Must Read: NYTimes “Black Women And Fat” Writer Pens Skinny Novel “Ada’s Rules”

The Stockton Record is reporting that Tubbs gained Winfrey’s attention in April when she visited Stanford University, where Tubbs will graduate in June. During a luncheon, someone mentioned to Winfrey that Tubbs is a City Council candidate back at home [in California]. Ever since then, Oprah couldn’t help but keep coming back to Stockton to talk with the young politician about his town. Since then, Tubbs has told her about the crime, poverty and the disconnect in the city. Tubbs is such an inspiration.

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The young Democrat is the Executive Director of The Phoenix Scholars, a mentoring program for college-bound low-income high school students. He has also interned at Google and the White House. Tubbs will be running against 52-year old Republican Dale Fritchen. Due to California’s recently passed “Top Two Primary” law, Fritchen and Tubbs will square off in a primary on June 5th and then, no matter what happens in June, go at it again in November.

Although Fritchen is focused of fighting against Stockton’s bankruptcy, Tubbs is all about public safety. In an interview, he claims, “Bankruptcy is one thing, but you look at the crimes that have been happening. We really have a choice in this election to decide where we go as a community.” Not to mention, he’s got one of the most influential women of our time behind him 100%. I smell a win in Tubbs’ future.

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Check Out This Political Playlist!

Click Through This Oprah Gallery!

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With insiders predicting that OWN will probably fold in a year, the media magnate faces some tough branding decisions if she wants to keep her “baby” from going under:

The Daily Mail reports:

Though ratings have seen a slight insurgence thanks to interview program “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” it has stumbled since the get go with ratings of just 308,000 daily. It is believed shows which do not feature the chat show queen herself are not popular with viewers.Discovery, which partnered with Winfrey to launch the network and has been underwriting its costs, has invested nearly $600 million in it since 2008, according to an extensive report in Businessweek magazine.

Since it started on the air in January 2011, it may have lost as much as $330million, according to the magazine.

Zaslav, who talked Oprah into the idea of OWN, is famously impatient with money-losing operations within his company and insiders say he will not put up with the ailing network’s losses for much longer.

Winfrey appeared before advertisers two weeks ago to ask for more time, telling them: ‘I am in the climb of my life. I am climbing Kilimanjaro.’

Although she doesn’t risk losing a lot of money from the channel’s failings, Oprah’s reputation is at stake.

Over her 39-year career, The Oprah Winfrey Show had as many as 12.5 million viewers. O, The Oprah Magazine had more than two million subscribers. And her Internet site, Oprah.com, draws more than three million unique visitors a month.

Her image as the most successful TV star of her generation is on the line.

E-mails to OWN and Oprah’s production company, Harpo, were not returned yesterday.

OWN’s reputation for scarce ratings went from bad, to worse, to desperate when she begged the Twittersphere for viewers  in February. In an attempt to compete with the Grammy Awards, Winfrey sent the following tweet to almost 10 million followers:

“Every 1 who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box.”

Winfrey issued an apology for the tweet, saying “I removed the tweet at the request of Nielsen. I intended no harm and apologize for the reference.”

Citing a specific category of violation, titled, “Falsified Reporting or Attempts to Coerce Nielsen Panel Members,” the company issued a statement of it’s own, saying, “In accordance with our policies and procedures, Nielsen is reviewing this incident with out clients…We take any violation of our policy seriously and will work with clients to resolve the situation.”

Maybe Lady O’s issues can be solved with a change in programming; after all, it worked for her in 1994 when she made a conscious decision to separate herself from the “trash pack,” consisting of Jerry Springer, Ricky Lake, Montel Williams and others.

We would say that only time will tell, but time is apparently running out.

Still, regardless of what  happens with OWN, Winfrey will undoubtedly reinvent herself and bounce back. She always has.

Read more at the Daily Mail.

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According to the National Enquirer (let’s consider the source folks), in a desperate bid to save her floundering OWN network, Oprah is planning to stage an elaborate televised wedding to her longtime love Steadman Graham – and she’s offered him a staggering $100 million “pre-nup” to go along with the scheme.

