Oprah Winfrey is as much a fraud as the ones she brought into the spotlight.

[tenderfoot]

We're talking Joel Osteen, James Frey, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Suze Orman, etc. and the rest of her "magical thinking" bullshit.

Personally, I was never a fan. Much like Trump, I've always felt that she was foisted upon us.

Afternoon talk shows were great until she hit the scene. I adored Phil Donahue. His show was always intelligent and thought provoking. Then comes Oprah with her fluff crap and the genre went down hill from there.

BFD, she gives away cars. Does she cover the costs for the insurance?

Her response to Dr. Oz's Senate run is "Let Pennsylvania decide".

F*** her and the horse she rode in on.

[Wounded Bear]

1. This should be fun...

[leftstreet]

8. There's no way the OP's getting a free car now

DURec for the OP

[LymphocyteLover]

225. LOL!

[PatrickforB]

185. Wow...you're sure right there.

This post got folks all excited.

[Autumn]

2. She has unleashed fraud after fraud and given them a spotlight to peddle their bullshit.

I can't recommend this enough.

[sop]

6. Agreed.

[Rebl2]

34. Totally agree!

[whathehell]

61. Dr. Oz, it seems, but who else is a " fraud" and why?

Seems like a big broad brush hate fest going on here.

[Doc Sportello]

66. The poster lists them

Reread the post (it includes names) and Google them. Yeah, they are frauds and it is totally appropriate Oprah for giving them the platforms they now hold.

[whathehell]

72. Yeah, I can read and Google,

and with the exception of Dr. OZ, and perhaps Joel Osteen, who may have simply been a guest on her show, I'm not seeing the " fraud". Even if some others ARE frauds,what makes people think she couldn't have been fooled herself?
Sorry, I don't hate Oprah.

[Doc Sportello]

79. Who cares if you hate Oprah

The whole "hate" theme is being spun out there as a deflection from her responsibility in giving a huge platform to people who are not only frauds but are giving out dangerous misinformation. One now wants to go to the Senate (giving us another RW fruitcake there if he wins) and all she can say is "Let the people decide". Celebrities who use their power in this way should be accountable. Minimizing her responsibility as you do makes things worse.

Sorry, I don't worship Oprah - or any celebrity.

[whathehell]

91. Lol..Wrong poster, Doc, I said I do NOT hate Oprah

You might want to check the thread again.

[Doc Sportello]

127. Sorry about that

I'm old.

[whathehell]

132. Me too.

No problem.

[Doc Sportello]

128. LOL, YOU might want to reread my post

I guess I could have added a hate Oprah or not. Didn't think it would be that hard to understand. Yes you don't hate Oprah and yes I got the right poster. I don't hate Oprah and doubt if any of the others do either. Just a deflection on your part, I guess to avoid facing the facts.

[whathehell]

131. Huh?

Lol..I have NO idea of what "facts" you.imagine me to be avoiding, no idea why you posted me. Maybe you should just take a deep breath and chill or something.

[Doc Sportello]

178. I made it as simple as possible

Told you where to find the names and info. Maybe you just need to face reality - or something. I'm fine. In fact your dancing around has been quite amusing. But those LOLs realllly got me.

[Autumn]

70. They OP lists some of them. Try reading it. Osteen, Oz and Orman are the worst.

https://democraticunderground.com/100216193059

[whathehell]

77. Sorry, Autumn..The OP gives names, but

no REASONS to label people like Suze Orman or Dr. Phil as "frauds". I'm familiar with these last two and see no " fraud" there.

[Autumn]

84. You may see no fraud or BS I do.

[whathehell]

89. So explain it to me and some others here

.
Why are Dr. Phil and Suze Orman "frauds", and if they are, how do you know, as the OP so strongly suggests, that Oprah knew that in advance?

[Autumn]

95. I owe you or nobody else an explanation for people I dislike or like.

I told you I consider them frauds and BS artists. You have questions about the OP ask them. And yes I do not like Oprah either.

[whathehell]

100. Lol..Nice try, but when we make assertion here,

we're supposed to be able to back them up..You obviously can't. Next.

[Autumn]

111. Then you better get fucking busy. This thread is getting longer and plenty of people don't

like Oprah or her frauds. Don't forget to go after the 92 who recommended the OP

[BlackSkimmer]

114. Ha. Bingo.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

166. Lol

[SylviaD]

265. They are all frauds. OP is correct. nt

[whathehell]

266. Prove it.. The OP is only asserting.

Learn the difference.

[BlackSkimmer]

112. Yes, and you are spot on.

Amazing anyone thinks “Dr Phil” is legitimate.

[Autumn]

118. That silly old fool says automobile deaths, death from smoking and drowning are the same as Covid.

Hell of a dr.

But he's not a fraud!!!

[TexasBushwhacker]

122. Well, Dr. Phil gave up his license to practice psychology 15 years ago

Sure, he still has his PhD, and technically he can still practice "therapy" in California, but not in Texas where he was originally licensed.

I find him hawking weight loss products rather ludicrous, since at 6'4" and 240 lbs, his BMI is "overweight" bordering on obese. He says BMI charts are inaccurate. Okay, so let's go by the waist measurements that doctors recommend. For men, their waist should be no greater than 40", or if you go by Dr. Oz's method, one"s waist should be no greater than 1/2 of one's height. For Dr. Phil, that would be 38". Now I've heard he's a very competitive tennis player, and he may be very fit in that regard. But he has a double chin and most definitely has a waist greater than 40", so I'll take my weight loss advice from someone else, thanks.

[whathehell]

130. Yeah, well, as you said, he IS still eligible to practice therapy,

even if not in Texas,, but as to his being fat and "hawking" weight loss products, that seems a very minor offense to me, hardly an indication of "fraud"..Who on television isn't selling something?
And again, what's it got to do with Oprah?

[Totally Tunsie]

133. Dr. $hill does not "practice therapy".

If you pay attention to the credits on his program, you will see a disclaimer stating that his show is "for entertainment purposes only". He is no longer a licensed practitioner.

[whathehell]

143. So What?

He's not breaking any laws. Who cares?
Don't we have worthless adversaries than this?

[Totally Tunsie]

147. You claim he's still eligible to practice therapy. He is not

and hasn't been since 2006.

[whathehell]

152. I didn't say that, someone else said " technically, I guess he's

still able to practice therapy, except in Texas. That said, my big question, which none have yet answered, is why is this Oprah's fault?

[Totally Tunsie]

155. Quoting your response #130:

130. Yeah, well, as you said, he IS still eligible to practice therapy,

even if not in Texas,,

so you did, in print, say he "IS still eligible."

Regarding Oprah:
SHE was the one to unleash $hill on the public, first by hawking him as an expert and having him as a frequent guest on her show, then by actively promoting and backing $hill in his own show. Had it not been for Oprah, he'd still be teaching potential witnesses how to fudge the truth on the witness stand. Oprah created the $hill we see today.

[whathehell]

160. As you can see, it is prefaced.by "as you said"

That means I am QUOTING someone else..Comprende?

As to your grudge against Oprah for introducing him, she did that YEARS ago!..Even if he IS a fraud now, who says he showed signs of it then? Blaming Oprah for him is just scapegoat bullshit, imo
As I asked before,, do we not have more serious issues to deal with than Oprah and Dr. Phil? Just a thought.

[DenaliDemocrat]

181. Talk therapy mostly does not work anyway.

Studies show that if it is going to work, it will show significant improvement in 10 sessions. If you don’t see major improvements 10 sessions, you probably won’t.

