quacks

Oprah's Not a Doctor, But She Plays One on TV

She is very powerful, and so she will probably destroy Newsweek for reporting this, but: Oprah's popular show, when it is not about giving you free things, is about promoting stupid and often dangerous quackery and pseudoscience. More »

06/01/09

9,614

42

By Pareene

Comment by apocalypse-nowish: The New England Skeptical Society has been saying this for YEARS! And I don't even live in New England. But... 7 Responses | Other threads

mixed bag

10 Things You May Have Missed On TV This Week

Many weeks, we come across stupid stuff on TV that might fall through the cracks. In Mixed Bag, we'll collect those odds and ends, for a multimedia compilation of pop culture crap. [Jezebel]

05/22/09

29,562

139

By Tracie

gossip roundup

Anna Wintour to Oprah: 'Lose Some Weight, Fatass!'

Anna Wintour told Oprah that she needed to drop at least twenty pounds to be featured on the cover of Vogue and Chase Crawford is set to star in the remake of Footloose. More »

05/20/09

11,213

44

By The Cajun Boy

Comment by scroll_lock: Anna told Oprah that if Oprah were a trailer she'd be a double-wide. At that point, a light breeze arrived... 9 Responses | Other threads

books

Holocaust Love Liar Gets His (Fake) Story Told

Herman Rosenblat's touching story about reuniting with a holocaust survivor years after the war ended was a sham. Among the conned: the NY Post, Oprah, publishers. Now alchemized into fiction, the tale's finally going public. More »

05/17/09

3,019

12

By Foster Kamer

Comment by cdmunch: Thank god, when I saw the photo I thought this was going to be another piece on elder sex. 2 Responses | Other threads

Alleged Scandals

In Which We Ask James Frey About His Secret Oprah Tapes

Fiction author and former Gawker intern James Frey knows a scandalous secret about Oprah, allegedly. It's on tape, allegedly! We journalistically went to Frey's book reading last night to hear him tell the whole story: More »

05/14/09

18,244

48

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by Trulymadlyme: Ugh, did he tape his phone call with the big O without her knowing? Because, um, that's a wee bit... 11 Responses | Other threads

nightmares

Dane Cook Shares 'Romantic' Rape Role Play Fantasy With Oprah

Today Oprah, noted fast food terrorist, took a short break from destroying America with diabolical chicken riots to welcome Dane Cook on her show, who promptly horrified the world with details of his sex life. More »

05/14/09

25,449

58

By The Cajun Boy

Comment by jbwan: Dane Cook is still alive? Did Oprah accidentally use "The Caroline Rea Show" booker today? 4 Responses | Other threads

higher learning

Oprah Advises Grads: Get a Private Jet, Losers

American Poultry Queen Oprah Winfrey gave the commencement address to the starry-eyed, chickenless graduates of Duke University yesterday. Her message to them: I really love my private jet! More »

05/11/09

13,313

65

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by HiredGoons: In all fairness, she did build her Ompire from the ground up. I don't listen to her advice, buy the... 8 Responses | Other threads

disasters

Oprah Owes Six Million Americans Some Chicken

All the grease-scarred veterans of the Oprah Chicken Riots of '09 know that they were bad. But did you know they were one of the worst marketing disasters of all time? More »

05/11/09

19,387

71

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by cdmunch: Gross, a video of a dorky guy in his Civic getting friend chicken all over his face? 10 Responses | Other threads

Matrices

The Hipster Sensibility Matrix

The sensibility of all hipsters have two axes: 1. "irony" 2. "alternative". This weekend I got hipster-lit, myspace-account broker, and quirky-NYM-darling Tao Lin to help me plot current events on The Hipster Matrix. More »

05/09/09

27,032

29

By T.A.N.

Comment by YourDoctrinaire: That's not the Wesleyan shooter. That photo is of some professor at Cornell with the same name. Dude could... 4 Responses | Other threads

disasters

Oprah Must Calm America's Furious Chicken Riots

The breadth of Oprah's Free KFC Giveaway Disaster yesterday is just starting to become clear. Reports now indicate that the desperate—and dangerous—Oprah-induced public rush for free chicken and biscuits was a nationwide phenomenon: More »

05/07/09

11,423

80

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by naugahydeinplainsight: Sounds like they tried to wing it, but couldn't keep demand cooped up, hen or now. So rather than KFC... 31 Responses | Other threads

breaking

Oprah KFC Coupon Riot!

