special

Oprah’s Favorite Things 2012 – The Recipe of Joy and Love

by paula on November 25, 2012

For months we’ve been asking for O Magazine to jump off the pages and onto OWN. This past weekend it was a wish come true.  For a two hour special, OWN brought us a night of JOY in a while new Favorite Things way.  It exceeded our expectations and then some.  Why?  Because of Oprah’s team and how well it was done.  Bravo Favorite Things 2012.

Back in the day of early OWN viewing, one show that captured the heart and love of those who found the channel early on was Oprah’s Behind the Scenes. The reason why?  It’s amazing to watch brilliance at work.  Watching Oprah, Adam Glassman, Gayle and the show’s producers get in front of the cameras and take us through some of the process that brought us this show was priceless.  THAT was my most favorite thing on the show…(that and the trip to Fiji and the Tempur-Cloud mattress and the Hotel Collection sheets and the…)  Seriously, the producers who live and breathe in the halls of Harpo Productions have a way about them…a way to bring you into the show and make you feel part of what’s going on.  They have a magic that responds to all the internal check boxes of what I want to see on the screen and what is important….down to the PipCorn experience.  For those who didn’t see these couple of moments on OFT2012, here’s the moment. 

Adam Glassman, Creative Director at O Magazine and someone we simply adore, takes Gayle, our favorite food aficionado, to  Smorgasbord Food Festival in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on the hunt for “Favorite Things.”  Popcorn – scratch that -Pipcorn stopped them in their tracks.  The looks on the faces of the two owners working the stand, Jeff and Jen Martin – brother and sister team  who explained that their popcorn has a more delicate hull than typical popcorn…was simply beautiful.  Full of excitement and terror and elation – that ‘OMG, what is going on here?’ look, you could tell that they were trying to remind themselves to keep breathing.  So, with a Oprah signature flavor request and a little packaging pizzazz, they made the list.  And how did they find out?  On camera.  It was amazing…because no one knows how important something like that is to a little, home-grown company.  It means everything.  Pipcorn…we can’t wait to try it!  (Jeff and Jen – If you’re reading…please send us a bag so we can blog about it! :-) )

So, as the JOY continued in the first hour Favorite Things search as Adam took us through the process of “inner peace” and showing Oprah over 500 things to get to the magic number of 50 on her list,  the second hour took us into the heart of the reveal.  An audience of military spouses who thought they were in town to preview the new show, Married to the Army. As the twists and turns of keeping such a BIG surprise secret unfolded before our eyes, so did their stories.  Oprah, sitting with these women (and one man too!) on living room styled furniture…simple, comfortable, conversational…letting each of them open a gift to reveal the great things that made the list.  Hearing their heart reactions were the true gifts of the experience and having Oprah and her team be right in the middle, as Adam played the best elf ever and producers captured the best stories was beyond great television.  It was an experience. 

So while Oprah’s Favorite Things  has always given me another wish-list of items that if I could, I’d live like Oprah and buy them all…this year, while I’ll still try to win them from O Magazine, the JOY and the AMAZING gift of the special on OWN was a favorite thing all on its own.  We fell in love with the process and the people.  We saw behind the scenes peeps that we’ve met and seen on our journey.  We felt like we belonged behind the scenes…and that we were invited in to a secret club that no one ever gets to be a part of.  So while Adam is taking a deep breath from the 2012 list and already keeping his eyes open for what might hit the 2013 list, we are sending a little thankful energy in the direction of O Magazine and Harpo Studios.  Thank you for this 2 hours…next year…let’s make it a week!  

 

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Oprah Shows Viewers Her Heart During OWN Special

by patricia on July 20, 2012

The second half of Oprah Builds a Network concluded last Sunday with a collective wish…more behind the scenes, please!  This docu-style special didn’t really capture the essence of some of the important aspects of starting a network, yet it did give us an inside look at special moments for Oprah and the O Team as they embarked on their newest journey. Viewers love this stuff and hopefully OWN will give us more! Just call it OWN: Behind the Scenes and then Oprah doesn’t have to carry it all. Get ready, Sheri and Erik!

The show shouldn’t have surprised us.  Instead of giving us the corporate inner workings, Oprah showed us her heart and some of her most intimate thoughts, as well as thoughts from her trusted comrade, Sheri Salata and even her bestie, Gayle King.   One of the most authentic moments occurred as Oprah sat pensively in her makeup chair while her best friend, Gayle spilled over about the horrible attacks from the media.  She reminded Oprah and Sheri that no network had ever started out on top and that it took time to build one…especially one that was all heart. Yet the nastiness of reporting seemed to be getting to all of them.  The ugliness had taken root and the media’s expectations were ridiculous.

