Archive for "Oprah"

Top Ten Oprah Moments of 2010

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Friday, December 24, 2010 at 12:00 am.

As we draw closer and closer to the end of the Goddess’ reign on daytime television, it’s time to recall some of Oprah Winfrey’s biggest moments of the year.

This year, The Oprah Winfrey Show discussed drug abuse, sexual abuse, physical ailments, lavish gifts, and highly anticipated reunions.

Here are our 10 Oprah moments of the year:

1. Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s kids discuss life after Michael.

One of the biggest stories of 2009, if not the decade, was the unexpected death of Michael Jackson as he was on the verge of launching a major tour in London. A year following his death, Michael’s mother discussed her son while offering Oprah the exclusive of speaking to the fallen pop star’s children.

2. Tyler Perry Recalls Physical and Sexual Abuse

For the first time in his career, Tyler Perry spoke at length about the awful sexual abuse he encountered from both men and women as a young child. Following this episode, Oprah and Tyler reunited again for a special edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show that allowed over 200 men to discuss their own battles with molestation.

3. Mo’Nique’s Brother Admits Molestation

The Oscar winner and BET late night talk show host, Mo’Nique, previously discussed the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her brother, Gerald Imes. Several months after her episode aired, Imes reached out to Oprah in order to confess to his transgressions – uh, sort of.

4. The Color Purple Reunion

In honor of the 25th anniversary of The Color Purple’s release, Oprah rounded up the original cast of the beloved movie. During this episode, Oprah and co-star Whoopi Goldberg spoke openly about their long-rumored beef.

5. Terry McMillan and Jonathan Plummer Reunite

At one point, it appeared the celebrated author and her gay ex-husband couldn’t stand to be in the same room with each other. But, while promoting her new book, Getting To Happy, the sequel to Waiting To Exhale, Terry McMillan and Jonathan Plummer talked about their previous rifts and more pleasant current relationship.

6. Roger Ebert

The beloved film critic spoke through a state-of-the-art text-to-speech computer to discuss life after losing his voice as the result of several surgeries undergone to fight his battle with thyroid cancer.

7. Todd Bridges

Promoting his autobiography, Killing Willis: From Diff’rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted, the Diff’rent Strokes star shared his thoughts on the deaths of his co-stars, Gary Coleman and Dana Plato, along with his own notorious battles with drugs.

8. Will & Jada Pinkett Smith Bring Whole Family

On this episode, Willl Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith collectively channeled the spirits of Iyanla Vanzant, Dear Abby, and a bit of Dr. Seuss yesterday during their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The family – with all of the kids and the ex-wife – talked parenting and co-existing.

9. Oprah’s Favorite Things

Another year of awesome gifts, another reason to be incredibly jealous for not being in the studio audience. Actually, two reasons this year as Oprah upped the ante with back-to-back episodes of the famed Oprah tradition.

10. Oprah Sends Audience to Australia

Oprah treats one entire studio audience to a 10-day trip to Australia piloted by John Travolta. We’ll be seeing these Australian-themed episodes come January.

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Kanye West Upsets Oprah

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 12:00 am.

There are just some things in life you shouldn’t do. Pissing off Oprah should top that list.

It seems Kanye West was scheduled to perform and interview with my TV goddess, only he abruptly canceled at the last minute.

In Touch reports that producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show had arranged for a rooftop location for Kanye’s performance (naturally, he couldn’t just perform on stage like regular people) but he bailed out – by email.

An “insider” claims “Oprah is not happy” because “all the arrangements had been made.”

If this is true, you better a say a prayer for Kanye. Forget Taylor Swift, Oprah is the G you don’t want to annoy. Have mercy on his soul.

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Oprah Books Mel Gibson’s Ex

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 12:00 am.

By now you’ve heard about Mel Gibson and his affinity for racial slurs, gay insults, and misogynistic rants that have pretty much made him one of the most hated public figures in recent memory.

It seems now that the women who was on the receiving end of all of those mentally disturbed themed phone calls, Russian singer Oksana Grigorieva, will pop a squat on Oprah Winfrey’s coach for conversation.

Usmagazine.com reports that Oksana will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss her relationship with the writer/director/anger management don’t in the near feature.

