are crazy about Oprah or those who Oprah drives CrAzY, the groups of individuals that I affectionately call the O Maniacs.
Unless we become the absolutely largest Oprah fan club IN THE WORLD, it is unlikely that Oprah Winfrey will ever see this site. So, it won't be very productive to post comments about your new book, product, or service that you'd like Oprah to include on an O List or Oprah's Favorite Things. That would be considered spam and will be deleted by the O Mania Wiki moderators. However, if you just can't resist, add your message on the What I Want Oprah to Know page.
By joining this community or by participating on this wiki, you agree that it is unlikely Oprah Winfrey or her staff will ever see your question, comment, or request and you're not going to hold any of the O Mania Wiki or Wetpaint team responsible in any way. If you can't agree to this, then please find another fan site or go to Oprah's site instead, with our regrets.
Remember the copyright law. If you use post something that you did not create (e.g., images, pictures), please give credit where credit is due. If you add any information to this site or reference any information from this site on another site, please include an appropriate attribution of its source.
This site was created for entertainment purposes. Something you see on this site may at times amuse you, entertain you, inform you, make you think, frustrate you, anger you, etc. Remember to be kind when visiting and contributing on this site. Do not revise, delete, or vandalize text on this wiki just because you don't agree to what is being said. Instead, be a good community member and start a discussion thread or add a page with an alternate theory or position.
This site is being created by the people...for the people. Don't assume that the creator, moderators, or administrators agree to the views expressed on this site (e.g., within the text, comments, attachments, multimedia).
Reference the Wetpaint Code of Conduct
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Oprah's Friends

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:51:16 CDT

Oprah & Friends

The Oprah & Friends channel on XM Satellite radio features a broad range of original programming from Harpo Radio, Inc. It includes regular segments hosted by popular personalities from The Oprah Winfrey Show and O, The Oprah Magazine and an exclusive original weekly half-hour reality radio show with Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. The channel broadcasts from a new state-of-the-art XM studio at Harpo Studios in Chicago.

Oprah & Friends includes regular programming on topics such as current events, self improvement, health, nutrition, fitness and home. Friends and contributors include:

Gayle King, TV personality, Editor-at-Large for O, The Oprah Magazine and O at Home (and Oprah's closest friend)
Dr. Mehmet Oz, noted heart surgeon, co-author of the best-selling book YOU: The Owner's Manual, and a regular contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show
Bob Greene, exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer, best-selling author, and a regular contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show
Nate Berkus, featured design expert for The Oprah Winfrey Show and a regular contributor to O at Home
Dr. Robin Smith, licensed psychologist, author, and a regular contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show
Marianne Williamson, best-selling author and lecturer on personal and spiritual issues
Peter Walsh, organization expert
The Peetes
Michael Losier
Jean Chatzky
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Dr Maya Angelou

Other Friends

Dr Phil McGraw
Rachel Ray
Kirstie Alley
Tom Cruise (see the infamous video of his visit to the show and the parody)
David Letterman
Various artists (see the Music heard on the Oprah show page)

External links:
Link to program list for Oprah & Friends channel
Link to program schedule

Music Heard on the Oprah Show

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:48:38 CDT

Oprah has invited some of America's best-selling artists to the show to perform.

Artist	Song performed	Hear it here
Mariah Carey	"Bye Bye"
Carrie Underwood	Carrie performed her most downloaded song, "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which was nominated for Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year at the CMA Awards.
Josh Groban	Josh performed "So She Dances" on The Oprah Winfrey Show
Tony Bennett and Michael Buble	Tony entertained the Oprah Show audience with a medley of his hits "The Best is Yet to Come," "The Way You Look Tonight" and "I Left My Heart In San Francisco." Michael Buble and Tony Bennett also sang sing "Just in Time" to get the audience swinging
Robin Thicke	Robin performed "Lost Without You"
Enrique Iglesias	Enrique surprised one of his biggest fans with the help of Oprah. Little did Elisa know that Enrique was there to surprise her and give her a day she'd never forget. He even serenaded his biggest fan with her favorite song, "Hero." The best part? Enrique gave Elisa two lifetime passes to any of his concerts, anywhere in the world!
Barry Manilow	During the "our wildest dreams" season, Barry Manilow appeared on Oprah's show after years where thousands have written, called and begged to have this legend on the show. Some fans were surprised. He sung "Mandy" and old standbys "I Write the Songs" and "Can't Smile Without You." Many of his loyal fans could hardly keep their seats—or keep from crying!