“The very same people who are bowing at your feet and telling you how great you are, when the winds of change come, those same people will be at your throat…and the winds of change always come,” Oprah shared.  She realized that this only brought her closer to her true self and that no one accomplishes anything of value without a challenge.  Moving forward she still cautioned, “Be wary of people at your feet.” 

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OWN Special Takes Us Behind the Scenes with Oprah Special

by patricia on July 11, 2012

Last week OWN’s first part of their special, Oprah Builds a Network, kicked off as the camera rode shotgun with Oprah through Kingsland, Georgia…the site of OWN’s Love Town, USA.  On a lazy Sunday, Oprah had the car pull to a stop in front of a two-story home.  Pointing out the tree, the wrap-around porch, rocking chairs and the American flag, Oprah shared that this was her idea of happiness.   All of this from behind the window of the car.  I couldn’t help but take a moment for her.  How hard it must be to not be able to get out of the car and just walk the neighborhood or sit at the local coffee shop watching people walk by.  Staring at the home she commented how she wished she could sit on the porch with a little sweet tea…at then turned towards the camera saying “But that ain’t happening people ’cause I’m building a network.”  Although she has shown us how she lives in gratitude each day, I take in a moment to note the price she paid for the life she owns.

Part one of this special began with the announcement of the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the launch of the new network.  Admitting she wasn’t ready, the date had been set and the launch was in progress.  There was no turning back.  On January 1st, the network was live and not at all what Oprah had envisioned.  She wanted the network to be progressive, thoughtful, innovative and inspiring, however she believed “none of that happened” out of the gate.  The world was hungry for Oprah and the expectations were ridiculous.  When Oprah finally became CEO and added Harpo to the team everyone expected instant miracles.  It was a huge weight and spotlight placed on the entire team.  They were all bonded in their hope to bring something different to television…to make a positive change.  Throughout the special, viewers become privy to the “boots hitting the ground” moments as well as Oprah’s internal struggles and her awareness of magnitude of her decisions. 

One of my favorite parts of the special happened when Oprah talked about people sending mean tweets.  Jokingly Oprah laughed about showing up at the person’s house and calling them out on the hurtful comment.”That’s the problem with the internet is that people get to hide behind it.  I want to say, ‘Come out right now.  Say that to my face.  I’m gonna come show up and knock on your door and you say that to me right now.’  That’s what I’m gonna do.”  Could you even imagine?  That be a CRAZY show for OWN.  But she is so right.  People’s manners disappear behind the curtain of anonymity.  This was the perfect lead in to the next ridiculous scenario…the Nielsen box tweet!   For those who aren’t aware of the controversy, let me say it was totally overblown.  Oprah was sitting in a hotel that didn’t have OWN and tweeted out “Every 1who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box”.  Of course the media pounced.   Unaware that she had broken a rule, Oprah made a simple, honest mistake.  Really.  It was so totally overblown. 

Now of course the BEST part was reliving Oprah’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and getting to see the back story of how the skits came together.  When asked about how she felt about spoofing her brand, Oprah simply replied, “My heart is my brand. Wherever I am and my heart is, there in lies my brand. My heart is never going to be tarnished. My heart is never going to be ruined. My heart is never going to be taken down.”  Anyone who sees Oprah’s work, knows that.  Pushing her within her own comfy limits, Oprah was fantastic on JKL!  If you haven’t seen it, you totally have to.  Here is the interview and skits.

 

Cameras then moved on to Oprah’s time with Gloria Steinem and the women from Barnard College.  There she was caught in a couple of moments of absorption…taking in the smart, hopeful women, the history of the feminist movement and future that is within all of our reach.   Oprah was reminded how much she just needed to get out there to soak up the inspiration. 

As previews for part 2 point to the heavy stones being thrown by the tabloid media at Oprah and the newborn network, I can’t help but believe that there are MANY networks praying for the death of OWN.  The OWN team has a chance to change television in our lives and push a huge wave of positivity out into the world…the polar opposite to some of the other networks.  Yes, OWN may stumble as any newborn may, but their heart is in the right place and I have no doubt that they will find their stride and soar.  Sometimes it seems that no matter what Oprah does…people will find a way to try to pull her down.  Little do they know that there are millions of people who will help her to get to her feet and give her all the support she needs.  

