Oprah Winfrey
So US tourist numbers are down since Oprah’s “Down Under” fire sale of our national dignity and the much-wished-for Oprah cash has failed to materialise.
The idea of letting a foreign talk show host turn our country into giant television studios smelt dodgy from the start, but after yesterday’s revelations, it stinks.
The news yesterday that US visitor numbers have dropped by 0.8 per cent in the last year just leaves you wondering how this ever got so out of hand.
Continue reading "Why the bloody hell was Oprah here anyway?" »
“She deserves to be here,” sobbed Dani, with her big puppy dog eyes and glossy black hair.
What a tragedy. Cleo, one of the most popular chefs in the Masterchef kitchen, had ignored the rules to prepare both her toffee dish and her chocolate ganache at the same time. Her elimination was inevitable. Her dream was over.
And we all sniffled too, as the ever-stoic Cleo departed the Masterchef kitchen and returned home to her miniature poodles. Ad break. News headlines. Oprah.
Continue reading "Save your empathy for real people with real problems" »
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BoyleMariana says:
That is known that cash can make people free. But how to act if someone does not have money? The one way is to receive the loans or collateral loan. Read more »
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Rod Blaine says:
> “shoved out of sight to Malaysia, where they might be whipped and beaten” This article falls into the same loop that 99% of pro-asylum-seeker arguments fall into, ie, of trying to make two conflicting arguments simultaneously: (a) “Australians are racist and xenophobic because we pride ourselves on our tolerance… Read more »
Welcome to this week’s episode of I Call Bullshit. Today we’re going to look at Oprah. Oprah Winfrey is the sort of mega-star who often leaves people breathless. With wide-eyed adoration, gasping sycophancy, or cynical shock that she is indeed such a mega star.
She is worth gazillions, and her passing endorsement of any old product is worth millions, even billions. Her gift is that people dwell on her every word. But is she full of pearls of wisdom, or is she full of the proverbial? Let’s look at some of her more famous quotes.
I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.
Utter tosh. I am not becoming a crispy-topped piece of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly.
Continue reading "ICB: Oprah Winfrey. Woman of wise words or woo-woo?" »
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fox says:
Funny you should mention that, Oprah was called out for doing exactly that, ie pretending SHE was giving out free cars, when it turned out later that it was the car company doing so, and that each recipient still had to fork out thousands of dollars before they could get… Read more »
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St. Michael says:
@ Kassandra: not every person who peddles dangerous woo has the reputation that Oprah has for objectivity, which is what makes her peddling that much more effective and that much more dangerous. Nor does every person who peddles dangerous woo have the sort of apparent hold over her followers commensurate… Read more »
Did someone say “Oprah”? No? Are you sure? I could’ve sworn I heard someone say “Oprah”.
Over the past few weeks the Talk Show Queen’s name has been noticeably absent from the nation’s media – which probably has something to do with the fact we were quite preoccupied with devastating floods, rampaging cyclones and horrific fires.
Those Oprah-filled days seem so far away now – almost dream-like.
Continue reading "When Oprah runs the world, we’ll all get free Audis!" »
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VINCENTJOANNE35 says:
The loans are very useful for people, which would like to start their organization. As a fact, this is comfortable to receive a secured loan. Read more »
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chris says:
Who or what is a “Stedman”? Read more »
Hi. Sorry I’m late. Just back from the McCafe. Been hanging out there since really early this morning because, as Oprah’s American audience learned yesterday in a McDonald’s-sponsored segment, that’s what we Aussies do. All the time.
Lucky she reminded me about these “hip hangouts” really. There I was, about to buy a rack of spring lamb for dinner, and a beautiful fresh tray of Bowen mangoes for the fruit bowl, when bing! I remembered that in fact, what I actually craved, on a deeply-ingrained cultural level, was in fact that most Australian of treats, the American Choc Brownie Slice ™.
Or I don’t know, maybe some Cookies and Cream Cheesecake washed down with a caramel latte frappe, a beverage which demonstrates beyond question our love of a classic, untainted, good quality cup of real coffee.