The Oprah Winfrey Show

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:35:41 CDT

About the show

The Oprah Winfrey Show (also known as Oprah) is a United States syndicated talk show that is hosted and produced by its namesake, Oprah Winfrey. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history. It's current the longest-running daytime television talk show in the US. It is renewed through 2011, but in a 2007 interview with Larry King, Oprah stated that she will not renew her contract then. The show is said to be highly influential, particularly with women. In early episodes, the show followed a style similar to that of Phil Donahue and explored sensationalistic social issues. Oprah eventually transformed her show into a more positive experience. She has included celebrity interviews, started book clubs, featured self-improvement segments, and philanthropy.

Regular Segments

Oprah's Book Club
Tuesday's with Dr Phil

Memorable Oprah Shows

The world's first pregnant man
The Wildest Dreams tour, where dreams of people were fulfilled
Oprah's Favorite Things shows
The 19th season premiere (fall 2004) when Oprah surprised her entire audience by giving them each a Pontiac G6. It was named as one of the greatest television moments in history by TV Guide. Although Oprah may be given credit for giving the cars away, they were actually donated to her by Pontiac as a publicity stunt.
Oprah's interview with Tom Cruise, which was broadcast on May 23, 2005, has also gained notoriety because he jumped around the set, hopped onto a couch, fell rapturously to one knee and repeatedly professed his love for his new girlfriend (now wife). This scene quickly became part of American pop-culture and was parodied in media.
Stevie Wonder (who is blind) driving a car
"The Weight Wagon" episode, which aired on November 5, 1988 (and is the highest-rated single episode) when Oprah wheeled out a wagon containing fat, representing the weight she had lost

Other Oprah Features Originating from The Oprah Winfrey Show

Oprah After the Show
The Oprah Channel on YouTube
Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special

Criticism about The Oprah Winfrey Show

Some accuse her show of having a liberal slant
After the March 18, 2004 show that included explicit talk about teen sexuality, the Federal Communications Commission received more than 1600 letters complaining about the broadcast and demanding that the talk show host be cited for indecency.

Memorable Moments from The Oprah Winfrey Show

Tom Cruise Goes Crazy on Oprah (original version)	Everybody gets a car
Stevie Wonder Driving a Car	Pregnant Man on Oprah ~2/5

You may also be interested in the following pages:
Oprah Show Parodies | Oprah Show Scandals and Controversy | Music Heard on Oprah's Show

Our Big Give

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:03:09 CDT

Pull off your own "Big Give"

Viewers of Oprah's Big Give have been encouraged to get involved in their neighborhoods and hometowns. They are encouraged to come up with a fun way to raise cash and then decide who deserves it most. Viewers are encouraged to write to the producers about how they touched someone's life or to make a video.

If you've created a team to get personally involved in Oprah's Big Give and have given back to someone in your neighborhood, hometown, or community, touching someone's life, tell us about it. You can:

Start a new discussion thread from this page and tell us your story
Create a new page and post the letter you sent to the producers
Create a new page and post a link to the video you posted on YouTube describing to the producers how you touched someone's life

Oprah Maniacs

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:29:46 CDT

This O Mania Wiki is designed for you, the Oprah fans!
You can participate on this site. Join. Visit these pages and show us why you're the #1 Oprah fan! Also, don't forget to participate in the discussions.

O Mania Wiki Guestbook
Chat with Oprah fans
Fan Tributes
How I Met Oprah

How Oprah Changed My Life

My Big Give

My Day at The Oprah Show

Oprah Sightings

Our Oprah Fan Club
Our Oprah Book Club

What I Want to Tell Oprah

Our Oprah Book Club

undrcuvr411 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:29:03 CDT

Are you a member of an Oprah book club or a book club that started because of Oprah's Book club?