“You’re the only one who can save the day,” she pleaded with Stedman through tears recently, The Enquirer has learned.

“Oprah’s realized that the shows she’s created are just not attracting interest – the fans want to see HER,” said a TV industry insider. “So she’s devised a secret plan to save OWN by getting married to Stedman on live TV.”

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Here’s hoping Oprah marries the man of her dreams and get those elusive ratings at the same time. This fan will be tuning in!

Like HelloBeautiful on Facebook to stay on top of your favorite black celebrities

Oprah To Give 2012 Commencement Address at Spelman College

Oprah Winfrey: “OWN Was A Big Mistake”

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Winfrey received an honorary degree from the historically black women’s college in 1993. She will speak to Spelman’s 550 graduates on May 20.

Winfrey is being honored for her philanthropic efforts focused on education through her Angel Network as well as the establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, where she has invested more than $40 million to educate students in grades seven through 12.  Three students from that academy have been accepted as first-year students at Spelman as part of the Class of 2016.

Winfrey has also been a huge supporter of Spelman’s brother institution Morehouse College.  As the school’s top donor, she has given a total of $12 million since 1989.

Michelle Obama was the Spelman College commencement speaker for the class of 2011.

Oprah Pens Letter To Her 19-Year-Old Self

Oprah Winfrey: “OWN Was A Big Mistake”

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The talk show queen who recently laid off 30 staffers at the 15-month-old network after poor ratings, reveals that she had been ill-prepared for the venture, and said:

“I will die in the midst of doing what I love to do and that is using my voice and using my life to try to inspire other people to live the best of theirs.”

You Thought Working For Oprah Meant Job Security?

5 Shows You Won’t See On Oprah’s OWN

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1. Could you imagine Oprah, donning all black, coming back to take what she’s given you as one of her “Favorite Things?” Instead of hearing, “You get a car!” You’ll hear, “I got a car!”

2. Jimmy thinks that multiple people interviewing one person simultaneously would work, a la “The View.” his words, not mine! Although logistically it doesn’t work at all, it does make for a hilarious sketch.

3. What’s the most romantic place there is? According to Jimmy, it’s the bathroom. This show gives OWN viewers a chance to see a side of Oprah that we never get to see. Oh and a little full frontal Jimmy nudity too.

4. Hands down, this was the most hilarious of all the skits. Oprah’s famed book club takes it next level and allow the members to physically fight when the disagree. Once again, comedic genius.

5. This show is as disgusting as it sounds. No thanks Jimmy.

Obviously these shows would never make the OWN cut, but the comedy they brought made me think that Oprah would be perfect on her own sketch comedy series. Would you watch? In case you missed Oprah on Kimmel’s post-Oscar show, watch it below.

Follow me on Twitter @Rhapsodani!

Oprah’s OWN Takes A Cue From Vh1, Target The Black Audience!

Oprah To BFF Gayle King: “Please Don’t Leave Me”

In spite of the gossip and rumors of separation, Oprah and Stedman have continued to blossom in their love and support of one another. In 2010 during an interview with Jenny McCarthy, Oprah rebuffed these claims stating, “We’ve never broken up once. They’re always lies,” said Oprah, adding, “I do regret ever mentioning him” in the press.

READ MORE ‘Black History In Love’: Make It Last Forever: Jay-Z And Beyonce

In the past few years, Oprah has opened up about her personal life, demonstrating that long-term couples can find happiness living non-traditional lives, without marriage and children.

Why She Loves Him: In her 2010 interview with Barbara Walters, Oprah stated of Stedman, “I don’t know of another man on this planet who could have lived this life with such dignity, such grace and such respect and humility in it and still hold his own and be his own.”  Despite Oprah’s significant fame, Stedman has maintained his own identity and remained by her side through it all.

During her appearance on the Piers Morgan Show, Oprah candidly discussed a family member selling her out to the tabloids for $20,000. In response to Stedman’s support at that traumatic time in her life, she said, “here is someone who is willing to stand in and stand up for you. And that is love.”

