Three Things That Bug Me About Oprah (BoomerBlix)

"Because I'm Oprah, that's why!" Photo credit: Twitter

Let me start by saying that I know I'm skating on thin ice here. Writing anything less than full-out praise for Oprah is likely to generate some protests. Just hear (read) me out.

I first "met" Oprah when she came to Chicago to host the A.M. Chicago show. She was refreshing from the start, ready to win us over. And she did. Within a few months, her show was on top--we were all smitten. I'll also admit there was a sense of pride that this dynamic, groundbreaking black woman represented Chicago.

Then came The Oprah Winfrey Show, only four years later. I even managed to get tickets to a couple of her shows...not that it was difficult to do back then. Still, it was fun to be in that little studio, watching her in action. She seemed magical, bigger-than-life, at ease in her own skin. The perfect success story.

You know the rest. Her own studio, celebrities standing in line to be interviewed, Tom Cruise jumping on the sofa. The over-the-top giveaways. A remarkable transformation in looks, hair, makeup, wardrobe. The wealthiest woman in America. So, how come I'm not still in awe?

The magazine. I know for a fact that it's not just me who is waaaaay tired of seeing Oprah on every single cover of her magazine. Plus, in recent years, she seems to think we are interested in the photo shoot for the cover. Joy, my best friend from high school, has agreed with me on this for decades. True, Michelle Obama earned a shared cover, as did Ellen DeGeneres (after a vigorous campaign). But, really? The magazine itself is fine, full of motivational stories. One might actually envision Oprah sitting at a computer, pencil in her hair, churning out life-changing articles and choosing the inspirational quotes that draw the thankful Letters to the Editor each month. But it is the never-ending cover that makes me crazy: "Look! I'm Oprah! Everything in this magazine is wonderful! Oh, and by the way, I'm wearing clothes you will never begin to afford!!"
The "discoveries." Of course the entire country remembers when she lost all that weight. She put on skinny jeans and hauled fake "fat-chunks" out on the stage in a sweet little red wagon. As I recall, she used a liquid diet and chef-prepared meals to reach her goal. America swooned. Why? Because Oprah "discovered" that if you take in fewer calories than you need...why, you lose weight! It was mind-blowing! Then, she announced her Book Club. News Flash: Oprah "discovered" that reading can be fun! Only about 350 years after Shakespeare, she blesses authors and declares reading worthwhile. What's next? Wearing seat belts saves lives?
The lack of charity. I'm certain that every wealthy person quietly distributes to worthy causes, including Oprah. She's got a couple of foundations in her name. It's my opinion that the richer you are, the greater your obligation to make the world the better place. And to set an example--not just with your own Angel Network, which started with donations from viewers. Bill and Melinda Gates have made global health their cause, and they do some pretty kick-ass stuff. Warren Buffett has joined them. Hello, Oprah? Sure, there are the girls' schools in South Africa--a swell start. I wasn't even a little bit critical, as others were, that they weren't American schools. But now...how about an American school? Or a hundred? How about a book for every kindergartener? A network of shelters for abused women and kids? Something grand, to show us you are more than your seven homes and private jet. Americans made you rich, girlfriend. Where's the love??

I'm not denying that Oprah's not a powerful force. She has a true rags-to-riches story. I'm only saying there are a few things that bother me, and that she could stand to take a month off modeling to put some unsung heroes on the cover of her magazine. Then, I will buy it.