Be sure to show your support and tune in Sunday, July 15th at 9/8C for part 2 of Oprah Builds a Network where they discuss the media and so much more!

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Bishop T.D. Jakes – OWN’s Special 90 Minute Sermon from his Potter’s House Congregation

by patricia on April 10, 2012

One incredible Sunday monrning, Oprah brought not only her best friend Gayle King and Tyler Perry along to watch Bishop T.D. Jakes deliver his Sunday morning sermon…but she brought OWN viewers along as well. Enjoy this 90-minute exclusive video from OWN of the Bishop’s Potter’s House congregation. What you witness, may just surprise you!

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More of Oprah’s Interview with Viola Davis on Almost Turning Down The Role of Aibileen

by patricia on February 19, 2012

Viola’s “Best Actress” nomination almost didn’t happen! In fact, she had serious concerns about playing the role.

Viola had a mid-life crisis following her first nomination for the movie Doubt. Find out why.

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Sneak Peek – “Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Interview”

by patricia on February 16, 2012

Death is hardest when someone dies without a happy ending to their story. For those who have loved an addict, Whitney Houston’s death served as an even harder reminder. Although she may not have died from drugs, the damage her drug abuse did to her life and career was indisputable.  However, her talent and voice was never a question.  Many of us flashed back to Whitney’s interview with Oprah when we heard the news.

In memory of Whitney Houston, the Oprah Winfrey Network decided to air a special 2-hour “Remembering Whitney: The Oprah Interview”, which includes her in-depth and revealing interview from “The Oprah Winfrey Show”  as well as reflections and thoughts from Oprah on the music legend.   Be sure to set your DVR and tune in tonight at 9PM.

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Oprah’s Interview with Viola Davis on Love, Being a Role Model and Overcoming Insecurities

by patricia on February 16, 2012

Viola shares how she learned to receive love.

Viola didn’t always have it easy. Growing up poor, she and her sister learned to dream big!

Viola’s thoughts on appreciating life and yourself.

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10 Ways to Treat Yourself Special on Valentine’s Day

by patricia on February 14, 2012

Not everyone’s Valentine’s Day is filled with flowers and kisses.  In fact, many of my favorite Valentine’s Days were actually spent single.  For every person that has been disappointed by the “I should have NO-expectation” boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse, you totally know what I mean.  So whether you are single or preparing for possible disappointment, take control of the situation.  Make your Valentine’s Day a day of showing yourself how wonderful you truly are!

Here are 10 ways to treat yourself extra special on Valentine’s Day.

  • Write yourself a love letter.  Be sure to allow yourself time to do this.  Make it a genuine letter of appreciation, gratitude, thoughtfulness and unconditional love to yourself…all about you.   Once you finish, seal it up for a day when you need it.  Be sure to use the good stationary.
  • Bake yourself a cake.  When I was growing up, my mother taught me to never wait on someone else to out a smile on your face.  You deserve to be celebrated.  I suggest chocolate with raspberries.
  • Check into a spa hotel and indulge in everything the hotel has to offer.  Even better….try to get on the concierge’s floor where you can find lots of added perks.  If that isn’t in your budget, then create a mini-spa with pedi & facial areas in your home.  Put on some classical music and let go of everything that is holding you down.
  • A good book brightens any day.  Spend a few extra dollars to get the book you really want.  Settle into a comfy chair with a cup of warm tea and get lost in the story!
  • Surround yourself with beauty.  Go to a local farmer’s market, whole foods or a local store and buy yourself the biggest bunch of your favorite flowers.  Take it home, make one big bouquet and take one flower and set it in each room you frequent.
  • Puppy Power!  Crawl into a clean bed with your puppies for 30 minutes of play only to be followed by a 30 minute nap.  It doesn’t get any better than that!
  • Fondue for one is just as good as fondue for two, maybe even better.  Cheese or chocolate fondue…it’s all good.  My favorite dipping item is grapes, but anything goes!
  • Turn it up.  Put on your favorite tunes and dance until you fall down smiling.  There is something about dancing around with no one watching that makes you feel like a kid again.
  • Settle in.  Find your most comfy pajamas and stay in them ALL day.  Even better…put on your favorite movie, grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a guilt-free evening.
  • Get moving.  Not wanting to be alone?  Head out to Starbucks or the gym.  You never know…you may find someone to spend your next Valentine’s Day with.

Whether you choose to do one of the things above or care to venture out on your own, just be sure to remind yourself that you are loved.  In truth, Valentine’s Day is not for lovers….it is for showing those you love that they matter and no one matters in your life as much as YOU do.

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