Why He Loves Her: Though the two rarely make public appearances together, Stedman surprised the audience by walking out on stage and paying tribute to Oprah during Part 2 of the ‘Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular.’ “It really does amaze me that I get to be around a woman who changes peoples’ lives every day and who also takes her own lunch to work,” Stedman said. “I cannot, honey, believe that a colored girl from the backwoods of Mississippi has done all that you have done … But you know what really is amazing? You have done this, sweetheart, through all of the sacrifices you have made and the humility that you have and through God’s amazing grace. I love you for making a difference in my life.”

READ: 5 Embarrassing Black Moments We Wished Never Happened

Why They Work: Again during her Piers Morgan appearance, Oprah said it best “the reason why this relationship has worked as well as it has is that we each got to define ourselves in it and not in a traditional form.”  In the early 2000s, Oprah and Stedman made a conscious effort to pull back on their public appearances together, stating that “every time we showed up in public… there’d be another exploitative story.” Maintaining their privacy and the integrity of their relationship has definitely been the keystone to their success as a couple.

Why We Love Them: Oprah and Stedman have battled it out with the media for the past 26 years, choosing to live outside of society’s norms and embracing their own definition of happiness.  Oprah once said about her relationship, “the truth of the matter is, had we gotten married we wouldn’t be together now, because in no way is this a traditional relationship.” Thus proving that happiness doesn’t have to be defined by a ring or a label.

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A distraught Oprah allegedly begged her bestie not to abandon her OWN network and was reduced to tears when Gayle turned her back and walked out the door, sources told The ENQUIRER:

“Oprah is terribly hurt that Gayle could be so ungrateful,” a source revealed. “She begged Gayle not to go, but Gayle said she just couldn’t pass up the opportunity of a lifetime.

“And I think she stunned Oprah when she kept saying, ‘It’s a major network!’ ”

Despite her personal grief, Oprah is putting on a happy public face when discussing Gayle’s departure.

Even Gayle knows it’s time to jump ship…This OWN network is not going to go the distance, Oprah really needs to step her game up and give folks what they want.

What do you think, should Gayle stay or branch out and create her own brand?

Oprah Reveals Her “Biggest Mistake” In Her Talk Show’s History

Oprah Meditates & Firewalks In “Next Chapter” [FIRST LOOK]

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Oprah said:
“After 25 years I got myself out of the studio chairs. I moved into the next chapter, and I am having more fun than ever – moving around the country and the world talking to people I’m really interested in getting to know and I think viewers will be, too,” said Winfrey. “It is so energizing to be out and about in the world exploring new people, new places and new ideas.

“I sat at the dinner table with a Hasidic Jewish family and tried to explain to the children who have never seen a television what TV is…can you imagine? I fire-walked with Tony Robbins—never pictured myself doing that! I celebrated the power of God and community with Joel Osteen and I’m planning a trip with Deepak Chopra to India where I’ve never been,” Winfrey added.

Here’s a first look at Oprah Winfrey’s new series:

Tune in January 1, 2012, for a two-hour premiere event from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT, only on OWN!

Oprah Reveals Her “Biggest Mistake” In Her Talk Show’s History

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“After 25 years I got myself out of the studio chairs. I moved into the next chapter, and I am having more fun than ever – moving around the country and the world talking to people I’m really interested in getting to know and I think viewers will be, too,” said Oprah.

The OWN network has been struggling to find a recipe for success since its launch in 2010.  Oprah’s return to the screen comes after much speculation that the Queen of Daytime TV would have to use her own star power to boost the network’s lackluster ratings.

Oprah Winfrey Will Finally Receive An Oscar

Stars Shine As Oprah Hosts Honorary Gala For Ralph Lauren [PHOTOS]

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Oprah told Essence.com,”I was surprised because I am not known as an actress. I’ve done film and I love the films that I’ve done.”

