Oprah.com Community: Producer Julie: Inside Scoop on "Oprah's Search for the World's Most Talented Kids Finale"

My team (which I proudly call The Dreamteam) and I taped our final show of the season about 3 weeks ago -- "Oprah's Search for the World's Most Talented Kids Finale." Big big show. We flew in kids from as far as the UK and Norway. World reknown classical pianist Lang Lang flew in from Spain where he was in the middle of a world tour.

There were quite a few "firsts" in this show. One of the biggest was that it rained on the stage of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for the first time in 23 years!

We built a special set for a streetdancer from England who took the world by storm with his smooth and funky moves when he won "Britain's Got Talent" in 2008. George Sampson is his name and when he busts a move, I swear he's so smooth, he doesn't appear to have a single bone in his body. At the end of his performance to a hip-hop mix of Gene Kelly's classic "Singin' In The Rain," the set pours down rain on George. Never before has it rained on the set of "The Oprah Winfrey Show!" The water had to be heated or else it would be freezing. But if we warmed it up too early, it would overheat and we'd have to shutdown the heater, wait a half hour, and start all over again. So, Oprah had to start the show exactly ten minutes before George began his routine to give the water tank just enough time to warm up without boiling. Now, what you saw on TV was actually George's second performance of his dance. His moves were perfect on both takes but in the first one, the "rain" shut off a minute before his dance ended. The rain is supposed to last through his final move. So, he graciously performed twice for our studio audience. Unfortunately, he only brought one chance of clothes so we had to wait for his pants and shirt to dry before the second take!

Another first--Oprah had a co-host: 10-year-old Jordan! You probably think we worked with Jordan for weeks prepping her for her hosting gig with Oprah. Truth is we ran through her "intros" a few times the night before the show and that was it. That's why we love Jordan so much. She's authentic and always Just Jordan! She is completely unphased by the whole production process. I've never met a young person so comfortable in her own skin.

Before I wrap this up, I have to mention Charice's mind-blowing performance. I don't know how on earth such a big sound can come from such a small body. That girl is truly gifted. We've heard thousands of performances on our show but Charice's will truly go down in Oprah show history. It was a privilege to be in the studio when she brought down the roof. Everyone was on their feet and there were more than a few weepy eyes in the house. It was special and a moment I will never forget.

That's about it from Lake Harpo. 'Til next time.

8 Comments

Comments

donna barnett

Jun 6, 2009 3:44 PM

I loved that show! Especially Charice, and I was probably one of millions who immediately bought her song on iTunes. Thanks for putting show together.

Best wishes, Donna

hawkxs3

Jun 16, 2009 7:43 AM

Julie,

Speaking of kid's...Did you know that WE are Ms.Winfrey's 1st. school?
Wanta see how?

Utterly Beloved, Alice

celine555

Jul 4, 2009 2:44 PM

Hi,

I love it when your team makes dreams come true! Those are my favorite Oprah shows to watch! Keep it up!

Kara from Denver

smokiecigs

Jul 14, 2009 1:52 AM

I'd love to see a show about the barriers and discrimination female lawyers still encounter and how the legal system is not only failing, but cheating, the poor and minorities. I am a black, female attorney who practices in a small town and have firsthand experience of all of of these things. I'd love to go on Oprah and discuss this.

Thanks!!
Nettie from New Mexico

smokiecigs

Jul 14, 2009 2:00 AM

It would be great to have a show on how the cable news shows shape public opinion and even public policy, especially FOX news and their supposed "fair and balanced" reporting.

Nettie in Portales

lylahd

Jul 15, 2009 11:17 PM

Hi, Julie. I live in Melbourne, Australia and have recently begun plotting a surprise for my best friend who lives in Chicago. I have known her for 20 years and have always felt that she is, at the core, a musician. I really want to get her a piano for her 30th birthday on August 25, 2009. She is a superbly talented pianist but for some reason has lived without a piano for the last 4 years - she lost hers in a flood when living in Mumbai, India and then moved to the States to marry and live with her then fiance. She is one of the most generous and loving people I know and has not been able to afford a piano since moving to Chicago. I am going to try to get her parents and husband to contribute toward buying her one but should this not work out, I'm hoping Oprah could work some of her magic ;-)Somewhere along the line, I believe my friend got into her head that she was meant to do something more intellectual or academic with her life but I don't think that's where her heart is. I totally respect her choices but would still love her to have a piano.. just in case. She is one of the smartest people I know so I can see how she would have thought this, but like I said earlier, I believe she is a musician at heart. I'm not getting her a piano because I want her to suddenly believe this or because I want to pressure her into being something she does not want to be. She is going to be a mum in November and I cannot imagine her without a piano at her fingertips. Her baby deserves to know beforehand, what he/she is in for ;-)If ever this plan comes to fruition, I want my friend to know that even though she sometimes feels likes she owes me, I feel like I owe her as much or more - so there's no need for her to feel awkward about accepting my gift. The only condition I have is that she keep it for herself and her children. Thanks. -LD

stlst01

Aug 18, 2009 1:20 PM

Hi Julie,

My name is Stacy, I am 22 years old and I am trying to follow a dream and I hope you can help. My boyfriend, Jamy, is 31 years old currently working with homeless vets in the city of Worcester, MA. He is an Iraq War Veteran who spent 8 years in the US Army, but this is not why we are writing to you. A few years ago his mother Evalyn was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's and now at the age of 62 each day is a struggle. Jamy has also had his own struggles in life and was never the son that he thought he should be. So the wheels started turning as to how he could help his mother and millions of other families like his throughout the country. He has decided to walk across country from Oregon to Boston Ma following route 20 to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association. He plans to begin his journey in the spring of 2010. He has done much research and he found that most of the people that have accomplished this before him had somebody to follow them in an RV of some sort, to provide shelter as needed, a place to rest and regain strength and of course for support in completing this amazing goal. That is where I come in : ) My dream is to follow him as he is on his journey, helping to journal the events that take place and to provide him with support. The only problem is we are running into some hurdles in getting this dream on the road. He is embarking on the journey either way as it is something he feels he has been called to do. It is our dream to have me be able to follow him on this journey to love, laugh and learn. Please help us follow this dream. Thank you for your time and I hope that you can help us embark on this wonderful journey of life and love.

stlst01

Aug 18, 2009 1:25 PM

Hello Julie,

My name is Stacy, I am 22 years old and I am trying to follow a dream and I hope you can help. My boyfriend, Jamy, is 31 years old currently working with homeless vets in the city of Worcester, MA. He is an Iraq War Veteran who spent 8 years in the US Army, but this is not why we are writing to you. A few years ago his mother Evalyn was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's and now at the age of 62 each day is a struggle. Jamy has also had his own struggles in life and was never the son that he thought he should be. So the wheels started turning as to how he could help his mother and millions of other families like his throughout the country. He has decided to walk across country from Oregon to Boston Ma following route 20 to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer's Association. He plans to begin his journey in the spring of 2010. He has done much research and he found that most of the people that have accomplished this before him had somebody to follow them in an RV of some sort, to provide shelter as needed, a place to rest and regain strength and of course for support in completing this amazing goal. That is where I come in : ) My dream is to follow him as he is on his journey, helping to journal the events that take place and to provide him with support. The only problem is we are running into some hurdles in getting this dream on the road. He is embarking on the journey either way as it is something he feels he has been called to do. It is our dream to have me be able to follow him on this journey to love, laugh and learn. Please help us follow this dream. My user name on here is stlst01Thank you for your time and I hope that you can help us embark on this wonderful journey of life and love