If so, add a page and tell us all about your book club
- Include pictures of your book club
- Describe your recent activities (e.g., are you participating in the web class?)
- Post a video on YouTube about your club and its activities and link it here
- Tell us what makes your book club THE BEST in the world
- Tell us what you've been reading
- Help us to create a book review section on the site
If not, but you'd like to participate in one in your area, start a new thread
- Tell us the city where you're located and your interest in connecting with other fans

Why would you want to add your book club to this wiki?

Where else on the Web can you get a FREE webpage for your book club?
With built-in community features -- for discussion threads, group edit capability, community member messaging?
Allowing you to also connect with and to be a part of the larger Oprah Book Club community?

The O Mania Wiki is the ONLY place where you can have it all

Chat with O Maniacs

just_tonya — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:42:27 CDT

You can chat with other Oprah fans visiting this O Mania Wiki page below:

Why not schedule a chat with other Oprah fans to discuss hot topics (e.g., during Oprah's show, during the web class, etc)?

Reference information on using Gabbly

* Some options are not active when embedded on this wiki page (e.g., dragging to move, dock window, drag to resize, etc.)

About this O Mania Wiki

just_tonya — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:13:18 CDT

How can you help? What would Gayle do?

Check out the To-Dos for the site and lend a helping hand! Add a little or a lot - every bit counts.
Welcome! Got questions? We've got answers.

What's a wiki? A wiki is a collaboratively authored website.
That's a fancy way of saying it's a site that has been created, edited and maintained by Oprah fans like you. Anyone who signs-up can edit an existing page or add a new one. It's totally free! We only ask you to join to keep spammers and vandals from ruining the site content. The idea is that is gets better with time and participation. For more info read The Fine Print and the Wetpaint Code of Conduct.

What's the purpose of this site? What makes it unique?
I created this site for two reasons. First, I wanted to connect with Oprah fans and build a site together. Second, I wanted to have some great wiki'd fun in the process. If you're looking for pure fact , check Wikipedia or Oprah's site. If you want a little sarcasm mixed with adoration this is the site for you.

Am I welcome here?
You betcha. All Oprah fans are. We also welcome those who are not quite Oprah fans yet! We even welcome folks who are a bit tee'd off with Oprah and would like to share a thought or two! We're just starting out and we need members! If you have a question, just ask the moderators.

How can I help?
There are lots of pages with 'To-Dos' (AKA tasks) so please feel free to pitch in and add your own content. Or, simply reply to a discussion thread and keep the conversation rolling. By the way, if you're interested in being a moderator on this site, let me know.

What if I have questions?
Feel free to send me a message to introduce yourself. Simply click on a username and then the 'send message' link.

A total maniac about O!

O Mania Wiki founder - just_tonya

Feedback

just_tonya — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:08:57 CDT

We need YOUR feedback to make the O Mania wiki even better and give our users the best wiki experience possible, it would be great if you could tell us some of the following...

CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

Oprah and Politics

undrcuvr411 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:42:52 CDT

The Oprah Bill

In 1991, motivated in part by her own memories of childhood abuse, Oprah Winfrey initiated a campaign to establish a national database of convicted child abusers. She testified before a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of a National Child Protection Act. President Clinton signed the "Oprah Bill" into law in 1993, establishing the national database she had sought, which is now available to law enforcement agencies and concerned parties across the country.

Oprah's Support for Obama

Oprah Winfrey, who for years has been a close friend to Mr. Obama, reaffirmed her support for his presidential candidacy during an interview on CNN’s Larry King Live. It is the first time that Ms. Winfrey has endorsed – not to mention thrown her brand behind – a political candidate. She said she has not written a check to Mr. Obama’s campaign. “Well the truth of the matter is, whether I contribute or not contribute, you are limited to how much you contribute, so my money isn’t going to make any difference to him,” Ms. Winfrey said. “I think that my value to him, my support of him, is probably worth more than any check.”

Winfrey raised nearly $3 million for the senator from Illinois at a glitzy California fundraiser in September 2007
Oprah Winfrey hit the campaign trail with Senator and Mrs. Obama, making stops in Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire

Videos

Oprah Winfrey Speaks for Barack Obama in Iowa - Part 1 of 2	Barack Obama thanks Oprah - a mushgushy.com video
Oprah & Obama: The Big Give Political Style	MadTV - Obama & Oprah Parody (Funny!) As posted on YouTube by MadTVonTV

Oprah for President?

