HarpoHost: Our guest tonight is the queen of informative talk Oprah Winfrey.
The Oprah Winfrey Show just celebrated 10 years and tonight launches Oprah
Online - a cybercommunity where users can access information about The Oprah
Winfrey Show. A behind the scenes daily column, weekly auditoriums, message
boards and chat rooms are just a few of the things featured on Oprah Online.
Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, actress, philanthropist and businesswoman, is
the Chairman of Harpo Entertainment Group in Chicago. Through Harpo
Productions, she produces and hosts "The Oprah Winfrey Show," the highest
rated talk show in television history.
The Oprah Winfrey Show is seen by 15 to 20 million viewers a day in the US
and is in over 119 countries. Since entering syndication in 1986, "The Oprah
Winfrey Show" has remained the number one talk show for nine consecutive
seasons, receiving 23 Emmys - six of which went to the host.
Oprah received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for her role
in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," and has been lauded by critics for
her performances in "There Are No Children Here," and "The Women of Brewster
Place."
Question: Oprah...how often do you plan on interacting online?
OPRAH WINFREY: Don't know. My first time out. I'll do it whenever I
can get more time.
QUESTION: Who has been your greatest inspiration other than the
Creator?
OPRAH WINFREY: You're right--Creator's number one. And, a whole
series of people would be number two--with Mrs. Duncan, my fourth grade
teacher, leading the way. Maya Angelou, of course. And everyday people who
act with extraordinary courage.
QUESTION: Have you ever felt like just giving up?
OPRAH WINFREY: Lots of times. Faith sustains me, though. Faith
that, no matter what, no matter how difficult life becomes, I'll be O.K.
QUESTION: I would like to know what you are planning to do after
you leave daytime television, (being a stay at home Mom, I am going to miss
your intelligent, insightful programming) I hope you keep your hands in show
business, because we need more strong women....
OPRAH WINFREY: Thanks. I love stay-at-home moms. You're the real
heroes. I wish the country recognized it. Thank you.
QUESTION: I would like Oprah to know that I think she is a
goddess, and my question is what is her reaction to all of the new trash talk
shows, and does it bother her if her show gets lumped in with all of the
latest trash talk fad shows. I know it bothers me!
OPRAH WINFREY: Yes, it does bother me. I've tried to separate myself
from the pack. But, it still bothers me. I'm offended by a lot of what I see
on some of the other shows. I can't believe what's happening on some daytime
talk shows.
QUESTION: Are you and Stedman going to get married?
OPRAH WINFREY: Don't know. I'll ask him when I go home.
QUESTION: Oprah, you are a "hero" of some sorts to many people in
the world. Do you feel that this has a great impact on you life as a whole?
OPRAH WINFREY: Not really. If I wasn't doing this, I'd be teaching
fourth grade. I'd be the same person I always wanted to be the greatest
fourth grade teacher and win the "Teacher of the Year" award. But, I'll
settle for 23 Emmys and the opportunity to speak to millions of people each
day and, hopefully, teach some of them.
QUESTION: Oprah, as a media person, how do you feel about the
media coverage
surrounding the Simpson trial?
OPRAH WINFREY: I think it never should have been televised.
QUESTION: You had a show on today with a person who supposedly
spoke with the dead. It was hard to read you...did you believe this
person..or was she, as that one woman put it, a Charlatan?
OPRAH WINFREY: I did not believe her. I cannot say that she is a
charlatan. But--she did not convince me. But she did not convince me that she
was talking to anyone, especially spirits.
QUESTION: Oprah, I was in the audience last year when you said
you'd never do another makeover show. Why the change of heart?
OPRAH WINFREY: My producers wore me down. And, the audience seems to
respond so well to them.
QUESTION: For Oprah: Is it true, according to Sunday's newspaper
that you are contemplating giving up the talk show? The country needs you.
You bring culture to your show, where the other's are trash. Please don't
give it up.
OPRAH WINFREY: Thank you. It's decision time later this week. And,
it's been a hard decision to make. I'll keep you informed.
QUESTION: Oprah, do you ever get tired of never having a private
life?
OPRAH WINFREY: Sometimes--but you would never believe what I did this
week-end. It was Stedman's idea of fun. We went to Wyoming to the home of a
friend of his and we herded cattle. For 6 hours yesterday my butt sat in the
saddle following a thousand cows trying to get them to head east. What fun.
Today I can hardly walk. But, I don't believe The Enquirer was anywhere
around. It was very private.