Oprah Winfrey Is Forbes’ Top-Earning Woman In Entertainment
Oprah Goes Back To Work
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Oprah

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Take a look at the full list below:

1. Oprah Winfrey -$290 million

2. Lady Gaga – $90 million

3. Bethenny Frankel – $55 million

4. Gisele Bundchen – $45 million

5. Ellen DeGeneres – $45 million

6. Judge Judy Sheindlin – $45 million

7. Taylor Swift – $45 million

8. Katy Perry – $44 million

9. Beyonce Knowles – $35 million

10. Danielle Steel – $35 million

Could this be Oprah’s last year on this list? Her biggest money-maker “The Oprah Winfrey Show” ended in May.

Oprah’s Hairstylist Dishes On Kinky Hair, Argan Oil & Keratin Treatments

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“Here I am “CEO-ing” in my new office at OWN in LA!!”

Winfrey’s channel, which went live in January, has struggled to build ratings despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent on programming and promotion.

Here’s hoping Oprah can turn things around.

Oprah Gets Dumped!

Oprah Appointed CEO Of OWN Network

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“Jenny wasn’t thrilled with the direction that OWN producers were going with on the show,” the source says, so McCarthy “finally decided to embrace Oprah’s philosophy, which is to ‘follow your bliss.’ Well, Jenny followed her bliss and walked right off the project.” An OWN rep confirms McCarthy’s departure.

An OWN rep confirmed the sudden development to Fox411.

“OWN does not have a show in development with Jenny McCarthy,” the rep said.

And it gets worse, McCarthy has now taken the concept for the show she developed for OWN to NBC to produce. OUCH!

Oprah Cuts Vacation Short To Work On OWN Network

Oprah’s Last Show Achieves Biggest Ratings Since 1994

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Winfrey posted a letter on Facebook today, explaining that Harpo Productions Inc. will join forces with OWN to run the network:

So as of today… Harpo Team and OWN team become ONE.

Our intention is to use the cable platform and the internet platform and the mobile platform to create messages that fill you up and bring you to new levels of awareness about yourself, ourselves, and our world; our potential…

It’s an incredible challenge ahead trying to figure out what kind of shows and programming will resonate with you, inspire you, bring a little piece of light into your already crowded existence. But I feel called to do it, and will be relying on your feedback, emails and tweets and message boards to let me know what you think.

SOURCE

Oprah Cuts Vacation Short To Work On OWN Network

5 Things We Wouldn’t Know Without The “O”

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Check out a list and gallery of celebs that have aged gracefully below!

12. LisaRaye, 43. Though she sometimes annoys me, I’d officially be a hater if I didn’t give the woman her props. She is 43 and fabulous!

11. Common, 39. Proving that some of the high yella fellas still got it, Mr. Common sense will forever hold the subtle sex appeal of an African king and the wisdom of an old soul. I can’t even front, I was surprised myself when I saw how close to 40 he is, it doesn’t even matter because he still has “it.”

10. Oprah Winfrey, 57. Although she’s no Miss America, I will say that to be approaching the big 6-0, she sure doesn’t look like it. I mean don’t get me wrong, she’s no 37 but she also doesn’t look like she’s almost 60.

9. Halle Berry, 44. Although I get extremely tired of hearing about her beauty, I simply can’t deny it. She’s absolutely more beautiful now as a 44 year old mother, then she was as a pageant girl at 18, in my own personal opinion.

8. Stacey Dash, 45. This woman at 45 looks exactly like she did when she played Deon on “Clueless,” if not better. The woman is absolutely gorgeous!

7. Phylicia Rashad, 63. Mrs. Huxtable hasn’t changed a bit, everything from her beauty, style, grace, and class is still in tact, without a hair out of place!

6. Gabrielle Union, 38. For a woman kissing 40, She still could pass for 25. No lie.

5. Angela Bassett, 52. The soon to be 53 Angela Bassett, has been a staple for the beautiful black actress for years. Not only that but the woman has arms that will put Michelle Obama’s to shame.

4. Blair Underwood, 46. Without a wrinkle in sight Blair Underwood is to black women, what George Clooney is to Caucasian’s, in other words–all of that! This man still looks just as good as he did in “Set It Off,” when he was pouring wax down Jada Pinkett’s back, and chile I am not mad.  At all.

