Oprah's voice

[CJ2008]

Has anyone heard the commercial for her new network?

I usually love her, but something is different/annoying about her voice - am I the only one who thinks this?

 

[Tuckins1]

I don't know about the channel, but DH can't STAND her!!! We can't even watch the Discovery series "Life" because she narrates it.

 

[Imdanny]

I saw the Barbara Walter interview where she started crying and said Gayle was the best person she knew (and she repeated herself). I'm not trying to rip on Oprah but my SO is the best person I know. Then she said, "i am not a leeeeeeeeeeeezbian. I'm not even part leeeeeeeeeeeezbian." You know, whatever, but I did think the whole thing was unusual.

 

[Autumnovember]

I saw the Barbara Walter interview where she started crying and said Gayle was the best person she knew (and she repeated herself). I'm not trying to rip on Oprah but my SO is the best person I know. Then she said, "i am not a leeeeeeeeeeeezbian. I'm not even part leeeeeeeeeeeezbian." You know, whatever, but I did think the whole thing was unusual.

I hate how she cries about everything. Otherwise, she isn't so bad.

Don't we all have a person that we think is, "the best person we know?"

 

[JewelFreak]

Her voice doesn't bother me as much as what she says with it. She means well & I'm sure is a loyal generous loving friend, but I sure get tired of the preaching & touchy-feely stuff. Not my cup of tea at all.

--- Laurie

 

[decodelighted]

I think she has succumbed to the desire to patronize. She finally believes her own hype. Did you see that awful show she did where she paraded old talk show hosts around & said "I CRUSHED you all! ... you all were cancelled & I have my own NETWORK!" It was stomach churning.

 

[CJ2008]

Her voice never bothered me *before* - but I feel like it has changed - it's deeper or something - it sounds weird.

Deco - did she say that word for word? What context was she saying that in? Was it people that had told her she would never make it or something? I can't see her just saying that right out of the blue as if to show off - but maybe I'm wrong!

 

[decodelighted]

Her voice never bothered me *before* - but I feel like it has changed - it's deeper or something - it sounds weird.

Deco - did she say that word for word? What context was she saying that in? Was it people that had told her she would never make it or something? I can't see her just saying that right out of the blue as if to show off - but maybe I'm wrong!

I've seen some of the ads for the new network ... they're going for a dreamy kind of "movie premiere" sound ... bigger than life ... as opposed to the promo-y TV ads she's been doing for years "On the next Oprah" kind of stuff. That all was more salesy and urgent and excited .... the tone of the "new network" ads is very different. I don't think her voice itself has changed -- but that the direction the director gave her is more Patronizing sounding ... more GRANDE! more DRAMATIC! more MYSTERIOUS! It's more "telling a child a bedtime story". Yanno?

RE: the fellow talk show hosts episode -- she didn't say those exact words ... but that was the overall tone of the episode. Uncomfortable. With the exception of her treatment of Donahue. She treated him with reverence as he originated the form that made her famous. She was CLEARLY revealing in her victory though, in having outlasted all of these folks (Sally, Geraldo, Ricki, Montel). And she did this sick little comment about how leaving will be different for her -- because its her own CHOICE and she's leaving for her own NETWORK. Well, duh, it is different. But rubbing people's faces in it on live TV is uncool, Lady Oprah. Uncool.

 

[anchor31]

I saw the episode deco mentioned... And deco is right. She said things like "My show has been the #1 talkshow in 25 YEARS" and "Did you always consider my show as the one to beat". Meh.

 

[hlmr]

I am not sure about the voice thing, but I think she is much too full of herself, and it shows. I get that she is a billionaire, and has spent some of that money to "do good", but I don't feel "the good" coming from her. I also realize that most would disagree with this statement.

 

[Kaleigh]

Was a HUGE fan. I mean HUGE. BUT saw her interviewed after the Kennedy honors... OMG, not the humble Oprah I used to love and adore...

I needed a barf bag.

 

[CJ2008]

You know I have to admit that if *I* achieved the level of success and money that she has, I may get a little full of myself. So I am afraid to judge her on that because I'm not sure I would be all that different. Do I think that's a good thing? No...Do I like when I see other people full of themselves because they have money, or whatever? No...I just don't know that I would be any different if what I achieved was 100% the result of my hard work.

But she DOES seem preachier or something lately - I don't know - something is definitely rubbing me the wrong way.

 

[Kaleigh]

You know I have to admit that if *I* achieved the level of success and money that she has, I may get a little full of myself. So I am afraid to judge her on that because I'm not sure I would be all that different. Do I think that's a good thing? No...Do I like when I see other people full of themselves because they have money, or whatever? No...I just don't know that I would be any different if what I achieved was 100% the result of my hard work.

But she DOES seem preachier or something lately - I don't know - something is definitely rubbing me the wrong way.

YOU need to see this interview. It was highlighted on Talk Soup... That's how bad it was...

Preachy? Is an understatement.

I know she's done a ton, more than anyone on the planet perhaps. BUT the reason we loved her, was because she was humble...

 

[CJ2008]

Kaleigh - you're right - would love to see it. What channel was it originally on? Wonder if I could find it...or maybe find it on Talk Soup.

ETA: think I found the Talk Soup clip...

 

[Kaleigh]

Kaleigh - you're right - would love to see it. What channel was it originally on? Wonder if I could find it...or maybe find it on Talk Soup.

ETA: think I found the Talk Soup clip...

Can you link it here?? I don't know how to... But it really shows what I was talking about....

 

[Imdanny]

I saw the Barbara Walter interview where she started crying and said Gayle was the best person she knew (and she repeated herself). I'm not trying to rip on Oprah but my SO is the best person I know. Then she said, "i am not a leeeeeeeeeeeezbian. I'm not even part leeeeeeeeeeeezbian." You know, whatever, but I did think the whole thing was unusual.