QUESTION: Oprah, you are the best. What are your plans for more
movies.
OPRAH WINFREY: Ya got any? My problem is not enough time, not enough
good scripts. I won't play a character who shoots or is shot at, who's raped
or stalked, or battered. That leaves me with a limited number of roles. I
keep waiting.
QUESTION: What is Oprah's next project outside of the show?
OPRAH WINFREY: You're looking at it friend! I'm playing in
cyberspace.
QUESTION: I'm ten years old and I want to know how you became a
talk show host? What do you think about O.J.?
OPRAH WINFREY: Story's too long to tell here, but it all started
because I was a great reader. I hope you're one, too. As for O.J., tomorrow
the jury decides. And that's the only opinion that really matters.
QUESTION: What has been the proudest moment of your life?
OPRAH WINFREY: I don't have one moment. They're ongoing moments.
I'm most proud of my ability to stay grounded and not buy into the media
hype.
QUESTION: There have been a lot of negative comments about the
current state of daytime talk shows. Looking ahead, say 5 years, what
directions do you see this type of programming head in?
OPRAH WINFREY: I feel that some of the shows must implode. I believe
that most people want what's best for themselves and their families and
they'll get tired of the trash.
QUESTION: What was your most interesting show topic?
OPRAH WINFREY: I've done several thousand The ones that have mattered
the most have been when I've been able to change the way people think for the
better. For instance, over the years I've received hundred of letters from
battered women who saw a show we did and found the courage to get out. How to
Protect Your Kids from Strangers was a goose-bump show for me cause I knew we
were saving kids. I have lots of those. I get goose bumps a lot.
QUESTION: Hi Oprah! I think you are one of the greatest role
models for young women today! Could you tell me what, if any plans you have
to do some more acting in your future? Thanks!
OPRAH WINFREY: I sure want to. Not being able to act has been my
single greatest personal and professional disappointment. I'm working on
changing that.
QUESTION: What keeps you motivated?
OPRAH WINFREY: To work or to work-out? To work--it is a mission for
me this show, more than just a talk show. I want people to see things on our
show that makes them think differently about their lives. That makes them
better. For working out, my motivation is I don't want a fat butt!
QUESTION: What is the one most important thing you attribute your
success to?
OPRAH WINFREY: Spiritually grounded. I'm such a little person
compared to the big picture of things.
QUESTION: How do you stay focused to accomplish all that you do?
OPRAH WINFREY: I don't know. Sometimes I feel very unfocused.
Sometimes I feel that the work is carrying me. On days like that, I go in my
closet at work, close the door, and try to re-center myself. Sometimes I
pray. Sometimes I just listen to myself breathe.
QUESTION: Oprah, are you really going to adopt a baby or is that
just a mass media rumor?
OPRAH WINFREY: I just adopted another dog. Mass media rumor big
time! Maybe they got it confused. I have a new black spaniel named Sophie.
She's Solomon's pal.
QUESTIONL:Are you now going to become a computer geek like the rest of us?
OPRAH WINFREY: Don't think so--but isn't this addicting? Beats
potato chips.
QUESTION: Oprah, I want to let you know that this is just great.
I would like to see more children and parenting issues on your program. The
programs that you have had in the past have been wonderful? Is this in the
works?
OPRAH WINFREY: Believe me, it's in the works. We're starting a
Parent of the Week segment and I'm doing a documentary a month on Parenting
and Children issues. The first one is Kids and Guns. Did you know 13 kids
die a day from guns in the home? I'm doing another one focusing on getting
molesters locked up for good. I'm so sick of the fact that they continue to
molest and go free to molest again. It's a big kids and parenting year for
us.
QUESTION: Do you feel your new show format is working?
OPRAH WINFREY: It's working for me. I am incapable of going the
trash route. And, even in our worst moments years ago, I don't believe we
exploited and humiliated people the way some shows do now. I know that a lot
of you have asked about O.J. I'm waiting like the rest of you all. Our
whole show tomorrow is about it. I'm as shocked as everybody else that the
jury's back. Let us know what you think in our O.J. message folder. It will
be up after this is over.
QUESTION: How long will Oprah... be online...????????
OPRAH WINFREY: Another 20 minutes and I'm packing it in. But you can
go Keyword: Oprah to get into the Oprah Online area. I could stay out here
all night and never get any work done!
QUESTION: Miss Winfrey- I am an over weight 13 year old child,
seeing your battles with your weight, and your victory really inspires me. I
happy to see that it hasn't stopped your success, I wanted to say thank you
and ask how it makes you feel?
