Episode 54: Oprah’s Million-Dollar Announcement and Billionaire Richard Branson
Over 10,000 entries were narrowed down 92 women and 8 men. It’s very exciting, says Ali. One woman has the Pillsbury dough boy painted on her nails. The bake off begins and they all cheer. They have 4 hours to make their recipes- they make it 3 times and choose the best to submit to the judges. Ali slaps the dough boy. She talks to the contestants and makes jokes. Inside the door the judges are tasting all the recipes and making big decisions. No bribes have been offered.
Oprah says 100 masterpieces, 12 judges and $1million up for grabs. There are 20 minutes to the end of the bake-off, Ali says that the stress is making everyone crazy and mean. 3 minutes left, Tony is the last one cooking. He is shaking and sweating and there is smoke coming from his station. Ali says that she needs a Xanax. Tony got it to the judges just in time.
After 7 hours the judges chose 4 finalists. This could be you next year, says Oprah. On Monday night the final four came to Chicago in a private jet. Let’s meet the home cooks who could be the next Pillsbury millionaire, says Oprah. Evelyn is a retired mom of 5, her Salmon Pecan Crusted Tartlets got the first prize for the most entertaining appetizer. Best breakfast and brunch went to Niki who is back at college for a degree in Social Work, for her Tomato Basil Eggs Alfredo. #1 in the dinner made easy with her Zesty Lime Fish Taco’s is Kellie- she knew it was a hit when her 4 kids cleaned their plates. Single mom who was once a disaster in the kitchen is Sue with her mini Ice Cream Cookie Cups. By the end of this hour, one of these home cooks will walk away with $1 million. Stay tuned to find out who it is. Thanks ladies, says Oprah.
The four finalists are on pins and needles, they didn’t sleep last night, says Oprah. That said, Oprah thinks its amazing that you can take Pillsbury dough and… “make anything” says Nate Berkhus. While Ali was sweating over hot stoves in Orlando, Nate Berkus was roughing it in the Caribbean with one of the most fascinating visionaries of our time, Richard Branson. Nate just had a wardrobe malfunction, his pants just split. Eric Logan, the president of Harpo, gave up his pants for Nate. They show a photo, the crowd laughs. Oprah is handed the ripped jeans. She says that Nate couldn’t have worn them. No, that is a different show, says Nate.
Sir Richard Branson is a billionaire, the 212th richest man in the world. He was born outside London to a lawyer father and free spirited mother. He struggled in school with dyslexia but his poor grades never held him back. At 19, he launched a mail order record company out of the trunk of his car, he named it Virgin, as a nod to his lack of business experience. A record label and stores followed. Today the group includes 300 companies and is one of the most recognized brands in the world. His new endeavor, Virgin Galactic, will offer trips into outer space for anyone with $200,000.
After today the Pillsbury winner can travel to space, says Oprah. With change, adds Nate. Richard Branson has travelled the world many times over but there is one spot he calls home, his private island in the Caribbean, Necker Island. For the first time ever he allowed cameras into his home.
Nate meets Richard and admires the view. The island represents the beginning of the romance with his wife. 25 years ago he was chasing a beautiful woman and they discovered the island- now he has the island and the woman is his wife and the mother of his children. There was one palm tree and lots of cacti when he bought it. Over the years he has created his own dream on the island bringing everything over by boat, including some wild animals. He has just finished building his dream residence. They go to look at the house. No cameras have ever been here before. Looking around, Branson is thankful for everything in his life, he says that he was born under a lucky star, he says. Growing up, he had lots of love and praise and encouragement, and that is how he tries to raise his family. Off the great room is a moon shaped infinity pool. There are no walls in the house. The house is all to do with the view, he says. There is room for two in the tub. Nate asks if there is a moment when it felt like home. Richard tells of the male weaver bird who makes the nest in Africa. If the female comes along and is not happy with the nest, he rips it apart and starts over. When his wife approved the house, that was his moment. Richard’s office has a hammock. His favorite spot is the guest house perched on the cliff. Richard sits on the toilet and puts on a cloth crown and says that he is a Knight of the Realm on his throne. He says he forgot to mention that there is only one way out of the bathroom. They ascend to the beach below by zipline.
Boy, you get the good ones, says Oprah. Nate says to Oprah that he has seen everything now, from people living in small apartments to this. He had to keep reminding himself that he was at work. He says that the energy of the island was amazing, the people who work for Branson were so happy and laid back, staying there for 5,6,7 years, not the 6 months or so that you would expect. Oprah confirms that you can rent it out. Nate says that some very famous people are in the guest book. Oprah took her staff there when she had fewer staff. She loved it, she gained 11 pounds in 10 days, that is the most weight that she has ever gained at one time. It was everything says Oprah.