Most people I know in therapy really aren’t there to make changes - they want validation. Probably why it doesn’t work too often

[whathehell]

289. Can you provide a link for that assertion?

because, frankly, I'd guess it's "'some' studies'" at best

[DenaliDemocrat]

299. Here is a review article of many studies

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/the-clinical-effectiveness-of-counselling-in-primary-care-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis/4F4EC30F86DDB334BBF257A091AAFC6E

It also doesn’t work much for PTSD or depression. It’s not terribly effective.

[whathehell]

300. Thank you.

This is a topic I'm interested in.

[Mossfern]

290. I know this is kind of getting off topic

but my therapy of more than 7 years is certainly not 'validation'. It's intense and painful. Maybe you've seen the wrong therapist.
Also, I have seen changes in my understanding of issues. I won't go any further because I can assume that talk therapy didn't work for you and you're angry about that.

[PatSeg]

99. I see no real problem with Suze Orman,

but Dr. Phil has a reputation for being a charlatan.

- Dr. Phil McGraw is a phony and a fraud that likes to profit from the pain of others.

- While allegations of the abuse of guests on his show are one thing, what about the women that accused him of sexual assault?

On the surface, Phil McGraw looks like the answer to an addict’s prayers. Countless families have turned to his show for help, from moms that can’t handle teen tearaways to famous people holding on by a thread.

Whether you’re Danielle Bregoli or Dina Lohan, the doc claims to have the magic touch. However, all he really has is a big budget and a knack for bringing out the worst in people for compelling TV.

https://www.ccn.com/dr-phil-charlatan-tv-shrink-shady-history-sexual-assault/

Meanwhile, he hasn't had a therapist's license since 2006. He is just another television personality who will do anything for ratings. I'm surprised he hasn't run for political office.

If you Google "Dr. Phil is a fraud", there are tons of articles pop up.

[whopis01]

200. Suze Orman qualifies as a fraud in my book

She put out a debit card (the “Approved Card from Suze Orman”) with claims about it being a tool to help build your credit. The marketing was clearly designed to confuse people into thinking that it operated like a secured credit card when it was nothing of the sort.

For example, the marketing included statements from Suze Orman such as “I am proud to say that the Approved card is the first prepaid card in history to share information with TransUnion, a major credit bureau.”

While that was technically true, the information shared was not used for credit reporting purposes and had no impact on anyone’s credit score.

She then spun it as “an experiment” to see if “activity on a debit card can create a FICO score”. Guess what? It doesn’t.

Meanwhile fees were collected for virtually anything done with the card. Checking your balance, calling customer service, not using direct deposit to put more money on the card, etc. all generated fees.

That isn’t an unusual thing for such cards - but she would rail against such things on her show. She tells people to avoid these types of nickel and dime fees. She even berated other celebrities who put out similar products (the Kardashian Kard) and then turns around and offers the same thing with some false suggestions about it being helpful to building credit.

So, she qualifies as a fraud in my book.

[whathehell]

240. Maybe she is, I don't know,. That said,

in my book, you can't necessarily make Oprah responsible..Being Rich doesn't make people psychic, or all- knowing.

[whopis01]

277. I said nothing about Oprah and/or her responsibility

Just to clarify.

I really have no opinion about her one way or the other.

[whathehell]

280. The subject of this thread is Oprah Winfrey..

"Oprah is as much a fraud as those she put in the spotlight".

That is the subject line of the OP...Didn't you read it?

[whopis01]

285. Seriously?

All I was doing was letting you know that I agreed with you and what I had to say about Suze Orman had nothing to do with Oprah in my opinion.

When you responded saying “you can't necessarily make Oprah responsible” I merely clarified I was not attempting to link Oprah to Suze Orman’s fraud in any way.

[whathehell]

287. Seriously

.Sorry for the miscommunication, but you seemed to misunderstand why I mentioned Oprah.

[OneBro]

219. Maybe.

https://m.

https://www.gq.com/story/suze-orman-personal-finance

[whathehell]

267. Maybe..

..anyone can put anything on the web and, regardless of source, some will believe it.
Having no idea who "bb.com" might be, I'll reserve judgement.

[BlackSkimmer]

274. Wow, you're really invested in these people.

Who all have one thing in common. Eek.

[whathehell]

281. Lol..Sorry, but its you who seems "invested" in

believing accusations based on the flimsiest and least credible 'evidence'

[BlackSkimmer]

282. Lol.

Plenty of evidence. Do your research.

[whathehell]

283. 'Plenty of evvidence"?..None that you have been

able to provide!,

"Do your research"?

Honey, I don't think you even know HOW to research.

[BlackSkimmer]

284. Oh my. Resorting to personal attacks?

[whathehell]

286. Oh my..

resorting to personal accusations?

[BlackSkimmer]

291. You spelled evidence wrong.

I do hope your New Years Eve improves.

[whathehell]

292. Lol..Is that the best you've got, a typo?

:

Clearly, the answer is " yes".

[BlackSkimmer]

293. Wow.

Hang in there hon.

[whathehell]

294. Wow

Back at ya, dear.

[BlackSkimmer]

295. Lol, is this the copycat game from days of yore?

You do realize you’re bumping this thread again and again? The thread you seem to have a problem with?

[whathehell]

296. Lol..I don't know that game, dear

I do know the "getting the last word" one though.

[BlackSkimmer]

297. Amazing.

I have to console my dogs as the evening’s fireworks continue, so you can have the last word. Which of course will bump the thread again, lol. This was easy….very easy. Thanks!

Thank you again for bumping this thread though because I don’t have to kick it now.

[whathehell]

298. Whatever floats your boat, honey

[olegramps]

223. I bought a product advertised by Dr. Oz. I filled complaint with Utah BBB.

I will not name the product for obvious reasons, i.e. suits. The Utah BBB arranged total refund and had received many complaints about products he pushed on TV. I would suggest any product advertised on the show be checked out before purchase. Dr. Oz has a very disturbing history dating from his right to practice at specific hospital being voided due to investigation by peers. He has numerous complaints about products that he has shilled for. His endorsement of the fraudulent claims regarding Trump's medical exam is a prime example.

[whathehell]

238. Not defending Dr.Oz .

but we can't assume that, years ago, Oprah foisted him on the public, knowing he was going to do dodgy things.

[cab67]

239. with respect to Dr Phil -

my wife is a clinical psychologist. She most decidedly does NOT like being compared with Dr Phil in any way.

I realize this particular vlogger isn't everyone's cup of tea, but these videos still do an excellent job of explaining the situation:

&t=374s

I don't know much about Orman - just not interested enough.

[progressoid]

191. She gave Jenny McCarthy and her anti-vax bullshit a platform.

And a whole lot more:

Oprah’s long history with junk science
She may be the most powerful crank enabler on the planet.

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/1/9/16868216/oprah-winfrey-pseudoscience

Oprah Winfrey Helped Create Our American Fantasyland

https://slate.com/health-and-science/2018/01/oprah-winfrey-helped-create-our-irrational-pseudoscientific-american-fantasyland.html

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

76. I haven't been able to stand that heifer since the mid 80's. She has ALWAYS struck me as fake as

a 3 dollar bill. As a black woman, I found her to be demeaning. condescending & insulting, especially in light of her harrangaunging formerly &/or presently addicted &/or troubled guests. I DETEST hypocrites and she's always epitomised the highest level of gotdamn hypocrites.

