First of all, I was a fan of Oprah's since I was 17. Now 32. I was at the taping of the show that is going to air the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The show was taped on Tuesday Nov. 18th. Let me give you a glimpse of what went on that day... When you walked into the studio, you were amazed by all the Christmas decorations and how beautiful the set was. And everyone had that feeling in the pit of there stomach, that OMG it's her Christmas show. To comment on an earlier blogger on how greedy the guest's were, if you were at that show you would not believe what really happened. And yes, most people would like to be chosen for her favorite gift show. Especially now with people losing there jobs and the economy being the way it is.

This is why people are so hurt and upset.
The theme was The Thriftiest Christmas Ideas
The show started out with one of her producers coming out and getting us all excited for the show. Which was great!!! But....keep reading...
Oprah comes out everyone is so excited and before the camera starts rolling, the first thing out of her mouth was....My producers told me to let you down easy. This would've been my favorite show but how the economy is, it wouldn't be right. And I agreed at first...she can't sell things for the sponsors that GIVE her all of her FAVORITE THINGS, if know one will buy them.
Her first comment to her audience...THIS WOULD'VE BEEN MY FAVORITE SHOW...BUT....
Then she proceeded to say " last year we gave away a talking refrigerator and a plasma TV. " NOT THIS YEAR" Were the EXACT WORDS FROM HER MOUTH. That was the 2nd comment to her audience. Ok, Oprah we get it....Your not giving anything away this year.
The show starts out nice, on how to make a treasure chest out of memories and how when she had her 50th Birthday Party her friends wrote letters and put them in a fancy box for her. She had a couple of tapping's of what people do for Christmas without spending money. NICE RIGHT??
Then she yelled at her producer because her microphone fell off. Her words..." How many years have we been doing this show? Do you think we could get this right." At first I thought maybe she was having a bad day. She had a taping for another show right before ours. One thing I have learned because I have worked in public relations, when you put yourself in the spotlight and people look up to you and love what you do. It's not about you anymore, it's about them. So if your having a bad day or things in your life aren't going so well you never let your audience see that. It's a shame to say, but
it's true. " The front of the house, should never see the things that are wrong in the back of the house. "
Then her show went into Thanksgiving. She started taking about making Thanksgiving dinner. So was the show Christmas or Thanksgiving? I don't think they new. And for the Thriftiest Christmas ideas, she didn't say how we could save money on our Thanksgiving dinner. She could've said, instead of preparing your dinner like you do every year, you can save money doing it this way and get more for your dollar. That would've been thrifty, wouldn't it????
There was so many mistakes, it was like the show was thrown together. Like, they didn't know what they were going to do.
Then there was a part of the show where her friend made a pumpkin pie. They gave us a piece of pie. Then, comment number three to her audience...as they were passing out the pie, Oprah said " Yeah no talking refrigerators." I looked around were I was sitting and if you saw her fans faces including mine and my best-friend, we were stunned. It was like we had a wound already, and she kept opening it up and pouring salt in it.
All through the show it seemed she was faking any enthusiasm what so ever. As the show ended, she said.." Happy Holidays...I can smell the new in the air" Referring to the audience buying a new outfit for HER SHOW. She said " you know you all bought a new outfit" make sure you wear it for the Holidays. So yes Oprah, people bought a new outfit for your show. They wanted to look nice for YOU. Even if they couldn't afford it.
I agree there are greedy people out there, that take advantage and expect things from stars.
I was disappointed, I will be honest it would've made Christmas nice, especially this year. But I was hurt by the words that came from her mouth, the comments about last year and what she gave away. Her trying to fake being happy. I was happy just to see her. But how much can an audience take, especially before the showon of her producers came out and got us all excited. And asked how many people were laid off or lost there jobs. There was quite a few hands that were raised in the audience..The producer said we were going to be so excited for this show. What slap in the face for me and those people.
Right before we were leaving, she says to us " look in O magazine to see my favorite gifts under $100.00. ANOTHER SLAP in OUR FACES.
As we walked out and were in the hall way, some people were in shock, others in tears and some just mad at how we were treated.

