Why is Oprah so powerful?

ben62670

Well ZB if you can make it on the 9th we'll keep you out back!

zombie boy 2000

Actually... I meant "hit it in the face".

Danny Tse

Just finished read the whole thread....hmmm, didn't expect the amount of response. I suppose I could've re-worded my original post better. So let me try again....

I know of Oprah's talk show, magazine, book club, etc. However, in light of these many entertainment enterprises, I'd imagine her daily talk show is her most visible achievement. I mean, really, has her production company (-ies) produced any major theatrical blockbusters? Or released a music album of importance? OK, maybe her bookclub has sold millions of books. Still, why is she repeatedly proclaimed as the most powerful person in entertainment? Is she really more powerful that Spielberg, Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, etc? I am not questioning or making fun of Oprah because of her gender, race, etc. Heck, if I can achievement 1/100 of what she has done, I'd be more than satisfied.

Demiurge

She controls women, that's why she's so powerful. Nobody is supposed to question her because of her race and sex. We'd get a triple whammy if only she could be a ****, too.

Talk about untouchable.

bobman1235

I think most of the comments in this thread do answer your question. She is able to tell a lot of people what to do, and they listen.

If Speilberg went on TV and talked about a book it wouldn't fly off the shelves - no one would even listen. The people you list may be more "powerful" in terms of having movies made that are successful, but in terms of real-world manipulation Oprah wins.

cfrizz

:mad: This is where you are dead wrong James! I am NOBODY'S minion! I think for myself & form my own opinions on issues when I hear them based on what I believe to be right & my good upbringing!

I work for a living & am not home to watch Oprah. Nor do I tape any tv shows.

I have respect for anyone man or woman who has achieved her level of success through hard work & determination. But I especially appreciate the number of women who help to advance the rights, freedom, & knowledge, & potential of all women!

I don't know if this is simply a case of men talking trash to impress other men and to avoid being unfairly labeled by other men as being weak, wimps, pansies, p**sies, whipped, or worst of all ****.

I just know that when threads like this get started, that the majority of you that post do NOT put yourselves in the best of light. And you would do well NOT to let EVERYONE that happens to browse this forum know that a good many of you are insecure, sexist, ageist, racist, jealous, & biggoted.

Now many of you will come on here & deny the above statements. However, all of your posts prove otherwise! Which is incredibly sad.

jdhdiggs wrote: »

Bob:

You should have known better than to try and argue with one of her minions...durrrr....
BTW, your point was very clear, just some people, umm, yeah....

Here it is in simple terms: Oprah is a focal point for the mindless drone masses of this country. She, herself isn't evil or wrong, but the power she wields over a good chunk of the populous is. One person's opinion isn't wrong and should be encouraged, but when that persons opinion becomes fact for millions of people in the country without a single tought of their own, that is wrong.

And I'm out as this would become too political to continue...

bobman1235

Yup, when someone disagrees with you they're definitely sexist, racist, or a homophobe, even though there is no evidence of it. Makes sense.

I'd argue there's only one person in this thread that sounds ridiculous.

cfrizz

No, I'm not the only one who thinks it, I'm just the only one who has the guts to post it!

Demiurge

Everyone is cast in a bad light when you start out with a dim bulb.

Poee7R

cfrizz wrote: »

I don't know if this is simply a case of men talking trash to impress other men and to avoid being unfairly labeled by other men as being weak, wimps, pansies, p**sies, whipped, or worst of all ****.

I think its simply a matter of calling a spade, a spade.

But for you to assume all of these things because people share their opinion on something that doesnt gel with your's, well is bottom line stupid.

You should probably take a breath and count to 10 before you post and "unfairly label" everyone with a differing opinion.


Dave

Shizelbs

Poee7R wrote: »

I think its simply a matter of calling a spade, a spade.

Thats an interesting phrase to choose.

Poee7R

Ah damn, didnt catch that.

Guess im a racist then.

(insert smiley face to show i am joking.)
Dave

ND13

Cowbell!!!!

cfrizz

Dave, I'm not assuming anything, I have been on here for 4 years & have read thousands of posts. I am also calling a spade a spade. I've SEEN other men on here who go against the majority (tough guy stance) get derided or disrespected.

