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

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.