Archive for May, 2010

Date: May 24th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Transformation
4 comments

Episode 82: Julia Roberts and the Men of Eat, Pray, Love

OK. She is one of the biggest movie stars of our time. Oscar winner Julia Roberts plus one of the biggest selling books of all time Eat, Pray, Love. Put them together and you have one of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer. Come on out Julia. The crowd scream, Oprah and Julia hug and hold hands. Wow, you look fantastic says Oprah. Oprah says that she said to their shared agent that at the end of the movie she teared up because Julia is her friend and she is a bona fide movie star, which she could tell just by the way Julia rode her bicycle. Julia says that it was all consuming and she had a great team. When Elizabeth did the journey she had a carry-on bag, and Julia did it with three children and about 16 bags, full of snacks and medicine. Julia says that it is a bummer that the movie is all her, but Oprah says that is what is extraordinary.

Oprah asks how they all are, Julia says that they are great and that they missed Oprah last night. Her twins are 5 and Henry is 2 1/2, Oprah says that she loves 2 1/2 and Julia says that she loves it all. Oprah asks what she has learned from them lately. Julia says that kids are so fresh and interested and engaged as they are so new into the world. As we get older we get grumpier and concerned with being late while the kids just want to look at a tree. Henry woke up at 5.30 and said it’s a beautiful day, momma. Their day starts at about 5.30 then it’s the big party to get everyone up and teeth brushed and breakfast, including the mom. 2 days a week they all attend preschool for a few hours and Julia picks them up for an afternoon snack and a nap. They carpool and have playdates like every other family. Oprah says that it is so normal in that house. Julia sews because kids clothes are so expensive and the dresses Hazel wears are just two pieces of fabric together. She uses patterns or figures it out from a dress that Hazel loves. Oprah asks why she sews, Julia says that it is soothing and fun and not necessarily for financial reasons. It is her new skill to keep her brain firm- after 40 they say that both the brain and the tush go saggy. She sews big pillows and some simple pants for Danny, which Oprah is very impressed by. That is love, she says. Julia says that Danny is perfect.

People magazine has just voted Julia the world’s most beautiful person for the 4th time. Oprah says that we all say that we don’t care about the list, but as a 42 1/2 year old, Julia must have liked that. Julia says that at her age she’ll take every compliment that she gets. Oprah says that Julia is more beautiful now than ever and that something happens when you come into your 40’s and you become more of your true self. Julia agrees and says that she has a great family with so much fun and that you look like where you come from. Oprah says that she’ll remember that when she next sees someone who looks haggard. Or those days after she has been traveling and her face looks like it has been left behind in Cleveland or Chicago and she’s waiting for her face to catch up.

Oprah asks if aging concerns Julia. Not yet, although obviously society works hard to instill panic as quickly as possible. Her husband doesn’t seen concerned and that makes her calm about the whole thing. She is also the new face of Lancome. She felt reluctant to be the ambassador for a brand, now she calls herself a supermodel at home. It is a fun new avenue. Shockingly, Julia says that she ran a half marathon because her husband is so powerful. She says that she was so happy for 13 miles, how did that happen? The crowd applaud. She trained during the movie when it was so hot so by the time she ran the marathon it was to her advantage. She wanted to show her kids that the power of the female body is greater than just giving birth, which is a great power. It was awesome. The New York Times article Mother and Mega-Star, Happily Balanced was a great article, according to Oprah. Oprah smiled when she read the line that Julia is fulfilled by her life on an hourly basis. Julia says that she has a big family who appreciate and inspire each other- they are filled with gratitude. Oprah says that she loves watching Julia and Gayle have such respect for her kids as well as to love them. Julia thinks that they are fascinating people and that they are spiritually closer to the earth than us, maybe as we get tall we grow dumb. Oprah feels that we are born into the world trailing grace, as if we come from the angels, and the older we get the world reminds you and you forget where you come from. Julia agrees that her kids are heavenly and kind and dear. The chaos and the quiet in the house. Her favorite thing is to watch them wake up and to watch the day come upon them.

Eat, Pray, Love – four years ago the story of Elizabeth Gilbert’s journey to rediscover herself struck a chord with millions of women all over the world, including Oprah. Over 7 million copies have sold in 40 languages and now devotees see it on the big screen. She goes around the world, to Italy, India and Bali. You will not be disappointed says Oprah.

Oprah says that she loves the book and that it cast a spell on Julia too. Julia got a copy from her agent and sent a copy to her best friend Paige so that someone she loved was reading it at the same time. Paige panicked that she had to read the book fast to catch up, but says that it came at a good point at her life. Oprah likes to read that way too. They didn’t really talk about it but they shared moments. In India they met a woman reading the book and Julia’s 4 year old daughter said I know what that says, “Mommy’s Work.” Julia says that she surrenders to the book and there is a resonance, it’s like a bell which keeps ringing. Oprah says that it has become a spiritual companion for many people. Julia says that as a family they had their moments of passage during this odyssey. 5 months was a long time to travel together and play Candyland. Her kids were very interested in the culture of everywhere they went. Julia says that the permission to eat with gusto was a gift. Oprah remembers the famous pizza place, did they go there? They went to that place. Oprah shows a clip of the pizza eating scene. The crowd applaud. Julia ate a lot and says that she gained weight. She loves the food in Italy, it’s so fresh and tastes like Momma is in the kitchen. Next she went to India for the praying part, and she loves it there. The children love it, Hazel wants to live there when she grows up.

The story is as much about her journey as the men she meets along the way. Billy Crudup plays her needy husband that she walks away from. She rebounds with David played by James Franco. In India she connects with spiritual friend Richard played by Richard Jenkins, and Javier Bardem plays Philippe, the man who makes her want to love again. The movie was shot in sequence, Ryan made it easier for her to do it in sequence. The scenes are loving scenes, rather than love scenes says Julia. Oprah asks what Julia believes about love. Both Julia and Oprah adore Julia’s husband Danny. She adores him, and he gets better looking year after year. Julia says that no one calls her to do sex in a movie, they just don’t. Julia doesn’t even want to pretend all that stuff- it makes her feel 12. Oprah asks if she still loves acting- Oprah now sees Julia as a mother first. Julia still loves acting, but she loves her family more. She is fortunate that she doesn’t have to make a choice, and that she can choose when she wants to work. It has always been ok with Julia to take some breaks between films and be more relaxed.

The leading men say what Eat, Pray, Love means to them. Javier says his favorite dish is fried eggs, fries and the best Spanish ham in the world. Richard finds his pray in his home in Rhode Island where it is peaceful and spiritual. They have a screened house in the woods with a chair built by his son when he was in 8th grade. Javier says love is found in books painting, literature, music- love is about putting ourselves in a place where you haven’t been before. James would eat the Cafe Borrone in Palo Alto’s soup and sandwich for the rest of his life. For his prayer he goes to Palo Alto where his family is from, where he gets a lot of spiritual strength. And his girlfriend grew up in the same city so he gets his Eat, Pray and Love in the same spot.Javier thanks Julia in Spanish for everything and for making it so easy to work together.

Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert is here- she just watched the movie for the first time. She is still misty and emotional about it. She isn’t a visual person, she didn’t take photos of her journey, so it is as if an amazing director made a home movie of her travels and Photoshopped her out and put in someone with perfect skin and 38” legs. Plus, she got to watch herself make out with Javier, which is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. She was an emotional wreck. She saw it with her husband alone in a theater and they were crawled up in a ball together laughing and crying. They didn’t expect that. Oprah says that the book has become larger than Elizabeth. The movie embodied the best time of her life- she cried, went home, drank lots of wine and went to bed. They decided to talk about it in the morning. For the first time, Elizabeth realized why this story is so popular- she suddenly saw that getting over love and disappointment is everyone’s story. She only saw that it was everyone’s story through the movie, not just her own introspective journey as she’d previously thought. It was easy for her to give autonomy to Julia Roberts, Oprah says that when Julia prays you can almost hear what God is saying. Elizabeth says that is Julia’s gift: she takes the personal and renders it universal. Liz says that it makes her happy that Julia can be Liz Gilbert and that she does it so well. Liz can’t contain her feeling about the story, it grew bigger than her a long time ago.

Julia’s favorite all time meal, her Eat, would be a big meal, she likes steak, garlic, anything in a crock pot. Her Pray is hearing her kids sleeping and breathing, holding her husband’s hand and knowing that they get to do it again the next day. Her Love is her family that she belongs to and the family that she has, and her good friends. The writer and director of the movie Ryan Murphy is also the man behind Glee. Oprah welcomes him back. He is bathed in relief that Liz appreciates what he did. They were always about the book, they felt such an obligation to Liz and the book because it is more than just a book. James Franco says that Julia was pretty shy in the kissing scenes. He thinks that Julia thinks he only did the movie to kiss her, and that’s only half true. He says that he’ll just be sitting there, looking at his photograph of him with Julia.

Oprah and Julia can’t believe that the hour has gone already. Julia mentions her other two costars who have not yet been mentioned. Julia took the whole no phone-zone pledge online the day after she watched the Oprah show episode. She has signed it. Oprah says that Julia is a responsible mother, Julia says that when she sees people texting, she wants to shout “Don’t you watch Oprah.”

August 13th, Julia’s mom’s birthday is the day that the film is released. Oprah says that everyone should watch it with their girlfriends and then eat and pray and love together.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

You can tell bona fide movie stars by the way they ride their bicycle.

A movie star sewing pants for her husband displays true love.

You look like where you come from.

The permission to eat with gusto is a gift.

Making a movie of a book that is more than a book is quite an undertaking.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Getting over love and disappointment is everyone’s story, it is universal.

Date: May 21st, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Entertainment, Transformation
116 comments

Episode 81: Fridays Live: $266 Million Lottery Winner and Living Legend Dolly Parton

It’s Friday everybody, shouts Oprah. Two weeks ago life had a ginormous twist in store for Jackie and Gilbert. It all started when Jacki asked her husband what he wanted for dinner. He was going for dinner and got ten lottery tickets. She works overnight at the local TV station. A wire came out that someone had won the lottery in her home time. She called her husband to get the ticket and everyone was crying. Her boss says that it’s never good when you get a call at night, she said that they won the lottery and was it ok if she left early?

Jacki and Gilbert come out and meet Oprah. The odds were 1 in 175 million, they won $266 million. Wowser kazowser says Oprah, that is amazing. Jacki says that it is amazing. Jackie worked as freelance, averaging $40,000 a year. Oprah asks if people are coming out of the closet to ask for money. Gilbert says that he’s already told his family not to bother, the answer is no. The crowd laugh. Oprah says really. Oprah asks if they had the conversation about what they would do. They said that they had dreamed of winning $50,000. They wanted to buy a nice house, like in the magazines, an “Oprah house.” They like to travel. Oprah says that they can do it all now, they need to dream bigger dreams. Oprah’s advice is that everybody will come and ask for help, and that they get to decide who they want to help and who they don’t want to help and then they get to make the plan, otherwise it is overwhelming. You can’t say that you don’t have it anymore. Jacki wants to keep working for now, they don’t have the money yet, so she needs to pay the bills but she knows their focus will change. Gilbert says that they can decide what to do now with the money for the greatest good. Jacki says that being on Oprah is more her dream than winning the lottery. Oprah is really flattered and sees that they are stable, happy people and she hopes that it can bring them joy. Oprah says that there is great property in Santa Barbara. She thanks them and they thanks her.