Queen of the USA Oprah gave out coupons to the whole world for a free KFC lunch today. And guess what: As we speak, there are Riots and Sit-Ins and Furor at KFC. BREAKING: More »

05/06/09

153,817

110

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by Kirth: .. Wait a minute...people actually WANT explosive diarrhea? Hell, just drink some old milk, it'll have the same effect as two pieces... 7 Responses | Other threads

mixed bag

10 Things You May Have Missed On TV This Week

Many weeks, we come across stupid stuff on TV that might fall through the cracks. In Mixed Bag, we'll collect those odds and ends, for a multimedia compilation of pop culture crap. [Jezebel]

05/01/09

34,233

75

By Tracie

scandals

Oprah Winfrey Directly Responsible for South African Teen Lesbianism

Nobody could blame Oprah for one sex scandal at that save-the-youth school she opened in South Africa, but now that there's another sex scandal there, we must ask, "Does Oprah love sex, and scandals???" More »

03/31/09

11,953

45

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by resipsaloquacious: I believe posting that pic of Kristie Alley is a form of gawk-trapment. And I will not take the bait, HamNo. BTW,... 11 Responses | Other threads

fameballs

Julia Allison's Business Model: Become Oprah, Somehow

Huffpo-er Jeremy Abelson interviewed famous American Julia Allison about how her "brand" will "make money." Not to get too technical, but it involves having people pay her for...stuff, that she does. More »

03/17/09

7,721

94

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by TheHonJudgeSmails: I know how she can make $120. 15 Responses | Other threads

mark zuckerberg

Oprah Pal Plays Yenta with Facebook CEO

How much coffee did Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg drink before going on Oprah? We've never seen the 24-year-old Harvard dropout talk this fast. Instead of nervous pauses, he filled the air with spew. More »

03/13/09

17,767

35

By Owen Thomas

Comment by lobstr: he looks like he'd fucking suck to date... he's so fucking nerdy smug and not in a cool emo way,... 6 Responses | Other threads

self-promotion

Mark Zuckerberg Jumps the Couch

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Oprah share one goal: They want to know what you're feeling. Zuckerberg prefers you tell him via computer, though, so why's he going on her show tomorrow? More »

03/12/09

14,712

18

By Owen Thomas

Comment by Aaron Altman: So, billionaire who lost a billion to be on billionaire's show watched by billions? 4 Responses | Other threads

gossip roundup

Oprah Has Seen Rihanna's Future. It's Grim.

Also: Britney Spears will scare you, Gossip Girl stars are better than you, Michael Moore will make a fool of you, and Scarlett Johansson will drink with you (if you are an old man). More »

03/09/09

14,619

25

By Richard Lawson

Comment by tudobem: I am not a big Oprah fan, but honestly someone needs to say it. The whole story makes me ill,... 7 Responses | Other threads

oprah

Jennifer Aniston & John Mayer Tell Gayle King It's Serious

Oprah filmed yesterday's show at the Kodak Theater the morning after the Oscars, with plenty of her signature, deep, loud screams. Gayle caught Jen and John backstage and asked them about their relationship. [Jezebel]

02/24/09

14,647

131

By Tracie

oprah winfrey

Watch Oprah Winfrey Stifle the Urge to Bash Gwyneth Paltrow's Skull In With a Panini Press

We've already shared with you Joaquin Phoenix's flea-ridden performance art; now, onto the next chapter of Two Lovers' doomed PR assault, in which Gwyneth "Fuck the Haters!" Paltrow describes for Oprah her dieting regime. More »

02/12/09

33,852

48

By Seth

snap judgments

Inaugural Guests, From Malia To Jay-Z

The inauguration this year seemed to have more famous faces in one place than ever before. In the gallery below, take a look at the celebrities and politicians with the best seats in the nation. [Jezebel]

01/20/09

12,556

81

By Margaret

Defamer Decides 2008

Justin Timberlake Declares America A Swagger-Safe Zone

While it's easy to get swept away in a Sundance snowdrift and forget the outside world, we're told some sort of changing-of the-guard is occurring at the capital—a reclamation, of sorts, of our nation's sexiness. More »

01/19/09

2,476

7

By Seth

the secret

One Of Oprah's Favorite Things: Crack?

It's not just you: We all tend to put our life-fulfillment-guru talk-show deities on a pedestal. We ask, then, that you hold on tightly to your sweater capes as we relay the following: More »

01/16/09

6,052

27

By Seth

short ends

Kate Winslet Made Charter Member Of 'Oprah's Breast Club'

· When we told you Sunday night that some future confusion may arise from the phrase "Kate Winslet's pair of Golden Globes," Oprah was the last place we imagined we'd find it. More »

01/13/09

7,580

7

By STV

videuhoh

Oprah Grapples with Gift of Gay

Watch Oprah's expression as a minister tells her, "Being gay is a gift from God." More »

01/07/09

20,211

154

By Owen Thomas

fake books

Oprah Winfrey's Liars Club

What's the one thing nearly every fake memoir scandal seems to have in common? From James Frey to Angel at the Fence, if a story is bullshit, chances are Oprah was there first. More »

