Oprah Winfrey is slowly but surely taking over the world. She has, over the past two decades of her career, gradually expanded her empire to the point where people idolize her. She has arguably one of the most watched shows on television, multiple magazines, and now you can add a radio program to that list. XM Radio is hoping to outshine Sirius' Howard Stern by adding the "Oprah & Friends" Channel later this year, a wise investment if you consider just how wide her sphere of influence is.
It never ceases to amaze what power she has accumulated. I know people who never miss an episode, even it means revolving class schedules around her 4 p.m. show. Tickets to her show are arguably some of the hottest seats in Chicago. Women dictate their shopping habits by her "Favorite Things" Episodes. People are devout readers of any and all books in her Book Club (only Oprah could have James Frey on her show twice in two weeks, praising and then chastising him, and still be loved). I wouldn't be surprised if she successfully ran for President in the near future.
I personally, probably for the exact reason that everyone loves her so much, remain wary of Oprah and her ever-growing empire. In a class I took last semester we discussed how the term empire isn't really used so much anymore in describing countries because it sounds too imperialistic (as if "superpower" is any better), so it's rather ironic that we still use it to describe a certain media powerhouse. Yet she is the voice of reason for a lot of people, and a model citizen: she seems very friendly and easy to get along with; sympathetic when necessary; she gives back to people across the country and the world by making their dreams come true; and of course she's friends with celebrities and has helped some of America's Sweethearts through their very public breakups (you know you couldn't help but watch Jen and Uma tearing up on the infamous couch).
I will keep my skepticism and continue to offer a differing opinion (albeit rather gingerly) whenever I hear someone raving about Oprah, but it seems like for now all that I can do is continue to avoid her much loved empire, look into Sirius Satellite Radio, and hope that Oprah doesn't actually run for President one day.
Jacqueline Colozzi @ Mon, 02/20/2006 - 4:13pm
There is a line between liking and/or respecting a person vs. considering a person fit to run a country.... I hope that the only people who would like to see Oprah in the White House are (some of) her hardcore fans, and thankfully they don't make up the majority of this country.