Nor am I'm labeling all of the men on here, most of the men that I respect and admire on here DON'T post in threads like this. Railing against a woman who is just doing a job she likes & does well & makes a lot of money doing so because you don't like the fact that a good many other people like her is "bottom line stupid!"

Poee7R wrote: »

I think its simply a matter of calling a spade, a spade.

But for you to assume all of these things because people share their opinion on something that doesnt gel with your's, well is bottom line stupid.

You should probably take a breath and count to 10 before you post and "unfairly label" everyone with a differing opinion.


Dave

Norm Apter

Danny Tse wrote: »

Just finished read the whole thread....hmmm, didn't expect the amount of response. I suppose I could've re-worded my original post better. So let me try again....

I know of Oprah's talk show, magazine, book club, etc. However, in light of these many entertainment enterprises, I'd imagine her daily talk show is her most visible achievement. I mean, really, has her production company (-ies) produced any major theatrical blockbusters? Or released a music album of importance? OK, maybe her bookclub has sold millions of books. Still, why is she repeatedly proclaimed as the most powerful person in entertainment? Is she really more powerful that Spielberg, Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, etc? I am not questioning or making fun of Oprah because of her gender, race, etc. Heck, if I can achievement 1/100 of what she has done, I'd be more than satisfied.

Danny, I see that quite a debate has ensued, but getting back to your original question, I think it comes down to one quality: charisma. Charismatic power is basically the power of a political/social/intellectual leader to connect with his/her audience. As a comparison, take one of the people you listed,Tom Cruise, for example. While Tom Cruise movies, irrespective of their quality, nearly always draw box office crowds, the "pull" of the man behind the scenes is something else entirely and much more underwhelming. Every time he opens his mouth for an interview he comes across rather silly, at least to the majority of the masses, even his fans. Few people are pulled in by what he has to say or how he says it and thus he's much more of an "film star" than a "public figure." Oprah might be the most visible figure in terms of charismatic power but she is certainly not alone. I think one could very easily make the case that, say, Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly derive much of their popularity from their charismatic connection to their regular/daily audiences. (Obviously with Rush Limbaugh there's no visual component...but you get what I'm saying). I am not particularly attracted to any of the 3 listed above, but from an outsider's view it seems that all three have cultivated a substantial degree of charismatic power over time.

polktiger

I really don't buy that she is all the powerful, but I don't pay attention to her either. (Unlike many americans I really don't care what Tom Cruise has been up to, and I don't recall the last time I even watched one of his movies.) My only complaint with Oprah is that her philanthropy is not very visible in the US. I think every news station ran a story for a week about the school she established in South Africa, but I have not heard of any school she founded in the US. (But this is also my complaint with many celebs. Do you really need to adopt a baby from Nigeria? There isn't one in an orphange in Montana?)

With respect to perceived power, I just think that a large segment of our country is easily manipulated by marketing and celebrity endorsements. Don't ask me why MJ knows anything more about Hanes underwear than the guy down the street (I certainly am well versed in wearing underwear and is comfort/function), but everyone wants to "Be Like Mike." You know, there was a time when tennis shoes did not cost $100.

Poee7R

I have no ill will towards Oprah, to me she is no more than a glorified talk show host. I do like the fact that she gives alot to people, but I can agree with Bob and others that I dont care for the sheeple/herder effect.

My only point was that it isnt right to label someone because of their point of view. If people dont like her, thats ok and im sure she will survive without defense.

All in all Cathy, I like your spunk and gumption to jump in the front lines and give your opinion. But remember we are all entitled to our opinion's and not to be labeled for having such.


Dave

cfrizz

Thank you Norm & PT for correctly defining Oprah's & other celeberties appeal.

No one is responsible for other people's reactions to these celeberties, nor do those people deserve to be labeled as sheep because of it. Nor are any of us going to change their admiration of these celebs. If they aren't doing any harm to me & have no impact on my life I don't care what they do.