3. Jada Pinkett-Smith, 39. Though there’s much speculation as to whether or not she’s had work done or not, one thing you cannot say is that if she didn’t throw some dookey braids in her hair or cut it short to a fade, she could still look like she did back in 1995.

2. Will Smith, 42. I’d be lying if I said Will looks exactly like he did during his fresh prince days, but he does look amazing to be in his forties.

1. Nia Long, 40. In my eyes, Nia Long exemplifies beauty! I’ll nominate her as the most beautiful woman in the world over Halle Berry any day, no lie. This woman looks better pregnant at age 40 looks better than Lindsey Lohan at 25. Don’t believe me, take a look at the gallery.

All I have to say is, thank God for the melanin in my skin!

Peep the gallery below:

Celebs Proving “Black Don’t Crack”

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Do you think black cracks? Who do you believe should’ve made the list?

Also, add me on twitter @arieinthecity and on facebook at Ariel Crockett!

GALLERY: Celebs Caught Without Makeup

What Does Rihanna Look Like Without Make-Up & Wig? [PHOTO]

SPOTTED: Model Iman Without Makeup

Did Terrance Dean Help Charlamagne Tha God “Out” Shawn Wayans? [VIDEO]

“I have a dream of O.J. Simpson confessing to me,” she said at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association convention in Chicago. “And I am going to make that happen, people. I don’t just want the interview. I want the interview on the condition that you are ready, Mr. Simpson.”

According to thedailymail, Simpson has already told one of her producers in an interview from jail that he knifed ex-wife Nicole in self-defense – a confession he will now repeat to the talk show queen during a spectacular televised sit down interview.

Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman despite the numerous amounts of evidence against him.

For those of you who are too young to remember this dramatic story, almost 100 million people watched the event unfold live on television. After the bodies were found in a pool of blood, Simpson  began a bizarre slowspeed car chase with police holding a gun to his head while being driven by a friend, even interrupting the NY Knicks playoffs!

If the confession is legit, O.J. cannot be charged due to double jeopardy.

O.J. finally went to jail after he was convicted of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint.

Do you believe this story? Is O.J. finally coming clean?

5 Things We Wouldn’t Know Without The “O”

Oprah Reveals Dying 12-Year-Old Boy Told Her To End Her Talk Show

Oprah Loses Cool With J.Hud In Behind-The-Scenes Footage [VIDEO]

Oprah

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Winfrey says that Mattie Stepanek – a child author who had a rare form of muscular dystrophy – told her that she should end the Oprah show only after it had been on the air for 25 years. He sent her the e-mail in May 2003, 13 months before he died at the age of 13.

Winfrey, 57, says: ‘At the 20-year mark, I was almost certain that the time was finally right to call it a day (although I was uncertain about what to do next.)

‘That’s when I received an e-mail from Mattie Stepanek.

Winfrey has published the entire e-mail that Stepanek wrote to her from his hospital bed. In it he told the millionaire: ‘I know that you are planning to retire your show on its 20th anniversary. ‘It is my opinion that you should wait to stop your daytime show on its 25th anniversary. Let me explain why.

‘Twenty-five makes more sense to me, partially because I am a bit OCD [obsessive compulsive] and 25 is a perfect number.’

SOURCE

Oprah Regrets Launching OWN Before Ending Talk Show

Oprah Gets Street Named After Her In Chicago [PHOTOS]

Oprah

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CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ENTIRE LIST

HelloBeautiful.com Presents “25 Black Women You Should Know About”

30 More Black Women You Should Know About

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25 Women To Know: Christina Norman

In an e-mail message to the staff at OWN on Friday, Ms. Winfrey said that Ms. Norman’s “hard work, passion and leadership were instrumental in getting OWN on the air,” but added, “Given all that we have to do, the OWN Board felt it was necessary that we have a different kind of leadership in place for the next phase of OWN’s growth.”

We are huge fans of Christina Norman, and we’re sure she’ll be back doing big things in the near future!