[Scrivener7]

117. Heifer? Really? You can't do better than that?

[childfreebychoice]

140. As a black woman, " heifer," is a black thang. nt

[Scrivener7]

142. Heifer is a sexist thing, no matter who is saying it.

[hlthe2b]

203. Yes, it is sexist as hell.

[ecstatic]

149. I don't think so! That's disrespectful.

Calling her a "heifer" on DU of all places? Sorry, that doesn't fly with me.

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

168. PREACH! I don't know why people have a problem with calling it like it is...

She's despicable and frankly, I've been done with her behind for DECADES! Oh, welcome to DU, right glad tameetcha!

[hlthe2b]

204. Promoting ugly misogyny is not going to go over well, whether you think it culturally acceptable

Last edited Thu Dec 30, 2021, 06:14 AM - Edit history (1)

or not. No matter how you feel about Winfrey or any other person, gender-based slurs don't just show intense disrespect for her, but women in general--of all races.

[CrackityJones75]

169. Holy fuck? For real? You really just said that?!?!

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

170. I said what I said. Perhaps, you don't understand African American culture. Sorry that you don't

because it's NOT sexist. It's a word that is used to describe what she is.

[CrackityJones75]

172. Are you for real? Seriously?

“It isn’t sexist”????? Ok ok ok set aside that it being sexist is only one possible problem here. And “You don’t understand African Culture”???? GTFOH with that bullshit. It doesn’t have anything to do with your African Culture.

I may not care for Oprah one bit but you aren’t going to sit here and claim your African Culture when you post some bullshit. The same way I am not going to post some bullshit and the explain it away by saying you don’t understand my culture.


Your post is ridiculously offensive and outright fucking stupid. No matter what fucking culture we are talking about.

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

175. Are you Black? And do you have family from the deep South? if not, then you REALLY don't understand

what thefuck you're talking about. and guess what else? What you're not going to do is to tell me what I KNOW about my subculture. I'm NOT going to explain what I hae lived for almost 58 years. I've been a member of DUfor 16 years and I have NO duty to justify my world to you. Bye, child, bye!

[CrackityJones75]

183. Am I black?

The fuck does that have to do with anything?

When prople say some bullshit we should just excuse it because “Their culture”? Will remember that the next time the dumb fucking rednecks dowm the block start spouting THEIR culture.


Please your lame excuse is a joke.
Done with you.

[CrackityJones75]

184. Just to add...

I grew up in a very diverse area. The whole “I am black and you have to accept what I say because of it” bullshit doesn’t fly with me. If that’s “Your culture”… Your culture is wrong.

[ecstatic]

190. I'd appreciate it if you'd speak for yourself on this issue.

Referring to other black women as heifers is NOT a black thing, it's some self-hating bullshit. I get that there are some amongst us who have internalized the cruelty, disrespect, racism and sexism that is lobbed at us day in and out, but it's not normal or healthy. Just say you don't like Oprah and leave it at that.

Just my opinion, obviously.

[hlthe2b]

207. Incredibly well-said... +++

(and damned sad that should have to say it)...

[demmiblue]

218. +1

I also tend to believe that that person is not who they pretend to be.

Imo, of course.

[Moebym]

206. So if you're going to use the "it's a part of my culture - you wouldn't understand" defense

Then I guess the use of any term is defensible if we claim it's a part of our culture that others will never understand or appreciate.

At this point, it's not even about our opinions on Oprah or the term "heifer". I'm talking about using the "you're not one of us" defense to justify accepted behavior or beliefs within your culture.

As an example, the Mayor-Elect of NYC recently faced criticism for telling the NYC Council they could only question his position on solitary confinement when they've served 22 years in law enforcement like he had. As far as he's concerned, the matter of incarceration is strictly a law enforcement matter that outsiders should keep their noses out of.

I could find countless other examples.

Tl;dr people who aren't a part of your culture or in-group have the right to criticize it.

[ecstatic]

187. +1000. nt

[OneBro]

220. Glad I read your response first.

You said it better than I would have, and captured exactly what I was thinking and feeling.

[betsuni]

205. ...

[Blue_Adept]

222. I'd say it's unbelievable this post is still here over twelve hours later

But it just furthers that DU has gotten worse and worse over the years through "self-policing" and what's considered acceptable.

Just an ugly and disgusting post regardless of how the poster tries to justify it. It clearly reminds me that this place is not for me any longer and it's just habit that brings me back since being here for two decades.

[Tommymac]

250. Um I joined in 2004 and IMHO there are no differences in the jury system at all over the years.

It is what it is, always has been and always will be.

It is the nature of the system. Love it or hate it. Me, I am kinda neutral - it is way better then other systems I have seen over the last 30 years, and worse then some others.

To me it is part of the 'charm' of DU. I don't take offense when something I voted to ban is not, or the other way around. In fact, I enjoy serving on juries.

[Dorian Gray]

167. Dr Oz

is a problem, of course.

The worst of the bunch, and most damaging societally, is not even Osteen (huckster) or Phil (whatever), or even Oz (I think he's in over his head and will lose).

The worst of the bunch is Dr. Christiane Northrup. Anti-vaccine doctor who Oprah introduced to us, gave a platform to, and she was Oprha's audience's favorite gynocologial expert.

She parlayed that into very alternative therapies, and no anti-vaccine monetization.

She's one of the disinformation dozen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiane_Northrup

[bermudat]

231. Won't ever forgive Oprah for Dr. Oz

He won't win but he'll make megabucks along the way.

[msongs]

3. so when is Dr. Shill gonna run for senate? nt

[Sympthsical]

4. Someone isn't Remembering Their Spirit!

I think she should be a social pariah. She made her billion and did irreparable harm to society with the things she unleashed.

That's all I'll say. I could literally write a book about my loathing of her.

[japple]

29. Well your book would never be in Oprah's Book Club anyway, so you won't

be selling many copies.

[wryter2000]

33. Neither would my books

I write romance novels.

[SergeStorms]

119. Unless....

you had a romance with Oprah. Then you'd sell billions of books.

Get right on that, OK?

[wryter2000]

235. And...

It would have to be depressing.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Also not a fan.

I've watched her show exactly once in my life, and was a captive audience at the time.

[targetpractice]

7. I remember early in her daily talk show...

... She proudly claimed she never read the books by authors appearing on her show for interviews. Said she thought that was more relatable to the audience.

How that evolved into a having "book club"... I don't understand.

[ret5hd]

18. I always thought most book clubs...

were more "wine clubs where we carry around books we mighta read a few chapters".

Maybe I'm wrong.

[targetpractice]

22. Books featured in Oprah's Book Club get a sticker on the cover...

... which guarantees a top selling title. Publishers fight and lobby Oprah for her endorsements.

There may be wine involved during the lobbying process. I don't know.

[hlthe2b]

9. I too adored Phil Donahue. I'm more equivocal about Winfrey, though not her promoted "talent."

Her show was a business in the end and she promoted some very unsavory people as is quite apparent today. But, I generally liked her, though I was never a frequent viewer.

[KS Toronado]

41. Phil Donahue was the best

Remember reading when everybody wanted us to invade Iraq, Phil was the lone TV personality questioning the logic
of invading Iraq when the 9-11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia. Shortly after that programs airing he was kicked
off the airwaves. Some of the early cancel culture by Rs. My dad (WWII vet) reminded me at the time that Fascists
always go after journalists that expose them.

[Jetheels]

52. Yes, his show was cancelled not because of lack of ratings, but his opposition to war with Iraq.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

145. Yep.

He said it straight out on democracy now. In that interview they cited an internal memo to the same.

[Lancero]

173. Donahue helped prop up Nader, giving us Bush II. That did far more damage than any of the people...

That Oprah propped up.