Oprah says she loves it when nice things happen to nice people. Hang on to your britches, everything about her next guest is big, from her hair to her personality. Dolly Parton is a national treasure who grew up dirt poor in the Smokey Mountains. One of 12 children in a one roomed cabin with no electricity or water she was born with the voice of an angel. She graduated high school on a Friday night and by Saturday morning she was off to Nashville. She went on to conquer all of showbiz- television, movies, Broadway and her Dollywood theme park has been thrilling fans for 25 years. She is a one-woman empire and has written over 3000 songs including I Will Always Love You, one of the biggest songs of all time.
Dolly comes on stage and the crowd scream and scream. She drove in from Nashville on her bus and all of her homes are fine, but they are working so hard to help after the floods in Nashville. She has started a relief fund through Dollywood, the crowd cheer. Oprah has family in Nashville and says that many people feel that the crisis is not getting enough attention. Dolly is good, she is here with all her sequins. She says that she would never be seen without make-up unless she was electrocuted in the bath. She has been married 44 years and together for 60, the crowd applaud. Oprah thinks that it is interesting that we never see Paul, Dolly respects the fact that he doesn’t want to be in the limelight. Oprah asks if they have an open marriage- Dolly says that it means that they are both free to be themselves, but they would kill each other if there was any infidelity. She knows he loves her for her, they met the day she went to Nashville before she was a star. Oprah says that Dolly came from a one-room shack. Dolly says that coming gradually into money, she finds it hard to spend. She thinks about every dollar, she’d rather get a whole bunch of clothes from Walmart than one $5000 outfit. She says that she’ll still look cheap, no matter what she wears. It costs alot of money to look this cheap, says Dolly.

They play a duet of Oprah and Dolly in 1987 singing This Little Light of Mine. Neither of them had watched it for a while. Oprah said that she was lip-synching. Dolly is 5’ 1”. She once lost a Dolly Parton look-alike contest when she lived in Santa Fe. She over-exaggerated everything and thought it would be so much fun. Next to all the 6 foot drag queens she looked like a little gay midget. She was lost in the shuffle and she lost her own drag-queen night.

She has celebrated 25 years of Dollywood, her 150 acre theme park near her childhood home in the Smokey Mountains. Her financial advisors told her not to buy it as it was too risky. She says that they do wonderful work down there. They have the Dollywood Foundation where they have an Imagination Library where they give books to children once a month from birth to kindergarten. They are giving their 25th million book away, which Oprah says is amazing.

Standing outside the Oprah studio is Dolly’s tour bus. Oprah says that it’s like a double-wide. There are three bunks and she has her own shower. All her wigs are in the cupboards. She loves to travel by bus where she does all her work and reading and praying. She has a little prayer alter. Oprah has a prayer chair for morning prayer and meditation, with her prayer ornamentations. Sometimes she’ll pray in bed like Dolly. Oprah says that the chairs are so small, she has the same cross as Dolly. Dolly usually cooks, she is on a low-carb diet right now so she has cheese and quiche. She eats what she wants at the weekend, after a no-carb week. She hardly ever checks into hotels anymore, she loves the bus. She’d love to take Oprah on a trip sometime.

Dolly has sold over 100 million albums and has had 25 number one singles, here she is with a guitar and her biggest hits. Dolly says that she wrote 9-5 with the sounds of rubbing her acrylic nails together. She asks the audience wearing false nails to help her out. She then sings 9-5 followed by a verse about celebrating 25 years of Dollywood and hoping to make a million dollars after being on Oprah. She tells Oprah about how Elvis was set to record I Will Always Love You but that they wanted her to sign away the rights and she wouldn’t. She gets money every time the song is played. Oprah congratulates her for the decision not to sell, even to Elvis. Dolly says that she cried for days. She then goes on to dedicate I WIll Always Love You to Oprah, saying that she will be dearly missed and that she is one of the most amazing women in the world. Oprah cries as Dolly and the audience sing to her. Dolly stands up and Kenny Rogers joins her on stage for a duet. The crowd go wild.

Oprah asks Dolly what the best thing is about working with Kenny, and she says everything, plus she loves his gravelly voice. They joke about who has had the most liposuction and Dolly says that at one point she was going to install a liposuction machine on Kenny’s bus. They laugh. As a 71 year old, he has 5 year old twin sons who he says are about to break him. Oprah asks what he has learned from them and he says that the other day he spent the day telling one of them not to throw balls inside, get off the table and on and on and on. At bed time, his son turned around and said, “Daddy I am really getting tired of you.” He says that they are like Dolly, they are blatantly honest. Kenny says that Dolly is one of those rare, wonderful people, who is what you see. Kenny says that we are all three people- who you think you are, who others think you are and who you really are. The closer those three are together, the longer you can last in this business. He says that if there is an example of someone who is all those things, then Dolly is one of them. Kenny is celebrating 50 years in showbusiness with a TV special. Dolly is on his show and he is on her 25 year Special. Dolly says that they just can’t be separated. Oprah thanks Kenny and Dolly.

The June issue of O Magazine is all about saying yes to life and getting in touch with your wild and adventurous side. They could count on Ali Wentworth to spend the day at Cirque de Soleil having a photographic shoot on a high wire, dangling over fire and never losing her cool. Read the June issue and do something unexpected. Well done Ali, says Oprah. Here is one of our all time favorites, The Gambler, with Kenny and Dolly says Oprah. Kenny sings and Oprah stands with Dolly. Oprah sings with the other two. Dolly says that Oprah knew every word, to the verses too. Oprah says bye everybody and don’t text and drive.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

If you win the lottery, you can now do it all. You need to dream bigger dreams.

Oprah’s advice is that everybody will come and ask for help, and that you get to decide who to help and how, otherwise it is overwhelming.

Dolly Patron would rather buy lots of clothes from Wal-Mart than one expensive outfit.

Oprah has a prayer chair, both she and Dolly Parton sometimes pray from bed.

We are all three people- who you think you are, who others think you are and who you really are. The closer those three are together, the better.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Even Oprah thinks it ridiculous that a recent lottery winner said that being on Oprah is a bigger dream for her than winning the lottery.

Date: May 20th, 2010
File Under: Entertainment
111 comments

Episode 80: Oprah and Simon Cowell: The Farewell Interview

It’s the end of an era in Primetime TV, next week will be Simon Cowell’s last at American Idol. Oprah has always liked him, a few days ago they sat down in LA over a pot of English tea. This is the first time that they have sat down together without an audience. They are both well and good. He is leaving American Idol because he knows that his time is up. The first year it was like an adventure, it was like they were making it up as they went along. He loved the buzz, the adventure and fun of not knowing if it would work or not. About 2 years ago he decided that it was time to go, he always wanted to go before he was pushed. Oprah asks about the numbers going down, Simon says that no one likes it. Paula leaving may have had something to do with it, she had her own reasons for going. She’s a survivor, says Simon, she’ll come back on top. The show has to change and it takes time for people to find their balance. The timing with Ellen was terrible- he announced that he was leaving the day she started. Oprah asks who will replace him and Simon says that it has to be about who knows talent, who understands music. It has become too much about casting the nasty person or a British person etc. He feels that he has good judgement and can spot a star. He feels that he has grown as much as he can in this role and too many times he was bored. He can’t fake it and pretend not to be bored and viewers deserve better.

Simon has always been brutally honest. Oprah say that he has always just been himself. He says that he has a few regrets about the things that he has said, when he hasn’t known the back story behind the situation. Most people say that Simon says out loud what they are thinking. Oprah says that people say that he has a big ego and is out of control and arrogant while others say that he is warm and generous. She asks which is the real Simon. He says that he is a combination of the two, of course he has an ego and ambition, he has to.

Oprah asks Simon, in an English accent, to pour some tea. Oprah has Earl Grey, like the Queen drinks, and Simon drinks PG Tips. He drinks it every day with scones and cucumber sandwiches. He says that it calms him. Simon has been single for along time, but he and Idol make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy have recently revealed that they are in a relationship and she looks to be sporting an engagement ring. He says that he has never been good in relationships, although he is friends with all his exes. Never before has he thought that he’ll be with only one person. Oprah thought that he was never the marrying kind. Simon says that he is quite weird and selfish. He needs time alone to think and works all night long. Oprah says that he can’t have a high-maintenance kind of woman. Simon says that all women are a little high maintenance. Oprah says that he needs someone independent enough to have their own life or to be happy by themselves. He says that his work can become like a girlfriend- he’ll view tapes from 10pm then at midnight he’ll call London and these conversations will continue till 4am. He says that it would drive him mad, he couldn’t deal with himself. His girlfriend suggests conference calls, but he doesn’t like that idea so he’ll have the same conversations over and over with different producers. Oprah asks if he wants kids and he says that he worries about it because of his age. He’s fifty, his Dad used to play soccer and games with him as a child. Oprah says that 50 is the new 40, and he is strong and fit and healthy. Oprah asks if he has the patience and ability to sacrifice what you have to in order to be a good parent. He said he would if the child was born at 5 years old. He likes them when they can talk and know what’s going on all around them. He does like kids when he can talk to them, he genuinely likes them. Oprah asks if his girlfriend has softened him and helped him see the world differently. Yes, but his year has been full of up and down moments. He is moody, and gets very dark and down. Like a bear in a cave, he wishes that he could hibernate. It can last days or weeks. Oprah asks if its depression and he says yes. He then says he shouldn’t take himself too seriously but also that he shouldn’t put on a painted smile. He feels drained by all the people who depend on him. He would never take a pill to deal with it. He gives himself a mental slap and tries to get on with that. He says that to go out and pretend everything is fine is the beginning of madness.

Simon Cowell is one of the richest and most powerful people in entertainment. He has a major stake in Britain’s got Talent, America’s Got Talent, India’s Got Talent, Slovakia’s Got Talent… the list goes on and on. Then there’s the X-Factor franchise, those 2 dozen shows are also his. Beyond the TV shows, Simon has worked a deal that every artist who gets a start on one of his shows, signs to his label, which is worth a reported 1 billion dollars. Oprah says that everyone thinks this great thing happened in his life, but he has made some serious mistakes. He lost everything and had to move in with his parents when he was 30- he’d had a Porsche, the lifestyle, the credit cards,- the whole lot came crashing down because he believed his own hype. Oprah shows a photo of Simon when he was younger, and he agrees that it is not a very good look, and he wasn’t even a mechanic. He reads a letter that he wrote to his younger self saying that he was the cliché of 80’s excess. He was overconfident and far too cocky and dressed in labels, but it hadn’t occurred to him that he couldn’t afford any of that stuff. He says that he was an untouchable Jack the Lad but it was all borrowed, it was all nothing and it all came crashing down. He had literally nothing except a half a million loan that he had to repay. It was based on hype not substance. Oprah quotes that not being in debt is better than having nothing.