My best-friend got the tickets and turned to me and said, honey I am so sorry. We had are day planned, to go to Oprah and to have dinner. We didn't know what happened. My friend said it feels like we just were blindsided. I asked her was there a plot to the show? She agreed and said no. And we both agreed it's one thing not to give anything away, but to have said and acted like she did was another thing.
We just sat and ate dinner in silence most of the night. I was an Oprah advocate, if anyone said anything bad about her I was there defending her. I would say look at all the good she has done for people. And all she has given away over the years. But Oprah your words hurt and so did your actions that day. I know you hurt me, and the people left in tears that day.
And I heard she was going to throw Obama a party. Which she has every right to, it's her money, she has earned it. But don't say you wouldn't feel right having a favorite things show and giving away gifts this year.
People could've used a little spirit lifting, especially this year. Not what she normally does, but maybe a small sign of hope. Since her fans look forward to this ever year and it has become a Oprah Tradition. But instead we were told over and over through out her show, what she gave away last year and how she was not giving away anything this year.
I think that's why this story came out. People weren't being greedy, people were just HURT.

--

Hi Jessica,

Your post is a little longer than most so I took the time to read and reread it several times. Please let me know I am incorrect in summarizing your experience as follows;

You, Jessica, a devoted Oprah fan for the past 15 years, obtained free tickets to attend a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Like most audience members you did not know in advance what the show topic would be. When you entered the studio you noticed holiday decorations and assumed the topic would be Oprah's Favorite things. After you were seated, a staff member came out to warm up the audience, which you thought was "great."

When Oprah appeared she immediately let you know that this was NOT going to be her annual Favorite Things show. She stated that they had decided not to do the show because of our country's current economic situation, a decision you agreed with...at first.

The topic turned out to be How to have a Thrifty Holiday with a focus on gifts from the heart and a cooking segment with samples of Pumpkin Pie. During the taping Oprah referred to past shows and in your view, seemed like she was having a "bad day."

After the show you and others left the studio upset and/or in tears.

Is it fair to say that despite being a devoted Oprah fan and defender for nearly half of your life, that you are now royally angry because you feel like you were entitled to, and unfairly denied, thousands of dollars in free gifts?

Really?

You went to the Oprah Show and all you got is a sample of Pumpkin Pie. Then you rushed to Oprah.com to post a lengthy rant about the show and the woman you claim to have appreciated for the past 15 years.

Talk about a cheap gift.

I certainly wish you a quick recovery from the "wound" of not getting what you wanted from Oprah this year. I wish you the best as you seek holiday cheer and the true spirit of giving in your own life. Maybe with time you will reflect on your experience with a more generous lens and try to remember that Oprah is just one person, a person who has tried very, very hard to do a whole lot of good for a whole lot of people.

I hope you will watch the show next Wednesday with a willingness to celebrate Oprah for what she has given you, and a willingness to forgive her for what she has not.

Because that would be a true gift from the heart.

I believe when people are larger than life,
it's always a
disappointment to find out they are indeed human with all the good and
bad all of us carry around. I've had friends go to the Oprah show
and be completely devasted because they were seated towards the back out of camera range so the
more beautiful people could be seated up front. I've had other friends
call at the last minute and end up, not only at the show but on camera,
when Brad Pitt was
scheduled to be on. You can guess which one of the two sings Oprah's
praise and which one doesn't. Oprah is a human being with a show to
run. She has, obviously, done so very very well over the years with
both good and bad shows. That's just how life is. Good times. Bad
times. A tv show is not immune from anything - it is run by people.
If
you want to keep more of the illusion of a show alive, don't go see
it in person. I find it fascinating to see the "curtain pulled back" on
how tv shows and movies are made. It humbles me and makes me wonder
how it ever all gets put together. I would love to be able to say I
could execute something on that grand of a scale.