[hlthe2b]

198. Given "Dr" Oz's repeated hydroxychlorine promotion on Fox, that may literally not be true

Dr. Oz likewise propped up Trump, who literally has enabled COVID deaths at a rate that dwarfs those lost on 911 and our war dead in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. So, NO. Not even close. Bush* was the result of overwhelming corruption of the election in FL and an enabling RW majority on the SCOTUS. Even with Nader in the race, it should not have come to that and clearly, Donohue could never have seen that-- never intended for that. A big difference with the 2016 situation that ultimately gave us Trump. But, I know you are not going to be persuaded. Not to mention the entire reason MSNBC ditched Donohue was that he was too vocal and too effective in calling out the Bush* administration and their contrived reasons for the Iraqi War.

[Green Line]

10. Totally agree

[brush]

11. Green-eyed monster seems to be rearing. You can't stop progress.

If she beat out Donahue in the ratings, what did he do to combat it? Stuff happens.

[tenderfoot]

13. I guess he refused to dumb down his content

Trashy schlock for the simple-minded does well with ratings. Ask Geraldo.

[brush]

20. Time marches on. Shows have a life span. His lasted until it didn't.

[brush]

36. Seems yours were hurt by Donahue's show getting canceled.

I didn't watch Oprah. I do admire her for being smart enough to navigate around the racism in this country to become a self-made, Black woman billionaire. Something many seem to be envious of.

But stuff happens. Come on, let it go. It's decades later.

[Doc Sportello]

68. Her spawn are still here

And the damage they've done and continue to do lives on, not something decades ago. And if she were white, would you feel the same way about her?

[brush]

97. She funds schools for girls in Africa who might not get educated.

She also donated millions to other charities. Mention those too. If she were white, she would've had a much easier time at it, right? So there's that.

[Doc Sportello]

129. That has nothing to do with this discussion

I understand why some don't want to hear about her responsibilities in this area. Doesn't change the facts. And you trying to avoid answering my question with a question won't work either. I guess you just don't think some people should be held responsible for their actions because of who they are.

[brush]

196. I really don't care what you think. And who doesn't have good and not so things...

in their life.

[NurseJackie]

211. ...

[BlackSkimmer]

192. You might want to do some research into those schools.

Be prepared for an unpleasant surprise.

[brush]

197. Since you seem to know so much, why not tell us?

[BlackSkimmer]

216. I trust that people who post here are intelligent enough to do their own research.

It’s really not difficult.

[Lancero]

174. Same for Donahue. He propped up and pushed Nader, which gave us Bush II.

Damage he did lives on, not something decades ago.

Phil Donahue is hardly the paragon of virtue that people here believe him to be, and the man he pushed up did far worse damage to our nation than all the people Oprah supported combined.

[Doc Sportello]

179. Oh please

Phil Donahue was not the deciding factor in the election. And I never said anything about him, much less that he's a paragon of virtue. What a pitiful attempt at a false equivalency. This whole thread shows just how destructive hero worship is. You can't criticize RWers for doing it if you're doing it too.

[brush]

237. Nader was a deciding factor in the 2000 election. And Bush did a whole lot of damage.

[wryter2000]

35. He moved to New York for his marriage

And the show was never the same. I don't know why. Maybe a change in the staff?

[tishaLA]

96. He refused to dumb down his content?

Mr Donahue generally did a fine program, but he was as interested in doing things to get ratings as Ms Winfrey (and he admits it)

[SharonAnn]

163. He was against the Iraq war. Network wanted him to change his opinion. He wouldn't.

They cancelled his show.

[tishaLA]

171. That was after he moved to o cable news

And says nothing about the demonstrable proof I posted that he dumbed down his show for ratings and admitted as much.

[dflprincess]

165. I always knew it was ratings time when Donahue did schlock like that

Doesn't say much for the viewers.

[Jimbo S]

38. Phil once wore a skirt in response

Wore a skirt to try to match Oprah's shock value.

[tenderfoot]

49. I remember that show and thought it was a response to the Men's movement

that didn't like that women wore pants.

[dflprincess]

164. Actually he wore it on a show that was referred to as a "Transvestite Fashion Show" (see link below)

It had nothing to do with Oprah. But was considered one of his more controversial shows.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/donahue-phil-1935

[walkingman]

12. I was thinking the same thing - the Dr. Phil and Dr. OZ are despicable and prey

on old people and those that have always followed the "National Enquirer". These last few years has really exposed how ignorant we are as a nation. I just don't remember this until the last decade or so?? I am starting to believe it really is "social media". Before I just thought it was the religious nuts but now not so sure.

[Shermann]

14. Is Suze Orman a fraud?

I've watched a few minutes of her show; some the advice was dubious but probably harmless.

[Ford_Prefect]

54. I've read that she's a shill for certain kinds of investment schemes, or might as well be one.

The way it was put was that what she advises only works for a certain income level with certain kinds of costs. It won't help most of the people who've seen her on PBS or at her seminars, or at least it won't help them much.

[Rabrrrrrr]

87. Her investment advice works for her, because people are paying big money for it.

But otherwise, she's not much more than any of the other "get rich quick" bozo fucks.

[Shermann]

108. I don't know that she pushes any get rich quick schemes

Mostly she seems to be all about living below your means and making conservative investments, the opposite of get rich quick really.

[Ford_Prefect]

120. She's not selling get rich quick. She's selling lots of books and seminars that don't actually

pay off in the real world. Her out is you must be conservative to a degree only a few can afford. Most people can't to use her methods and still pay real world bills. It looks like it makes sense because she is telling you the system works if you are conservative with your spending. She never acknowledges that the system is built on individuals going into massive debt to afford life as we know it. She never addressed that aspect nor the predatory nature of the market.

[Celerity]

63. Suze Orman and the Scam of the Personal Finance Industry

https://www.gq.com/story/suze-orman-personal-finance


14 Reasons to Not Listen to Suze Orman

https://www.goodfinancialcents.com/suze-orman-bad-advice/


6 Reasons I Will Never Trust Suze Orman

https://www.moneytalksnews.com/6-reasons-im-no-fan-of-suze-orman-and-you-shouldnt-be-either/


4 Things Suze Orman Is Dead Wrong About

https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/4-things-suze-orman-is-dead-wrong-about/


How Suze Orman SCAMMED the Poor and Middle Class

[BeckyDem]

15. Not too long ago some celebrities suggested Oprah run for president.

When she declined I had to wonder if it was related in part to what you have written, she is not stupid. Why run for office only to have all of this brought to the surface? For whatever reason, I was grateful she did not decide to run.

Oprah Winfrey for president: More and more celebrities back superstar
By Katie Scott Global News
Posted January 15, 2018 3:31 pm

Many celebrities are calling for the former talk show host to run for U.S. president in 2020. Those supporters include Steven Spielberg, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., Sarah Silverman and Meryl Streep.
https://globalnews.ca/news/3965549/oprah-winfrey-for-president/

[tenderfoot]

19. I almost vomited when there was talk her running for President

In fact there was an OP here on DU suggesting it.

[BlackSkimmer]

113. I remember that very well.

And I remember who posted it.

And those who were on board lol.

[Texasgal]

188. Glad you keep notes!

Never want to miss that opportunity to bash or complain about another DU'er... Or Du in general.

[BlackSkimmer]

189. No notes needed dear.

Very good memory. Photographic, in fact.

A blessing and a curse.

[oregonjen]

16. Some of the woo she peddled has affected people I know

Friends I know believe in the spiritual woo that her guests have peddled. So much so, that they believe their spiritual auras will protect them from Covid. They feel they don’t need to get vaccinated. Smart thinking Democratic people have been brainwashed and it boggles my mind.

