this is to welcome you all to our blog. Here we are going to exchange our media experiences. To share our views on the theme of the week. This week's theme is The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history(wikipedia). We can write answering or analysing one or more of the following questions:
- What does make this show no. 1 internationally, appealing for different peoples from different religions, backgrounds and age groups?
- What would you do if you were Oprah Wimfrey?
- Which kinds of effects do you think this show has on audiences from your home country and why?
15 comments:
if you are answering the second questio (the question of media effects, this following link might help
http://www.866mymajor.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/1/6/Magazine-Influence-Article-Review
1. The reason the Oprah Winfrey show is no. 1 internationally for all different ethnic groups cultures, and age is due to the fact that not only does she speak about the United States of America but her shows has a variety of topics. For example: Oprah has a book club in which she tells her audience which books are good to read and gives us a summary about it. This is for any age, gender, or ethnic background. She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a magazine publisher (wikipedia). She is a very successful person coming from a very dysfunctional background. I believe Oprah motivates people to be something and that everyone can make it if they try hard enough.
2.If I was Oprah Winfrey I would do exactly what she is doing. She participates in a lot of charity events, she distributes gifts to her audiences that are in much more need than her, she talks to celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston right after her and Brad Pitt divorced and was there for her. Oprah has a strong personality no one has stepped all over her. Check this out class: http://popsugar.com/95849. Oprah recently opened a school for children that are in need for education and she made a promise to Nelson Mandela that she will do this six years ago. If I was Oprah I would do exactly what she’s doing.
3.The effect that Oprah brings to the UAE is positive it gives audiences in the UAE to learn more about education and being open-minded. I personally love Oprah.
Hi to everyone ^_^..
about the succes behind Oprah's show I would have to agree with what Dona said.. she talks of different areas and cases that appeal to humanity everywhere.. Although the main focus of her show is on America.. she does manage to spend efforts on showing the US audience what's going on all over the globe.. Her annual "women around the globe" continues to be a very great contributor to women empowerment.. she does pay attention to foreign affairs and she does care to show the real side of things on her show.. her show is truely and eye opener...
At the same time Oprah steps back once in a while from the heavy drama that conquers the world and talks about what is known as "light news" with all her gifts and her tips to live a healthy life..
If I was Oprah what would I do? lol.. well I would run for presidency for a starter.. maybe then America will start behaving rationaly and the world will become a better place! JOKING!
I would most definitly be more open about political matters, something Oprah seems to be avoiding!
Other than that the show I think is great..
By the way.. what is the (iClub) that Oprah is launcing in the Middle East? does anyone have info on that?
:D
Hello ^_^ ~
I think the Oprah Winfrey show appeals to a vast audience because it caters to a variety of different tastes. Oprah invites guests to discuss about topics that vary from health and social issues, to fashion and entertainment. This kind of variety ensures that the show doesn't get dull and repetitive (like Dr.Phil). Also, with Oprah's infamous background and difficult upbringing that resulted in her strong personality, the audience is bound to be captivated by her presence.
And although I admit it's a good show overall, I'm not a fan of it. I believe Oprah uses her show to exceedingly promote US nationalism, which doesn't help with her much with her international fanbase. She can also be biased when it comes to certain topics, and she somtimes presents things in a way where they look and sound worse than they really are. I also feel she gives off a vibe of "what I say is always right, now applaude me" [insert audience applause here]. These are some reasons why I avoid the show in general, but I still do watch it on rare occassions when I know something really interesting is on (I'm sure we've all seen the HILARIOUS infamous Tom Cruise episode).
Aside from my own personal cynical views, the effects the show has on people here are just as big as they would be anywhere else. There is no denying that she is a powerful influential figure in the world of media. Ever since I was in junior high school up to now, I'd hear people around me saying "When I grow up, I'm gonna do this and that and I'm gonna be on the Oprah Winfrey show!". You'd think it was their ultimate purpose in life heh. Aside from that, Oprah's highly charitable nature promotes a very positive outlook at life and encourages people to give and give and give, and needless to say, her story of rags to riches (and the stories of other stuggling people who made it through the hardships of life that she shares with us on her show) inspires people to be everything they can be and more, and beat the odds around them.