And in regards to this forum... It's so great to have a place to discuss things but why do so many posts sound so angry? Isn't it possible to get your point across just as well (maybe even better) if you take the
negative tone out of it. When the posts are so negative all I can
think about is how angry the person writing is and if that is
clouding their judgment. Take the anger out of the equation, present
your facts and then the real issues will be revealed. If enough people
present the facts, the message will get across and changes will be
made. Otherwise, you run the risk of just ending up sounding like a
spoiled brat who didn't get their way.

I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this and I hope the
common thought for this forum is to keep Oprah's show on it's toes and
be the show we have all come to know and love. If it is no longer the
show you're looking for and you care enough, make your point with a positive attitude behind it. Maybe even a bit of humor would be nice. Otherwise, just don't watch. Oprah and her peeps will get the
message.

Happy Thanksgiving week to all. Gobble. Gobble.

It seems Jessica could have been with our group of friends that attended that show. On the way to the show there were lots of ideas of what the surprise show would be about. We hoped for President Elect Obama. When we first walked into the studio where we saw the decorations, was exciting. With the word Thrifty added to the mix, that was okay. It would be a great idea to be part of a show that would put a deeper meaning into the holidays.

It felt like a bait and switch. Yes, notmom, it was hurtful to be at this show. Not because we did not walk away with stuff. Learning how to put ribbon around a shoe box or wrap a turkey, was not the true meaning of the holidays. This was a huge missed opportunity to show people how to be creative. The spirit of the holidays was missed. And Oprah missed relating to an audience in a way I could never have imagined.

Telling us she could smell the new and then wanting us to go across the street and buy used clothes she wore, was insulting. I am sorry my friends took off of work, bought some new clothes, and were subjected to such a disappointing show. I have been a fan since the beginning. I now have a difficult time seeing the show the way it is aired and how it really is produced. This one will need a great deal of editing.

Sorry for the run on post. I do not understand why the paragraphs do not translate.

I hope those of you that were not there understand that there is not anger but disappointment being expressed. I am looking forward to opinions of the show when it airs on Wednesday.

So, K9prints, to summarize, you were mad because you didn't get free stuff? To say that your visit to the Oprah Show was disappointing means that you somehow feel entitled to a more rewarding audience experience than the thousands of other guests who also attend the show without knowing the topic.

Do you wonder how Oprah felt during the show taping? Both you and Jessica were clearly upset before the show was even over. Is it possible that Oprah's feelings were also hurt when she sensed a palpable shift in her audience's enthusiasm once you realized you had not won television's golden ticket?

Jessica talks about how she felt like Oprah was faking her enthusiasm.

Imagine inviting a large group of family and friends to your home for Thanksgiving. This year instead of your usual menu you announce that you've decided to try something new. Now imagine looking out at your loved ones faces and seeing only bitterness, regret, disappointment and fake smiles reflected back at you. Seems like the rest of the meal would be a little awkward for everyone involved don't you think?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, consider giving Oprah a break. She is a woman with feelings, just like you and me. Oprah tapes a lot of shows, each with nearly 300 audience members, and most do not involve gifts or other rewards for the audience. Your holiday may be brighter if you treat your experience as if you went to one of her bread and butter shows instead of feeling like you missed dessert.

Finally, think about how you would talk to your son or daughter if they went to a birthday party and came home complaining because the host did not hand out goody bags.

I can understand your excitement at the holiday decorations as you entered the studio, I can even understand being quietly disappointed when your assumption about the show topic turned out to be incorrect. But I cannot understand why you feel compelled to complain about your experience by saying that the "spirit of the holidays was missed."

Perhaps you will recapture that holiday spirtit by sharing an extra helping of generosity with your own family ,friends and community and by sharing a spoonful of forgiveness with Oprah for failing to meet your expectations this time.

I wish you all the best this holiday season and sincerely hope that in time you will be able to find a brighter side to your story.

