Oprah
Many moons ago when my brother was visiting, he walked into the family room where the television was on.
“You’re not watching that!” he guffawed, being the intellectual type that he is.
At the time, I was in hot pursuit of my daughter whilst simultaneously breast feeding my son and carrying his ‘big’ brother.
“Yes, I am!” I snapped. Probably due too many leaky hormones.
The truth of the matter was that I wanted to watch Oprah on the telly. I wanted to be like my new American pal. I wanted to fit in. I wanted ‘normal.’ I knew that the vast majority of the female, stay at home mom population, watched Oprah every afternoon, whilst their little kiddie winkies frolicked and played, or napped.
My new American pal was a kindly woman with a huge heart. Whenever we met, she would ask me if I had watched such and such an episode. My response was always the same, failure. She always made it sound so interesting. I always felt that I had missed something. I had.
These days, now that life has changed so much during the intervening years, I still have Oprah’s broadcast available to me via TIVO. 5 episodes every week, which I dutifully delete every Sunday night. Although I have watched a few programmes between then and now, I can’t watch the celebrity ones as I never know who they are, I can’t watch the ‘be a better looking person’ ones because I am old, I can’t watch the ‘this tragedy happened to this person’ ones, because they are too depressing.
I remember that my mother would listen to “Woman’s Hour’ on the radio every day. We children were sworn to silence or banned from the vicinity. ‘Oprah’ seemed to be the modern equivalent. I was unable to work out why such an ordinary every day pastime, was completely beyond me? Of all the things that I could or should have done to prove to myself that ‘all was well’ this would seem like a bizarre choice. I chose it precisely because it seemed so ordinary and easy. It proved to be anything but.
I decided that my failure was due to the fact that my children, none of them, enjoyed afternoon naps, whereas every other mother on the planet had a different experience. I chose to ignore the different time zones throughout the world, which I believe would be evidence of denial.
Now that I am even older but not particularly wiser, I still wonder who those women are? Who are the viewers? I suspect that even her recent programme on autism would not have reached me in the situation I experienced, nor other people, who might be similarly situated. If the programme airs at four in the afternoon, [I just checked] who will be watching?
Me? No, afraid not. I’ll be wrapped up in the homework debacle after a slightly more successful school pick-up run. The children I chase are bigger now than those far away days. It’s still just as noisy, if not noisier around here but there are more words than there once were. But I’ll give you a dare - if Oprah takes up breast feeding then I’ll watch her programme.
Is that a double dare?
Stumble it!
November 20th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Do you mean if she HERSELF breast feeds—just kidding—–
November 20th, 2007 at 1:14 am
YAY for breastfeeding!
I don’t watch Oprah, actually we don’t get it here (thank goodness).
<<<Mother to one (1) booby addict who won’t give it up.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:02 am
How can you compare Oprah to Womans Hour??!!
November 20th, 2007 at 3:45 am
Maybe I’m out of touch - I’m wondering what the Woman’s Hour is?
November 20th, 2007 at 4:59 am
I’m not sure those women really exist… They might be a figment of socitey’s imaginations. Let’s hope so.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:45 am
Not a viewer here. I did happen to see a throng of women in her audience once… Weeping and wailing as she made her entrance onto the set. That was all I needed to see to know her show was not for me. LOL
My Rosie has Sotos Syndrome and a lot of Autistic tendencies.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I’m getting a little tired of saying “me too”! I’ve given up trying to watch it. Only 1 program in every 14 or so interests me and if I try and watch it I have to a) make sure they’re quiet and b) make sure they can’t hear it because of the content of tv these days.
I cringe to admit it, but I’ve switched to watching General Hospital at 3pm. It ends just as the boys are getting off the bus.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:14 am
I breastfed all of my babies too. It a shame the way some will look at you.
I don’t watch Oprah unless I get an email saying she is having something on about autism. I would however like to be in her audience when she gives all those christmas presents away
November 20th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Am I the odd one out here? I’ve never watched Oprah. She does look incredible on that picture you have posted. And as for breast feeding, I never tried it. SMA was all Amy got. She’s a healthy child and eventhough has the condition she has (which I am sure has nothing to do with my breasts) she is rarely ill. Touch Wood!