12/29/08

7,822

79

By Richard Lawson

Comment by Baroness: I hesitate to say this, as she might send her Dark Helicopters (of Empathy!) to bedevil my tower, but it's... 13 Responses | Other threads

books

Maybe-Fake Holocaust Memoirist to Break Oprah's Heart

Uh-oh: Oprah fell in love with another memoirist, and we all know what happened last time. Herman Rosenblat has twice been on her show for his touching story of the Holocaust and long-lost love. More »

12/23/08

9,899

83

By Sheila

Comment by caligulash: Don't forget another Opra hero: the Professional Holocaust Survivor and fake memoirist extraordinaire, Elie Wiesel (the post 1997 June war... 7 Responses | Other threads

freakoutnomics

Why Walmart won't ruin the iPhone

Remember how Oprah once threatened to ruin the life of novelist Jonathan Franzen by selecting his book for her club and thereby making him lots and lots of money? Walmart might do the same to Apple's iPhone!

12/08/08

20,607

26

By Owen Thomas

Comment by CaptainFantastic: It's been a while since iPhones were upscale. 2 Responses | Other threads

oprah

Muted Screams: Oprah Winfrey's annual "Favorite Things" episode airs this Wednesday, and though struggling people could really use some big-ticket items in the midst of our recession, the cruel daytime doyenne is going to reward her audience members with stuff they probably could have gotten already. "They're some of Oprah's favorite things, but this time there's a twist...they cost next to nothing!" said an Oprah rep in a statement. "You'll meet a mom who shows us how to create a one-of-a-kind treasure that comes straight from the heart. Then, one family talks about their very own tradition that doesn’t cost a cent." What, "love" or some shit? What a rip-off! At least give 'em some sweater-capes and calypso music, O! [Us]

11/21/08

1,137

17

By Kyle Buchanan

It Pitts The Lotion In The Basket

Buffalo Bill-esque Fan Induces Brad Pitt Panic Attack On 'Oprah'

A man as famous as Brad Pitt is accustomed to enjoying a comfortable buffer between himself and any Jane Q. Psychotic with a Skype account. So when Oprah Winfrey ambushed him on today's broadcast with—delight of delights!—highly specific questions regarding his various Brangelina tribal markings from a flesh-curious fan on internet video phone, it's not entirely surprising that his reaction involved sweaty palms, fidgety body language, and lateral pupil vibration. Watch him squirm as he politely defers at first, then finally cuts Creepalina off as she launches into her description of the part of his body she probably thinks would make the best handbag. [Oprah]

11/19/08

5,195

18

By Seth

anne wojcicki

Sergey Brin's very pregnant wife on Oprah

How long ago did we learn Anne Wojcicki, wife of Google cofounder Sergey Brin, was pregnant with the couple's first child? April, which was seven months ago. What a clever idea, to have a baby as a publicity stunt for her startup! It got her on Oprah. On the talk show, Wojcicki disclosed that she's nine months pregnant. "Please have the baby right now!" said the talk-show host. Wojcicki then jumped right into an infomercial for 23andMe's genetic-testing service and her nonprofit work on Parkinson's, a condition for which Brin is at risk. Free advertising for someone whose husband is worth billions of dollars: There is a reason the rich are rich.

11/14/08

6,672

5

By Owen Thomas

Comment by Ted Dziuba: "There is a reason the rich are rich" ...because they married money? 1 Responses | Other threads

today in catalogs

Overwhelming & Odd: Shopping Oprah's New Online Store

The Oprah Store is now online! In a video tour, Oprah explains that since 600 people line up everyday to watch a taping of her show, she always wanted a place where "they could just get a keychain or something." Of course, Oprah being Oprah, things are never that simple. The brick-and-mortar store is 5,500 square feet of items, each approved by Ms. Winfrey. The clothes come in every size from small to 3x. Dressing rooms are in soothing colors with a flattering mirror, "no fat mirrors allowed." There's an entire section devoted to tea. Lots of items, including the gift wrap, are "new grass green," Oprah's fave color. And most everything in the Chicago store can now be found online. Baby bibs, bowls, puppy polos and South African crafts, after the jump. [Jezebel]

11/12/08

18,075

94

By Dodai

30 rock

Tina Fey Counting on Oprah to Keep 30 Rock Ratings Boom Going

After Tina Fey's massive exposure as Sarah Palin on pre-election SNL, the season premiere of 30 Rock was given every chance to succeed. That push resulted in the show's highest ratings ever, but the show is far from out of danger: it still finished in third place in its timeslot behind CSI and Grey's Anatomy, and now it has to contend with the dreaded second-episode drop-off. Fey was obviously planning ahead for that, saving an Oprah cameo for tonight. Click for three clips in the preview, including a classic Alec-Tina scene. More »

