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It has been far too long since my last blog, but this is a pretty busy time of year for us Harponians. Believe it or not, we stop taping shows for the season next Friday. But don't worry that doesn't mean reruns just yet. Anyway, we taped a show today on some of Oprah's best surprises. There is no better shoot than a great surprise. Lots of lying, furtive phone calls and sneaking around - all for a good cause! And if all goes according to plan, you get to experience one of the best (at the very least, most unforgettable) days of a person's life. You can't help but think, and they pay me for this? I once helped surprise a group of kids in Brooklyn when we announced that the entire school was going to a Knicks game. The kids were so excited they were rolling around on the floor. But my all time favorite surprise was when we reunited a family who had been separated during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The look on their faces during the show says more about the significance of the moment than I could ever write, and it's certainly an experience that I will always cherish. Another great memory to make me appreciate why we do what we do...
Surprise!
Posted on Apr 30, 2009 5:14 PM
Hi Mr. Producer!
Would you be interested in helping me pull off a surprise of a lifetime for " child Sethe", "adult Sethe" and the children of " A Beloved Start Learning Center? I have visions of Sethe meeting Sethe for the first time.
In my mind B E L O V E D was made for a chosen few.
Romans ch.9 & 25th v. reads: I will call them my people, which were not my people, and her, BELOVED, which was not beloved.
I'm looking at a blank wall, but I see a union. Can you help me make it a reality?
Hi Eric,
Nice to meet you 
I've been Oprah fan since I was a kid . She's such an inspiration for me until now.
And I think you have one of the greatest jobs in the world by being able to work with her team and herself in person to create a better place for living.
Giving surprises for others to realize their wildest dreams, WOW, that's awesome.
Then, I wonder when you will produce a session for giving Oprah's worldwide fans a chance to meet her or attend the show 
....It's just an idea 
, but hopefully it will be considered by you ...
Anyway, thanks Eric for reading my comment. Take care. & have a nice day always !
Hug from Indonesia
I love all the surprise shows - Mandy enjoyed them to - she loved to make people happy....
She was a phenomenal young lady, 17, beautiful,
the passenger seat last November 15 to go to a school talent
show - but instead her destination was heaven.
I am writing to you as I want to thank everyone for
adding Mandy's story to the Angel Network, although I
am not certain what that will mean for our goals.
I am hopeful that Oprah might assist us in getting
the word out there about what we are trying to do, we
have a start but we certainly have a long way to go
before raising enough to pay for travel, 4 years
tuition, and personal expenses needed to sponsor a student from Africa.
I am hopeful that maybe she would want to be part of
the selection process of finding a young lady from
Africa to come here and accept the scholarship.
I am hopeful that maybe Oprah can add our cause to
her nightly prayers and that you as the staff could
do the same.
Many Thanks for any assistance you can provide
God Bless you!
I would also love to see Oprah do a show on this sort
of tragedy how a person is supposed to "deal with" "move past" killing someone you
love by accident?
As for myself I am working hard every day to do what
she wanted and celebrate her life, be thankful to God
for the 17 wonderful years he blessed me with her. Mother's Day on Sunday will be difficult, but I have decided I am going to give out flowers to random women/mothers along with the "business card" I created in Mandy's honor. Go to www.mandyedwardsfoundation.org and click on the myspace link or the link to her obituary to see the cards I created.
Hi Eric,
I really enjoy your blog and watch the Oprah show everyday. Would you ever consider doing a feature on a story line that is on the soap opera Guiding Light between the characters of Olivia and Natalia (a.k.a. Otalia)? It is a slow burning love story about two women who fell in love with each other that never expected to. I think this story line would fit in well on a piece about same-sex couple love stories becoming more prevalent on television. It is the best love story that is on television right now and has a huge fan base that can also be found online. This story line has touched so many people across the world and has been handled beautifully by the writers. I think it would be facinating for your viewers to be introduced to this storyline and the performances that are given by Crystal Chappell (plays Olivia) on Guiding Light everyday. Keep up the great work in the world of OW!