Oprah To Charge $1 Million For Commercial On Show Finale

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Here are a few of 2011′s TIME 100:

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And check out last year’s list here: Who Made The Cut? TIME Names 100 Most Influential People (2010)

Beyonce & Michelle Obama Premiere Workout Routine [VIDEO]

Oprah To Charge $1 Million For Commercial On Show Finale

I’m guessing she doesn’t hear “no” very often, and if something goes wrong, her many staffers jump right in to sort out the mess before she lifts her very pampered head off her very expensive pillow and slips on her Manolo’s. And in a preview for an upcoming episode of the series, Season 25: Oprah Behind The Scenes, Oprah shows us why her staff don’t bother her with the minor details- she get’s mad, very mad!

Perez Hilton recently posted a clip of the show where Oprah loses her cool big time with Jennifer Hudson for daring to get stuck in Texas after a blizzard the day of her Oprah interview. (How dare she not make Oprah a priority?) Upon hearing the news Oprah says: “Excuse me, excuse me. What the hell is going on?! I’ve never heard of this in 25 years!”

Oprah then busts out her inner diva and stars barking orders at the executive producers of her show, while they awkwardly fumble their words trying to find a suitable response. She tells them to call the pilots (because apparently you can do that on private planes) and says to Eric Logan, Harpo President, “your whole day is backed up.” Yep, “your” whole day, not “ours” but only his. How’s that for delegating a problem?

Oh and she also makes sure she lets the audience know that critics have called the show “riveting” and “the ultimate treat.”

One things for sure, it sure did make me want to watch! Watch the clip below and see for yourself…

Oprah To Charge $1 Million For Commercial On Show Finale

Dead Body Of Newborn Found At Oprah’s South African School

BET’s Co-Founder Sheila Johnson Slams Oprah’s OWN Network

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No, seriously, I’m actually asking this. I can’t believe that I am actually asking this, but I am, because according to the New York Post, a Yale professor who has studied almost every episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show show from the last 12 years says the enormous success of the talk show queen is down to one thing and one thing only; “she has transformed herself into the equivalent of a religious icon.”

Yale religion professor Kathryn Lofton writes in her new book, “Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon”;

“By using the techniques of a preacher, Oprah has been able to create a new “gospel” that goes beyond just being a simple daytime TV show.. Gospel is a word that means ‘good news,’ Oprah says that the good news is ‘you.’”

Thus, the professor is arguing that “Oprah” is effectively a religion icon. No, I’m not kidding.

Lofton isn’t arguing that Oprah’s followers admire her as a sort of god, (which, judging by the way some of her audience members act, is probably very true), instead she is arguing that Oprah herself gets her message across, by using the language and trappings of traditional religion. The New York Post note that; “a mix of southern preacher’s rhythmic speech patterns with a sermon-like structure for each show, [meant that] Oprah could tackle subjects ranging from spousal abuse to the best pair of Ugg boots.”

Lofton believes she can pinpoint the moment Oprah went from being a successful talk-show host to a religious icon in 1994. At that time Oprah said;

“The time has come for this genre of talk shows to move on from dysfunctional whining and complaining and blaming… I have had enough of people’s dysfunction.”

Lofon argues that this “spiritual revelation” was converted into a “corporate makeover” with her show becoming “Change Your Life TV.” Lofton told the Post;

“As a part of this new look and focus for the show, she began to develop her brand, including, eventually, the book club, the magazine, the Web site, and her Angel Network.”

Lofton argues that the message of Oprah’s shows became “a consistent gospel, The Gospel of You” She argues that her shows were geared toward the discovery of yourself as the source for change; in yourself and in the world. She says; “Oprah says, first, you don’t have to be perfect; and second, she gives endless advice so you might try to be [perfect].”

