On today's Oprah.....

[TimeforMe]

Let me preface this by saying that I truly admire Oprah and all she has accomplished despite all the obstacles and sad set of circumstances she's had to deal with in her life. I (mostly) find her extremely insightful, articulate and many times she will voice what I am thinking. Having said that......

I really disliked her show today. She auctioned off many of her own clothes that were "in her closet". Of course, the proceeds went to charity--The Angel Network--and it was for a good cause. HOWEVER, many of the clothes she wore only once and some never at all! It was such an "in your face" kind of episode that it left me feeling uneasy. I know that surely that was not her intention, but I think that is part of the problem with people that have soooooo much money that they really lose touch with reality.

Anyone else feel a little uneasy about the show today?

 

[OhMari]

She probably came up with the idea and no one can say no to the boss!

Elton John auctioned all his old custumes and clothes.

And, I can say I have one thing in my closet I never wore, I just found it-a skirt,, now I don't have to buy something for Christmas.

 

[Patty3]

I actually enjoyed the show, but I know what you mean. That Louis Vuitton purse that she used once retails for around $1200.00. I helped someone pick out that purse for their wife last week. I thought it auctioned for around $3000.00. I was just wondering where the audience gets the money to pay the prices they did for her clothes and accessories. I do like Oprah, but not enough to spend over $5000 for one of her dresses, if I had that kind of money.

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by Patty3
I was just wondering where the audience gets the money to pay the prices they did for her clothes and accessories.

Yes,I was wondering the same thing. Did they have to show a tax return before they were allowed in the audience?

 

[Buckalew11]

People wouldn't be starving in the world today if we all were wiser with our money. I am guilty and have no $, LOL. But truly, people who spend 60,000 in one afternoon and have gold faucets in the bathroom need to use that money for the poor. I know, I know...this is America... it still breaks my heart.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I didn't watch the show today for the same reasons the op stated. When I'm trying to figure my daily living expenses I sure don't get a feeling of joy watching Oprah auctioning off some of her unwanted closet items. She may have had great intentions but with so many people out of work and fewer jobs I just don't find this episode entertaining. A little to depressing considering her closets are bigger than most people's houses.

 

[Amberle3]

I'm sure that a number of worn-once items in her closet were gifts from designers.

I remember a show last year about what goes on dressing the stars for award shows. The big name stars, the ones that designers know will be featured in magazines, are offered gowns by various designers. They basically compete with each other to see which celebs they can get wearing their designs. That way they can say "so-and-so wears our designs".

And I've had a number of things in my closet that I ended up giving away to charity with tags still on.

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by Amberle3

And I've had a number of things in my closet that I ended up giving away to charity with tags still on.

Things that cost thousands of dollars?

Either way, given to her as gifts or bought, what a HUGE waste of $.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by TimeforMe
Things that cost thousands of dollars?

Either way, given to her as gifts or bought, what a HUGE waste of $.

Waste of money for who???? That's part of what we expect from celebs. Do we want them to show up at awards ceremonies in a dress from JCP or Sears?

Nothing wrong with having the clothes etc that go with the $$ she has. I doubt I have much in my closet I could resale for $1 so don't think that is going to feed many people. Oprah brought xmas to about 50,000 children in South Africa. Not many of us can even come close and are doing good to pick an angel off the salvation army tree.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

Originally posted by janette
Waste of money for who???? That's part of what we expect from celebs. Do we want them to show up at awards ceremonies in a dress from JCP or Sears?

Nothing wrong with having the clothes etc that go with the $$ she has. I doubt I have much in my closet I could resale for $1 so don't think that is going to feed many people. Oprah brought xmas to about 50,000 children in South Africa. Not many of us can even come close and are doing good to pick an angel off the salvation army tree.

Let me ask this. What has Oprah done to give her the right to wear thousands of dolllar dresses. She has a talk show? She then makes so much money she dosen't know what to do with it? If I had her money I would give to charities also. So would alot of people. She needs the tax write off. There are few saints in the world. The one that comes to mind is Sister Theresa. She died without a pair of shoes. She gave up everything to help people. No million dollar homes or clothing to be auctioned. Thats someone I look up to.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by TnKrBeLlA012
Let me ask this. What has Oprah done to give her the right to wear thousands of dolllar dresses. She has a talk show? She then makes so much money she dosen't know what to do with it? If I had her money I would give to charities also. So would alot of people. She needs the tax write off. There are few saints in the world. The one that comes to mind is Sister Theresa. She died without a pair of shoes. She gave up everything to help people. No million dollar homes or clothing to be auctioned. Thats someone I look up to.

Sister Theresa didn't have a TV show and wasn't in the entertainment business. Never said Oprah was a saint, probably not even close. She's earned her money because people pay her big bucks to do what she does. That's what gives her the right to wear thousands of dollar dresses. If I was worth the kind of money she is I'm sure I'd wear them too. Sadly I don't think I'm going to be as successful as she is.

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by janette
Not many of us can even come close and are doing good to pick an angel off the salvation army tree.

Yes, and that's probably more of a sacrifice to you (and me) than her emptying her closets.

Look, I admire what she does. But it's not really a sacrifice for her, now is it? The point I was trying to make is that it's past having to look good, etc. and is downright gluttonous. The $ has ceased to mean a thing. She's "earned" her $, (that's another argument/topic) for sure--but it seems to me she's just flaunting it a little. Why televise the show?

 

[Buckalew11]

Don't get me wrong with my post. I KNOW Oprah Winfrey is generous with her money. Many rich people are. Many could be more generous.

I think they televised the show because people, in general, love that kind of stuff. Same reason they televise all the reality shows.

 

[TimeforMe]

Yes, of course. But if Oprah's true intent was just to give $ to charity, why would she televise it. Many wealthy people give $ to charity without publicizing it.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by TimeforMe
Why televise the show?

It's called marketing, as on the show people will now go to ebay and pay much more than those clothes & accessories are worth. She could have put them on ebay without the show and her name and made a few $$ for her charity or do it with the show and her name and bring in big $$. Wonder why she would do that.

 

[TimeforMe]

Originally posted by janette
Wonder why she would do that.

Why the sarcasm?

It's also called good p.r. and good for ratings.

 

[fireplug]

Nice job Oprah, most of your audience is in the United States and you are helping South African kids have Christmas.

Way to helpout!

Steve

 

[Disney Princess 6]

Sometimes I watch Oprah, but today's show didn't interest me at all. I don't care about her clothes or all the money her audience apparently has to buy them! I think she does quite a bit for charity and that's great. I'd do the same if I had her money. I'd truly love to give like crazy - nothing would make me happier. I do what I can...wish it were more.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

$1000 to Oprah is probably like $10 to me. Her name brings $$$. Advertising those clothes on her show (name) will more $$$$ for charity than just putting them on her website with no advertising.

I have heard/read many celebrities who said once they could finally afford the designer clothes, they are just given to them for free.

 

[janette]

Originally posted by fireplug
Nice job Oprah, most of your audience is in the United States and you are helping South African kids have Christmas.

Way to helpout!

Steve

Did you see that show? She gave each child a complete set of clothes, with shoes. School supplies and a toy. They were mostly thrilled with the clothes. I have a niece that lives in South Africa. I sent a bunch of McD's toys I had in the garage to her and her DH to give to the kids they work with. Those kids were thrilled to have them. Very few kids even those considered living in poverty want those toys. Even if she helped 50,000 it is still a drop in a big bucket there.

I really don't care about the clothes and found the show today to be amusing at best. Just don't get why anyone would question the fact that Oprah spends that kind of $$ on clothes. This show was a fundraiser, not anything more.