Hello!
I am a film producer and theatre producer. I have degrees from Harvard University and Stephen College. I would like to know how to get in to work with Oprah as an Producer assistant as I am very interested and would love to speak with you. I understand it's a crazy long shot, but I thought I would try. I have a stand on it's own resume and would no doubt be a perfect team member. I am currently working as an 1st Executive Assistant Producer to a top Executive Film Producer in Newport Beach, CA. In addition to film production, his company owns numerous restaurants, shopping malls and is a record label. My duties include running all of the above effectively and efficiently interacting with each on a daily basis, as I am the only assistant. I also manage the household and am very happy with my position here and have been in their employ for almost two years. However, both my recent husband and I are looking to starting life in Chicago where I am from and it would be great for me to stay in the line of work I love so much, the entertainment field.
I, along with my two brothers and Fiance have a keen interest in the entertainment field as my older brother is an assistant editor in Hollywood, my younger brother is working along side of John Bruno in special effects and my husband is both a screenwriter and director. The three of us are close and learn from each others special talents.
I am on top of my game to manage and coordinate any number of specialty programs since I do it every day without fail when millions of dollars are at risk. In closing, while I particularly like my current position, life marches on and for myself that would ideally include continuing my endeavors in Chicago as thats where my heart is.
I would like the opportunity to speak to you, in that maybe I could be of an asset to you in some capacity, I apologize for sending this info on this blog, but there is no other way to get in the door.
Thank you kindly for your time~
Best Regards,
Ashley Stiles
in response to: hawkxs3
Hi, I sent a video regarding WHY DO YOU WATCH THE OPRAH SHOW. I am a Muslim-American countrywoman immigrant from the Philippines. I want to know if common people like myself have a chance in getting on TV especially famous TV shows such as yours. Please let me know if you have received my video at all.
Sincerely,
Brenda Mother-of-two
in response to: iamhappy21
Dear Mr. Producer,
I sent a video for the segment "Why you watch the Oprah Show". As a Muslim-American immigrant from a small country, I wonder if common people like myself has a chance on getting on a TV show as famous as yours. Please let me know if you recieved my video at all.
Sincerely,
Brenda Mother-of-two
Dear Producerep,
I've been watching the Oprah show since I was a little girl. We don't get to watch the show here in India anymore and its really sad coz people love Oprah here too. Her appeal is universal. I don't know how much good this will do writing to you like this but I thought I should at least try since you're one of the producers. Hope you can communicate this to Oprah herself so that we can have our daily fix back! thanks a ton!
Hi Eric. I watch the Oprah show all the time. It is wonderful how she has helped people. I am looking forward to watching the segment of surprising people. I see the love in Oprah's action of giving on her show. She is a great role model. Eric keep up the good work.
Hi eric,
I went on blackcommunity.com and read the book about Oprah, and you should definitely feature it. It was very eye opening!
Eric.....it's really good reading about what you all do to put together such an awesome show.....each season has been better/deeper than the previous. I live in Dallas, and recently heard you'd be at the State Fair, I hope I can get in that day......My best friend and I have a tradition of going on the 1st day of the fair every year....., so I can tell you its great this year, and I can also tell you what food to get, and what food not to get.... especially if you're watching calories...like us. Anyway, thanks for all you do.
Eric - I frequently watch the Oprah show and was wondering how on earth I contact somebody to tell my story in hopes that Oprah can make my dream come true, the wedding of a lifetime. My parents have both passed away, and my dad had a crazy idea for me to walk down the isle to Stevie Wonder's "Isnt she lovely"....i know if anyone can do it...Oprah can...how do I tell her my story?
Hi Producerep,
Glad to hear that you are wrapping up a season of Oprah talk shows. What do you all do when you're not taping for the talk show? Do you do work on other shows for the Oxygen and Discovery networks? I heard Oprah owns those networks. How do you keep busy during off season? Just curious.