the big o

I did something I haven't done in ages - watched Oprah.

Yes, I lived in Chicago for two years and never saw Oprah. We did go by her studios a few times, but only because there is a cool restaurant across the street (Wishbone, if you are ever over that way).

There was a time when I would come home every day and watch Phil Donahue and Oprah. It always amused me to watch them try and outdo the other. I would imagine them saying things like you think you are so cool with your homophobic transvestite midgets - well, I've go homophobic transvestite midgets who are vampires!

And then Phil D. called it quits and Oprah started to do good things. But then she spawned Dr. Phil, and things have just never been the same. Even Oprah seems to admit that was a mistake.

Tonight I think was supposed to be one of her big give away shows. This year she talked to her friends over at BofA and got them to give each audience member $1000 debit card. The deal is they can't spend it on themselves, or friends or family. They can spend it all at once, or $1 for a thousand people. They just need to be strangers. They have a week to figure it out, give it away and record it on video (with Sony cameras which were loaned to them). The results will be on future episodes.

Her first guest on the show was the Free Hug guy. You have probably seen his video on YouTube. He holds up a sign and gets people to hug him. And then the police come along and shut him down. And the video goes on to show him collecting 10,000 signatures to show he isn't a threat.

She also had on the new mayor of Newark, New Jersey. His name is Cory Booker and he is a Stanford grad in addition to being a Rhode Scholar and graduate of Yale Law School. He lost the first time he ran. But to prove he was serious, he has lived in the projects in Newark for about eight years without heat or hot water. He is committed, although Oprah gave him a few looks like she thought he might think about being committed, if you know what I mean.

Apparently when he first took office, there were several death threats made. Two boys, ages 15 and 16 were allegedly caught spraying graffiti on a building with such threats. The mayor asked to meet with these young men and made them a deal. He has taken them to the bookstore, the library, and even New York City (a mere 10 miles away, although for one of the boys it was his first trip). In return, in addition to stopping the death threats, they are to dress and speak appropriately. He has been in office 100 days. His goal is to show that Newark can be turned around.


currently reading :: Water for Elephants