Hi, everybody!
1. The Oprah Winfrey Show, is for a fact the highest rated show, in 'American television History' (Wikipedia), this is because of its broad and optimistic aproach to all genres of life. Oprah Winfrey diplomatically caters to all age groups because of her excellent selection of script, issues to discuss, guests to invite and she clearly is a role model for several people and inspires them in some way or another because of her non-biased, non-racist attitude. This in my opinion is the main reason for the shows success - the host and producer ofcourse, Oprah herself!
I believe that Oprah Wimfrey knew how to reap her position in order to solve the society problems. Her show was not racist or biased to a specific group of people. Moreover, she had discussed many issues that contributed in changing a lot of the wrong concepts, behaviors, and believes. It also motivates Arabs to speak up about their problems instead of living in denial. I think that her show is the best show in giving examples from real life without manipulating the truth. Oprah is really an example of a strong fighting women seeking for problems in order to make the world a better place to live.
If I were Oprah, I would isolate myself and live in my own island and spend my life in shopping (joking). I actually will do what she does now and try to inform the Western audience that terrorism is not related to Islam like most people believe.
Hi,
The Oprah show is one of the most watched around the world because she presents issues and topics from health to Hollywood stars thus satisfying the needs of everyone in the society. The show is dedicated towards audience around the world not only in the US. Oprah Winfrey has touched and affected many people's lives during the past two decades through her program and her charity work. Oprah's childhood and background makes it easier for people to communicate and relate to her. Finally, God Bless Oprah Winfrey!
1. I think the main reason is that it has a huge variety of topics to discuss every time. Topics verify from discussions talking to celebrities who are widely known around the world to the lowest level people in our society. People are interested to know about the life style of successful people and they are interested in knowing some of the problems that lower levels of people are facing with.
2. I would discuss some of the interesting and problematic issues existing in some of the cultures, which have not been presented on a mass media like TV yet. People are always interested in issues about society because it relates back to them.
3. Actually zero. Because the mass media especially TV stations are under the government rules and they are not in agreement with some of the topics presented in this show.
Hello everyone,
1. I believe that the Oprah show is so successful due to the variety of issues that she represents to her viewers. There is always an element of surprise that attracts viewers and what’s more surprising is that people tend to buy tickets to her show without even knowing about the content that is going to be discussed. All of that is important, but what’s more significant is her own personality and humanity that a lot of people see them selves in or want to be someday in the future. She represents every woman and she is not afraid to share her problems and fears with others. And in that way she connects to people in various levels and inspires them to overcome their disabilities and strive for the best.
2. The Oprah show has different effects on different groups of people depending on either their age or on their religious beliefs. While reading in a magazine recently I came across a very angry comment made by a Saudi woman who believed that most of Oprah’s subjects are irrelevant and it’s bad enough that she carries great hatred towards Muslims and Arabs. That was not the only comment that accused Oprah of being disrespectful, dishonest or ignorant of Islam and Muslims
“If you were to take Oprah's show as your guide to Islam, you would think Muslims were basically Episcopalians in veils and turbans.”
Rod Dreher, columnist for the New York Post
I do not regularly watch the show; therefore, I cannot be the judge for that. However, The Saudi Audience was divided into two groups according to their age. On one side we have the adults who are very furious with the subjects that she presents and it is fair enough to say that on the other side there are the teenagers and young adults who are interested with what she offers to people or the celebrities that she interviews.
; )
hello people
I think that one of the reasons that make the Oprah show extremely successful is the variety of the issues that she notifies us with and the level of depth of the subjects presented in the show. Most of the “talk shows” mainly discuss how “ Brat Bit broke up with Jennifer Aniston” or how “ to make decorate your own house to meet up with what’s new” but for Oprah, social issues is her prime focus and what is fascinating is seeing someone with that power not only opening a subject about a certain issue but also living it and showing it in a real manner. Frankly saying, I don’t watch this show that much but every time I watch T.V. commercial about Oprah Show I get really surprised and therefore excited about watching it. I also like the way she communicates and how she manages to get our attention and focus with her passionate behavior. I think that she deserves all of the admiration and respect she earned and I hope that people would start reacting responsively towards all of the social issues that Oprah mentions.