11/06/08

4,386

27

By Alex Carnevale

Comment by katykaboom: 30 Rock is doomed. I hate to say that, but it's true. TV isn't ready for awesome, as I learned... 4 Responses | Other threads

30 rock

Desperate Times for 30 Rock

30 Rock is back tonight — you may not have noticed. Like most of the show's viewers, we're excited for the return of Tina Fey's ensemble comedy, but the deathwatch will be on in full force after tonight. NBC's continued emphasis on stunt casting (Oprah! Steve Martin! Jennifer Aniston!) already reeks of desperation. We're skeptical a not-so-famous guest star in every episode is going to broaden the show's appeal any more than Liz Lemon's quest for a child will. Is the best comedy on television destined to be ruined in its quest for ratings? More »

10/30/08

5,731

96

By Alex Carnevale

Comment by Pithmaster: I'll watch it for Steve Martin..while i play my banjo 10 Responses | Other threads

midweek madness

This Week In Tabloids: Aniston & Mayer Have Sex; Anorexic Stars Without Makeup

If it's Wednesday afternoon, this must be Midweek Madness, your weekly tabloid roundup source. Crappy covers this week, folks: Skinny stars, stars without makeup, Trista announcing her pregnancy, Jenny McCarthy talking about autism, and those kids from High School Musical. But we took the time to mine the mags for nuggets of gold. Intern Margaret assists as we dip our pan in the latest issues of Us, OK!, Life & Style, In Touch and Star, after the jump. [Jezebel]

10/15/08

31,691

147

By Dodai

sarah palin

Sex Sells

Matt Drudge's sources tell the staff of Oprah are bitterly divided over Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate: some thinking the daytime talk show host owes Barack Obama her continued loyalty; others wanting to respond to the flurry of requests on Oprah's website for an appearance by the twangy-voiced moose-hunting Republican vice-presidential nominee. And here's why they'll book her: Sarah Palin sells. More »

09/05/08

9,046

129

By Nick Denton

Comment by ADismalScience: What Moe has missed is a demographic shift in polling data from women on the abortion issue. Juno was just... 46 Responses | Other threads

the rich

Money Doesn't Matter, Billionaire Oprah Tells College Grads

Talk-show host and self-made billionaire Oprah Winfrey was the commencement speaker for Stanford grads this past weekend. Her advice for the new grads? Do what you're meant to do! "When you're doing the work you were meant to do, it feels right. And every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid." Easy for her to say. Following your dreams! It's a great prescription for poverty. (As if every talented person who followed them ended up rich!) More »

06/17/08

2,676

47

By Sheila

Comment by HandsomeBwonderful: @AndSheSaid: um.. Sports... Shopping Mall(s)... Bible study. Nuff said. - you just described America. Berserk-ly is poorer. And not as... more » | Other threads

marketing

Magical Oprah Endorsement Secrets Revealed

Oprah is the most important person in the world, singlehandedly driving American book-buying and butt cream choices. Ad Age has a monster article today about "How to Get Your Brand on 'Oprah,'" which is the most important task facing American marketers everywhere at any given time. And after thousands of words, the magazine nails the secret to landing your widget in this "pinnacle of product publicity": get Oprah to like you, or something! More »

06/02/08

1,885

7

By Hamilton Nolan

Comment by fileunder: Oprah likes it if your Berkus is Greene, but hates it if your Angelou's in Oz. more » | Other threads

short ends

Oprah-Led Think Tank Deconstructs Mariah's Quickie-Marriage Logic

· Today, an Oprah you simply cannot afford to miss: Watch as she, Gayle, Kelly Ripa's husband, and some other lady try to reach a consensus over when, exactly, Mariah Carey knew she was going to marry Nick Cannon. We know! We told you! [Oprah] More »

05/07/08

4,469

10

By Seth

daytime tv

We Hope They Enjoy 'The Last Samurai'

Oprah just gave her audience box sets featuring "every movie Tom Cruise has starred in since Risky Business." Why—why—has Losin' It! been erased from history?

05/05/08

1,247

16

By Pareene

Comment by SneakingThroughTheAlleyWithLalley: Damn, I actually like All The Right Moves.. more » | Other threads

tom cruise

The Most Important Interview of Our Time

Tom Cruise on family life: "I don't know, normal, how to make it. ... I just try to create life, for them." Oprah looks SCARED of him. NOW HE'S CRYING ABOUT HOW HE ALWAYS DOES THE BEST HE CAN. Update: He just kidnapped Oprah on his snowmobile. They road off into the woods, Miller's Crossing-style. "This is what happened with Katie!" she cried.

05/02/08

2,501

23

By Pareene

Comment by MadamButterfloozy: Tom's fate was sealed when he replaced his publicist of 14 years Pat Kingsley in 2004 with his stupid-ass, know-nothing... more » | Other threads

oprah

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