Richard is known for his adventurous spirit, says Oprah. His new toy is a brand new sleek high tech mini sub that flies underwater he is the only person to own one. It’s like a little fighter plane that flies underwater and it can go down 150 feet and explore wrecks, explains Richard. This is the maiden voyage of the Necker Nymph. Nate wishes him luck. He is not scuba certified so Nate stays on the boat. With the two-way radio Richard describes what he is seeing, “beautiful… fantastic” Its battery operated and silent. Branson really liked it.
That is cool, says Oprah. Nate says that he is so mad at himself that he is not scuba certified. Becky the producer went to the ocean floor with the camera. Nate is inspired by Branson to learn scuba diving. He says that he is very happy in the city and not attracted to outdoor adventure but Richard’s why not do it attitude has inspired him. Oprah says that she is the girl under the tree with the book.
Richard and Joan have been together for 34 years and have 2 children- Oprah loves that. Oprah says that Nate emailed her from Richard Branson’s yacht, while she was in Idaho with child molestors. The yacht is the Necker Belle, with a bar and Japanese style bedroom, Nate asks what it cost, about $30 million Branson says. Spending time with Richard is like being a kid again, says Nate. They jump on the trampoline and go to the top of the mast despite Nate’s fear of heights. Richard’s two children, Holly and Sam join them on board. Nate asks what the best advice is that they have received from their father. Sam says that they should be themselves, they have always had the freedom to do what they want to do and be who they want to be. Nate says they are very balanced- they say that their mum is very down to earth, the opposite of their dad. They were also kept out of the media spotlight as kids. Richard is very proud of his family, that they have each chosen their own path and they are great kids.
Oprah asks Nate where Richard works- he has always worked from home, he works from his hammock. He bought the island in the 70’s for $200,00 but it only had one palm tree and cacti, no running water or house or anything. Oprah asks Nate why he thinks that Branson is so successful- because of the access that he gives everyone, says Nate. Everyone is allowed to approach him and ask questions- his staff on the island, people from his company in from London. He solves problems and Nate found that fascinating. Oprah says to Nate that he had to do the Titanic “I’m the King of the world” thing on the yacht. Nate says that he couldn’t resist. Oprah was in Idaho, Ali was at the bake-off, and he was on the front of the yacht, it was so cool, so cool.
Oprah is concerned about the president of Harpo who currently has no pants on. She asks Nate if he will steam them, he says that he is clean, it’s morning, he’s bathed.
At the beginning of the show Nate revealed his wardrobe malfunction. The president of Oprah’s company, Eric Logan, leant Nate his pants. Eric comes out in a spa robe. He stands with Nate and says nice pants. Oprah says he adds a new meaning to the phrase “the shirt off my back.” She asks what he thought when he was told that Nate had split his pants. Eric says that he was in the middle of a meeting and in barged the producer saying that Nate needs his pants. Eric took them off in the dressing room and found a robe to wear to go back to his meeting. Nate says that the funny thing was that everyone in the green room scattered as the situation was so uncomfortable. Oprah thanks Eric for stepping in.
Nate had a final assignment to see if Richard would sign the No Phone Zone Pledge. Richard recalls that once we didn’t wear seatbelts and now it is second nature. He signs and thanks Oprah and urges others to sign. Remember April 30th is National No Phone Zone Day, says Oprah. Oprah thanks Nate for his report, anytime, he says.
Earlier in the show we met the finalists for the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off. The judges have already decided and the decision is locked in a suitcase backstage. Oprah asks members of the audience which they preferred of the recipes that they tasted. There is an advocate for each recipe. They talk about basil season. Oprah hugs each and the audience applauds. This could be you next year, says Oprah. The moment that they have been waiting for, says Oprah. The suitcase is brought on stage, Oprah opens the envelope and calls for a drumroll. The grand prize winner is Sue Compton, creator of the ice cream cookie cup. Sue screams, confetti falls and the audience go wild. Sue and Oprah hug, Sue hugs the other contestants.
Sue Compton from New Jersey just won $1 million, she says that it feels awesome. She was once not so good in the kitchen, she’d be asked to bring potato chips to a pot luck. Her son John is on stage and says that he is surprised to be here. Oprah asks Sue how she came up with the recipe. Sue bought the allowed ingredients and played around with them. Oprah asks if she will be going to Necker Island with her winnings, Sue says no. Oprah asks her if she’s thought about what she would do if she’d win- Sue says that her towels are frayed, so she may replace those. You should, says Oprah. Sue thanks everyone and says that the million dollar recipe can be found on Oprah.com.
WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:
Nate Berkus wore the president of Harpo’s pants after a wardrobe malfunction. The president of Harpo wore a spa robe after Nate Berkus’ wardrobe malfunction.
Richard Branson does all of his work from his hammock.
Richard Branson likes his toys very much, including his $30 million yacht and his flying submarine.
Richard Branson’s Caribbean Island house has no walls, but it does have an infinity pool in the Great Room.
Sue Compton of New Jersey won $1million for her sugar cookie dough/ ice cream/ chocolate concoction in the 44th Pillsbury Bake Off.
A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:
Richard Branson is very, very, very rich. And yet he is only the 212th richest person in the world.