Oprah's interview with Meghan & Harry feels like a good time to point out how extraordinary Oprah is.
Short thread on the "Queen of All Media"๐
Short thread on the "Queen of All Media"๐
1) Oprah was born into poverty in rural Mississippi to a single teen mom. At 14, Oprah was molested & got pregnant. Her son was born prematurely & died as an infant.
Oprah re-enrolled in school set on forging a new life. "I'm gonna be famous," she told anyone who would listen.
Oprah re-enrolled in school set on forging a new life. "I'm gonna be famous," she told anyone who would listen.
2) Oprah rose through the ranks of radio & then TV. Her relatability was obvious. Here's a conversation between Oprah & her first producer:
Oprah: You know Iโm black?
Producer: Yeah, I can see that.
Oprah: You know Iโm overweight?
Producer: So are many Americans.
Oprah: You know Iโm black?
Producer: Yeah, I can see that.
Oprah: You know Iโm overweight?
Producer: So are many Americans.
3) Her producer later told her: โYou are Americaโthatโs the whole point.โ
Oprah was made for TV and TV was made for Oprah.
Unlike film, TV as a medium dissolved the boundaries between home and entertainment. For an hour each day, Oprah Winfrey was *in* your living room.
Oprah was made for TV and TV was made for Oprah.
Unlike film, TV as a medium dissolved the boundaries between home and entertainment. For an hour each day, Oprah Winfrey was *in* your living room.
4) The Oprah Winfrey Show was an immediate success. It shot to #1 and within a year, 50% of Chicago watched Oprah.
Over 25 seasons (4,561 episodes!), Oprah grew. Crucially, she seized control of her empire: in the 80s, she shrewdly negotiated ownership rights to her show.
Over 25 seasons (4,561 episodes!), Oprah grew. Crucially, she seized control of her empire: in the 80s, she shrewdly negotiated ownership rights to her show.
5) Oprah's appeal can be traced to her first-ever monologue:
"There's been so much hoopla about this show that itโs enough to give a girl hives. I mean Iโve got them right now under my armpitsโฆtwo things have bugged me for years. The first, my thighs. The second, my love life."
"There's been so much hoopla about this show that itโs enough to give a girl hives. I mean Iโve got them right now under my armpitsโฆtwo things have bugged me for years. The first, my thighs. The second, my love life."
6) That authenticity, empathy, & relatability made Oprah special. In many ways, she was the first influencer. People *trusted* her.
Two economists calculated that Oprahโs endorsement of Obama netted him 1,015,559 votesโenough to seize the Democratic nomination from Hillary.
Two economists calculated that Oprahโs endorsement of Obama netted him 1,015,559 votesโenough to seize the Democratic nomination from Hillary.
7) Today, Oprah is a legend.
She was the richest Black woman of the 20th century.
She's ranked the greatest Black philanthropist in history.
She's been rated the most influential woman in the world.
And she's not done yet ๐คฉ
She was the richest Black woman of the 20th century.
She's ranked the greatest Black philanthropist in history.
She's been rated the most influential woman in the world.
And she's not done yet ๐คฉ
Sources include the Making Oprah podcast from WBEZ Chicago & the Acquired podcast episode about Oprahโboth fantastic & highly recommended ๐
โข โข โข
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