Okay, I'm sorry I had to put in my few cents on this. Right now Oprah is having her "best life" workshop week on her show. Why? Because she gained weight. Yeah we all noticed it at some point in time but come on! What I'm about to say may get me in some trouble by all the devout Oprahees but I watch her too so don't think I'm just bashing for no reason.
The last few years of Oprah's show have been very insightful and full of knowledge. She has brought on Dr. Oz, Suze Orman, and a host of other professionals to take our "normal people" questions that we wouldn't have access to so on a normal basis. The whole message was to live a healthier life and not focus on weight as your only indicator of living a healthy life. Especially for women and girls, this message is valuable to raising a whole new generation separated from our mothers. This is great. I loved this idea and of course it would definitely get some great ratings.
So what's my problem? Of late it seems that Oprah has really downgraded herself from grace. I still believe her to be a great human and advocate for issues taboo to our country but she hasn't been of the same caliber that she was taking on previously. She was true and honest and lately she has been having shows full of fluff and movie promotion or reproducing shows on issues already talked about on some other program. Why do I want to sit and hear about a show on the same network as her show is when I can watch that later on my own? Now we are going back to the health issues and her big reveal that she has "fallen off the wagon" and we have to go back through all of the same information that she has had before so we again can "live our best lives". I mean, is it SO necessary to relive it all as new when not much new news is revealed? Aren't there other areas to talk about within living healthily and a different way of promoting it? Wasn't that the message in the first place and now is being contradicted by Oprah's admission that she is again 200 pounds? I almost feel like she and her producers have sold out to the networks to bring in as many viewers as possible by any means because all of their other shows suck and repetitive so know her shows are doing the same thing.
Really, my whole issue with this IS that she made such a big deal out of living healthily and NOT focusing SO much on our numerical weight if we were living a healthy lifestyle. How is it that she can say that she has been living the way that she has been more than happy to keep reminding us that she was on each show on this issue and come out at the beginning of a year and say that she's fat and needs to be re-reminded? What does that say to all of the devoted followers that thought they were listening and joining someone that was supposed to be living this same way? I know that we are all human and error was a part of each of those shows. But how is it that now she can say that her weight is not part of living a healthy life? Isn't that going against the message that she touted along with Dove, a sponsor aiming at empowering the "real" woman and refocus our image of what a real woman is? I know this is supposed to be a "reminder" for us all to stay and commit to a lifestyle change but I'm feeling this is slightly overdone.
Okay, I will get off my soapbox and let you put in your two cents. What do you think about this? Do you think Oprah isn't all what she used to be? Or do you think that this makes her even more admireable in her (AGAIN) admission that she has gained weight? Remember though, I like Oprah, just not the conflicting messages that are coming out of this.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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6 comments:
No, I completely agree with you. While I was never an avid Oprah watching fan, I have seen a change in her approach to her work with the public. It isn't only showing in her shows, but her work with the community, and even the picks she has made with the book club.
But, in her defense, she has been in the business for a LONG time. One is bound to recycle their ideas. Maybe not from last year, but eventually.
It could also be that internally she may be tired of it all, but is holding it all up for image purposes.
I totally agree with you too. And really if I hear one more time about Oprah's weight and living healthy! Yuk, this chick yo-yo diets more than anyone I've seen in my life!
Emily
Mama and Hustler???
My Mommy Chronicles
Blah-Zay
Totally agree. Oprah really grates on my nerves.
I don't mind Oprah and I catch her show every now and then. I could care less is she weighs 400 lbs. and she should stop focusing on it so much and your right just focus on eating healthy. Everyone is built different and some people really are just big boned!
I just watched Monday's show. I think that Oprah is or was going through some sort of depression last year just like her trainer said. I too have noticed that last year she just didn't have the same light and spark in her as she usually does. I think on Monday she did say it is not about the number on the scale but about setting time aside for herself everyday. That when she exercises everyday and eats healthy she feels better and is in better spirits.
A part of me did have a little problem with the show just like you did. I guess I feel like if she sets herself up to be everybody's role model (like she often does) then she also sets herself up to be their role model when she fails. I fear that women who look up to Oprah might say "Well if Oprah can't even do it how am I supposed to do it?" And in reality Oprah is human just like the rest of us. She is obviously going through some emotional issues right now but nobody should look to her and try to model their life completely after her because everybody's life/situation is different.
Okay, I've gone on too long now.
:-)
Sorry, but I can't stand Oprah..she's way too holier than now for me..ugh..she's so cocky and I just can't stand that!
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