Chicago Sun-Times:
Oprah Winfrey : the world's greatest boss?
For the second time in recent years, she's making a strong case for that title by taking her entire staff and their families on vacation. This time they're going on a lavish Mediterranean cruise.
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I'm laughing at all the people on here secretly criticizing Oprah and surreptitiously sending her a resume at the same time. Sure, she's insufferable and overexposed and probably demanding as hell of her staffers. But at least she rewards them with a good salary and some nice perks, more than most of corporate America could say, which is why they're falling apart.
And, they are ALL under the strictest NDA (non disclosure agreement) to not discuss her, the business, etc. - so, we won't know for some time what she is paying them off for. As a former Disney employee/"cast member", we couldn't BELIEVE the NDA her lawyers force these employees to sign - virtually giving up ALL personal rights. So, in my view, they deserve all they can get - and are bought/paid for.
Let's not allow a PR/publicity stunt, which will be videotaped and editorialized as CONTENT for her empire - be seen as anything other than what it is. We ALL aren't part of Oprah's fantasy world. Some of us live in the real world. This is good CONTENT for Oprah's audience to fantasize about - and showcase more products/goods/services as infomercials. A tax writeoff...for a woman who doesn't pay guests and makes money direct marketing and promoting products/goods/services.
The cruise line gets focus this time around, during a down economic climate worldwide. Good for them too. A cruise commercial masquerading as a "gift" to employees, who get to perform for permanent CONTENT. Beats real work.
UR handle should be "mataner"...for you're very backward-thinking.
That's the most ridiculous post I've ever read. Oprah's taking her staff on vacation because she needs content for her show? Oprah could use anything as content for her show & it would be much higher ratings to have footage of celebrities going on a cruise than her staff. If she were a white man you would not be nitpicking every nice thing she does to death & trying to portray it a negative light. You are really REALLY pathethic & have not in your entire life given even 1% of the philanthropy Oprah gives in a single year. And it's extremely common for celebs to make employees sign a non-disclosure agreement. A celeb would have to be a fool to pay someone to get inside private information & so they could sell it to all the tabloids. Part of the employees job is to respect the celebs privacy. If you don't like it, don't work for them.
I admire Oprah's narcissism. Of all the vacations I could imagine, the one I never would...is to join MY BOSS/EMPLOYER...even if paid to do so on a cruise of the Med. As a single mom who did cruise it w/my daughter - twice - one of the joys of the trip was to get AWAY from my work, boss/employer.
It would have been nice for Oprah to give a trip to each employee and their family - to choose their own destination, etc. - w/out cameras (for her show, new TV network w/Discovery -- and magazine?) - intruding, as publicity for her empire. However, she would not be the pivot, focus, etc.
And, a case could be made that now is not the time for this kind of extravagance in the face of such dire economic circumstances for the American people. Imagine if this had happened during the Depression of the 1930s' Grapes of Wrath era? I imagine our fellow Americans in Detroit, etc. don't share this celebratory (self-congratulatory) spirit. No empathy from Oprah and her accolytes. NONE.
Put your envy aside and look at the big picture. She is spending tons of money which means a number of people on this cruise ship will get to keep their job. It' s that kind of spending that is going to help lift us out of this economic meltdown not the nonsensical borrowing and spending on the part of our government.
"...nonsensical borrowing and spending on the part of our government."
Did you drop econ?
Envy has nothing to do with a clear observation I am making about the real scenario - outside of the PR-spin. This is a reality program AND infomercial for a cruise line, during a down economy. Further, the employees may be MANDATED to participate - and, it would be interesting if it were known IF they/their families can opt-out. My guess...they cannot...because THEY ARE CONTENT for the Summer fantasy Oprah viewers. The cruise line may be paying Oprah for this show - and folks should not autopilot jump on the PR-spun story.
My daughter and I cruised the Med Summer 2001, 2003 and 2004 before the economy imploded - and we didn't have to do it with my boss/employer - or be filmed for profits for ANYONE as reality-show content. So, the envy quotient does not apply here. Sorry.
I agree. Oprah's doing exactly what the economy needs right now, and she's spending her own hard earned money, not the government's money.
I want to have you as an employee, friend or family member. I give you a free trip & you call me a narcissist because I pick what it is. Frankly the world would be a lot better if bitter pathetic people like you didn't rain on everyone's parade.
I am not a fan of Oprah or her show (too maudlin, pithy, and created to pull at the heart strings) but I admire her business and publicity savvy. I think she does these things (giving cars away, family vacation trips, schools in Africa, etc) for advancing herself and her show. Good for her! These promotions are not totally costing her money as she writes them off on taxes as part of doing business while gaining publicity advantages. She is a great American story and I applaud her for learning how to use the American system to her advantage while doing good for others and herself. Go Oprah!
"I am not a fan of Oprah or her show (too maudlin, pithy, and created to pull at the heart strings) but I admire her business and publicity savvy."
Wow! Flunked Comprehension, didya?
If she wanted to advance herself or her show she would build a school in America (where her target audience is) not in a country as challenging as South Africa. Also, you only see the tip of the ice berg of what she gives away. Behind the scenese she's given over $300 million to charity. Way too much to write off as a tax deduction. I think she genuinely enjoys helping people. She looks so incredibley happy when she does something for other. Her entire spirit just bubbles with joy.
..she does give to American schools - and did think about an American school; however, American kids were shown to be most ungrateful - and not the least bit interested in academics.
I want to work for Oprah, give me a job Oprah.
No kidding. Sign me up.
All this citicism! Let's remember the only way to get out of the recession if if the top 5% with all the country's money starts SPENDING some of it! What elites with that kind of $$$ SHOULD be doing is holding daily drunken bacchanalias in the style of ancient Rome, just to provide the caterering jobs.