He missed nothing, it took 3 or 4 years to pay off the loans and in a weird way it was one of the happiest times of his life, having no responsibility. Then he was ready to start again. He never imagined that he would have this level of success. He says that he and a partner in business realized that they have been really lucky. He believes in luck a little bit. Oprah says that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Oprah says that he learned from his mistakes and prepared himself better and when the moment of opportunity came along he was ready. Simon says that maybe he was lucky that he didn’t remain an idiot. Oprah grants him that. She asks how he can be lucky when he works so hard? She says that it had to happen, he had to lose everything to be able to build it up again. He says that he is superstitious, and that if what happened to him had happened in his thirties he would have unravelled.

Oprah asks how he knows that he has spotted a star and who he spotted immediately. He says that the best examples are Carrie Underwood and Fantasia. With Carrie it was like everyone else was in black and white and she was in color. With Fantasia it was slightly different as she is so likeable and is not afraid of being emotional It is so difficult to define, you can only hope you can recognize it. On the day that Susan Boyle came on he was so bored and he judged the book by its cover. He judged her from the way she walked on, and he was so not interested and the audience were the same. And then she started to sing, and they thought they’d got it all wrong. When they played the tape back it was a wake up call and he hated himself as they were all judging and snearing. He was happy that she gave them that wake-up call.

Oprah asks why he is leaving to do another talent show. He believes that he can find one person and make them into a star and he is doing it here as that is where the best singers are. Oprah asks how it makes him feel when American Idol stars totally succeed. He says that it’s a process and that if they didn’t succeed then the Idol machine would be failing. It reminds him why they make the shows in the first place. Oprah asks what his real intention is? He actually likes doing it, for 3 minutes when Fantasia sings Summertime, for 3 minutes he lost himself. He loves to be part of the buzz, it was great TV.

Oprah asks if he worries about his success and the competition from Idol. Yes, but he is making a show that he would like to watch. If he was staying with Idol he would do things differently, but he won’t say what they are. The new show is different because there is no upper age limit, a sixty year old could enter the show. It is for over 14 year olds and groups can enter. He is excited about it, he has no idea whether it will work, but the success is judged on whether they find a star and he is confident that they will.

The final night of Idol he thinks will be quite emotional, but he has had a great time over here and he has discovered that Brits and Americans have the same sense of humor and that we laugh at the same things. Oprah says that we are all more alike than we are different, that’s for sure.

Whatever is popular on TV will be their competition- Simon can only approach it by making the best show he can do, and if people don’t like it there is nothing that he can do about it. Oprah says that if she was a betting woman she would bet on him. Simon thanks him for everything and says that she has been a good friend over the years. They hold hands and he winks at her.

Everybody is talking about this, says Oprah. It is the most delightful and heartwarming movie, Babies. Its like one of those fascinating nature films, tracking the first year of four babies around the world. It has been called mesmerizing, irresistible and a rare unfiltered cinematic experience. It celebrates the miracle of life of four infants making their way through their first year in Mongolia, Namibia, Japan and the United States. The director spent nearly two years flying from country to country capturing many firsts- smiles, haircuts, frustration. For hours at a time he’d set up his cameras and wait. There’s no narration or subtitles, just babies interacting with their very different environments. Fantastic, says Oprah. Thomas Balmés is the director who captured these moments which Oprah recommends all pregnant women to watch. Oprah says that she initially wanted to be the American baby in the jumper but by the end the African baby in the wilderness had many advantages. Oprah asks about the cows coming towards the baby, no one intervened. The mother was cool so the director was cool. He almost never interfered. He selected the families by looking for four sets of loving parents, a baby’s needs are fulfilled by any environment as long as there is love, The Namibian mother cleans the baby’e eyes with her teeth and shaves her hair with a knife. The commonality is love, says Oprah.

This documentary will lift your spirits says Oprah, you can take anyone to see it. Little Haddie was one of the babies who is now 4 years old. She joins them by Skype from Oakland. Her parents liked it and were really happy to be part of it, it exceeded their expectations. They were moved by the other moms seeing the similarities and differences. Oprah says that she wanted to be Haddie who had everything initially but then seeing the other kids with their sticks and bowls she changed her mind. The mom says that it is neat to see how all kids interact with their environment. Oprah thanks them and congratulates Thomas.

Oprah asks Simon Cowell to sign the No Phone Zone Pledge which makes him her American Idol. He signs. Oprah says that there are bumper stickers and keychains and so on at Oprah.com. Take the pledge at Oprah.com. Bye everybody.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Simon Cowell says that he is quite weird and selfish.

Oprah says that 50 is the new 40

Simon says that to go out and pretend everything is fine when he is depressed is the beginning of madness.

Oprah says that there is no such thing as luck, what is needed is great preparation and a moment of opportunity.

A baby’s needs are fulfilled by any environment as long as there is love.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Oprah says that we are all more alike than we are different. Brits and Americans. Babies of the world.

Date: May 19th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Public Service Announcement, Transformation
66 comments

Episode 79: Bret Michaels’ First TV Interview and Country Star Chely Wright Comes Out

Last weeks cover of People magazine says it all, “I’m lucky to be alive.” Rocker Bret Michaels was one of the top rockers of the 80’s as the frontman for Poison. In 2007 he reinvented himself as the bad boy of reality TV with Rock of Love and now he is on Celebrity Apprentice. The money he raises goes to fund diabetes- he is a lifelong sufferer. He lives with his girlfriend Kristi and their two daughters, 9 year old Rain and 5 year old Georgia. About a month ago he was home with his family when he felt something explode in his head. He woke up Kristi and said that he had to go to the ER. He said it felt like he had been shot- he had a severe brain hemorrhage, the doctors said that he might want to say goodbye to his children. Doctors say that shear will to live helped to pull him through, after 3 days of drifting in and out of consciousness he survived. He joins Oprah by Skype from Phoenix. He says that he is very glad to be alive. He says that it sounded like a small handgun was going off in his head. It felt like a pop, they call it a thunderclap and he had an instantaneous migraine x10. He went into adrenaline survival mode and woke up Kristi. It was sudden, there was no lead-up to the event. By the time they got to the hospital, the pain got worse, the drive felt like it took an eternity and his head felt so bad that he couldn’t get out of the car. The doctors came out with a wheelchair and they did a CAT scan. The doctor’s face went white around that point. Bret said that if there was a chance that he would survive he didn’t want his daughters to see him like this. He asked God to let him live through this. He got really sad and talked to God. Oprah asks if God talked back. Bret says that he may have done. Bret knows he’s done a lot of bad things and he promised that he’d be different in the future. The event put everything in perspective really quickly: it’s your family and friends and not career or anything that matters. You think about the only thing that matters which is taking care of your kids and thanking God.

On April 23rd, he had a brain hemorrhage, all Kristi could think of was that she didn’t want her daughters to grow up without a dad. His daughters found it really heartbreaking, the thought that he wouldn’t be there any more. The footage makes Bret cry, even though he said that he wouldn’t. He got amazing courage and an unsinkable strength to survive from his family and friends. Oprah says that even in his hospital bed he had his bandana on. He says that it was like Superman and the cape, he had to keep on his bandana and boots- he didn’t want to go out in his hospital gown.

The neurosurgeon says that the condition was very serious when Bret arrived, he was unable to stay awake. He suffered a life threatening sudden bleeding around the brain- 20% of people don’t survive this. There is a sudden release of blood. They still don’t know what happened to cause the clot. The chance for re-bleeding is no more common than for anyone in his age group. This happens to around 40,000 patients a year, and about 20% make a full recovery.

Bret says that when he asked if he had a chance he was told that the fact that he was talking means he has a chance. Bret says that when your body tells you there is something wrong, you must go immediately to the ER. He got an incredible boost of energy to try and survive. He feels that he has a second chance and he is very thankful to be here. Bret says that he was worried about the size of his brain on the scan that the doctor showed, that it might be small like a walnut. Oprah laughs and he says that this is an instance where size matters.

On Celebrity Apprentice, Bret’s costars were devastated when they heard the news. Donald Trump says that he is a good person. Sharon Osbourne says that he is endearing. Donald felt terrible when he heard about the hemorrhage, Sharon thinks about his girlfriends and kids and then she worries about their own lives and the frailty of it all. Holly Robinson Pete says that she loves him and that he should sit his Energizer-bunny butt down and spend some time with his girls. Sharon says hurry up and get back to LA because his sugar mamma needs him and wants to give him a big hug. Oprah says wow. Bret says right there is what matters in the end, good friends.

Bret’s daily recovery has been upped to two sessions a day. His neck is stiff, he has trouble with is outer extremities. He still gets headaches but every day is getting better. He is so thankful that he is recovering and has his family and friends and medical team and God or his guardian angel. Oprah wishes him well and thanks him.

She appeared to be living her country music dream with her number one hit, top honors and dating some of Nashville’s top stars, but she decided to come clean with her secret and risk everything. Chely Wright was the first country singer to acknowledge her homosexuality. A decade ago her hit Single White Female went to number one on the country charts. As a child in the church she prayed every day for her sexuality to change. She always knew she was gay but she confused the heck out of the stars she dated because she couldn’t love them like they loved her. In her book, Like Me, she talks of the love of her life. In their 12 year relationship, maybe only 5 people knew, even her best friend didn’t know. She didn’t want people to have to lie for her, so she didn’t tell them. After the relationship ended, Chely says that she was left alone with no one to confide in. In 2006 she felt trapped and couldn’t come out. She had a 9mm gun which she put in her mouth and said a prayer to God to forgive her for what she was about to do.

Oprah asks about the network of secret keepers. Chely says that she thinks her friends probably wondered, but like the military it was like don’t ask, don’t tell. She says the gun felt cold and heavy in her mouth, and it felt like an out of body experience as she was detachedly watching her body. Oprah asks how she got to that moment. Chely says that it was layers and layers of betrayal, a lifetime of hiding and lying to others. She knew since she was a teenager that she was gay, in third grade she knew that she was a lesbian. She had layers of fear and loathing. Historically, lesbianism and being a successful country music singer had never mixed. Chely lied when asked outright. One of Oprah’s lesbian friends says that she was always the one poking fun at the other gays. Chely worked in a Nashville theme park and was worried that she would be outted. She was rude to other homosexuals and said mean things. She is now mindful of people who do that, it makes her pay attention. Oprah’s friend thought that those who speak loudest are maybe not suspected of being gay themselves.

Recently, Chely decided to tell the world that she is gay – the word lesbian has been used as an insult for a long time, she is taking her power back. You can call her ugly, or her songs stupid, but you can’t call her a lesbian as an insult. Chely says that only two stars have contacted her which is disappointing. But hundreds of other music industry professionals have come forward to show support. Her fans have been coming out on her Facebook page. Oprah asks if she worried that she’d lose her career, and she says that she still doesn’t know that she won’t. Chely says that it was worth the risk, she had a gun in her mouth so this is all gravy. Her Dad asked why she wasn’t close, what was wrong. She was on a tour bus and she decided to do it. She sat her Dad down to tell him and said that she was afraid he wouldn’t love her or that he’d be ashamed of her. She said, Dad, I’m gay. Oprah asks Stan, Chely’s Dad what he said. He said nothing, he gave her a big hug and told her it was all right. He nods, with tears in his eyes. Up until that point, being raised in the Midwest he thought that being gay was sinful, that it was hellfire, and now he knows that is not true. Oprah asks what changed in him, he says that he knew her heart, soul and mind and that she was a good person. So with that said, he has unconditional love- until you are in that position, it is easy to say some of the more negative issues, but there is nothing that you can’t get through. He is very proud of Chely. The crowd applaud.

