Ever-Changing Reflection

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding... It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility.
~ Kahlil Gibran

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Announcement: OWN


Call me a middle-aged housewife, but I heart Oprah. I'm not sure how I feel about her as a person -- I know there's many people who can't stand her personally -- but I love her BRAND. And, for building up such an amazing, global brand I give her kudos. That is a feat, and one of the best personal accomplishments I can think of (if you're going the entrepreneur career route).

I mean really, who hasn't heard of Oprah? Who doesn't automatically associate her with delving interviews, happiness, fulfillment, achievement, spirituality and positive thinking? At least, that's how I think of her.

I never really watched her show, minus a few episodes, but I really got hooked on her magazine a few years ago after reading Cathie Black's Basic Black (great book for all you female professionals out there). Cathie single-handedly won Oprah to Hearst Publishing in creating a magazine. She SOLD Oprah on this idea, which I guess puts Cathie higher on my list than Oprah herself in women I admire. So, I decided I would check out the magazine.

It inspired me. It motivated me to focus on my personal and spiritual growth, to become a better person (cue the butterflies, hearts and flowers).

So, now that I've been working from home, I've checked out a couple shows. I loved her interview with Patrick Swayze's wife. I was amazed at her candidness. And you can bet I was glued to the screen when she did her first jobs show and revealed footage from her first job as a local television reporter.

Now the show is disappearing... and being replaced by an entire network: OWN. The acronym certainly does fit. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of material she comes up with. I guess after the publisher win, the networks started courting her.

What do you think of Oprah? Will you miss the show? Are you excited about the network? (Don't worry about offending me if you hate her.)

7 comments:

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I certainly respect what she's built. The woman is quite the mogul!

{andthisiswhatshesaid} said...

Well, Im not even 21 and i LOVE her! She is uhmazing and she totally deserves her success.

Anna said...

she isn't my FAVORITE, but she is pretty amazing. plus, Tina Fey's imitation of her is SPOT ON. : )

xo-

bananas. said...

i don't really watch the show but when i do i'm always hooked. that being said, i hate when she cuts to break every 2 minutes, gets annoying. i will miss it. it will be the end of an era...

Elizabeth Marie said...

It's odd. The end of an era for sure. She kinda bugs me, but I DO watch her show when I'm working from home...cuz hello, it's OPRAH. :)

Happy Thanksgiving lovey!

Micaela said...

i call her my SHERO. i cried when she did on her announcement. i think she's brilliant... she's personable... she's real. she even admits mistakes. IT'S OPRAH! :) i've grown up with her. and everyone talks to her ... how many 1st interviews did she get? she's amazing.

i will ABSOLUTELY miss her. i watch her at work! ha.

so i'm exciting about the network, but sad about her show leaving :(

Jen said...

Wow, I'm amazed at the commentary here! Thanks ladies... seems like even those who don't love her really respect her success, and I'm not alone as the only 20-something to follow Oprah!

Well-put Mayra, it's the end of an era... and Micaela, you're absolutely right: Everyone talks to Oprah because she's Oprah! I hope those interviews continue on her network.