Crystal xx
November 20th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Funny, I watched Oprah with near relgious fervor when I was pregnant. (Eureka! That’s it…it’s Oprah’s fault Nik has autism! Alert the press…). I think it fills a void for so many women who are searching for some kind of meaning outside themselves. I haven’t watched it in years and now have no interest. I think Oprah has lost her relevance to the majority of women in our demographic. Sge appeals to the single or childless working woman or the retired with no kids/grandkids set IMHO. It’s become just like all the other talk shows and focused on celebrity and hype. Though, I wouldn’t mind being a recipient on her Christmas show or of a home makeover by Nate! LOL
November 20th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I usually record Oprah but delete the majority. They just are not as interesting as they used to be. Too many celebrity shows! Maizie napped for her first year and then stopped. Oh, how I cried when I knew the naps were over! Of course it would have been less traumatic if she slept through the night!
November 20th, 2007 at 8:07 am
I have watched oprah three times my entire life. you are not missing anything.
yea for breastfeeding!!!!!
…but unless you can find a celebrity to make ridiculous statements whilst crying about it, or do flips on a couch over it…i think you’ll be waiting a long time!
November 20th, 2007 at 8:21 am
I can’t tell you how sad I feel it is that people are offended by breastfeeding, but the nightly barrage of violence on the news is OK?
November 20th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Ok, I didn’t touch the breastfeeding the first time I commented. I breastfed both my children and was hurt by the people who had negative things to say. Oprah will not do a show on breastfeeding. Because she likes to highlight choices women make (she did one on working and staying home which in my opinion purposely pitted women against each other) and with breastfeeding everyone knows it’s nutritionally best, so what kind of show would that be???
I’ll join your dare though. If she ever does a show on breastfeeding (but not a “vs.” show) I’ll watch her show again.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I don’t know how to get my t.v. on except for dvds. Sad, I know. My husband has this whole complex system. When he leaves it on in the a.m., I have to call him for directions on turning it off. So, I haven’t watched Oprah, and I can’t say I would watch it on breastfeeding (although I support it) or would even be aware she was doing a show on breastfeeing.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:43 am
I agree with Niksmom: “I think it fills a void for so many women who are searching for some kind of meaning outside themselves.” The only time I find myself watching Oprah is when I am depressed and trying to hide. Even then, I rarely enjoy it. Re: breastfeeding, I nursed Moosie until this past April, bet Oprah would have fun with that one (nursing an autistic 3 year old)–
http://miscthing.blogspot.com/2006/08/thats-weird.html
http://miscthing.blogspot.com/2007/04/bye-bye-boobs.html
November 20th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Oprah kind of stopped appealing to the average woman somewhere along the line.
I do like her though.
Remember, the show is ALL ABOUT RATINGS!!!!
November 20th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I never watch Oprah either. Frankly, I have three kids, two of whom are at school all day and I’m not going to sit and watch TV for an hour as soon as they walk in the door. Also, in general, TV bores the crap out of me. I don’t watch much at all.
Several of my friends watch Oprah regularly, though. They are 30-something moms and they love the show. They have PVR which enables them to record now, watch later.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
O lost me when she started being so preachy and judgmental. I didn’t like it when she brought on a guest with a psychiatric disorder and then was incredulous that the woman could “live that way.” it just seemed mean spirited.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I have only watched Oprah a few scattered occasions years ago and never quite understood all the fuss. But then again, I am not a keen fan of talk shows in general. Still, I think the others are right, that she has lost some of her audience and fan base over the past years.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I don’t know who is watching Oprah either. I just can’t stomach her. I don’t like her brain-washing ways she has with so many women. It is nuts. I feel like no matter what Oprah says women will buy into it, and it bothers me. Don’t tell me what to read, what to buy, how to dress, or who to vote fore. Blah! If I know that she is having a guest on that interests me (like when she had Jenny McCarthy on talking about Autism) I will watch. But it really does not happen often. I much prefer Ellen.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I gave up on Oprah for nearly the same reasons you’ve mentioned in your post, and some in the responses. I do seem to get to watch Oprah’s pet project Rachel Ray while I work out. I love the 30 minute meals (although I know I’ll never make it in 30). I also refuse to give too much of my most precious asset…TIME to her or anyone else on TV!!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I can’t imagine any mother with young kids has the time for Oprah.