Oprah asks how it feels to have this off Chely’s back. Keeping the facade going was labor-intensive says Chely. Chely says that it feels like she is about two weeks old. Oprah say that is the best answer she has ever heard, that is so nice. Chely says that this is who God made her to be. Another reason is that kids across the US are being told by their churches and parents that they are damaged goods, and they are not. Chely says that she has a voice and should do something about it. Oprah thinks that her father’s stance takes alot of courage. Stan says that in the short time he has had to educate himself about this is, the most important thing that he can say is do not close the door, but open your heart.

Oprah asks her how she ended up in a relationship with a man. She has alot of regret for the relationship with Brad Paisley. She knew the whole time that she wanted to be someone else- so she wronged him. It was hard for her to write down her crimes against Brad and the other men that she damaged. She hopes that he can forgive her. She reached out and would welcome any chance to sit down with him and talk. She feels incredible and that her biggest fears have been put to rest- her biggest fear was that she wouldn’t get to do anything again with the military. She saw a group of military men who said that she was there for them, so they will be there for her. She cries a little, and the audience applaud. Oprah thanks her and says that as a two-week old self, she has a lot in front of her. Her new CD is in stores now.

Oprah says it every day, please stop talking on the phone and texting while in the car. It could save lives like that of Gordon, the husband of a viewer who was killed by someone texting in the car. Her children lost their father because of a text message, and the driver is spending the next five years in jail. Take the pledge, bye everybody.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Bret Michaels had to keep on his bandana in his hospital bed after his brain hemorrhage, to him it was the source of his power like Superman and the cape.

When your body tells you there is something wrong, you must go immediately to the ER.

If you don’t want people to lie for you, then you can’t tell them your secrets.

Chely Wright felt so strongly that she could not come out as a gay country music star that she almost killed herself. But she came through and came out.

The most important thing that you can say is do not close the door, but open your heart.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

What matters in the end, is not money or your career, but your family and good friends.

Date: May 18th, 2010
File Under: Public Service Announcement, Relationships
66 comments

Episode 78: Held Captive for 140 Days: Lisa Ling’s Sister Breaks Her Silence

She broke the law and was caught in the middle of an International stand off between the US and one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Held captive for almost 5 months in North Korea, Laura Ling has never talked about her ordeal. Oprah show reporter, and Laura’s sister, Lisa Ling, helped orchestrate top secret negotiations at the highest levels to free Laura. This is the first time they have appeared together to discuss this, they have written a book about the saga called Somewhere Inside.

Laura Ling is a reporter for Al Gore’s network Current TV. Her job takes her to some of the most dangerous parts of the world. Last year she and producer, Euna Lee were reporting on the thousands of Koreans who try and flee the communist regime by river. To get a better shot, they crossed on to the Korean side of the river to film, which they knew was forbidden. When they returned to the Chinese side they were captured and violently assaulted by North Korean border guards.

Oprah asks Laura to describe what and why they were doing? They never intended to cross the river, she said, they wanted to get images of the area. They worked with a guide or fixer who crossed the ice and motioned for them to follow. Oprah shows the map of the river dividing the countries. There is no wire or signs between countries, but you know that you are getting closer to North Korea, says Laura. After a minute they turned to leave and two guards came after them with rifles. They turned and ran back to China. Laura stumbled and Euna stopped to help her but the guards were upon them. Their guide got away. He did come back and he was walking very slowly, and according to Euna, he said to the guards, ‘Take me instead.’ But when they tried to grab him, he dashed off. Laura and Euna grabbed at the bushes to try to stay in China as long as they could. The guard above her kicked Laura and knocked her in the face and shoulder as he continued to drag her across the ice. The other soldier was doing the same to Euna. Laura was screaming sorry which seemed to make him more angry. He struck her on the head with the butt of his rifle and she blacked out.

North Korea cuts their citizens off from the rest of the world with no internet access, the TV is filled with government propaganda and cell phone ownership can be punishable by death. School kids are taught that America is the enemy, democracy is wrong and that communism is the only way. Kim Jong-Il is the supreme ruler who is a God-like figure, both worshipped and feared. His picture is everywhere and as the commander of one of the largest armies in the world, he is unchallenged. North Korea only allows images of military parades and happy and healthy citizens to be seen by the outside world. A video of poverty, famine and rampant disease smuggled out of the country tells a different story. Experts say thousands of North Koreans attempt to escape every year. If caught they face torture or death.

Laura was trying to cover a story on the defectors; many of the women are forced into marriages or prostitution in China, a story which neither government wants told. Laura and Euna destroyed their tapes and ate their notes when they were left alone at the beginning of the ordeal. They did whatever they could to destroy that evidence. Lisa says that North Korea controls everything, they do not want any outside information to penetrate.

They were held prisoner for almost 5 months in North Korea- they came home last August. Oprah asks Lisa if she feared that she’d never see her sister again? Lisa says that they kept hope but there was the fear that nothing was out of the question. So many things were unprecedented. Lisa called everyone that she knew, but when Oprah called her she realized the enormity of the problem, when even one of the most powerful women in the world can not help. Oprah said prayers and thought about Laura. Immediately Laura recognized that they wanted her to make a confession. She was questioned as to wether her company was connected to the government. They brought in a dossier of Lisa’s visit and asked if the two of them were trying to bring down the government. Lisa went in as part of a legal medical delegation four years ago. She didn’t tell them she was a journalist. Laura tried to downplay her family connections and did not say that Lisa was a journalist who worked for Oprah. She heard that if she confessed she might get forgiveness, and she had to trust that this was the right thing to do. She was in a cell with Euna for the first couple of days. If the slats were closed then they were just sitting in the dark. She was sentenced in June, a couple of months later. She was transferred to Pyongyang, where she was under guard but in a regular room. There were no showers. The power outages happened multiple times a day and there were water outages. She says she developed a system to wash where they would allow her to heat a kettle of water, and she would mix it with some cold water. Then she would scrub down and just splash it on. She was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. She was petrified when she heard that. She had tried to prepare herself for a long sentence, but when she heard the words she could barely stand up. The judge said no forgiveness, no parole. Laura spiraled into a deep depression, refusing her meals and huddling into a dark corner of the room for quite a while. She had heard about the horrific conditions of the labor camps. The thought that so many innocent people were going through this gave her strength. She had thought that she might be pregnant, but when she found out she wasn’t she was crushed, she thought that she’d never get to have a family with her husband.

The story created a media firestorm, for the first time in history two American citizens were put on trial. After months of tentative negotiations, former president Bill Clinton went to meet with King Jong-Ill. When Clinton arrived, Laura was walking down the hallway with a group of North Koreans and saw a secret service agent with an earpiece. She felt the presence of her country. Clinton was like an angel come to save them. She explained to him that they had apologized and hoped that he could apologize on their behalf. He said that had been done but that their was some more to be done but he was hopeful. Laura says that he was the only person who could save them and they are so very, very grateful. When she heard that Obama may come to their aid, she said, with all due respect, they may aswell send her to the labor camp now if they thought Obama was going to come.

Oprah says that Laura’s husband Ian is the sweetest person on the world. He wrote a letter at 5pm every day, in the same spot every day and he’d take photos of himself in that spot so he could visualize everything. She says that those letters were everything, they were her oxygen. 5pm was the time she could dedicate to thinking about him.

During the whole time, Orphan asks if she was thinking, how did this happen? Laura says that she was so angry at herself, she would hit herself to punish herself for putting her family through this. Oprah asks what she says to those who criticizes her actions. She says she was their to raise awareness about the horrific conditions in North Korea and that story never got told. Lisa says that the family was devastated. She did a lot of interview and not a day went by when people would ask how her sister was doing. It was hard for her to not be able to say how her sister was doing, so she stopped going out. Their parents were a wreck. Her mom stopped showering. The hardest thing is to hear your father crying over and over, says Lisa. Oprah asks about Euna and asks why they didn’t write a book together. Euna is doing well, says Laura, she is spending time with her husband and daughter. They spent a total of six days together in captivity. Euna is writing her own book about her own story. Laura will always regard Euna as a member of their family. They talk frequently. Laura is now very pregnant, with the baby due in June. Oprah congratulates her. The book, Somewhere Inside, is in stores today.

Before the January earthquake their were about 380,000 orphans in Haiti. Experts estimate that there are now over 1 million. Conditions are unimaginable, there is little food and water, widespread disease and the threat of child slavery. Looking at those faces, some of you may want to go adopt a child, but is that the best thing, asks Oprah. A few days ago Lisa Ling followed a 7 year old girl from Haiti who has been adopted by an American family. Take a look.

At the airport, Claire is greeted with screams in California as she joins her new family. She was left as a baby in an orphanage where eleven weeks ago she was sharing a twin bed with four other orphan girls. Now she lives in a 4000 square foot home in a gated community. There is a manicured yard and a private lake and a home movie theatre with a fully stocked candy counter. Claire shows Lisa her room with her queen sized bed, plenty of toys and clothes. In Haiti she had one meal a day of rice and beans. Now she loves pancakes and ketchup together. The abundance of food is a big challenge for Claire. In the beginning it was as if every meal was her last. She’d eat till her stomach got distended and she’d throw up. It was a battle of how much food she could eat at every meal. At school there has been a lot of adjustment. She is very aggressive- in Haiti it is survival, a coping mechanism; here that behavior does not work. Each week they call the orphanage but the calls are hard on Claire. The first week she broke down in tears thinking of all the kids there. She down’t want to go back to Haiti. The family were preparing for an empty nest and now they have had a complicated change of life. It has been difficult but the rewards are far greater, says Debbie. Debbie and Scott are telling their story so people go in to an adoption with their eyes wide open. Lisa asks them to respond to the old story of a white family saving a black child. Scott says that they don’t see race, they fell in love with Claire. She has living parents but she was given up at age 1 as she was malnourished. Brandon, Claire’s brother says that it has been hard because Claire gets all the attention. Debbie says that it is very rewarding to see the changes. Scott says that they will never know what is going on in her mind. Claire has a photo of her family in her room, Debbie wants her birth family to be present in Claire’s life at all times.

11 weeks ago Claire came home with Debbie and Scott, it took them nearly 3 years to get Claire to come home with them. Debbie says that they went on a mission trip with her brother and Claire was the first little girl that they met and they really connected. It took about a week for them to hear that she was ok after the earthquake. She got a humanitarian aid visa which hastened the adoption. After the earthquake hit, there is an instinct to try to save all the children. Oprah says that is why she built a school because you can’t bring home every child. Oprah says that the children just want to be loved, they don’t care about race or color or sexual orientation. The crowd applaud. Debbie says that Claire is flourishing. Oprah asks if they have experienced racism. Debbie says that a man in the grocery store gave Claire an evil look, as if he would spit on her if they were close enough. Oprah asks what they will do when Claire is old enough to notice? Debbie’s goal is to teach her and the rest of their children to love unconditionally. They have talked about it in their family and they are all on the same page. It is important that Claire knows that she is wonderful and special and that they celebrate her culture. Oprah applauds them and says that we are all alike in our hearts but not in our hair. To see Debbie part and braid Claire’s hair makes Oprah say congratulations.