[targetpractice]

27. Remember her months long jag promoting "The Secret"?...

... It was a book she claimed changed her life. The gist of the book was basically, "Visualize what you want, and keep doing that." Sorry if I spoiled it for you.

[Xolodno]

47. Wait...I thought it was "The Answer"

Visualize what you want, then work backwards on the tasks that need to be accomplished...or something like that. Saw it on a Simpsons episode.


Reminds me of the time they got our entire department to a rented hall at the Hilton. It was supposed to be some sort of morale building, get you to work harder, etc. jig. I kid you not, this was the opening video:

"At 211 degrees you have water, but at 212 you have boiling water, which turns into steam and with steam you can power a locomotive! ...That one extra degree can accomplish so much!

I managed not to laugh and keep a straight face at all the new execs (from other companies) give their speeches about "that one extra degree". Then relished in the free catered lunch.

[targetpractice]

56. That is a very funny story...

... In team building exercises like that... At some point I would stop listening, and start counting heads to estimate the minimum cost in labor for the exercise.

Yeah, Oprah's thing was "The Secret"... Maybe "The Answer" was a parody version on The Simpsons.

[soldierant]

182. If so, the parody makes more sense than the original.

But I guess that's not such a rare occurrence on The Simpsons.

[cynical_idealist]

102. I call it "buzzword training"

Every couple years at work we have a new fad about the greatest ideas for
increasing productivity. Some people get enthusiastic for a few weeks...

[Solomon]

245. You do realize that for people who are very successful visualizing what they want is very real to

them. It's not "woo" to them. The thing I find hilarious about it is that it's not a "secret" at all. Countless successful people have told us the same thing for eons.

[targetpractice]

246. That was meant to be my point. You said it better.

It's not a secret at all.

[Talitha]

17. LONG ago I watched Oprah when she first started in Chicago, and really liked her.

Kids and life got in the way though, so I stopped watching. I have no idea how or when she turned into a 'guru' to her drooling masses - but wow, what a change. They need to stop the adoration, and she really needs to get over herself.

[targetpractice]

25. There was a specific moment when she touted her sudden weight loss...

... The pulled a little red wagon onto the set that was filled with a pile of beef fat equivalent to her weight loss. It was on all the grocery store magazines the next week... An image-making moment for her.

[Talitha]

107. Yes, I remember seeing clips of that on tv, she looked great.

So that was her magic "Hey, I can make money off of this" moment?
Makes sense.

When she interviewed Meghan and Harry, it looked to me like she'd gained it all back, though. I'm not bashing her for it - many people have permanent weight problems.

But she made a ton (no pun intended, haha) of money by hawking all kinds of weight loss stuff, and then stopped following her own advice after the bank was full. It was like slapping her followers in the face, you know?

She may be an authentically nce person, but she'll never get any support from me.

[JuJuChen]

21. hate to say it, but Donohue was utter garbage too.

[wryter2000]

40. Not when he was in Chicago

I remember a show about corruption in management of the high-rise low income apartment buildings. The main guest was (as I recall) a city councilman who gave the lowdown about how some maintenance workers were paid overtime for working 24 hours a day while the buildings fell apart. It was a total eye opener for folks who thought "if only they kept their places clean everything would be okay." They had some tenants on, too. It really busted up some racist stereotypes.

[mopinko]

58. i knew someone who worked at cabrini green. elevator mechanic.

she thought her job was to do maintenance so they didnt break. she was quickly disabused of that notion, and taught several card games.

[iluvtennis]

24. She was very authentic when she started the talk show in the mid 80's. It was after the money and

fame that she changed.

[Rebl2]

28. Yep!

[Cosmocat]

221. That is my take, too

fame can do things to people ...

[Effete Snob]

26. You forgot the bees

[wryter2000]

30. I didn't know Osteen was one of hers

I don't feel as strongly as you do about her, but I'm not a fan. She definitely has a holier-than-thou attitude, imho. Her absolute scorn for romance novels really ticked me off. Is there something bad about a story with a happy ending? Or depiction of loving sex? Or enjoyment for enjoyment's sake?

I loved the old Donahue show. Some shows were better than others, but the good ones were really great. The details are very sketchy now because the show was so long ago, but I remember him asking a prominent scientist about the existence of a god. As I recall, the scientist's answers was "If you want to define God as that which existed before the Big Bang, I have no problem with that." As an agnostic, I found that insightful and very helpful to my own thinking.

[Demovictory9]

31. I like Ylanla Vansant

[LakeArenal]

32. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

She’s ultra rich. Has done a lot more than give away cars.

She’s not spouting vaccine misinformation.

She has dickish friends. So do I.

Somewhere along the way she started believing her own press.

Became theGrand Master TV star.

Ego is huge

[whathehell]

64. Yeah..I'm not an Oprah hater..Not getting this uber- hate fest

Sour grapes, holiday blues, envy?..Can think of lots of people more worthy.of scorn than Oprah

[Hortensis]

135. Same. Meanness and intolerance is the spiritus mundi.

Willingness to pass this kind of judgement on the life of any entertainment figure suggests to me that a person is very unqualified to be judging others.

[Ron Obvious]

37. Thank you. I quite agree

Agreed on all counts.

[NJCher]

59. agree on all counts except for the "sour grapes"

Why does the poster have to have a motive, especially one of "sour grapes"? No one can say what the poster's motive is. Maybe, just maybe, it's an OPINION, since this is an OPINION forum.

Anyway, I have this to say about Oprah: ehhh.

Or maybe: meh.

Yes, she has good communication skills. So do a lot of people.

[Jimbo S]

39. Never a fan either, from day 1

I'm biased because I was a Phil fan. Discussed the issues of the day intelligently. Oprah comes along with her shock act and garners the ratings. Phil is forced out and then Oprah goes "normal".

[wryter2000]

42. That describes it pretty well

Her show originally was the beginning of the trash talk shows. Then, she turned oh-so-spiritual and full of gobbledy-gook.

[lindysalsagal]

43. Magical thinking sells.

Watch Don't Look Up. She's just one of them.

[vanlassie]

44. Don't forget Deepok Chopra. One of her early success stories. I wonder if she gets a cut.

[czarjak]

45. Still don't get the appeal.

[dixiechiken1]

46. YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YEEEESSSSSSS!!!

Freakin' FINALLY, someone said it! I never understood the allure of Oprah. Never have, never will. She was always a bit too sanctimonious for me. And stupid Dr Oz running for senate? That's aaaaallllllllll on her. She can suck it, as far as I'm concerned.

You come sit by me, tenderfoot. We have much to discuss.

[Jetheels]

48. Ugh, never liked her or her commercial ridden show.

And loved Phil Donahue (and Marlo).

[tenderfoot]

50. Anyone getting "taxation is theft" vibes from her fans that responded here?

Dang. We're just all jealous of her wealth.

[kcr]

81. Exactly

Someday, when THEY are wealthy like Oprah...

[ShazzieB]

51. I agree with you about some of those people.

Dr. Oz = woo woo quack quack
Joel Osteen = gag me with a spoon
Most of the others I don't know much about.

But Dr. Phil does not belong on any list of "magical thinking" gurus. Whether you like him or not, that magical thinking crap is not his shtick. He's very much rooted in the real world, and in science. (That's right, I said science.)

I didn't used to have a very good opinion of him, but that changed when I actually started watching him, which I've been doing for a while now. He's really not much Iike his haters think he is, and I've learned a lot watching that show, about all kinds of things, addictions and domestic violence, in particular.