	Many are suggesting that Obama should harness the power and influence of Oprah and select her as his candidate for the Office of Vice President.
	Many suggest that Oprah should run for President of the USA. Some suggest that Gayle King would partner with her, running for the Office of Vice President.

Videos:

Red State Update: Oprah for President
(Warning: Language alert)

Oprah's response to questions on future run for presidency

Books Seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show

just_tonya — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:24:44 CDT

2008

Oprah Links

undrcuvr411 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:41:10 CDT

Listed below are some other locations on the Web where you can find information about Oprah. You will leave the O Mania Wiki when clicking on these external links. Please don't forget to come back. : )

External links:

The Oprah Fan Club blog, with daily updates and news on The Oprah Winfrey Show

SirLinksaLot: Oprah Links

Oprah in Court

just_tonya — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:37:43 CDT

The Case of the Mad Cow	Texas Cattlemen vs. Oprah, Harpo Productions, and Howard Lyman	Following a discussion of "mad cow" disease on her show in 1996, a group of Texas cattlemen took Oprah to court. Howard Lyman reported on Oprah's show that he believed that mad cow disease could cause an epidemic in America bigger than aids. Oprah asked the crowd: "Now doesn't that concern you all a little bit, right here, learning that? It has just stopped me cold from eating another burger." Within seconds, beef prices in American markets started to plummet. The US cattle industry had already banned the practice causing mad cow disease and no case had ever occurred in the US. Also, William Hueston, former Agriculture Department expert on mad cow disease, reported that he was 'ambushed' on her show, charging that she riled up audience. He charged that his reassuring comments about safety of American beef were mostly edited out. The cattlemen's suit was the first major test of the product disparagement act allowing producers of perishable foods to sue those who knowingly disseminate false information stating or implying that the producer's product is not safe for public consumption. They charged talk show host Oprah Winfrey slandered American beef in the 1996 show on mad cow disease and sought over $11M in damages over the plunges in beef prices following her comments. The judge ruled that the suit would be tried solely on business disparagement law (rather than the food defamation law), which meant that the cattle ranchers must prove malice on the part of Ms Winfrey. A jury in Amarillo, Texas, ruled in favor of the talk-show host. "Free speech not only lives, it rocks," a beaming Oprah Winfrey said after jurors rejected the multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit by Texas cattlemen. "I have come from people who have struggled and died to have a voice in this country and I refuse to be muzzled." The U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans (5th Cir.) later ruled that Oprah Winfrey and her guest Howard Lyman did not knowingly and falsely depict American beef as unsafe. The federal appeals court said that talk show host Oprah Winfrey 'melodramatized' mad cow disease but did not give false information about it or defame cattlemen. It upheld the verdict of Amarillo that rejected cattlemen's claims against Winfrey, her production company and vegetarian advocate Howard Lyman. *Importance of this event:* A test of the power of freedom of speech Confusion in applying the product disparagement act Oprah's introduction to Dr Phil McGraw, a consultant on her team during the suit
	Randolph Cook vs. Oprah Winfrey	A former boyfriend named Randolph Cook tried to sue Oprah Winfrey in 1997 for $20 million for allegedly blocking a tell-all book where he claimed they lived together for several months in 1985 and did drugs. Cook’s claims mark the second time reports surfaced about Winfrey’s involvement in a drug related love affair. Oprah Winfrey herself confessed to drug use in 1995. “And I've often said over the years…in my attempts to come out and say it, I've said many times I did things in my 20s that I was ashamed of, I did things I felt guilty about, but that is my life's great big secret that's always been held over my head,” Oprah explained on her show. “I always felt that the drug itself is not the problem but that I was addicted to the man.” Oprah then added: “I can't think of anything I wouldn't have done for that man.”
Racial profiling when crossing the Canadian border	Almon vs Canada in a Michigan Federal Court	In August 2007, it was reported that Oprah Winfrey, Condi Rice, and Colin Powell are among a host of A-list celebs who were just subpoenaed in a racial profiling case in a Michigan Federal Court. Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Condoleezza Rice, Eminem, Paris Hilton, Diddy, Colin Powell, Kobe Bryant and two former Taliban officials are some of the 30-plus names Jerome Almon has "commanded" to testify in his $900 million federal suit against the government of Canada. The CEO of MurderCap Records alleged in U.S. District Court in Michigan that Canadian immigration officials are guilty of flagrant racial profiling, which, he contends, the celebrities can prove. Almon wants to know why 50 Cent, DMX, Wilson Pickett and other black artists have had trouble entering, while Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Martha Stewart and other white celebrities with criminal records are free to skip back and forth across the border. Edit this page an update this item if you know how things turned out. For example, has it gone to court yet? How many celebs actually appeared in court or filed statements? What was the outcome of the case?
The Mad Dash	Orit Greenberg vs Harpo	In March 2008, a woman claims in a lawsuit that she was injured in a dash for seats at Winfrey's talk show in Chicago. Orit Greenberg's lawsuit seeks $50,000 in damages. Greenberg claims Harpo Studios failed to control the audience on Dec. 5, 2006. The lawsuit says audience members were told to sit wherever they wanted. The crowd allegedly pushed Greenberg down a flight of stairs, causing "severe and permanent injuries." A Harpo Studios spokeswoman told The Associated Press the studio doesn't comment on pending litigation.
The Big Taker, rather than the Big Giver	Darlene Tracy vs Harpo	Darlene Tracy, a mother-of-four from Boston alleges that producers of Oprah's Big Give show stole the idea from a proposal she sent to the company in February 2005. Tracy claims that she pitched a reality show called The Philanthropist to Ellen Rakieten and Jennifer Thornton, the executive producer and a producer of Winfrey's daytime talk show, in which contestants were judged on their ability to help out those less fortunate. Tracy claims Rakieten responded to her proposal and requested more information on the proposed series, which she promptly delivered. Four months later, Tracy says, Thornton broke the news that Harpo would be passing on the show. However, just over a year later, Winfrey announced on her show plans for a series similar—too similar, for Tracy—in concept to her original idea. Tracy filed a complaint in Boston's U.S. District Court (representing herself) to prevent the Big Give from airing. A judge quickly dismissed the filing after Winfrey's lawyers argued that Massachusetts wasn't the place to embark on the legal battle. Armed now with a team of lawyers, Tracy has filed an appeal, which includes documentation of her correspondence with the Oprah Winfrey Show producers.