OPRAH WINFREY: To me, weight is a symptom of other problems. The
discipline it takes to rid the weight also helps to rid the other problems.
It's still hard everyday. The only that makes it easier is knowing it's gonna
be hard. Keep your strength. Don't give up. It makes a real difference
being healthy. Thank you.
QUESTION: Do you still collect Arts and Crafts style antiques?
OPRAH WINFREY: No--I'm collected out. There's not room for a candle
or a candle-holder in my house right now. Thank you.
QUESTION: Hi Oprah, I just love your show. My name is Kelly and I
am from Alabama. Have you ever considered doing a show on panic attack sufferers or anxiety sufferers? I have panic attacks and would like to see a show on how to cope w/them and live normal.
OPRAH WINFREY: Hadn't planned it but I'll tell a producer. We've
done a lot on this, you know. But, we can do it again if you're interested.
QUESTION: Why don't we see more shows on relationships that were
spawned online and what the pitfalls and advantages might be and what to look
for when that happens? It would be nice to see that. Thanks and welcome!!!
OPRAH WINFREY: We've talked about doing this a lot. How to do it
without just talking heads is the question. Yeah--I know people who've
gotten into some serious trouble out here--online affairs, if you know what I
mean!
QUESTION: Has there ever been a show you wish you could go back
and do all over again?
OPRAH WINFREY: Yeah--about 75 last year!
QUESTION: What was it like interviewing Shirley MacLaine (April)?
OPRAH WINFREY: I love me some Shirley. She always delights me, and
she's so darn smart.
QUESTION: I recently heard about your plan to take a few families
out of the projects...could you tell us a bit about this plan?
OPRAH WINFREY: My goal is to take a hundred. Each family has to go
through a training program because there's a process to success, I believe.
You can't just give a family a house and expect them to be successful. You
have to teach them responsibility. So, that's what the training program's
about. So far, eight families have been through. Ten more start next month.
It's a slow process but we're dealing with people's lives. It's like having
foster families for me--with all the joys and problems that come with
that.
QUESTION: Hi Oprah, Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy
your show, and I wanted to know what you see yourself doing ten years from
now, or anytime in the future.
OPRAH WINFREY: That's such a tough question for me. It shouldn't be
but it is. I live in the moment so it's so hard for me to see next week. I
won't be doing this show ten years from now. If I am, come drag my butt off!
Thank you.
QUESTION: Oprah: What do U think the ideal woman should be and
how is the ideal woman portrayed in the 90's?
OPRAH WINFREY: What kind of a question is that? Ideal is what's ideal
to you.
I'm my ideal--with a few flaws.
QUESTION: What is the weirdest show you have ever done?
OPRAH WINFREY: Womb regression! To this day, the producer avoids me
in the hallway.
QUESTION: Girlfriend!!! How have you been able to keep your feet
planted in the sand with all of your fame and fortune? Thanks! ...
OPRAH WINFREY: I believe in the FORCE--I call it God.
QUESTION: Oprah, what are some of the new topics you'll be doing?
OPRAH WINFREY: We're focusing a lot on saving kids and families this
year. I believe after doing thousands of shows that the way you're parented
makes all the difference in the way you respond to yourself and the world.
It's the most important thing going. I'm here to remind people not to just
pay lip service to the idea that children are our future.
QUESTION: Oprah, in a world of so much negativity..it's so
refreshing to see someone with such a positive outlook on life! What can you
tell those of us that are trying to see the "silver lining" ?
OPRAH WINFREY: The same thing that Glinda the Good Witch told
Dorothy, "You always had it" --the power.
QUESTION: What's the shortest time you have had to prepare for a
particular show and which one was it?
OPRAH WINFREY: Tomorrow. We weren't expecting the verdict to be in
for at least another week. So, we're scrambling tonight. That's why I gotta
get out of here and come up with a show tomorrow.
QUESTION: What is the goal of your television show?
OPRAH WINFREY: To be a Light for people. To make a difference. To
convince people they can change for the better--open their minds and see
things differently. Thanks. This was a hoot. I'm gonna try not to get
addicted, but this is the coolest thing. Coolest thing since television.
Our thanks for joining us tonight! The transcript of this event will be
available in the Oprah Online transcript library in the next 24 hours. Don't
forget to join us every day for The Oprah Winfrey Show and also on Oprah
Online for the behind the scenes scoop! Look for weekly auditoriums in the
Cyberplex with guests featured on our show. Keyword "OPRAH." See you there!
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