Do I always agree with him? Of course not, but I don't have to agree with everything a person says to find them worth paying attention to.

He avoids getting overtly political on his show, but he's quite willing to speak up about things like child abuse (of all kinds), domestic violence, and LGBTQ issues (any parent who wants to reject their gay or trans child will get an earful from him). He's also been outspoken about taking proper covid precautions in shooting episodes of his show, and he's never pedaled any lies about the virus, or about masks, vaccines, etc. And he has provided invaluable information about things like how to safely extricate oneself from an abusive relationship (which, BTW, can be a lot harder than most people think).

He has a very BIG personality, and I can understand why it's off-putting to some. It just annoys me to see someone get hated on for reasons that have nothing to do with who they really are or what they're actually about, or be criticized for things that they have not in fact, done.

If you don't like him, that's fine. I just recommend making sure the reasons you don’t like him are rooted in reality.

[whathehell]

67. Yeah, what's with the Dr. Phil hate?

He helped create what is likely the smartest & best show on network TV, "Bull". For that, alone, I like him.

[demmiblue]

80. He's an ass. His most recent:

Link to tweet

You can Google if you really want to know the rest.

[whathehell]

98. That's the only assine thing I've heard him say, but that

Last edited Wed Dec 29, 2021, 08:55 PM - Edit history (2)

IS bad.. That said, how is this Oprah's fault?..She "discovered " him many years ago, as her personal therapist, I believe, and he apparently did well by her. How could she be expected to foresee the future?

[Maggiemayhem]

104. Remember him sending teens the camps to change their behavior?

Evidently, some teens were abused.

[whathehell]

123. No, I I don't follow him closely, and I haven't heard of

the incident you speak of, but, again, how is this Oprah's fault?

[Totally Tunsie]

139. $hill was not Oprah's therapist.

He was, at that time, a "consultant" - not a therapist. He was working with a group named Courtroom Sciences that offered consulting to those who need to give testimony in court and who need coaching on the courtroom fundamentals. She hired him to coach her with regard to testimony she was about to give relating to the beef industry as she was being sued for defamation for commentary she had made. "Therapy" had nothing to do with their association.

[whathehell]

141. Okay.

I guess the point is, she liked him, and it doesn't sound like he was a "shill" then.

[Totally Tunsie]

146. He's been a shill for most of his career.

There are numerous instances in his past that are suspicious, to say the least, and he has been investigated, suspended, and placed on probation by the Board of Psychiatry for reproachful practices including inappropriate behavior with his clients.

Perhaps, if you wish to defend him, you should learn some of his history:

https://www.ccn.com/dr-phil-charlatan-tv-shrink-shady-history-sexual-assault/

[whathehell]

153. Lol..I don't need to defend him..My biggest question is..

Why is this Oprah's fault?

[Totally Tunsie]

156. See my answer #155:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16194227

[Autumn]

115. Something wrong with a dr who equates a contagous, deadly virus to automobile deaths, cancer

and deaths from drowning. Dr of Quackery.

[Cha]

134. That is Stupid & Dangerous.. full

disclosure.. I don't watch tv.

[Celerity]

275. ffs, he claimed 360,000 deaths a year in the US from swimming pools

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/on-fox-news-dr-phil-said-360000-americans-die-in-swimming-pools-every-year-hes-wrong-by-magnitudes/

Not all drownings occur in swimming pools. According to the CDC, more than half of fatal and nonfatal drownings among people 15 years and older occur in natural water, such as lakes or the ocean. Drowning can also occur in bathtubs.

snip

Our ruling

McGraw said there are “360,000 (deaths) a year from swimming pools, but we don’t shut the country down for that.”

For one thing, that’s too many zeros. There were 3,709 U.S. deaths from accidental drowning or submersion in 2017.

McGraw has since said he was citing the worldwide number for drowning deaths, and that his comparisons were “probably bad examples.” The coronavirus is infectious and contagious, and the count of deaths from drowning is spread over a year.

We rate his original statement False.

https://www.edgarsnyder.com/statistics/swimming-pool-statistics.html

according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 390 deaths a year on average are attributed to drowning in a swimming pool or at a spa.

[jimfields33]

86. Agree on that point. I love the show Bull!

[whathehell]

93. Yes, it's great

I've yet to see one bad episode.

[cab67]

262. Ask a clinical psychologist.

My wife is one. So are the people she’s worked with at three institutions.

They don’t share your assessment. In fact some of them have to spend time getting their clients to realize that what they heard on his show is exploitative nonsense.

[llashram]

53. never liked her anyway

something of a veneer personality. Underneath, I had no trust. But that's just me.

[Lunabell]

55. While she does amazing things for many,

I've never liked her personality. Too narcissistic . Too much of a show off.

[Celerity]

57. I recall more than a few wanting her to toss her hat into the ring in 2019 for 2020

[Chautauquas]

60. I remember that too

Never understood why people think celebrities will make good politicians.

[Tikki]

62. She was partly responsible for forcing schwarzenegger on us. I will never like winfrey.

She interviewed him on her show..as good as a endorsement and
never took time to interview Governor Davis.
schwarzenegger was not a good Governor or a good person. He was placed in office by big oil
and the energy companies.
She didn’t care about the average resident here. It was about ratings and rich peers.
I believe she would do the same thing again.


Tikki

[deurbano]

124. She and Leno!

Helping out their rich, peer buddies. (For Oprah, I think it was more about Maria.)

[BHDem53]

65. Agreed.

[Sherman A1]

69. K&R

[Rebl2]

71. Did she

endorse President Obama? Did she have something to do with Rachel Ray’s fame? Just curious.

[milestogo]

73. She supports Democrats, and she does good interviews.

[Doc Sportello]

74. K&R

This isn't a "hate fest" as some are calling it. It's bringing truth to power (and yes she has power and has used that to foist some pretty reprehensible people on the public, giving them a huge platform). People, even celebrities that some worship, should be held accountable for their actions.

[moonscape]

75. My sister spent a lot of time in Africa because she headed up the

AIDS/HIV efforts/programs there with the UN. She didn’t know anything about Oprah because she hadn’t lived in the US for many decades. Her 1st intro to her was what she learned in Africa via people who reported on Oprah’s visits to her ‘school.’ Reportedly, she was always late, keeping people waiting, arrived with entourage, inappropriately dressed, prima donna, and was not beloved. My sister couldn’t stand her because of the way she treated others.

[PatSeg]

82. That is pretty much the impression I've gotten of her for years

Even when she was being "charitable", it was all about her and her massive ego. And yes, I heard many stories that she treated people like garbage.

I never liked her or her enormously overrated show.

[Butterflylady]

78. Once she spotlighted w that was the end for me.

[BlackSkimmer]

83. Her "revealing" interview with silly Harry and Meghan has already been removed from the web.

She embarrassed herself badly with that one.

So many lies, and she challenged none of them.

[Rabrrrrrr]

85. Of course she is. Always has been. Even though she's donated money to demo liberal causes,

and has her politics in the right place, she's still nothing more than a charlatan: and she pushed Dr Phil, Dr Oz, Joel Osteen, and so many other charlatans on the world stage.

And all those cars she gave away? I'd bet my retirement accounts that they never cost her a dime: all donations from manufacturers and show sponsors. All so she could haul in a bunch of poor people and capitalize on their poverty.

[Leith]

88. There is one thing that I will always be grateful to her for

One of the reasons I hate public restrooms is that many women piss all over the toilet seat. There was a time when you couldn't even find a stall without it. They couldn't even be bothered to wipe their filth up after they left.