For some reason her show and her following remind me of a cult.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I’m out of the loop too. The only daytime shows I watch are kids shows.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
November 20th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I watched sometimes but first, who has time and second, somewhere along the line she became “Holier than thou.” I don’t know. She gets some great experts on some issues.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I am not a regular watcher of the show.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I’ve watched it twice this year, when alerted in advance the shows would deal with autism. My 82-year-old grandmother watches Oprah. She also spends a lot of time on QVC (one of those shop from home channels) purchasing things she doesn’t need. I don’t think Gran is who Oprah expects to be watching her program.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
My mother listened to Woman’s Hour too. And The Archers, and some afternoon theatre programme. She didn’t mind us talking to her too much during The Archers as she could catch the repeats, but there was no talking during the afternoon theater (or was it short story?) programme.
I haven’t watched Oprah in years. Definitely not since the kids were born. Even if I had a tivo and could watch at a convenient time, there are other shows that are far more compelling. I don’t understand why anyone would watch breakfast TV either.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
My problem with Oprah is that she seems so materialistic…very into expensive clothes, hair, make-up, etc. I know she also does a lot of charitable things, but she just gets on my nerves somehow.
When I was pregnant I used to watch Dr. Phil, for some reason.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Yeah, in the end, it’s all about the ratings, isn’t it? YAY for breastfeeding!
November 20th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I am not one of her viewers. I don’t even bother to TiVo her show because I know I won’t watch it. Of course, that is not saying much . . . I hardly watch any programmed televisions–really good movies catch my eye, and of course, books.
I just checked her book list for a lark . . . I have read Anna Karenina (which I enjoyed) and Song of Solomon (which I was forced to read in college and promptly forgot).
My house is an Oprah-free zone. I don’t watch it even when it’s about autism, so I doubt I will watch any episodes on breastfeeding.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I used to be into Oprah until some of her programs seem to go the way of tv viewing for strung out moms. Not those watching but those on the program. I watch it now and then when I here it through a preview or from a friend. Thanks for all your comments on my blog! You sound like one busy mum!
November 20th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Not a tv during the day watcher. Although w00t for Canada!!! Breastfeeding should be a anytime anywhere deal!
November 20th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
I can’t watch Oprah because in my city she is up against National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. I crank up the radio, throw a chicken in the oven, start making the salad and plug in to what is happening in the rest of the world. This is the only way I stay connected to what’s happening anywhere other than my home. Great post. There is no law that says we all have to like Oprah…at least not yet.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:03 am
Thanks for saying what I have been feeling for awhile. I just don’t relate to Oprah anymore. I used to watch her more back in the 80s and 90s. Her topics are so boring to me; occasionally she will have something of interest. I got sick of her interrupting her guests all of the time. I have no interest in fashion as my uniform is t-shirt/jeans, and the Christmas show of her favorite things is just an exercise in gluttony. Public Radio rocks. Breastfed my child for two years…maybe it was those mercury amalgams I’ve had for 40 years..
November 21st, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Every chance I get to watch Oprah - I skip.
Just say NO to Oprah!
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I have to tell you, when I quit my job almost six years ago to stay home with my kids I wondered if I’d become an Oprah watcher.
It’s been six years, I have not. I did tivo it once a few weeks back to see Heidi Klum and Seal on the show….but only watched that segment and deleted the rest. I felt kind of weird, after a while it’s nice to be a “not an Oprah watcher.”
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I don’t like Oprah. In fact, I openly mock her. Often.
Can’t stand The View either. In my old stomping grounds of Denver, CO, there was a church (Mile High Church) that we jokingly referred to as The Church of Oprah - it didn’t actually stand for anything, was ’spiritual’ without being religious, and without fail if a speaker was on Oprah they’d be a featured speaker at that church! It’s for “ladies who lunch”. Not me!
December 1st, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I hate Oprah. She advocates personal solutions so societal problems. It’s impossible and it pisses me off.