Just give me the cash instead.
Why not go out and earn the cash yourself.
You emmigrate go to Indonesia and try to get his old job back?
Give me, give me, give me! Its people like you that make the hard working ones resent every dollar they pay in taxes!
lvogt wanted the cash instead of the cruise. You seem to not understand that point. I am not sure how lvogt's comment relates to resentment of paying taxes.
I agree. There are so many lazy whiners in America.
Oprah, will you hire me?
Oprah!
We love you.... thanks for all your courageous work you are doing for injured and abandoned children.
P.S.
If you get this post...
PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!
Whatever anyone may feel about her show in my opinion Oprah is a woman to be admired. This woman was a poor black child who made became a billionaire empowering women and young girls. She changed the format of her show because it deeply wounded a woman. She has struggled with weight, self-esteem, abuse, racism, sexism and poverty and still managed to create careers for herself and others. She pays ALL the administrative costs for the Angel Network so that every cent of the money we give to her charity goes directly to the causes we want to support Her shows have helped to empower women in Afghanistan, China, Saudi Arabia and Rwanda.
She gives her full staff a vacation of 4 months (PAID), the same amount of time she takes off during the summer. They also receive perks and salaries that most employees only dream of. That is why there is a low turnover rate at Harpo, most staff have been with her since the show began. As the show has done well so have her employees, isn't that what we would want as an employee????? My good friend has worked for Harpo for 6 years and has said it is the best environment she has ever worked in. I just don’t get the Oprah “hate”
"Her shows have helped to empower women in Afghanistan, China, Saudi Arabia and Rwanda. "
Selling HerbaLife?
"I just don"t get the Oprah 'hate'"
Maybe it is the quackary she peddles, and the tabloid quality of her guests.
There's the illusion and fantasy of empowerment...and then there's real empowerment. Oprah's empire is about fantasy - with simple answers and ONLY good things, the best things, a celebration of the SELF as pivot. There are limits to personal growth when one is the singular hub/pivot of one's own life - hence, a cruise is in order as a distraction. That and various other toys, etc. Michael Jackson should join them.
Real life - and the dire consequences America finds herself in at present - is a bit more complicated. And, there is a beauty in maturely addressing the challenges head on - and a sense of real accomplishment for Americans as we buckle down and plow our way out of the era Oprah still finds herself in - the era of celebration of EXCESS.
Many of our wealthy brethern in Manhattan don't even want to be seen carrying a Bergdorf's shopping bag - preferring to put purchases on Madison and Fifth Avenues in brown bags. Showing a bit of class -- which is clearly not something one can buy. If one could, I will recommend it to Oprah immediately.
If you don't like the content of her show don't watch. I for one consider her the greatest entertainer ever. You just don't like her because she is a dark skinned black woman with BILLIONS of dollars & tons of influence. If she were a white man you would admire him, not grasping at straws to justify your irrational hatred.
She campaigned for Obama, and now she is out cruising while the country is in trouble. Oprah is sailing into Never-Never land. This is not building communities.,
Are you serious? So I guess you are equally as critical of Laura Bush buying/furnishing a new home while the country is in trouble? After all, her husband was somewhat responsible for the current climate.
He/she is critical because how could anyone compare to the 'shining light on the hill' that were the Bushs. ;)
I don't watch Oprah. Don't really give her a lot of thought. But I know she is very charitable person. People who are rich, IMO, should give back to society, but are not required to live an austere life. They do have a right to personnally enjoy their money.
I am a person who has very little. By no means povertry stricken. But working class you could say. I refuse to resent people who have more money than me. Perhaps they worked harder, perhaps they were more ambitious and in some cases, perhaps priveledge may have presented more opportunities. But that is just the way it goes.
The world economy is in trouble because people refuse to spend money. Oprah is stimulating the economy by taking a whole company on a cruise.
SOOOOOOOOOOOO?!?!?!?!?!?!
Big deal.... Oprah can buy the Mediterranean.
IS Obama going to Tax that? He should.
It is remuneration/Wages after all!
Obama didn't INVENT taxes. They've been around for along time. Read a book.
Yes it is considered taxable, just like a cash bonus. Again, Obama didn't' invent taxes or tax law. You could use some history lessons.
I did read. I understand that Oshama is now going to tax health care benefits at our work place.
So I just want to make sure this woman who pushed for Oshama follows his rules and pay taxes for those benefits.
Is all!
If this era is ever written about in the future, the popularity of Oprah Winfrey will be enough to condemn the taste of this age.
Oprah Winfrey has done more than most other Americans for charity. Would that be taste to be condemned?
"Oprah Winfrey has done more than most other Americans for charity."
What leads you to that conclusion?
Yes.
That will be the Bush administration's claim of fame!
who cares
You don't, that is for sure. Now shut up!
Let's see... a daily viewing audience of over 12.5 milliion...
Looks like your point is useless...as usual
It takes a true American to equate numbers with significance.
Hmmnm......all those hungry children and deep recession - it's almost obscene. Flaunting her money.
it's a business expense, not a personal one. there IS a difference.
It's HER business. Her money.
You are obvioulsy jealous because you don't have it. Besides how do you know she does not give money to the poor. You are such a narrow minded dolt!
Republican talking points...
#1 - White People should be able to make and spend their own money.
#2 - How dare a successful Black person make and spend their own money.
Especially when said black person has more money then limbaugh's audience combined LOL
People like you, who complain about others who spend money, are the reason for the recession & hungry children.
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First Posted: 06-20-09 09:36 PM | Updated: 06-20-09 11:59 PM