I was also at the taping on November 18th, How to Have the Thriftiest Holiday Ever! A couple weeks earlier, I recieved a call from Harpo Studio's responding to my e-mail requesting tickets. I couldn't believe it. After all of these years of trying to get tickets, I got them. My mother and I traveled, me from St. Paul, MN and she from Iowa. We had such a great time. We didn't care what the subject matter was! It was a great day. In fact I can't wait to see the show on Wednesday. It was so much fun watching all of the Harpo employees put the show together, watching Oprah interact with her staff and it looks like they have it down to a science. As I sit here drinking out of my Oprah cup (which I bought at the gift shop), and read the blogs of the other audience members I am suprised at the other bloggers who were so "hurt". It seems you missed the spirit of the show. Had it been the Oprah's Favorite Things show, who would have got my 2 tickets? In previous years, audience members who atteded the Favorite Things show's were teachers, military family's, Atlanta GA. (ect). To be sure, I would not have been in the audience that day. Thank you for calling me, letting me be a part of the show.

Guys, come on now, we have to be understanding about this! I also attended last Tuesday's taping of "How to Have the Thriftiest Holiday Ever". Was I disappointed that it wasn't the Favorite Things show? Definitely. It was hard not to be disappointed after walking in and seeing how the set was decorated. Plus, I was laid off from my job a couple of weeks ago and that pick-me-up would have been unreal. Did I think Oprah was a little crabby towards her staff? Yes. But was I thankful to have tickets and great seats at one of the most popular shows on TV? OF COURSE! SOOO many people want to attend a taping of the show and get the chance to do so, so we should all feel very lucky about that. Oprah and her team chose to do what was right given the current economic conditions. Can you imagine the criticism she would have received if she'd passed out flat-screen TVs and iPods in a year when not many people can afford those types of gifts? Then people would be mad that she'd ignored anyone who is having a tough time and encouraged us all to spend beyond our means this year. So believe me, I definitely understand where you're coming from, as it was hard not to feel a little bit disappointed. But getting really upset over it and complaining about it is only going to make us look worse! It makes us seem ungrateful and that we "deserved" gifts from Oprah, when we really didn't deserve anything. We got the chance to see her and attend a taping of the show, which is an opportunity most people are dying to have. Let's be thankful that we were healthy enough and could afford the parking fees/hotel stays/travel fees to get to Chicago, learned how to make some good holiday food, and got a copy of the Oprah's book club book that will entertain us for weeks to come.

Have yourself a very Thrifty Christmas

With difficult times, here are a few suggestions that might
get to the heart of the holidays. The gifts we give can be
more than items, they can become great traditions and
memories. These are the spirit of the holidays.

1. Volunteer to help at an animal shelter. Walk a
puppy, socialize a kitten or bake cookies for their fundraiser.
Taking care of these homeless animals is a much needed task.

2. Visit a Nursing home. Read a book or just talk to
someone who lives there.

3. Volunteer at Hospice. There are many things to do to
bring joy to an end of life patient.

4. Check you local hospital for there volunteer program.

5. Go caroling in your neighborhood and ask the neighbors to join in.

6. Help out at the local food pantry. Collect food, stock shelves......

7. Volunteer at a homeless shelter.

8. Become a bell ringer with the Salvation Army.

6. Stock some smores ingredients. Lets neighbor and family know you will be having a bon fire in your yard with caroling.

7. Call a friend (or friends) you haven't been in touch with for a while.

8. Drive around neighborhoods & enjoy the holiday decorations. When you
find one that really "touches" you, leave a thank you note in their mailbox.

9. Enjoy a quiet evening at home with your spouse, significant other, or
and old friend and watch a classic Christmas movie. (White Christmas and
It's a Wonderful Life are my favorites!)

10. Shovel your neighbor's sidewalk or driveway if you are able. (But don't
let them see you! They'll get a great surprise and really wonder who was so
nice!)

11. Scrape the ice/snow off a stranger's car windshield.

12. Take a cup of coffee or hot chocolate to the Salvation Army ringer.

Happy Late Night K9Prints!