Oprah wrote one short piece about how they had a "tinkler" in their office. Almost overnight the incidences of finding piss all over the seat went down a lot. It became as rare to find a pissy toilet seat as it was to find a clean one during the height of that idiocy.

It may be a small thing, but when there's no other place to go when you need a restroom, it's important.

[Soph0571]

90. One of the first significant women of colour to make it in media

But you do you.

Trump? FFS.

She is not my cup of tea but she is a powerful example to young black women everywhere, but yeah, shut her up. Sigh.

[Earth-shine]

92. She made "The Secret" popular.

Essentially, The Secret book and movie state that you can have anything you want. You just have to manifest it. That takes mental discipline and a lot of directed wishing. Gotta put it out there for the universe to hear you. It will give you what you want.

The flip side of this theory is that if you don't get what you want (like the job, the spouse, or money for the house) it's your fault. You weren't strong enough.

I know some spiritual-type people who went into depressions blaming themselves for the things that happened to them because they believed in this manifesting theory.

[Demovictory9]

288. she's accomplished so much.. probably attributes some of it to visualization/manifestation stuff

[NewHendoLib]

94. Yup. Not a fan at all.

[zentrum]

101. Couldn't agree more.

[AZLD4Candidate]

105. Never watched TV talk shows. Never will.

I view them as IQ sponges draining IQ points and an exercise in the regimentation of viewers into a particular mindset.

I view all of them similar to AM Radio just from a different angle.

[SergeStorms]

125. I wondered if there was anyone else.

We definitely seem to be a huge minority here though.

[hlthe2b]

209. Generally agree,but there's no misssing the snippets or discussion of so-called "cultural icons"

I feel equally intense about the idiotic genre of "reality tv," however. The latter is hardly a positive for encouraging societal civility either.

[Jon King]

106. This is why we will get destroyed in the midterms.

Cancel and hate everyone who we do not agree with, even if they have supported more Dems than Repugs over their careers. Literally everything good they have ever done is forgotten.

VA suburbs gave the Repugs the recipe and they will use it in the midterms. Crime, borders, radical left cancelling everyone and teaching kids they have no gender.....may be mostly lies, but it works. We are going to get utterly demolished.

I get the feeling few here see the train coming down the tracks.

[BlackSkimmer]

110. Because we see Oprah for the fraud she is?

[arlyellowdog]

126. I agree with you. Democrats in Va fell for purity tests.

Oprah made people famous who are bad so some pure Democrats hate her. She also was a big part of making Barack Obama. Democrats should just say: Oprah is one of the most successful entertainers so she has plenty of controversy, as would be expected.

[doc03]

109. Didn't know Joel Osteen was one of hers. I took care of my mother's checking for her.

I would see she wrote a check for maybe $20 $30 to Joel Osteen nearly every month. She only had around $700 a month to live on and nearly every month I would have to give her money to help pay her bills. I tried to reason with her that she
couldn't afford to send him money but it was always "Its my money". So really I sent that SOB money. He preys on elderly people and lives in a mansion worth a hundred million and has cash stashed in his walls. I hate all the TV preachers they are nothing but thieves.
The SOBs should be in prison for fraud.

[Butterflies]

252. I couldn't agree more

[MarcA]

116. The bizness requires you to keep selling and pushing.

If you don't, your yesterday's news. You can't always produce an A
on a regularly scheduled basis. So, either the consumers realize that
or you resort to sensationalism and empty goo-goo.

[SergeStorms]

121. Daytime TV is all opium for the masses.

Donahue, Oprah, Maury, The Chew, the this, the that..... it all sucks as far as I'm concerned.

That's why they put a channel selector and an off button on remote controls.

I actually remember a day when you had to get up and walk across the room to do those things! 🥵

Yeah, I'm old. 😉

[Skittles]

136. I've never been a fan

I think she is phony and even her "charity" is to bring attention to herself.

[brooklynite]

137. And who "foisted" her onto us?

We can use a new conspiracy theory around here.....

[Kaleva]

213. It'd be interesting to find out. I haven't seen a single one of her shows.

[brooklynite]

226. I also haven' seen any of Kelly Clarkson's...

...but I've come to understand that Hollywood thinks putting entertainers into talk show formats is popular.

[childfreebychoice]

138. I agree, but I was also done with her after her interview with atheist Diana nyad, where said she

didn't understand how nyad could be happy, fulfilled without god in her life

[UTUSN]

144. K&R

[ecstatic]

148. She's a great Democrat and talented individual.

There is no comparison between her and tfg.

[betsuni]

150. About undecideds/"I just don't like her" in 2016: "She's not coming over to your house!

You don't have to like her. Do you like the country? ... You better get out there and vote! ... Do you like democracy or do you want a demagogue?"

I loved that. She's a great Democrat.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

151. She's certainly no Neil Degrasse Tyson.

Oprah has often peddled junk-science, most likely because she's a nitwit about it herself.

She praised anti-vax Jenny McCarthy on her show too.

[TlalocW]

154. I remember her having on Deepak Chopra

And whatever woo-idea he was pitching that day involved their holding a pendulum that they started swinging back and forth and then concentrating on making it rotate without any physical involvement, and it did! Because it was a FOUCALT PENDULUM. That's what they do!!! It gives evidence that the Earth rotates!

TlalocW

[JI7]

157. Frauds existed before Oprah . Look at how many people voted Reagan

[Quixote1818]

158. Just a polished up version of Jerry Springer on many of her shows. nt

[dawn5651]

159. oprah lost me as a viewer a long time ago..it got to the point she would have guests on and she

would ask questions and would not do a follow ...to much fluff makes your brain go to mush...as far as dr. oz goes i hope to hell he is defeated and does not win a seat....

[panfluteman]

161. Q: What Do You Call a Killer Whale That Passes No Gas?

A: Orca Wind-free!

[dflprincess]

162. I always liked Donahue's show more

Oprah started out ok but the more successful she got the more bland and "uncontroversial" her show became. Really too bad, she could have used her platform for good rather than choosing a safe path to protect her own interests.

[Roy Rolling]

176. And yet...

This is the first I’m hearing that Oprah is to blame? I’m surprised this has been kept secret for the entire decent into madness.

I’m no fan of Oprah, nor a critic. But those now vocal because of her grooming of Doctor Oz are a little late to the party.

She would have to do a 180 to lose her fans and commercial clout.

[mountain grammy]

177. K & R for Phil Donahue.

What a great show that was. Then Oprah gives us Dr. Phil, a total fraud, among the others you mentioned and several you didn't.

Thanks for nothing Oprah.. except your performance in The Color Purple

[dlk]

186. Oprah cares about Oprah

Like her or not, she has a compelling personal story.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

193. Wow! This is one of the longer and most energetic threads I've seen on DU.

And I've been here since the site began. Apparently no subject touches a nerve as much as Oprah.

[Raine]

194. Oprah is too much of a celebrity suck up

to make me a fan of her's.

[Jakes Progress]

199. Lot of hate here.

I'm not a fan, but this pure slavering nastiness is telling. This is the kind of mindless hate the republicans dish for Hillary. Oprah has a lot of money, and she gives a lot of it to good causes. Though not an intellectual or a good judge of character, she just puts on a show. Let's not put Phil on a pedestal either. He did crap to get ratings a lot. Sure, we liked his politics, but he wasn't any better a judge of the times than Oprah. (Nader?)

Is the OP saying if I wanted to give him a new Chevy, that I would be a fraud and charlatan because I didn't pay the insurance on the car? Notice she didn't endorse oz for senate. In a democracy the states do decide.