I hate how she cries about everything. Otherwise, she isn't so bad.

Don't we all have a person that we think is, "the best person we know?"

Yes, I think we do, but like I said, the best person I know is my SO, not my best friend. Maybe I'm unusual that way. I really do think my SO is the best person I know and I would think most people would feel the same way. Just seems unusual to me, that's all.

 

[chemgirl]

I was a fan, but wasn't home on time to watch her show on a regular basis or anything. I finally managed to see one of the favorite things episodes and I have to say I don't think I will be watching her show again.

$260 for leggings? $150 for POPCORN!!!! these aren't items that the average person can afford.

I know it seems totally silly, but I can't really relate to someone who raves about a tin of popcorn that costs as much as a nice dinner out. It might be great popcorn, but not something that the average viewer would go out and buy. Its like she's lost touch with the average person.

Also her comment about how she can't sleep unless her sheets are changed every day and then she looked startled when the audience couldn't relate...I would love to have my sheets changed every day, but its not really in the cards given how busy I am. I think most people are in the same boat.

Bottom line is she uses her upbringing to make her relateable, but at the same time it seems like she's totally forgotten what its like to be held to a budget.

 

[Imdanny]

I'd like to have a personal maid who could change my sheets everyday... on my private jet. Yeah, I hear where you're coming from. She used to be fond of saying her feet were still firmly planted on the ground, just wearing more expensive shoes. I think she passed that point a long time ago.

 

[swimmer]

I admired her up till The Secret. Um, no. Willing yourself to be thin, rich, smart, married, whatever your heart desires does not work. DOING SOMETHING about it does. The Secret is a recipe for making yourself depressed (and others will find you whiny and fixated). Then she got into chanting "you deserve it" and that is exactly what got the US into our spending problems and is simply not true. Most people "deserve" very little. We all EARN what happiness and pleasures we get.

 

[anchor31]

I'd like to have a personal maid who could change my sheets everyday... on my private jet. Yeah, I hear where you're coming from. She used to be fond of saying her feet were still firmly planted on the ground, just wearing more expensive shoes. I think she passed that point a long time ago.

I agree. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and watched the interview she did with JK Rowling (absolutely lovely woman, btw). Rowling used to be a single mother on welfare, describing it as "the poorest you can be without being homeless". She admitted that, despite being a billionaire, she often catches herself wondering if she should really make such and such purchase because she still hasn't quite wrapped her brain over the fact that she never will run out of money. And she asked Oprah: "Have you?" Oprah looked taken aback and said "Weeeell, I'm starting to", but it was obvious to me that she was no being honest. I truly believe she doesn't remember what it's like to be an ordinary person.

swimmer - I agree. When someone here asks for PS dust for a job or any other situation, it's usually a situation that they are actively trying to resolve. You can wish or pray for a job all you like, but if you don't apply for it, go to the interview and do your best, etc., you're not going to get that job.

 

[lulu]

I have to say I'm surprised. This woman dragged herself from a childhood of poverty, sexual and physical abuse to fabulous wealth and millions of viewers and readers. She donates about $40 million dollars to charitable causes each year. I'm a fan.

 

[CJ2008]

I'm torn.

On the one hand, I DEFINITELY find her "new" voice annoying - I'm telling you guys, her voice itself is different. It was most noticeable during the commercials announcing her new network. Maybe like Deco said, it was the "feeling" they were going for - and that's why her voice sounds contrived.

On the other hand...

That part of the Talk Soup where the camera man asked her to recommend something for his mom to me seemed set up to catch her saying something snobby. Maybe he was trying to make the point that everything she recommends is always out of reach for most people. But she seemed to genuinely want to help him when she turned around and walked back to him - and honestly, I think that could have been my reaction too..."you want something for less than 100 dollars???" I think it was one of those things you say that then you realize, like, "oh, wow, I can't believe I said that" - she didn't have time to think through "oh, wait, $100 may really be too much for someone, even if it's for their mom..." But I don't think it necessarily means she's not compassionate about it and that if she had had the time she would have recommended something in his budget.

 

[Tuckins1]

Seriously, I just saw a clip of her last show in Australia where she is bellowing "I LOOOVE AUSTRAAAAALIAAAAA!!!" Good lord. I have nothing against her personally, but her voice sounds so strained and phony when she does that! It does get on my nerves....

 

[luv2sparkle]

I used to enjoy watching her, but I don't anymore. I get that she gives away a lot of money, and it is helpful to many people, but
I am not sure she does it for the reasons she used to. I cannot judge the intentions of her heart, but the woman is so dang full of
herself, it seems like she does it so she can talk about it to the public. I swear she thinks she is god, or most certainly as close
to it as she can get. Granted, she has mega power. What she talks about people do, but geez. I saw her favorite things show and it
made me sick. It seems like she was just promoting greed. It was disgustingly, over the top materialistic. Americans has so much
more than most of the rest of the world, but still many people in our country are just flat hurting. How bad did those people feel,
when they are just trying to make their bills not buy a truckload of overpriced goods.

Did you notice how many things had some kind of Oprah identification. Now, the companies cater to her. Mind boggling.

 

[Haven]

I don't watch her show enough to tell if her voice has changed, as I've probably only seen one or two episodes in my entire life.
However, when I still lived at home and my mom subscribed to her magazine I always joked about how each and every issue had OPRAH on the cover. It seemed so strange to me.

Other than that, I don't dislike her, I've just never been a talk show person. And as a Chicagoan I do have some Chicago pride that she's one of us. I can say that over the years I've had many students write essays about how Oprah is a role model to them. That counts for something, in my book.

 

[Imdanny]

Oprah and her beard. That's my opinion. So sue me.