Though Team Harpo wouldn’t confirm, TMZ already has which pretty much means that it will come to pass.

Oprah is really trying to go out with a bang of in this case, a bleepity bleep, huh?

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Oprah’s OWN Sued

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 12:00 am.

Every week it seems like there’s bad news about Oprah’s cable station, OWN.

Delays, going overbudget, and now word of a lawsuit.

The network has been sued for wrongful termination and discrimination.

According to Catherine Dunn, the suit was a long time coming.

Via E! Online:

Dunn, who suffers from the autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis, began her employment as an executive assistant at OWN in August 2008. As a result of a reportedly “hostile work environment” due to her disability, Dunn claims she was forced to take stress leave, as well as a leave of absence when her MS “symptoms were exacerbated because of the workplace stress.”

Additionally, Dunn’s lawsuit states that while she was on leave, her position was filled by a “non-disabled and younger employee.”

Dunn is seeking unspecified damages from the Oprah-owned network.

When asked to comment on the already-filed charges, an OWN spokesperson told E! News: “We have not seen the lawsuit. We are unaware of the claims. When and if we see something we will review appropriately.”

I gather Discovery is about to go even more over budget in settling this suit.

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Octomom Gets Personal With Oprah

Published by Starr Rhett on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 11:00 am.

Nutty Nadya Sulemon aka “Octomom” appeared on Oprah yesterday and revealed what everyone else already knew–that having 14 children wasn’t the brightest idea since creation, explaining to Oprah that she was caught-up in a childish desire to have more kids to overcompensate for being an only child, and that she was using the children to fill a void. (I’ve heard of only child syndrome, but is it that serious?)

She also said that she would never do porn–and yes, she was approached to go XXX.

“I feel like they are trying to steal a piece of the situation, exploiting me, disrespecting me as a mother, my children,” Suleman said about the offer she received to join the adult entertainment industry. “They have offered this three times but it is disrespectful to me as a mother. I would never, never do something like that.”

It’s nice to see that there’s a smidgen of sense left.

Oprah’s crew toured the Octomom’s house and discovered that she has three nannies to help her during the day, spends around $1,000 a week on groceries and she only has one car for her tribe.

Oprah asked Suleman if she had considered giving her kids up for adoption so that they could be better cared for and her answer was that she would do everything in her power to avoid that. Speaking of adoption, she also said she will never reveal the identity of the childrens’ father. (It probably doesn’t matter since he was just a donor).

This is too complicated, but on a brighter note, Suleman’s mortgage holder has agreed to a six-month extension on a $450,000 balloon payment, allowing her and her 14 children to remain in their home, her attorney said Wednesday.

Good for them. Hopefully Suleman can keep providing for her children when her 15 minutes are up. (That probably sounded sarcastic but it was really concern).

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No ‘Favorite Things’ For Oprah

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 2:00 am.

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It truly is the beginning of the end for The Oprah Winfrey Show.

A Harpo staff member has confirmed that the viewer-favorite episode Oprah’s “Favorite Things” won’t air this year.

The employee offered no explanation as to why they have no “plans this season” to air the episode. I’m going with the “to make her fans suffer” as the answer.

Oprah’s “Favorite Things” is the annual segment typically aired between after Thanksgiving where audiences are rewarded Oprah’s favorite products – like books, CDs, clothes, cosmetics, foods, laptops, cameras, and all sorts of high-end labels.

In light of the recession, last year producers featured “next to nothing” items, highlighting various do-it-yourself (even though you probably don’t want to) products. Yes, Oprah cared about the broke folks even though she makes more in a second than most do their entire lives. That’s why it’s only right that she keep the tradition going – especially when the tradition has proven to be such a ratings winner.

It’s been Oprah’s highest rated episode since it began in 2002.

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Robin Givens Reacts To Oprah’s Tyson Interview

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 12:00 am.

There are three people in life I fear: God, my mama, and Oprah.

And if I’m being honest, I’d rather have to work to regain the love of the other two than Oprah. Kidding, ya’ll…but really, I would watch my mouth around the Queen of TV.

When Mike Tyson sat down with Oprah a few weeks ago some people thanked Oprah for humanizing him in a way not previously seen outside of his most recent documentary.