Dr Phil McGraw

just_tonya — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:46:04 CDT

About Dr Phil McGraw

Oprah first met Dr Phil McGraw during the infamous 1998 lawsuit brought against her in Amarillo, Texas, by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. They claimed that Oprah made derogatory comments on her show about the safety of American beef. During her ordeal, Dr. Phil, who at the time was a litigation consultant at his own firm Courtroom Sciences, Inc., helped her analyze and read the jury. It was a win-win situation for Oprah. Not only was she vindicated at trial's end, but she saw a new daytime star in the persona of the larger-than-life, plain-talking life strategist. Dr. Phil's regular appearances from 1998-2002 on Oprah's show propelled him to a new career as host of his show, Dr. Phil, which was created by Winfrey's production company Harpo Productions in partnership with Paramount. Since then, besides the highly-rated talk show and sold-out speaking engagements around the world, the McGraw brand has grown to include six New York Times best-sellers. This fall, CBS Television Distribution and the DR. PHIL producers will launch the new, spin-off daytime series, "The Doctors."

Dr. Phil on Oprah's show
Relationship rescue
Tuesdays with Dr Phil

*Dr Phil on Video*
Here's Dr Phil speaking of the rumors and gossip about his actions in the Britney Spears controversy. Did Oprah fire Dr Phil over the Britney Spears controversary? What do you think? Tell us.
*Funny videos made about Dr Phil and Oprah*
Here's a video of Australia's impersonator Ben Price playing Dr. Phil chatting with an Oprah impersonator. This was part of the 2007 show Ben Price as Dr. Phil in "What were you thinking"?
Dr Phil and Oprah make-out and he is sent to his 'cage' Created by MadTV and Comedy Central
Oprah and Dr Phil animated e-card / music video made at mushygushy.com
Dr Phil (impersonator) comes to the defense of Oprah
Oprah American Idol - Oprah and Dr Phil sing Queen's "We Will Rock You"