Nice post, all great ideas! I would love to add that local Veteran's hospitals would love gifts of time, small gifts for long term care patients, current paperbacks for all patients and notes of thanks and holiday wishes to forward to men and women serving our country overseas.

Thanks to you and other posters for sharing your ideas and your perspecitves. We need each other more than ever and its lovely to hear other people's creative ideas for how to reach out to our neighbors.

Big thanks and good night to you...:)

I went to the taping on November 18th as well. A few weeks back, I got the call from HARPO, INC...(I took a picture of my CallerID too). My mother in law and I had been trying for years to get tickets. I could not tell you how excited we were to get tickets...We flew from California just to go to the show...could we afford to do that? Not really...but we said if we ever got the chance to go to Oprah, we would get there...somehow. Was it a little disappointing? Sure. I think the most disappointing thing was the realization that Oprah is human! That she does have bad days....and we were on such an amazing High that her coming out solemn and stoic was jarring. We spent the remainder of the day wondering whether or not she was greiving for her lost dog, etc..hoping she was ok, etc. Would I change the experience in any way? Of course not...I had the trip of a lifetime...spent 3 days, sans children, hanging out with my mother in law...who is officially the most fun mother in law that ever existed... We got to see a taping of Oprah...and will always have that memory. Heck, we met the greatest people in the audience: Kenya, Ella and Tim...and proceeded to the Oprah show as a single family! Well, I would change 1 thing...I will never, and I mean never rent a car in Chicago again...now that was stupid! Luckily, we made it home safe and sound in the SF Bay Area...But I will go back to Chicago...that is, if I ever get a call from HARPO, INC again...

jessica464 - I was at that show on the 18th and I saw that taping in a different way. First of all I did not get the idea it was My Favorite Things when I walked in the door. A few Christmas wall hangings should not have gotten to My favorite things. When her microphone fell off. Her words..." How many years have we been doing this show? Do you think we could get this right." I thought she was having fun with her producer and herself. I did not see anyone crying but if adults came out of that crying because they did not get My Favorite Things they would be the same ones crying because they would have to pay taxes on the free stuff they got. My daughter got the tickets for this show and I could not have been more pleased. I tried for 2 years to get tickets and then gave up I hope I can go again and I don't care what the subject is. I went to the Dr. Phil show in September and the warm up person always tries to get the excitement going before the show. Jessica464 you need to take life a little more on the lighter side there are bigger disappoints in life then this.

Hi everyone,

These are tough times. I was one who tried for tickets- posted online and dreamed of getting to the show. I envisioned my mom and sister going with me- (and one day I hope hope I'll get to go!) I even had asked my husband who used to live in Chicago 30 years ago- if he'd drive us there as the last minute tickets meant plane fare would cost alot. I was so excited just thinking about it- knowing it was a long shot- I keep trying to get tickets and one day I will (thinking positively here!!!):x

I am sure folks would be disappointed about thinking it might be favorite things. I understand what a tough decision not to do that would be too- this decision is one of those tough thankless calls- I feel they made the right call.

I know Oprah has wealth, power, influence, etc etc. I appreciate her shows, magazine, etc for trying to make our lives better. Can you imagine doing a show and trying to be perfect in front of 300 people for each one? YIKES. Sounds like pressure big time! And think now, how every little move she seems to draw so much criticism? Why is that? I'll get on my soap box for a short sentence or two- Our nation has trouble accepting strong women! Sad but true. I see it all the time- Oprah, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Sarah Palin (no I did not vote republican), I could go on and on. Are they perfect? No- but the persecution and judgement is unbelievable.

I do appreciate Oprah's show- this season has been great. I started watching last season due to a time period of being at home- daytime tv is void of anything much except Oprah and Ellen. (Yes- cmon I love them both for different reasons- I say it ten times over- I ain't gonna choose one of them- in an analogy- Oprah's the main course and Ellen's dessert. I mean that in a nice way for both.) Now I tape the show and love them (except the medical field ones- too much of that is like my work life in some ways- so don't like those as much- nothing against Dr. Oz!)