The last time Lisa was here she refused to sign the No Phone Zone Pledge, so they modified the pledge to accommodate people like Lisa. Lisa will sign to no texting. Oprah thanks her and Laura.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Laura Ling, one of the two American journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labor in North Korea is the sister of Lisa Ling, journalist on the Oprah Show.

When Laura was captured, Lisa called everyone she knew to help, and Oprah Winfrey called her to show support.

Bill Clinton came to their rescue, like an angel, and Lisa and Laura wrote a book about the experience.

A family in California living in a gated community adopted a 7 year old from Haiti and say that at first she really struggled with the abundance of food in the house.

They have a movie theater with fully stocked candy counter in their basement.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

We are all alike in our hearts but not in our hair, says Oprah. (With the possible exception of the North Korean government).

Date: May 17th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Entertainment, Family
76 comments

Episode 77: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and the Whole Family

So Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and their entire family and friends are in the house, says Oprah. They are a power couple raising a most talented family. He is known as Mr July for raking in a gazillion dollars every year with his summer blockbusters. Jada and Will come on stage, dressed in the same shades of cream as Oprah- they all coordinate. They hug and the crowd go wild. Oprah asks if the Smith family, known as the first family of Hollywood, had a master plan to be so successful. Will says yes, Jada says no. Oprah laughs. Oprah says she has heard they have a marriage business plan, which they could write a book about. Will says if you don’t have a goal or purpose for your relationship, or anything, you can get lost in the murk of the journey. So as an answer to why two spirits are together, there is so much more that you have to be dedicated to than just cooking etc. They had to figure out their vision as they each had their own ideas- just do what she said says Will. Everyone laughs. Jada says that seeing how the children were growing, they wanted to make a family business to incorporate all the talent. They wanted to make a place where all their family and extended family dreams could come true. The whole family are here, plus Will’s ex-wife and her husband. Oprah asks if they made a conscious decision to all get along. Jada says that she and Cheri had to make that decision because they had Trey, the son. They had to put aside their own baggage and sort it out. Cheri said that they had their chance and now it is about the kids. Oprah asks if she could tell the ex-wives of America that? They all agree that it is not the time to be selfish, but to move on and create the best possible scenario for the children. Jada reinforces the thought that the children are their future.

They also have regular family meetings. Will says that the problem with letting your kids talk… the first generation making a path in the world is strictly about survival (parenting with “because I said so”) which is when you loose the humanity and purpose in your life. And why you had children, says Oprah. They all laugh. Will wants his kids- Trey with his football, Willow with her singing and Jaden with his acting, he wants them all to live in service to greatness. To live and create in a way that is inspiring to people, so that people want to be better by being close to their excellence. The kids have to define their own vision. In order to reach that excellence, you have to find that drive within yourself.

Oprah says that Jada looks fantastic, Jada says look who she is married to. At home Jada says she wears track pants because she is so busy. But she says that she makes sure Will gets his treats. They laugh.

Oprah says that she asks this often of her guests, as everyone wants to have a better life than their parents: How do you raise solid grounded kids when they have access to everything? Will says that he tells the kids all the time that their mommy and daddy are rich, but that the kids are broke. They don’t allow their kids to sit around. They talk about the concept of the group- and the necessity of adding something good to the family, then the neighborhood, then humanity. Jada says that they have to have purpose, that gives them self-esteem and that grounds them. Oprah asks if they talk about the purpose of the movie beyond getting the role? Will says that they talk about the idea of illustrating some aspect of the human spirit- the purpose of your art is to advance and elevate humanity.

Oprah asks how they keep their marriage alive, what are the treats that Jada does. Jada says that she always surprises Will, because he is such a thinker, always thinking. Like maybe she sends a sexy photo to remind him what is waiting for him at home. Will says hi to his mom in the audience. Everyone laughs. Jada says that everyone would be surprised at how sensitive Will is, that he has a wonderful, generous heart, how he loves people. Will kisses Jada. Oprah say that she read that Will feels he is still searching for his place in the world as he gets older. Will explains that he was introduced to a Baptist Church in West Philly as a child, and that serving higher goals was very important. He feels that all the blessings that he has had in his life- his wife and family- there is no way that God intended that to happen by accident. The crowd cheer and Oprah says that she gets that, she so gets that. That is how Oprah leads her life too. She prays to be used in service to a calling greater than her own. Will feels that he is energized every day by the possibilities, and now he is almost 43 (Oprah asks if he has turned 20 yet, as he doesn’t seem to age) and he feels that the possibilities of what they can do as a family are enormous. He said his grandmother was always smiling and when he asked her why, she said that she knew what she was going to do- she was going to make everything that she touched better. Oprah thanks him for sharing that.

In the Smith household, 17 year old Trey is a Varsity star football player, 9 year old Willow is a singer, actress and fashionista, like her mom, and 11 year old Jaden has grown up in front of our eyes. He acted alongside his Dad in The Pursuit of Happiness and now he is the star of his own movie, The Karate Kid, produced by Will and Jada. They packed up the whole family and moved to China for 4 months. Come on out, says Oprah. The kids come out and the crowd roar. Oprah hugs them and welcomes them. She meets Trey for the first time. Trey says that he is working on producing music now- he didn’t get the acting bug, he has no interest for now. Oprah asks him the best advice he has received from his parents- his mom told him to speak up when he has something to say. His Dad and him are reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Will says that he still has a poor person mentality- he says that he is as financially nervous as he was when they were struggling. Oprah is surprised but she says that she gets it about spending. Who knows what a million dollars can do? She knows what $29.99 can do. Exactly, Jada and Will say. Will wants his kids to have a financial comprehension, to not be slaves to working and money. Oprah asks Jaden if his parents are cool – Jayden says that his parents embarrass him all the time – his dad will just pull his pants down at school. Oprah plays the music video Will made when he was 19. Oprah asks what he knows now that he wished he knew then. He says that parents don’t have to understand because they are in charge. The things parents understand are so difficult because they can’t be explained. He says that allowing kids to see you at work shows them you in your best light, dealing with stress and working with people.

Oprah asks WIllow if she talked to her mom or dad about her new haircut. Willow says her mom is always the one coming up with suggestions. Jada says that it is great that Willow’s beauty doesn’t depend on her hair, she told Jada that she just wanted to be free. Jada told her let’s just piecemeal it, let’s do one side at a time.

To prepare for his role in The Karate Kid, Jaden trained 3 hours a day for 4 months. The remake was made entirely in China. Jaden plays an American boy who has a hard time adjusting to his new life. He gets a crash course in Kung Fu from Jackie Chan, a maintenance man, to stop the bullies. It opens on June 11th, Oprah says that Jaden is great in it, she could feel the tension of being bullied so well. Will says that 4 years ago after The Pursuit of Happiness, Jaden wanted to move forward and The Karate Kid was one of Will’s favorites as a child. They wanted to remake a classic David and Goliath story. Oprah asks Jaden if he was ripped before the movie? Jaden says yes, smaller but ripped. He and Willow have been taking karate since they were three. 3 months into training, he could do the splits in the air. Oprah asks if he’s been bullied before, he says that he hasn’t but he could feel it and understand it and be it. The crowd applaud. He had his first on-screen kiss- he says that he is good at kissing so it wasn’t as challenging as it could have been. This is why you need old-school parenting, says Will. I’m going to leave it there, says Oprah.

Someone in the audience asks what punishment is in their house- Will says that they don’t believe in punishment, but that there are consequences to your actions. The kids can have as much freedom as they can handle, but if something happens then they need to be restricted to protect themselves from potential damage, not punishing them for what they did. That’s good parenting, says Oprah.

They play a home video from China narrated by Will. Will and Jada had two jobs in China- they produced the movie and were also the parents of the star. About 6 weeks into shooting, Jaden hurt his knee and Will had to give his son a pep talk to keep working despite the pain. They also relaxed and had some fun. They filmed in many exotic locations and saw the best of China- the Forbidden City, the Golden Summit. Legend has it that those who hang a lock at the Golden Summit will have their spirits joined together for eternity. They hang their locks- Daddy and Jayden on one and Mommy and Jayden engraved on the other and hug. Trey could not go on the trip as he is a high school football star- Will flew back every weekend to see Trey play. That is amazing says Oprah, it brought tears to her eyes the first time she heard it.

Jada says that to work so closely together with Will was intense and she thinks they got over some huge hurdles. They are different creatures and they create in very different ways. They realized their strengths and weaknesses and found out when to fall back. Will says that in his mind he was teaching his son to hunt- Jada says that as a mother this is an excruciating thing to watch- the mothering instinct kicks in hard. Jada says that it was a ferocious fight because the in China the laws allow the kids to work long hours, too hard. He is 11, there had to be a balance. Jada says that he is a different child now, he walks with confidence because he has achieved something himself. Greatness is on the edge of destruction, says Will. You were almost over, it was almost it, when the Phoenix rises from the ashes. Yes, but do you have to almost die each time? asks Oprah. Jada agrees emphatically. Will says that 11 is when you learn it, you can’t do it at 22. Jaden learns that he can’t be broken: he is unbreakable. Jada and Will say that they have been having this passionate debate. Oprah says that she gets it.

Oprah says that Will’s movie Seven Pounds is about a man who kills seven people when texting and driving. Will and Jada have agreed to sign the pledge. Oprah thanks them. Oprah thought that the movie would get people to think about it in a different way. Oprah thanks them all. Will says that they have something for her from the Smith Family. It is a white shirt with a sparkly Karate Kid on it and Oprah’s logo. Oprah says that it is great and thanks them all again.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

If you don’t have a goal or purpose for your relationship, or anything, you can get lost in the murk of the journey.

Will Smith wants his family to live and create in a way that is inspiring to people, so that people want to be better by being close to their excellence.

The kids have to define their own vision, in order to reach that excellence, you have to find that drive within yourself.

Will Smith teaches his kids about the concept of the group- and the necessity of adding to the family, then the neighborhood, then humanity.

Oprah says who knows what a million dollars can do? She knows what $29.99 can do.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Will Smith and family believe in greatness and achieving dreams through hard work, excellence and a roadmap to success.

Date: May 17th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Entertainment
4 comments

Episode 76: Oprah Fridays LIVE: Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

So, it’s Friday, says Oprah, they are live in Chicago. They have had a star-studded week with the cast of Twilight, Justin Timberlake and more. They are going to top off the week with Tom Cruise. The crowd cheer and scream, Tom comes on and hugs Oprah. He is a movie star, screams Oprah. She asks him if he did his stunts himself on Knight and Day, and he says pretty much, yes. Tom is good, he is happy to be here. They had dinner together last night at one of Oprah’s favorite restaurants, they both had burgers, not the grilled fish option. Oprah says that Tom handles the public like a diplomat- Tom says he enjoys it. Life is good and is just getting better. Suri turned 4 a year to the day after he met Katie. Oprah shows an extract of Tom and Katie performing at a charity event. What is that? Oprah asks. It’s from Damn Yankees and Katie is a singer and dancer and wanted to do it and he does whatever she wants him to.