If you don't like her, just don't watch her. Nobody is foisting her on you. Learn to use the remote.

Reading the thread, I see a lot of the language and vitriol reserved for women, especially for women of color. My mother always said when I reveal who I hate, it tells people more about me than the person I don't like.

As I said. I don't watch her, but I'm not jealous about it. I just don't watch.

(Oh, but she was terrific in The Color Purple.)

[betsuni]

201. Thank you.

Her story is an American one.

[hlthe2b]

202. I could not agree more. Pretty disgusting how the thread has escalated

[Laura PourMeADrink]

215. +1,000,000. Honestly couldn't believe this was DU when I opened

up this thread this morning. Evidence for meme that we eat our own

[Jakes Progress]

243. More descended than escalated.

[hlthe2b]

244. I meant the hateful rhetoric.

[Jakes Progress]

271. Agreed.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

210. Yes, it can be very telling sometimes.

Joel Osteen, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz and James Frey are all white males.

Yet you pointed out the supposed "hate" only against Oprah Winfrey.

Most of this thread consisted of well-deserved criticism, from my perspective.

[ecstatic]

232. But what some people aren't considering is that

the "charlatans" that she supposedly unleashed onto society may not have been assholes in the beginning. Some people change with fame.

Also, she has promoted quite a few notable individuals who have not morphed into greedy right-wing hacks.

[Jakes Progress]

242. But, but.... she's rich and didn't give me a car.

[Jakes Progress]

241. Thank you for my point.

I pointed out the reaction to Oprah. I did not address the others. They did not receive the vitriol that was dished to the rich, black woman.

You want to criticize, then do so. But most did not address their issues. They name called and dripped with nastiness. They just don't like her. No reason. They dredged up what they thought of to excuse their behavior.

If you think this thread was a reasoned criticism of a media personality, and you don't see the nastiness, then you make my point.

[ecstatic]

228. +1000. nt

[obamanut2012]

276. Well ssid

DU has always hated Oprah, often for the dumbest things including buying an expensive purse.

Always, Osteen was a guest on her program, she didn't "make" him. Don't get why he is on the list.

[Jakes Progress]

278. Like my momma said: It tells more about the haters than the hated.

[betsuni]

208. Talk show hosts have lots of guests.

Last edited Thu Dec 30, 2021, 07:46 AM - Edit history (1)

Oprah isn't an intellectual. She's very American. What does "she was foisted upon us mean"? Because she's a Democrat? Conspiracy theory? Establishment elites? Purity test? She's rich so she's bad? Why the hate?

[NurseJackie]

212. Excellent observations... AND questions.

This entire OP is so bizarre.

[lapucelle]

233. Apparently a free car is not enough.

She must also pay for the insurance.

[NurseJackie]

236. Bees!

[nitpicker]

249. Let's not forget about tax on gifts

Who pays it? Her or the recipients?

[True Blue American]

214. Phil Donahue

Never changed from his first days as a WHIO TV newscaster to his switch to WLW-D talk show. His first guests were Rev. Bob Harrington , Bourbon Street Chaplain.vs. Madeline Murray O ‘ Hair.

MSNBC fired him for being against the lie of a Bush war. Phil did a vindication tour a few years ago. He was right. His big mistake was backing Ralph Nader.

[OneBro]

217. Unadulterated Venom.

Venom is so easy to spew. Reading this thread is like reading the comments on ANY article on DailyMail about Harry and Meghan. Nothing but bile and auto-outrage.

Oprah obviously believes in the woo, and seems to be an easy mark for ickiest of smooth-talking purveyors of snake oil and religion, and the spirit world, but there is a LONG list of people who have done a lot worse than Oprah (and Meghan) yet don’t consistently inspire such blind rage.

Even posts about “the church” protecting its army of pedo rapist priests don’t garner such venom, and I still can’t believe I just read a sentence like “BFD, she gives away cars. Does she cover the costs for the insurance?”

Does she cover the insurance? Dear Gawd. Her evil clearly knows no bounds. Forcing people to take unwanted, brand new cars, and I hear she didn’t even offer to pay for gas and snacks for the kids.

[ecstatic]

227. So true. nt

[MustLoveBeagles]

268. +1

[yardwork]

224. She's an entertainer and she's promoted a lot of harmful anti-science on her show.

I've never been a fan.

[twodogsbarking]

229. Happy New Year to everyone

except Oprah.

[Butterflies]

254. Hah!

[twodogsbarking]

256. DU can be a tough crowd.

Picking on old black ladies.

[Solomon]

261. Lol

Yup.

[Treefrog]

230. K and r.

No reason she should pay insurance, but the taxes are another thing.

[Brainstormy]

234. You forgot

Dinesh D'Souza. Yuk.

[madamesilverspurs]

248. What the hell?!

Since when did DUers decide it would be a good idea to emulate a rightwing flamefest? Thought we were supposed to be the alternative to such garbage.


.

[MustLoveBeagles]

259. I don't like it either

Last edited Thu Dec 30, 2021, 04:48 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm not a fan but don't hate her either. There's some justified criticism of her but some posts have veered into mean girl bullying.

[Tommymac]

251. Proudly calling out Oprah as a flawed person and entertainer. Shameful she will not denounce Dr. Oz.

I dislike her and have never trusted her. Never listened to her advice, and found her show crass and full of ignorance.

I know years ago there was talk of her running for President...IMHO thank gawd she didn't. She is not qualified as a politician. Would have been a circus and she would have been aas ineffective as TFG, if not as insane.

[7wo7rees]

253. You're getting Covid! And you're getting Covid!

[gulliver]

255. Get it out of your system

It's not Oprah; it's Republicanism. Every single Republican should be voted out of every single office in every single election. Then you don't have to get angry and resentful about every little crack in our society where the effect of Republicanism bubbles through. As others have noted, trying to cancel Oprah is ridiculous and self-sabotaging for the left. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Republican ad ridiculing us over it, even if it's just a few people who didn't get their coffee or got up on the wrong side of the bed.

[Arlandolcantley]

257. Trunp is a fraud who should have been in prison with rape e jean cartoll

Ronan farrow book rape.


Oprah the boss. 2.6 billion. Dr. Oz yes fraud. Suze orman good. Dr. Phil ok.

Donahue dead?

[gopiscrap]

272. welcome to DU

[LittleGirl]

258. Wow, I've been here for years

And this thread is. Something. Else.

I haven’t watched Oprah in years but when I used to, she had the Obamas on and I was hooked. I knew he’d make a good President and he was!

Carry on.

[MustLoveBeagles]

264. Oprah isn't perfect but then who is?

She has in the past promoted the crackpots listed in the OP. She deserves critism for that. That said, she's not a monster nor singlehandedly responsible for all the bad stuff they've said and done. She done plenty of good things too. People have the right not to like her for whatever reasons they choose and to be fair, not all of the critical posts were nasty. I was just caught off guard by the venom in some of the posts. Kind of over the top in my opinion.

[WarGamer]

260. I think she did Democrats a favor by not endorsing Oz.

A full throated endorsement would have probably cemented his chances at the Seat.

[SylviaD]

263. I've never liked her either. Phil Donahue was amazing! nt

[Sunsky]

269. Oprah has many flaws, like all of us, but

I will never diminish her accomplishments and her role as an African American media giant. So, Oprah destroyed the talk show genre, good grief. Really? Oprah gave many who looked like me hope and opportunity just by her presence on the television. With that said, I have disagreed with her on numerous occasions but does that make her contributions worthless? Definitely not. We should be able to disagree without belittling others.

[betsuni]

273. +1