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Oprah’s accomplished quite a lot.
As an African-American woman she was disadvantaged in show
business. Starting as a news reporter in 1973, like Bruce
in “Bruce Almighty” she covered just about every trivial story
that you could imagine. This 20th Anniversary six disc set
celebrating her success and her show may seem a bit excessive
(it is) but it does cover quite a bit of ground. She was demoted
from the 6 O’Clock News to hosting Baltimore’s version of
“People Are Talking” a local talk show in 1978. That provided
the springboard for the “OprahWinfrey Show” and she found
what she really wanted to do. When she moved to Chicago she
submitted an audition tape for another talk show wearing an
awful looking outfit. In 1983 she got the job. Winfrey is
such a genuine presence that whether or not we see the real
Oprah, it sure feels like it. Sure also puts those she interviews
at ease which is a rare gift for a talk show host. ***
This six disc set covers a variety
of guests she has had on her show beginning in 1989 with Kathy
Bray in the “Heartprints” section which focuses on “the human
connection” guests that made an impression on her soul. Kathy
Bray lost her child and appeared on her show discussing the
ban of handguns. Bray’s 10 year old son Scott was accidently
shot by his best friend who got it from his dad’s brief case.
It’s a moving interview segment. Other guests include children
with terminal illnesses and others who touched Winfrey’s heart
and changed her life including her 4th grade teacher. ***
”The Stars Act I” features John
Travolta, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Susan Sarandon, Bruce
Willis and others discussing everything from creating positive
energy to outrageous things that folks have done to meet a
star (Bruce Willis had a woman claim she was blind to meet
him and later she was seen in a bar having a good time clearly
able to see). ***
The second disc focuses on Oprah’s
“light bulb moments”, on air birthdays, marriage proposals
and private tours of celebrity homes. We also get additional
interviews with “The Stars” including Bill Cosby, Madonna,
The Judds and others on the second disc. ***
“The Interviews”, “Firsts” and “The
Stars Act III” are all featured on the third disc of the set.
Some of the more memorable interviews that Oprah had included
the late John F. Kennedy Jr., former South African President
Nelson Mandela, Lisa Marie Presley, Diana Ross, Elie Wiesel.
Wiesel was interviewed in 1993 about his book NIGHT about
his experience in the Nazi concentration camps. It’s a moving
segment about a horrible time history that, sadly, has happened
again and again throughout history. ***
”Firsts” focuses on things that
either had never been done on TV before or that Oprah had
never done. From going to basic training to working at McDonald’s
it’s pretty interesting. The most recent bit is a section
featuring Oprah appearing on the hit “Desperate Housewives”.
She sees it for the first time on her own show. This segment
was included on the “Desperate Housewives” first season boxed
set. She immediately decides to move. ---
Disc Four THE HEADLINES: Oprah opens up about some of
the biggest news events of the last 20 years. MAKEOVER HALL
OF FAME: Oprah's many looks, plus amazing transformations—you
won't recognize them THE STARS, ACT 4: Chris Rock, Celine
Dion, Jim Carrey, Bono and more
Disc Five WEIGHT: Includes highlights from the biggest
show in Oprah history BOOKS: The inside story on Oprah's Book
Club ANGELS: See how the Angel Network changes lives worldwide.
THE STARS, ACT 5: Stars of Sex and the City, Everybody Loves
Raymond and more WILDEST DREAMS: The cars, the bus and the
dreams come true.
Disc Six OPRAH'S 50TH BIRTHDAY BASH! The entire celebration,
including Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" CHRISTMASKINDESSS:
Oprah's life-changing trip to Africa BEHIND THE SCENES: A
day in the life of The Oprah Winfrey Show LAUGHS! Hilarious
moments caught on camera
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