Oprah asks about Suri and her clothes- he says that she chooses all her own clothes, she loves clothes. She is such a happy, easy, fun girl she just deals with the paparazzi. They don’t make it a problem, Katie is relaxed and they just deal with it. Oprah asks about Isabella, his 17 year old. Tom says that she has a strong sense of herself so bringing home boys is not an issue. Connor is 15 but looks 17, he looks hot says Oprah. Tom says that Conner is smart and so Tom just listens. Oprah says again that every father has a dream for his family, what is Tom’s dream? That they find out what gives them pleasure in their work so that it is not work, and that they are happy. They are good fun people and he wants them to be happy and produce in life and help society. Connor is now working in the movies, and Tom waited for the day that Connor wanted to do it. Every director wanted Connor in a movie, Kubrick was on Tom the whole time. Connor is bright and charismatic and talented says Tom, and sweet and lovely, adds Oprah. Tom says that he is a natural and that he is very capable and good at every thing that he does.

Oprah talks about Will Smith and Jada- who Tom loves- she asked them how to keep your children grounded and with grace and kindness when they have everything? That answer will be on Monday’s show. Tom finds that children have a natural dignity, Tom sets up studies for his kids before they travel, and so with that comes a greater appreciation of life and people. Oprah asks how do you raise not-spoiled kids? Tom says that they want to help and so they help, even Suri. They have chores that they like to do.

Knight and Day comes into theaters on June 25th. Oprah says that it is a great date movie. They show a photo of Suri in her pink flamenco dress from Spain- she loves it and loves pink. Tom thanks Oprah for the books she sent for Suri, they read them every single night. Oprah says that she sent her Suri’s book club. She gesticulates to suggest an enormous amount of books. Suri loves it, says Tom, loves that Oprah sent her the books. Oprah asks what she would see on a Saturday night in the Cruise house. It’s dinner, games and movie night, says Tom. They play Quick Scrabble, they watch mainly new movies. Tom will “bust out” one of his films if the kids want to see it. Oprah asks if Suri knows that her Dad is a movie star? Suri grew up on move sets and is great on set. She has a chair and will give notes. She’ll run up and kiss them at the end of each take. Oprah says that we all see him as a movie star and he doesn’t age. She asks what that is all about? Tom laughs. Tom says that he sees himself as a Dad that loves movies. He gives himself an A++ for parenting. His kids are really loving and tell him what is going on. Tom tells the story of when Connor was 14 and making a picture and he called home and said that he loved Tom and thanked him for being there. Tom says that is the moment when you think that you are doing a good job and it works out. Oprah says that Connor told the story at dinner last night that he realized at that point how hard the job is to do, and what a great job Tom does as a movie star and also that he was always there for then. Tom says that was a moment, it was beautiful. He says that he made a promise when they were little that he would do whatever he says, he will be true to his word. If he says he will do something, he will, and if he says that he will not do it, he will not. Oprah says that she was blown away by Will Smiths commitment to his son’s soccer matches- he flew back to LA every weekend when he was filming in China. That’s the kind of person Will is, says Tom.

Oprah says that Tom’s new movie with Cameron Diaz is alot of fun. Tom is a fugitive superspy who meets lonely woman Cameron Diaz. Together they go across the world on an adventure. Mr Thrill Seeker himself did all his own stunts and designed some of them himself. It is action packed with a comedic twist. Cameron will be out in a few minutes.

Tom is always thinking of different stunts. He looks at buildings and asks how he could climb it. He decided that riding on the bike with Cameron Diaz and flipping her around so she could shoot guns would be cool. He gets really excited by it. He likes action, he loves flying airplanes and stuff like that. As a kid he’d jump off the roof and do flips into the snow. “And now you’re Tom Cruise,” says Oprah. Now he gets paid lots of money to do stunts in movies.

Tom describes Cameron as bright, fun, talented and generous, when asked for three words to describe her. Oprah welcomes her on stage. They hug. Oprah says that Cameron is indeed bright and fun in this movie. Cameron says that it is hard not to have fun with Tom. Oprah says that there is perfect chemistry between them. Cameron says that her character was attracted to his because he looks like Tom Cruise. She had so much fun with the stunt stuff. She explains how Tom described the stunt to her and she is so enthusiastic. Oprah asks if Tom is a perfectionist. Cameron says that he has a wonderful high standard. The vision has to come forward and he is fully engaged with that the whole time, which raises everyone’s game. Oprah asks Tom to tell them about the bull run. They flew to Austria and only had a few hours sleep. They didn’t know what they were expecting, and there were thousands of people around. Underfoot was really slick, Tom is always looking for potholes. The stuntman told him that it was terrifying and dangerous. Tom decided he felt good about it, so did Cameron. They got put in a steal cage, the bulls were in a pen and then they run down the road. They felt the vibraton of the bullrunners and Cameron was squeezing him so hard he could barely breathe. They were in a steal cage that was getting banged by the bulls. Guys were getting ping-ponged off the walls. They weren’t scared- Cameron says that you can’t be scared at moments like that. Cameron didn’t have glasses on and there was manure being kicked up in her face. That sounds crazy says Oprah.

On June 25th the movie comes out. There is a video of them on set which has gone viral. Tom tells Cameron to really extend when she kicks, and then he moves the guard and she kicks him over. It’s just for fun says Oprah. That is his humor, says Cameron, he is that funny all day long. It’s easy and fun all day long. Every day they would play fight each other. Cameron says that she couldn’t dream a dream this big, she is still in the journey stage. She has goals, she keeps moving forward, but she is loving her amazing journey. She is so blessed and couldn’t imagine any more but she is open to that. Oprah asks if she considers settling down and Cameron says that she doesn’t know what that means. She has been traveling since she was 16. She loves to eat so she cooks, she makes a great breakfast. That’s a good start, says Oprah. Cameron says that she does an awesome savory oatmeal with chicken stock and sautéed greens on the side. Oprah doesn’t like shallots in her oatmeal. The oatmeal is al denté so it’s like rice. Cameron caramelizes the leeks and shallots and has egg whites on the side. She uses ponzu, a lemon soy sauce and butter, lots of it, on the oatmeal.

Oprah asks them if they love being famous. Tom says that there are pluses, he always wanted to make movies and this comes with it. He loves acting, editing, scenes, playing, he loves it. Cameron says that the relationship with fans changes over time. Fame doesn’t last 15 minutes anymore, you are always there. They are fortunate that they sustain their position of fame because they get to keep making movies. Cameron says that she had to embrace it and make peace with it. It is a wonderful beautiful gift when people come up and say something nice to you. If you resist it, you’re miserable. If you embrace it the love flows.

Oprah asks the audience and cameras if people always tell you that you should be on TV. For her new network, for one show, Oprah is joining forces with Mark Burnett. He is the creator of Survivor and is the king of reality TV. Together they are searching fro the next big star- she’s had some successes- Dr Phil and Dr Oz and now Nate Berkhus. All the details are on Oprah.com. Before they say bye, Jimmy Johnson, one of the fastest drivers in the world signs the no texting pledge. Oprah is excited that Tom and Cameron have agreed to take the pledge. They sign. Cameron asks if there are Oprah police on the streets Oprah says that the paparazzi will get a picture if they text while driving. Tom says that it makes no sense to text and drive, Cameron says that it is like putting mascara on while driving. Tom agrees. Oprah thanks them, they hug. Tom goes to shake hands with the crowd as the closing credits play.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Tom Cruise and his family went out for dinner with Oprah. Oprah was going to have grilled fish but Tom’s burger looked so good. Tom was going to order grilled fish but Oprah told him that the burgers were really good.

Oprah sent Suri her own book club of books, and asks Tom how to raise kids that are not spoiled.

Saturday night is movie night in the Cruise household. Tom will play one of his own movies if the kids request it and it is developmentally appropriate.

Tom gives himself an A++ for parenting.

Cameron Diaz says Tom is funny funny funny, all day long.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Tom Cruise is the best person that he has ever met, with the possible exception of his wife, kids and Oprah.

Date: May 14th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Entertainment
2 comments

Episode 72: Harpo Hookups – Cher, Justin Timberlake, Will.i.am, Usher

OK, says Oprah, I love this. Hooking people up is one of her favorite things to do, but it is not easy. Meet Josh, a massage therapist from Portland and a huge Cher fan- he even dresses up as her for fun. Josh has no idea that his partner is about to surprise him by telling him that the Oprah Show is sending them to see Cher in Vegas. Josh sits down, cries and then screams. He sits wailing on camera. Oprah says that is so good. Josh is in the studio saying that he doesn’t remember that moment at all. They fly to Vegas first class and stay at Caesars Palace. Joshua had no idea that Cher is going to call his name at the end of the show. He stands up and screams. Cher calls him down to the front seats and says that he can go backstage later. After the show, he meets Cher backstage and looks at her wardrobe. He tells her that she has been such an inspiration to him, allowing him to be comfortable in his own skin. They hug. Oprah asks Josh to describe the experience, he says that to have the connection with someone that you have looked to for your whole life and have the connection as human beings; you can only dream of such stuff. Cher has sent along a denim jacket glitzed up by Bob Mackie and signed by Cher. Josh cries and says that it means so much to him. Oprah thanks Cher and Josh says that Cher is meant for Vegas.

Oprah says that they have been planning for weeks- and they never know how people will react when they meet their superstar. Since she was 12, Julie has had a crush on Justin Timberlake. She is now 26 and about to be married. She golfs, like Justin, and her fiance Mike is taking her golfing. She is getting a lesson from a golf pro, according to Mike. Justin is the golf pro. Justin introduces herself and is completely silent. They golf together. Back in the studio, Oprah says that Julie looked a little stunned- Julie says that she was in shock and it all happened so fast. She says that inside she was screaming and jumping. She didn’t want to look like an idiot on the golf course. Justin joins them by Skype from his office in LA. Justin says that he thought she was a polite Southern Belle. Julie thanks him for taking the time and says that it was so great to finally meet him and that she can pick up her day just by listening to his music. Justin says that meeting fans is extremely important to him, more so than winning awards. Also this makes him feel old. He gifts Julie and Mike golf clubs and invites them to a barbeque event in Memphis when he opens his own golf course. The golf course is where his Dad taught him to play golf, and they have done a lot of work and are the first eco-certified golf course.

Oprah says that she loves hookups where viewers are in on it. The next guests think that they are here for a show on the recession. Jon and Cheryl and their eight children and single mom Alycia and her daughter are afraid they will lose their home. The Ellers purchased their house in 2001, and now he is making a third of what he made before. Now that the market has tumbled, he has nothing left. To leave their house will be really hard. John has been an executive and a late night donut maker. In the Allgood family, Alycia has received notice of foreclosure after she fell 8 months behind on her mortgage. She lost her job, and now has had to resort to food stamps. Her proudest moment was signing up for the house, she took Asia home as a 1 year old. Alycia went back to school for her Masters degree and thought education would give her a passport to better things. John and Cheryl say that they want to stay together so need to find a home to rent that is big enough for all the kids. Their oldest child waitresses to help the family. Alycia says that her home may be taken away in the next couple of weeks. Oprah invites the families up to the stage to meet their financial experts. Before that Oprah says that angels come in all forms, and that their angel is a superstar and from the Black Eyed Peas, and one of Oprah’s favorite people. Will and the Harpo team have been digging through their financial documents- John owes $250,000 on their home and Alycia owes $100,000. Will.i.am is paying off both of their loans. The families cry and hug each other and Oprah and Will.i.am. That’s a hookup, says Oprah. They own their homes free and clear. Oprah says that Will told her months ago to help families across America. Will sings to help people – to look at things that are happening now- he can help someone that really needs it, and it means alot to him. Why not, he says and why not, says Oprah.