Oprah show left a great influence on other cultures beside the States. As a Palestinian and a person who is aware of the Palestinian issue, Opera Wimfrey is not the first show to be watched in Palestine. I have known a lot of people who came from Palestine and with all the Political events and catastrophe of the Israeli conquer people don’t even bother watching T.V. However, Palestinian teenagers are starting to get influenced by the Oprah’s show and I think that this is helping my people to get educated about the world surrounding them and also watch other social issues in this world which might at least help minimize their own tragedies.
Hello,
I believe that one of the main resons of the success of any TV presenter is how much the viewers and the members of society can relate to him or her. And that definately applies to Oprah Winfrey. She belongs to all the classes as she has seen poverty and misery as a child who was not tolerated by her own father and was raped at 12. So she can comprehend the social problems that she discusses. And although she is living a good life now, she has never forgotten her poor roots, and still contributes to and organizes charities around the world to help less advantaged people. Her latest project of a school for poor girls that are outstanding in their academics and talents gained her even more international respect. Oprah knows the secret to make the audience laugh and cry. She knows how to tackle a subject and get the message through to people without lecturing like othe famous shows do. I believe that Oprah Winfrey is a lanmark in the history of talk shows that will remain and be remembered for decades to come.
1- What makes this show number one all over the world is the personality of Opera. She talks to the whole world and discusses issues from all over the world. She doesn't only go talking about the U.S and issues there. She interacts with lots of people, different people. She discusses there problems and people love people who do so. As I see, she doesn't take the side of any body, because she helps every body as she can and who ever they are.
2- If am in operas place, I would do the same. I will also try to talk about some things that matter more. Like talking about Arabs and Islam. I will try to show the people some things they don't know and they didn't see. I will try to help more people. There are some people who need help more than the people she helped.
3- I don't really know what people think of the show. But am sure that there is two judgments about it. Some people really like it and think it's the best show. But the others think that it's more like a movie, including me. Helping people and talking about their problems is good. But as I see there is a lot of acting and a feelings show that are not necessary.
1. It is appealing because as I said her topics are varied ansd braod and each episode discusses a different problem, therefore it could possibly draw a varied audience to it.
2. I do admire her for the fact that she helps a lot of people although you can never be really sure if it's sincere or just another "celebrity stunt" to prove yourself more popular. However, if I had her money I'd definitely want to help others (and enjoy myself too... DUH!) =P...
3. This kind of relates to the first question. I think that it could be appealing to the people of all countires wherever these people might face the kind of issues she discusses.
This show makes it the number one show internationally becuase it deals with everyday life problems and it allows people facing the same kind of issues to solve their problems from gaining knowledge and understanding from problems other people may face and could also correct people's mistakes from commiting a mistake or facing a problem in the future.
If I will be in her place I will do so many things for example I will work in many channels to solve so many kind of problem from different countries and I will open a channel under my name to show all the problem we are facing in our life and I should solve it or do my best to solve it to distribute the peace around the world.
People from all over the world face the same problems regardless of race, religion or even gender. They are appeal to us females in my country but not mostly for men in my country. Women in my country tend to want to learn more about the outside world because the majority of the young girl's parents prohibits them from leaving the house alone with a chaperone. They don't know how the safe or unsafe the world is outside the four walls they live in.
What would you do if you were Oprah Winfrey?
Lots and lots of things, First, I’ll buy me a big villa in Monte Carlo with its own yacht. :D
I’ll establish a new private TV channel, I will also add and discuss new exclusive hot topics that never been discussed in the Arab world. I will help in improving the film industry in the Middle East and everything that concern media in the Arab world especially in the gulf region. I will open new institutions for less income people that teach them all important sciences because knowledge is the key of success. In addition, I’ll help all poor countries specially an anonymous village in India “I forgot actually the name of that village; I saw how people suffers in that village in a documentary movie.”
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