Some people, like his ex-wife, Robin Givens, were mad at Oprah because it humanized him a little too much.

At one point during his interview Mike was asked about his reactions to his now infamous interview with Robin about his physical abuse to her. He quipped that at the time he wanted to “sock her.” The audience seemed to laugh, though as Oprah noted in the video it was the kind of laughter that pointed more towards them feeling uncomfortable versus them getting a chuckle out of abuse.

But Robin spoke out and in turn Oprah invited her to speak her piece. Fortunately, Oprah apologized to Robin and further clarified her reaction during Tyson’s interview. Robin did have a point, which Oprah acknowledged proving that she is indeed everything – including someone who will apologize.

P.S. I wouldn’t try that again if I were you, though, Robin. Love you, O!

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Sarah Palin Headed To Oprah

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 12:00 am.

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It’s official: Sarah Palin is never going away.

Ever.

Although she no longer holds any public office everything Palin related – including the private parts of her daughter’s baby daddy – makes the news.

And with Oprah being up on game, I suppose it shouldn’t have been hard to figure out that Sarah Palin would eventually find her way in Chicago.

Yesterday, Harpo announced that Oprah and Palin will meet for the very first time on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Despite Oprah endorsing the opposing ticket for the 2008 presidential election, Palin is appearing on the show to shill her upcoming memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life.

Already some people are criticizing Oprah for only now inviting Palin to her show. Likewise, a few Palin promoters are angry that Palin is appearing on Oprah’s show.

Trust me when I say both factions will be glued to their TV sets on Nov. 16 when this interview runs.

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Oprah Reunites Tyson & Holyfield

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:00 am.

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Let the record show that there is nothing Oprah Winfrey can’t do.

Fresh off his highly publicized interview in which he declared that his original apology wasn’t sincere, Mike Tyson will return to Oprah on Friday to reunite with Evander Holyfield.

In their second fight back in June 1997, Mike treated Holyfield’s ear like a chicken nugget. Tyson explained to Oprah that at the time of the biting he was angry that Holyfield was knucking and bucking and ready to fight.

How will these two interact? I’ve seen pictures of them post-ear nugget debacle, but Tyson said Holyfield always seems distant. I would too if you tried to bite a piece off my head.

But, there’s a lot these two can catch up on. Both are broke and could use the publicity. I say form a friendship, you two.

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Mike Tyson: The Oprah Interview

Published by Michael Arceneaux on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 12:00 am.

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When you grow to prominence for fighting, become notorious as a convicted rapist, and infamous for biting a piece of a man’s ear off, you’re not expected to be someone aware of his emotions.

But that’s just one of many revelations Mike Tyson shared during yesterday’s appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

The former heavyweight champion of the world appeared on Oprah’s stage to discuss his much discussed documentary, Tyson.

In recalling the first time he fought in response to bullies, Tyson told Oprah, “A big penalty if they violated my feelings. Even to this day I’m overly protective of my feelings.”

His feelings poured out throughout the interview. We saw a very visibly choked up Tyson talked about his trainer and father figure, Cus D’amato.

Tyson was also distraught while discussing the loss of his four-year-old daughter, Exodus. Tyson said he didn’t want to know what led to her death for fear of how his anger would go to the person held responsible.

As the interview went on, Tyson discussed desire to make his opponents in the ring fear him. That’s in part to him admittedly harboring fear himself before every fight. He also acknowledged that he grew up with a huge inferiority complex – which spawned his own God complex.

Listening to him throughout the interview you could tell how important his children are to him. He himself said that his children only matter to him now.

Other highlights:

On Robin Givens: “I have no animosity toward her. I realize that was a great learning experience.”

How he is a different man emotionally in a relationship: “I said I’m going to try to dedicate my life to living a particular type of way – restricting myself from things that tore my life and family.”

On drug dealers not taking his life for stealing from them: “I think they felt sorry for me.”

On what he wants to say to Evander Holyfield: “I just want to apologize. I’ve known him for such a long time. I was undisciplined, and in a very competitive move and I was so desperate to beat him. I was just upset.”

On losing his fortune: “My priorities have changed so much I wouldn’t even know what to do with that kind of money.”

Check out the full interview below:

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