Will.i.am takes the cameras of the Oprah Show to the house where he grew up. He says that he was the happiest in East LA where he grew up. They go in the house, he washed his hair in the kitchen sink and showered with a cup in the bath. When he was 11 he told his mom that he would buy her a house one day and she said don’t make promises you can’t keep. He kept the promise and then bought a house for his Grandma and Aunt on his birthday. She always dreamed that it would happen. It’s important, says Will, it’s why he is who he is. Will tells Oprah that he told his mom to bring everyone to this house for dinner, and they didn’t know who’s house it was. He told them not to worry, and that this house is for her. She has been in the projects for 50 years. His new mission, I.am home will start with his own money. He wants to help America’s people. Alycia says that she loves will.i.am and the other family are extremely grateful. Oprah tells them to be good with their money. Alycia says that they should donate to Will’s foundation, and Oprah says pay it forward.

Oprah says imagine you are a local newscaster and your biggest hero suddenly appears. Diane Sawyer in New York is going to surprise Bridget Shanahan in Illinois. Bridget reads a story about an unsuspecting local women who will be hooked up by her mom through the Oprah Show. Diane Sawyer says that she wants to send Bridget a birthday present. She invites Bridget to come and see them at World News. Bridget cannot believe it. Oprah says that she loves these hookups. Oprah says that there is one more suprise. Usher comes on stage and the audience scream and scream. He hugs Oprah.

Oprah says that Usher has sold more than 45 million albums across the world and he is hooking them all up with a performance of his hit OMG. He sings and will.i.am comes on stage to duet. Usher dances with Oprah.

Usher and will.i.am hug. Oprah puts Usher’s sunglasses and sings and dances towards them.

Oprah asks Usher if he is living his dream- he says that there is a dichotomy between his reality and fantasy but he’s doing well. He has just signed the NO Phone Zone. The crowd cheer.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Oprah loves hookups, especially when the audience are in on the scheme.

Cher is meant for Vegas.

Justin Timberlake says that meeting fans is extremely important to him, more so than winning awards.

Will.i.am is paying off the loans of two families who thought they were on an episode of the Oprah Show covering the recession.

The audience are told that they have a special hook-up and Usher comes on stage to sing.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY

The audience in the Oprah Show scream loudly and for a long time when they see celebrities. Especially ones who have just paid off their mortgage.

Date: May 13th, 2010
File Under: Celebrity, Entertainment, Live your best life
1 comment

Episode 71: From Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Christina Aguilera

Woah says Oprah on stage, hello. Hello, New York, New York, thank you so much. Magnificent Radio City Music Hall- look at this crowd. They wanted this show to be New York big, so a little later in the show, Christina Aguilera is about to make her much awaited comeback.

But first, the team who have changed and even saved lives- here they are, Oprah’s “Dream Team”- Dr Phil, Dr Oz, Nate Berkus, Suzie Orman. They all come out on stage and the crowd roar. Oprah asks them to sit and says that this is a real first. Some of these people met for the first time this morning. Dr Phil says that he met Suzie once before, but the others he met for the first time today. Oprah says that when the doctors met for the first time, it was like her sons came home. Nate says that he has Dr Oz’s cell phone number and isn’t afraid to use it. He has had a colonoscopy, and his moles checked; he says that Dr Oz is older than he is but in better shape.

Oprah says that this event is to celebrate ten years of O Magazine, the best magazine on the market, she says. Dr Phil says that he has written 120 columns, Oprah says that she has done 120 covers. He says that it is so easy to end up going through the motions in life and getting stuck in a rut. He advises that you don’t do what others expect of you, you have to find a passion in life and model it for your kids too. Dr Phil says that he has met a lot of people who didn’t know that they were depressed until they weren’t depressed anymore. He recommends that people do something different in their lives- change the furniture, swap wardrobes (not husbands) with a neighbor, shake it up. To practice what he preaches, he is going to shave off his mustache for the first time in over 40 years- his two kids have never seen him without a mustache. He is going to take it off and shake it off. Oprah brings in a master barber, Carl. Dr Phil’s wife Robin thinks it’s a joke and looks shocked. Dr Oz puts shaving cream on with a brush and Oprah asks Robin when she last saw her husband without a mustache- 38 years ago the first month that they were dating. Oprah takes a razor and removes the first part of Dr Phil’s mustache. The show goes to commercial break.

Oprah says that they are celebrating their ten year anniversary of O Magazine with their Dream Team on stage. Dr Phil is having his mustache shaved- we’ll see the results in just a minute, but first Dr Oz has been with the Oprah Show for 8 years. His show is taped across the street at 30 Rock, where they love having a doctor in the house. They show footage of Matt Lauer asking about salad and bowel movements and eczema. Meredith Vieira asks about her high heels and foot problems. Brian Williams tries to recall his name, talks of Dorothy and Kansas and tornadoes and asks if he should take a half aspirin.

Oprah laughs and asks if he is always being asked for advice. Dr Oz says that the energy of Radio City Music Hall is incredible- he loves the energy of the city. The most important thing that he learned on the Oprah show was taking the energy from the audience. Doctor Oz wrote ten things in the magazine, of those the most important are showing off in your life, and sleeping early which will increase your libido- if you have intercourse twice a week you will live three years longer than if you only do it once a week, the national average. After 40 years, here is Dr Phil without his mustache. Dr Phil looks a little unsure, his wife looks shocked. Dr Phil gives Oprah the first kiss.

They show footage of the first time Nate was on the Oprah Show, in 2002. Oprah calls him her little pup, leaving the kennel- this fall he will have his own show. His most inspiring ideas for your home is on page 82 of the magazine. At Nate’s new Manhattan apartment, he says edit what you have. Collections show who you are and tell a story- find an area in the home to display it. Nate uses his best plates and glassware everyday- it’s a little treat. He frames all his photos to make a house a home. Nate says buy art from an art school in your town. He goes to Parsons in New York and buys some work.

Oprah says everybody’s home should tell the story of who they are. Nate says that it takes effort- money and time, but it honors yourself to show who you are, where you have been and where you aspire to go in life. Nate says that his house in Chicago is not as modern, but he wanted to start something new in NY. It’s a brand new space but all the stuff inside is old and meaningful to him.

Suzie made her debut in 1998 on the Oprah Show. She encourages everyone to take an oath of financial honesty- don’t buy it if you don’t have the money for it, credit card debt is a lie. Suzie says that there was a glitch in the system in the stock market yesterday and the points plummeted. Suzie says we should go back to cash and save change. Be who you are, define the things around you, don’t let the things around you define you. Oprah thanks her Dream Team and also Bob Greene, who isn’t here today.

Oprah says check out the 10th Birthday issue of O Magazine, she says that it is the best issue ever, it is a keeper. The creative director Adam Glassman of the magazine, has chose Oprah’s clothes for every cover. He says that his favorite cover is the swimsuit one where Oprah was in the pool. She had a swimsuit on top while she was in the pool, but she had pants on underneath, she was fully dressed. Oprah’s favorite was when she had to ride a horse for the first time in ten years, and had to try and get it to stop in the right place at the right time.

Adam has written his top ten closet must haves for the magazine. We see them here in the star-studded mother-daughter fashion show. Vanessa Williams comes in with her two daughters. They are all wearing pencil skirts- Adam says that Vanessa’s is sleek and sexy and the kids are doing the mini pencil skirt and the 80’s rocker look. Next up, Jane Seymour and her daughter wear animal prints. Adam says that animal prints go with nothing yet update everything. Another favorite is the nude shoe which makes you look thinner and taller. Next up is L’Oreal Paris model Dayle Haddon and her daughter. They are wearing white jeans which Adam says are more sophisticated and dressier than blue jeans. Everyone needs a sequined scarf, which instantly changes the wardrobe and makes everything look great. This season we are looking at the statement shoe- last year was the statement necklace. Cybil Shepperd and her two daughters come on stage wearing white shirts- Adam says that you can never have two many white shirts. Adam says that the cargo pant should replace the sweatpant- dress them up and wear them out. Susan Lucci and her son come out- she is wearing a wrap dress which emphasizes the waist. She has diamond hoop earrings which are apparently hipper and younger than pearl studs. Oprah thanks everyone and wishes them a Happy Mother’s Day.

Pop queen Christina Aguilera made every woman feel beautiful with her smash hit song. She has sold more than 30 million records and is one of the most successful recording artists of the last decade. She has been belting out songs since she was 6. Her image and music have changed as she grew up. She is married with a two year old, and is back with her first album in 4 years, Bionic, and a provocative new single. Welcome Christina says Oprah. The crowd roar. Oprah says that Christina’s lips are perfection; Christina says that her make up artist will die. Christina likes to take a break between records and take time to relax and live life to be inspired. She is becoming a UN ambassador and has been to Guatemala and Haiti. Oprah asks if that changes Christina’s own life- absolutely, a child dies every 6 seconds of hunger which has had a huge impact on her life, especially now that she has a child. Christina says that having a child makes her feel sexier- she says that our bodies are superhuman and women give life and make life and after you give your body up for a while and get it back you feel more confident and inspired.

She’s back and she’s bolder than ever says Oprah, singing her new single is Christina Aguilera. The stage darkens, lights come on and Christina sings. What a performance, says Oprah.

Oprah introduces the O Magazine staff, all off her staffers have signed the No Phone Zone Pledge. To celebrate the magazine, they roll out a ten year anniversary cake. Confetti falls and the crowd cheer.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Dr Phil says that it is so easy to end up going through the motions in life and getting stuck in a rut.

Dr Oz says that sleeping early which will increase your libido- if you have intercourse twice a week you will live three years longer than if you only do it once a week, the national average.

Nate Berkus says that it honors yourself to show who you are, where you have been and where you aspire to go in life through the medium of home decor.

Suze Orman says we should go back to cash and save change. Be who you are, define the things around you, don’t let the things around you define you.

Christina Aguilera our bodies are superhuman and women give life and make life and after you give your body up for a while and get it back you feel more confident and inspired.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Apparently animal prints go with nothing yet update everything, nude shoes make you look thinner and taller, and every woman needs a sequined scarf and white jeans.

