Oprah’s Recession Friendly Holiday Show

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20081118_tows_holiday1_284x218 Possibly the only time I DVR Oprah is the annual favorite things show. Each year, Oprah carts in luxurious gifts and orchestrates extravagant give-aways. Who benefits? Those lucky dogs who got seats for the show and the advertisers who bank on the oh-so-easily-swayed general public to rush out and buy Oprah’s favorite things!

“They’re some of Oprah’s favorite things, but this time there’s a twist…they cost next to nothing!” says a statement released to Usmagazine.com by an Oprah Winfrey Show rep.

I am no fan of Oprah. She comes off as a bit preachy, but I did enjoy this year’s scaled back show. I can drool over those items I cannot afford to buy or even dream of receiving in the latest InStyle Magazine! Apparently, my reaction was not had by all. I turn on the radio this morning for my morning commute (iPod low on charge) and hear Kidd Kraddick and crew discuss how disappointing they found Oprah’s Favorite Things 2008 show and how disappointed the show’s audience must be. People want stuff! Extravagant and outrageous buys! Not gratitude boxes, gift swaps or charity giving!

Disgusting.

If anyone is bummed over this year’s show it was the advertisers working all year long to make the show’s cut.

So, I ask you…we all have a voice in the community. The blogosphere makes us all publishers, some of us with as much influence as Oprah! Would you or do you use your voice to market products out of reach of your customers or promote pocketbook-friendly purchases? Is this an ethics question?

(Photo courtesy oprah.com.)

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  • http://www.customscoop.com Jen Zingsheim

    I don’t know how to answer this one. My first thought after reading your post and the general reaction was the same as yours: disgusting.
    But, if you look at her “Favorite Things” show as an escape, items to dream over, then I’ll bet the show was probably a disappointment. People who are looking for an element of escapism, and maybe not being reminded every minute of every day how awful things are may look forward to a reckless indulgence show. (My hint: turn off the TV. Completely. I’m happier when not constantly bombarded with “the economy it is teh suck” constantly thrown at me!)
    That said, she is a thought leader and very aware of her public image. If she’d done another over the top show, with the TV in the fridge type of items, my guess is the outcry would have been huge.
    If nothing else, she is a savvy communicator.