Live & let live without judgement and the world would be a lot better place.

Shizelbs

This article is what I think of when I hear Oprah and power.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/106614/flu_phobics_going_airborne_after_a_timely_promo_on_oprah/

bobman1235

EDIT : Nevermind.

jdhdiggs

Come on Bobman, you're not going to comment on the rampant hypocrisy of a certain poster? Wimp...

Here, let's change the focus to a fat, rich, conservative, white guy so we can avoid being labelled byt the tolerance police: Rush Limbaugh, or Sean Hannity (take your pick) both have too much power over the mindless minions which they control which probably number about half of the big O's. It's the same dang thing... Maybe that will get someone to look beyond gender and race... :rolleyes:

To the OP: She has more money than just about anyone else in Hollywood or in publishing meaning if she wants to do something, she can do it without partnering with anyone else and she has a multi-million person strong cult that follows her every step. That's a lot of power for anyone to have and puts her in a rather unique situation.

ben62670

Am I a raciest, and a feminist because I don't like Ophra Windbag? She feeds on the minds of the week to make millions. This makes her so wonderful? I think she sucks. Stupid people buy her ****. I don't. Even if she is brilliant at the art of manipulation.

cfrizz

James, I don't listen to talk radio, so they have no influence or impact on my life anymore than Oprah does! I've heard of Rush & never heard of the other.

When any of the above mentioned starts funneling money MY way or starts impacting my life, I might pay attention to them. In the meantime, I'm living my life & letting them live thiers.

People only have power over your life if you let them, if you don't then it doesn't matter.
I don't know any of them from a hole in the wall, they have never done anything to me personally. So there is no need for me to build them up or put them down.

They are who they are & they do what they do without needing my input, approval or disapproval. May they live long & prosper.

ben62670

Am I a raciest, and a feminist because I don't like Ophra Windbag? She feeds on the minds of the week to make millions. This makes her so wonderful? I think she sucks. Stupid people buy her ****. I don't. Even if she is brilliant at the art of manipulation.
Oh wait I allready said that.
Carry on.

ND13

Ben, you're stuttering.

mrbigbluelight

Like I said, I don't have much of a gripe against Oprah.

Last year, though, there was an incident involving Oprah that definitely didn't cast her in the best light.
She had gone to a clothier on Rodeo Drive about 10 minutes before they closed. She showed up with her entourage, and when informed that the shop was closing in 10 minutes, started with a "Do you know who I am ?!" routine that ended with a "They were going to close the shop on me because I'm black" schtick.

Other than that kind of stuff, no problem.
I watch "Judge Mathis" when I get home from work instead of Oprah anyway.

SKsolutions

ben62670 wrote: »

Am I a raciest

Yes, you are the raciest.

brettw22

Y'all are all saying the same thing basically.......

Oprah is fine........she does her thing and for the most part her intentions are good.

Holding her responsible for someone else's actions is the problem, even if the reason they did it was solely based on what she said. (which I think has been said repeatedly)

Max, your lil snip is, as usual, petty......that's what you can offer up after my basic statement that slamming Oprah for her expressing her own opinion is a bit lame? wow......

bobman1235

jdhdiggs wrote: »

Come on Bobman, you're not going to comment on the rampant hypocrisy of a certain poster? Wimp...

Here, let's change the focus to a fat, rich, conservative, white guy so we can avoid being labelled byt the tolerance police: Rush Limbaugh, or Sean Hannity (take your pick) both have too much power over the mindless minions which they control which probably number about half of the big O's. It's the same dang thing... Maybe that will get someone to look beyond gender and race... :rolleyes:

To the OP: She has more money than just about anyone else in Hollywood or in publishing meaning if she wants to do something, she can do it without partnering with anyone else and she has a multi-million person strong cult that follows her every step. That's a lot of power for anyone to have and puts her in a rather unique situation.

Your post is pretty much exactly what I had typed (down to the same person used as an example of non-Oprah) but I decided it's not worht it. I've had better luck making my point understood to a pile of potatoes.

F1nut

So again, who the hell is Oprah and why should I care?