It is these elements which (at least in the professors mind) provide the successful formula for her religion. She says; “the double whammy of being forgiven for your shortcomings and simultaneously being shown what you ought to be doing; reading books, giving to charity, etc,  is the secret of Oprah’s success”

Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Oprah

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Oprah To Charge $1 Million For Commercial On Show Finale

Oprah’s Secret Diaries Reveal She Wanted “To Die” Over Relationship

Oprah’s OWN Network Ratings Fall Within First Week

The “Oprah Show” dropped in ratings in 2008 after she announced that she was backing then Illinois senator Barack Obama. These ratings showed that her audience had fallen by about 2 million viewers since 2005.  Now with OWN’s ratings not being extremely high, the company reportedly doesn’t want to take any chances in losing any of the viewers they currently have.

Sigh.

Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama

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Ochocinco Beats Out Barack & Oprah As Twitter’s “Most Influential”

Michelle Obama Hires New Stylist, Meredith Koop

Oprah’s Secret Diaries Reveal She Wanted “To Die” Over Relationship

Christina Norman

OWNing It
Business
In 2004 when Christina Norman earned the title of President of VH1 network, she had already spent years working to help change the failing cable network’s identity from an outdated channel with no core branding into a machine that cranked hit shows like I Love the 80’s and Best Week Ever. Norman’s watchful creative eye brought VH1 up to speed and helped the network not only survive, but thrive in the prime-time slot, taking its viewership numbers from 243,000 to 339,000. She went on to become president of MTV overseeing  MTV, MTV2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s and MTV.com until leaving the company in 2008.

With endless television accolades and a trail of success in her wake, it was no surprise that Norman was amongst the top choice to run Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. In January 2009 the then unlaunched network named Norman as CEO after over a year of searching for the right fit. OWN launched in January of this year and with Norman and Oprah at its helm it seems destined for success.

Next: “Crush On Shoe”: Lesley Elliott

“Oprah is about as angry as can be,” said an insider.

“This is the final season of her show, and she’s been pushing to land all the big ‘gets’ out there. Oprah is embarrassed that Aretha – a legend – chose Wendy, who is a relative newcomer in the TV talk show world.”

“Oprah was not going to keep the whole interview on the illness, which she knows Aretha is reluctant to fully discuss,” said the source.

“She was going to get Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, for a touching tribute. But instead, Aretha chose Wendy – and Oprah is NOT happy!”

Aretha underwent surgery in December but has never publicly revealed the nature of her health issues.

Aretha Franklin Talks Health Scare, Favorite Reality Shows On Wendy [VIDEO]

Aretha Franklin Talks Halle Berry, Grammy Tribute & Love Life On Wendy

Oprah Announces Her Final Show Date

Oprah Winfrey

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It is reported that Makopo, 28 years old, is going to plead not guilty to the charges of indecent assault, assault and criminal injury. Six teenage girls along with another dorm matron were abused over a period of four months while attending the school by Makopo, according to police. The prosecutor described the girls to be “very scared and emotional”.

Oprah Winfrey is a victim of abuse herself, and felt deeply sorry for the situation at hand. She has apologized to the student’s parents and promised an overhaul of the school.

The trial should run through August 1, 2011.

Oprah Winfrey

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Family Member Says: “I Was Terrified Of Oprah”

Oprah Announces Her Final Show Date

Dead Body Of Newborn Found At Oprah’s South African School

Gawker

In the interview Baldwin reveals that when she graduated from college, Oprah hired her as a speechwriter, only to fire her unexpectedly two years into her three year contract. Baldwin claims that she was fired for talking about her faith in Jesus to much, as Oprah herself prefers the teachings of Shirley MacLaine. She goes on to note that not even Oprah’s own mother has her cell phone number, and needs to contact her producers if she wishes to speak to her daughter, as Oprah prefers the company of her high-powered celebrity friends.

Baldwin claims that the Winfrey family is ‘tangled with so many secrets and so much fear…I admit I was afraid of Oprah for 20 years. Absolutely terrified. She’s powerful and dangerous. She told me if I ever opened my mouth [about what I know] she’d sue my pants off.’ But she then notes that the family still hang around for the lavish gifts and checks that Oprah has been known to bestow upon the family.

Hmmm… I don’t know whether I believe it or not, but one thing I do know is that if my family were only hanging around for money and gifts, I probably wouldn’t associate with them either.

The biography by Kitty Kelley is available now.

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