Date: May 13th, 2010
File Under: Public Service Announcement, Relationships, Tragedy
2 comments

Episode 70: A Tumor Covered Half Her Face And the Brothers Who Nearly Starved

It was a headline that made us sick- 4 young boys starved by their parents. No one knew what was going on until a 911 call from a neighbor. He reported that a young boy who looked about ten was eating from a trash can at 3am. The boy said he was 19. The police investigated the New Jersey home and found 4 young boys with emaciated bodies starving to death. Bruce, 19, weighed 45 pounds. Treshawn, 14, weighed 40 pounds. Terrell, 10, weighed 28 pounds and 9 year old Michael was found wearing baby clothes and weighed 23 pounds. All four boys had been adopted years earlier by Raymond and Vanessa Jackson. Friends described them as a loving couple and kind parents. Vanessa and Raymond claimed the boys had eating disorders- the boys said that they were given only raw oatmeal and pancake batter to eat. The police found a lock on the refrigerator and an alarm on the kitchen door. Bite marks around the house backed up one of the boys claims that he was so hungry he chewed on the windowsills and wall plaster. The boys were filthy and had lice and rotten teeth when they were found. The county prosecutor said that this was the most horrific case of child abuse and neglect that they had seen over the years. Vanessa and Raymond were charged with 28 counts of aggravated assault and child endangerment. Raymond died of a stroke during the investigation. Almost two years after he was seen eating out of the trash, Bruce faced Vanessa in court- he had grown nearly a foot and gained nearly 100 pounds. He testified that they were yelled at, cussed at and hit with brooms and rulers and sticks and shoes. She pled guilty to one charge of child endangerment in exchange for a reduced sentence. She served 4 years of a 7 year prison term and was released in February of this year. She continues to deny that she ever starved or hurt the boys.

Oprah says that they talked to Vanessa’s daughter who said that her mother had no interest in talking to Oprah. Oprah says that any time anywhere she will meet with Vanessa so that she can explain this to Oprah. TreShawn weighed 40 pounds at age 14- he was about the weight of a five year old, a typical 14 year old weighs 115 pounds. Terrell weighed 28 pounds at age 10- the average weight of a 2 year old. Michael was 23 pounds at age 9- the average weight of an 18 month old toddler. That was 7 years ago, those boys have been through a living hell and are here with their story, says Oprah. They come out and Oprah hugs them. She says that they are looking good. Bruce is not here but he is the hero of this story- had he not gone out at night looking for food they might still be locked in the house. They said that it was a house of horror. They never knew how much they would eat or when they would eat. Sometimes Vanessa said they had one minute to eat so they would always stuff food in their mouth. They went to her as babies, the youngest was one, and they were fed for two years then they were adopted and everything changed. They went to church and stuffed their clothes or had to wear three or four sweaters so they looked healthy. TreShawn tried to tell his teacher who didn’t believe him, he’d ask for food. The teacher didn’t believe him but Vanessa found out he was talking and they were home-schooled and locked in the house.

Today, the three boys live in rural New Jersey with their adopted parents James and Amber Parish and their 8 year old biological son, CJ. There is an abundance of love. The boys described their childhood with one word, hell. Terrell says that they would get a bowl of water and some soggy bread. Some times they would be fed nothing at all. One of them crept in to the kitchen and found bagels and cake- Vanessa grabbed the closest thing to her and started beating him. If they were caught stealing food they had to sit on the stairs for hours at a time. Of the ten years that he was there, TreShawn says that he spent seven years sitting on the stairs in a total lockdown. He said they would just wait for bedtime so that they could sleep and didn’t have to think anymore.

James says that when they came there was a lot of anger and hate, TreShawn thought that he was put in that home to die. Amber says that she doesn’t know how a mother could not give her kids food and love. No one has been through what those guys have been through, it is a blessing that they have survived.

The boys say that their lives will always be tainted by their experience. They will never take love or family for granted. Life now is a dream come true, they have freedom from starvation.

Oprah says that they were starved of so much more than food. Terrell says that he lost his childhood, being able to go to school and play with friends. He lost all of that. Oprah asks how they feel about Vanessa’s sentence. Terrell says that they messed up the years, and that she should have served the years that they suffered, times each kid. The audience applaud. TreShawn says that Bruce is their hero. Oprah tells them that his attorney says that Bruce loves and misses his brothers very much. He is safe and in the constant care of professionals. The boys nod.

Oprah asks if people checked on them? People came but the boys would be pushed upstairs into the attic. Oprah asks if they ever talked to someone- they weren’t allowed to talk. Social Services went to the Jackson house 38 times and they were about to bring another child into this home. Shocking, shocking, shocking says Oprah. Oprah asks what they would say to Vanessa if she were listening- TreShawn says that her true judgement will come when she comes before God. Terrell says that God is watching and knows what she did and she needs to live the rest of her life knowing that she hurt them. Michael says that he would like to thank her for showing him that he could survive and accomplish things and that kids know what they are saying, and that what they say can be true.

The boys were adopted by James and Amber, their angels. The first time Amber saw them she thought they were little boys, she couldn’t believe their ages. When Michael asked if she would be her mom, she melted like butter. She says that after all the kids have been through they chose her, they are her babies. James says that they know that Dad and Mom love them, no matter what happens. Oprah calls them heroes- they come in with their youngest son CJ. Oprah hugs them and says God Bless You. James was working for the welfare system and was given this case. James and Oprah both stop and cry. The boys needed a mentor, a positive role model and that was James. He worked with them to try and bring them back. The boys were placed in James’ grandmothers home who does emergency placement foster care. He started as a mentor and after they have been in the system for a time they need to see if they were adoptable. Oprah says that teenagers plus boys plus African American means a triple whammy. That there probably wasn’t alot of takers out there for the boys, she says. At the time the parents had CJ, then one day CJ wakes up and has three brothers. CJ says that they could play together and bike ride together and play X-Box so it was all cool. Oprah asks how this could happen. James says that protocol dictated that in the past social workers could only look at the child in question during a visit. Now it has been changed because all the kids in the house need to be checked on. He says that once kids are adopted the check ups stop. Oprah asks Amber how the boys would eat. She says in the beginning they would eat lightly, they looked scared of food and would often throw up. Now she can’t stop them eating. The boys say that they finally understand that the food is not going anywhere. Initially they were timid but would overeat until they vomited, says James. Oprah says that initially they were angry towards women. TreShawn says that he kept seeing Vanessa’s face everywhere he went- he would lash out at any woman he spoke to. They have had a lot of therapy and have dealt with the flashbacks. For CJ he was only 3 when the brothers came so it was fun for him. The rest of the family have embraced the boys and love them.

Oprah asks what Amber and James would say to Vanessa Jackson. Oprah says that it is hard for anyone to imagine that she would adopt these children yet sit in church every a Sunday with a lock on the refrigerator at home. Amber says that Vanessa was not a mother, she was the monster in the closet and she owes her boys an apology. She wants to hear that and she wants to be there. Terrell says that unless Vanessa means it, sorry means nothing. James says that she only got a slap on the wrists. Oprah says that the laws indicate how we really feel about our children- it is unspeakable that Vanessa is out. TreShawn says that an apology doesn’t help, his heart is cut really deep- he wanted to become her son and after he said yes she started to abuse them. Oprah asks if they feel that they have a new chance at life. TreShawn says that his father teaches him everything- to talk well, to keep trying at school, to give 100% at sports so that people see he is trying to be his best and they don’t take pity on him. The crowd applaud.

All four brothers were awarded a large sum of money in a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and they received full scholarships to go to college. Oprah says that it has been wonderful to have them all here today and she thanks them for coming on the show.

Until recently going out in public was pure torture for 29 year old Ana Rodarte, she was laughed at, pointed at and children even cried in fear. She has turned down numerous TV requests to tell her story- she wanted to be here today because she trusts the Oprah Show to help tell her story. Ana has neurofibromatosis (NF), sometimes called Elephant-Man disease. You may have seen the play and the movie but the term is highly offensive to those who live with NF, says Oprah. Its a disfiguring, incurable disease which has literally destroyed Ana’s face. As you listen to the story, says Oprah, think about how we all judge each other on appearance.

Ana says that her parents noticed a bee-sting like lump when she was a few months old which grew bigger and bigger. She just wanted to be normal, but other kids didn’t want to play with her. She wanted to know why God was so mean, and her parents told her it was just the way he wanted her to be. Throughout her childhood she had many surgeries. After each one the tumor would grow back. It broke Ana’s heart and eventually she lost faith in the doctors. At age 14 she didn’t want to go to school as the tumor was growing at such a rapid pace. After high school, her friends all moved away and she felt very alone and depressed and she secluded herself for 2 or 3 years. She tried to find a job but felt she was discriminated against based on how she looked. She would leave the house maybe once a month. There were times when little kids would see her and start crying. It’s very hard emotionally to lead this life- growing up she built up a wall around herself. By the time she was 22 the tumor had grown so much that it covered up her left eye. Ana would struggle with reading and eating. She suffered many headaches and chewing on the left side would result in her biting the tumor.

She was 24 when she met Dr Batra, she felt that he was talking to her more as a friend than a doctor, and then she knew he wanted to go ahead and hope that he would be different from other doctors.

Oprah says that obviously it is difficult for Ana, so please welcome her. Ana comes out and Oprah hugs her and says welcome, welcome, welcome. Ana was born in Mexico and her parents came to the US for better medical care. They didn’t know what to do in Mexico. Oprah says that on the tape Ana said that she thought as a child that God was mean, and asks her how it is now. Ana says that the experience serves another purpose and that it is not hard for her now. Oprah asks what the tears are for- Ana says that they are for the video, sharing her own emotions. Oprah asks what it would feel like when kids would cry or scream when they saw her. It was heartbreaking. Her family would force her out in public, which she appreciates now. Oprah asks if her disease prevents her from dating and wanting children. Ana does not want children as she does not want to pass on the disease, but she does date. Oprah asks why the term Elephant-Man Disease is offensive. Ana says that the disease has a name and she doesn’t see why people have to call it Elephant-Man Disease.

Four years ago Ana began a series of risky surgeries to remove the tumor from her face. She says that she feels more confident now when she looks in the mirror, she resembles more of a normal person, she is friendlier with people and she doesn’t block them out any more. Oprah asks if Ana can live a normal life. Ana says she could if people would stop judging her on appearance. She wants to tell people that there is help, that people shouldn’t shelter themselves from society. After several doctors said that the tumor was hopeless, Dr Munish Batra offered hope to Ana. The surgeries were paid for by his charity, DOCS- Doctors Offering Charitable Services. Oprah invites the doctor up to the stage.

Oprah shakes his hand. He says that he saw Ana in the office and was amazed that she hadn’t had help before this time. NF is genetic and passed from parent to child- there is a 50% transmission rate that it will be passed on. He was not surprised that Ana had shut herself down- such a big part of our identity is our face. Oprah thanks him for being who he is and doing what he does through DOCS, and thanks Ana for being here.

A viewer, Donna, said in an email that as a stay at home mom she only got a chance to text and talk in the car. After watching the No Phone Zone show, she took the No Phone Zone Pledge and the very next day she could have been in an accident, if she had been not paying attention. Oprah thanks Donna and says that the episode is online so families should watch it and then take the pledge.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Oprah says that the laws of a country indicate how we really feel about our children.

A “loving couple and kind parents” starved their children of so much more than food.

Our face is a major part of our identity.

Having a tumor cover your face makes it hard to connect with people, especially when children cry or scream when they look at you.

Ana has a tumor removed from her face and says she could live a normal life if people would stop judging her on appearance.

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

It is inconceivable that a couple would adopt children only to starve and beat them. It is utterly inconceivable that this would merit only a 4 year stint in prison.

another one year projectThis year we follow the words of Oprah Winfrey

Archive for May, 2010