I am sorry of the bad experience of those in the audience- I am jealous I haven't gotten tickets yet- I know we all have Oprah on a pedestal because of her goodwill to so many all the time. I'll keep putting her back up there- even if she falls off every now and then. She's still great- and a positive role model for women. Thanks Oprah!

Have a great/blessed thanksgiving. I can't wait to see the show.

Love,

Georgia Mom

Hi "notmom",

I too was at the Oprah taping on Tues. Nov. 18th. I managed to get reservations for myself and three friends. The plan was so that the four of us could get together and do something neat. Something exciting. We drove down the evening before, got a hotel room, went out for dinner and came back to our room. We layed awake till 12:30am or so, talking, laughing, and anticipating what the show's topic was going to be, like young school girls. I thought, being my luck, it was going to be about sex therapy (which I'm sure would have made my husband happy). Another of us told a story of a dream she had , that George Clooney was going to be there and she went up on stage to get a hug from him ! At her expense, we had a good laugh over that one. Point being, that not once did we ever "expect" that it would be her holiday / favorite things show. In fact, days before, I kept saying to my husband, "For Pete's sake, there's no way. And I'm not even going to think of that". To which HE kept saying, "I'm telling you, it's going to be her Holiday / Favorite Things Show !". "Whatever Dear.". As anyone knows, the expense and luck that it takes to get reservations can be crazy. So, when I got lucky, I was simply appreciative and just excited to surprise my friends !

We arrived at the studio early, stood in line for a couple of hours, got low seating numbers (with aprox. 300 ? people there), and thought, "OK, this is good. This is Good .". Only to discover upon entering the studio, that the four of us couldn't even sit together ! Well, we survived that, not too big of a deal. But, to the defense of "Jessica" who wrote earlier... (with perhaps the exception of an exaggeration or two) (and I don't know about anyone crying) it pretty much did go how she said ! And I for one resent you saying, ".... maybe with time you will reflect on your experience with a more generous lens and try to remember Oprah is just one person who...". Who, yes is one person, one very wealthy, influential woman, who came out and told us that because of the economy, people being layed off and out of jobs, etc., that this year she wouldn't be "giving her favorite things". Adding to that, yes Oprah did come across as though she didn't even want to be there ! I'm not so sure I'd say she was having a bad day either. She just seemed like she didn't want to be there, period. On camera, there's absolutely no way you're going to see that. In fact, that was one of the first scuttle-butt comments we heard after the show.

At any rate, it just doesn't make sense to me. She is who she is, she's probably Obama's biggest supporter, is going to have a celebration for him, and that's groovy ! But some where along the campaign line I know I heard him say something about, "spreading the wealth". I will say, that I do not beleive that there was one person out of the audience of 300(?), who went into that studio expecting thousands of dollars worth of gifts, or that they were entitled to anything ! Nor do I believe that any one person, who was terribly disappointed at the overall show, is being greedy or unappreciative for having gotten there in the first place ! Not one !!!!

Let's put it this way... Imagine you spent a buck or two on a lottery ticket, discovered you were the winner of a huge jackpot, went to cash it in, only to be told, "sorry, we decided with the current state of the economy we will not be awarding the jack pot."! I don't know about you, but I think I'd be a little frustrated .

P.S. Did I happen to mention that my friends and I who went to the show, recently (after six plus years of careers as flight attendants with the same airline), are out of a job ?! Gee, do ya think that might have something to do with us being disappointed with that show in particular ?!

I know Notmom was not trying to be mean. It's a tough time emotionally for so many folks right now. I too would not want to minimize it.

And, I am still trying to get tickets- to a show one day this year or next. Will keep calling and trying. As long as it's (no offense) Dr. Oz doing a show on digestion or tumors (I am a nurse) I am cool!!!!

Surely Oprah would have some days she wouldn't want to be there- though I can see it's disappointing for folks (would be me too) to be there on that day.

Sorry to hear about the disappointment and the bad times. Pray for the recovery of our economy, and kindness for all.

Sincerely,

Georgia Mom