Continue reading "G’day from the McCafe…. Have a nice day!" »
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Kathine Grant says:
You know this could have been an interesting comment if only you had left out the personal and spiteful bits. Read more »
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Mike says:
I dunno Antony. The Caramel Latte Frappes are pretty bloody amazing! Read more »
If we are to believe America’s small-screen bible, TV Guide, one of the “greatest moments in television history”, occurred on September 13, 2004, when an over-excited talk-show host went whirling like a dervish amid her studio audience shrieking: “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!”
It was the opening episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show’s nineteenth season and even back then, the title of Daytime Television Queen was beginning to feel inadequate for Oprah. For her millions of fans, the very name brought positive energy. Oprah wasn’t just a celebrity any more, she was a state of being.
And that day her devotees got their “loaves and fishes” moment. Oprah kick-started the season premiere by revealing to her 276 live audience members that they would each receive a $30,000 Pontiac G6 sports sedan.
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Lincoln Howes says:
Hi Noel. I think you might owe Clive James an apology. You’ve butchered his quote (substituting one word for another is hardly paraphrasing) and rendered it meaningless. To think that “Oprah” and “television” are interchangeable in that sentence is as ludicrous as comparing their impact on the world - if… Read more »
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Lincoln says:
I must say, it never occurred to me I was ranting. Eminem - now he rants. Mad scientists rant. But I always figured all rants had one thing in common. They didn’t make much sense. On those grounds, I reckon using an open forum about Oprah to air a personal… Read more »
The screams are still ringing in my ears.
Oprah’s audience, and every Australian Tourism authority, are no doubt still trying to recover their composure after the mass hysteria that followed her pronouncement that she and several hundred of her bestest fans were bound for the positively Jules Verne-esque destination of “the other side of the world”.
Later this year, Winfrey and her troop of ardent devotees will be flown to our shores courtesy of Captain Kangaroo himself John Travolta. The Opera House will form the particularly scenic backdrop for the taping of an episode of her talk show which reaches 44 million people each week.
Continue reading "Cult leader Oprah will send her followers Down Under" »
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Sangrawee says:
Good for her. At least she’s lniettg her money do some good work. But…what’s wrong with setting up scholarship programs for kids right here in the US? And what’s her stand on vouchers so kids in the cities can choose their own schools? Read more »
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Dan says:
Am I the only person who remembers when she was the same as Donahue and Sally-Jessie? I can see why it’s worthwhile to pay to get her out here, but I find it hard to understand why anyone cares about her opinion. Read more »
Dearest Oprah, can we start by saying: ohmygod ohmygod ohmyGOD.
We can’t thank you enough for getting us out of the little marketing pickle we have found ourselves in ever since the Lara Bingle Where-the-Bloody-Hell-Are-You business (yes, what were we thinking?). For your enjoyment we have enclosed some photos from inside our marketing department from the moment we heard the news that you have decided to shoot your first ever overseas show in Sydney. As you can see, there was quite the excitement.
A few more pictures follow. We will of course have a full itinerary ready by the time you arrive but now that we’re locked in there are a few preliminary things you might want to think about that we’ve listed below.
Continue reading "A thank-you note to Oprah from Tourism Australia" »
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Uh Huh says:
Do nothing. When the exchange rate favours them instead of us, they’ll come. Meanwhile, we save money. Read more »
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Sean Williams says:
Come on Aussies, admit it, you’re all secretly bursting with pride over this - even those who claim to be against it. Never underestimate the power of the collective Australian orgasm whenever the world (especially America) pays it the slightest bit attention (even if sometimes they’re confusing it with Austria).… Read more »
Welcome to Tuesday @ The Punch
Is this the most influential woman in the world? Today in 1986 was the launch of her now infamous talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Forbes has named her richest African American of the 20th century. While reported to be worth $US 260 million Oprah is also known to be one of the most philanthropic people of all time. What do you think?
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Phillip says:
While there is no doubt Oprah does much good and has good intentions, she is in a position of such influence that she can also do a lot of harm as well, should she present her viewers with erroneous or harmful advice. This is the case with ‘The Secret’ and… Read more »
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Liz says:
There are many powerful women in the world, many of them unknown to the world as celebs.They quietly go about their lives in an unassuming,unsung manner without need for fame, wealth or recognition on the world stage.They keep the world moving along and try to keep it going in the… Read more »
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