Oprah’s Favorite Things are Our Favorite Things

By Jenn Booth
Out of all the talk shows you could possibly go to, you would probably want to attend Oprah’s “Favorite Things” TV special. Since this is her last season, people were expecting something big, but definitely not to this extreme. Her recent audiences were made up of self less people who had given back to their communities and cities throughout their years. Oprah begins by switching from her black outfit to a long, red, sparkling dress. If you can picture what a screaming crowd looked like after this, then imagine what they would look like when they receive gifts after gifts.
Oprah says that “she’s saved the best for the farewell season,” and she was right. The first item she gave away was an Oprah Watch with 58 diamonds. Next, she hands out gray Tory Totes with matching flats. The Tote is worth $250 and the flats are worth $195. The Christmas Elves then proceed to give everyone a Nikon D3100 SLR camera. This was still only Part One of the show. In Part Two, each person received a sweater by Ralph Lauren with a matching blanket, sparkling Ugg Boots, a Coach bag, crystal earrings, books, hair products and four pairs of Nike running shoes. Oprah then decided that the audience should have cooking supplies like a Panini Press, as well as pans and brownie mixes. People screamed, some laughed as if it wasn’t real, and others cried. One man, was even seen down on his knees “clapping and crying as if he’d just seen the Messiah,” according to a viewer, Stacie Van Dyke.
Then the big gifts started coming. A free five year membership of Netflix was just the introduction to the 52-inch Sony Bravia LX900 3D flatscreen televisions that came down from the top of the room, complete with a blu-ray player. From KIVA.org, each audience member received a $100 gift card to start their own small business and the company will add $10 to every new loan. An iPad floated down with angel wings from the ceiling. Since it is the 25th farewell season, special t-shirts were made with workout pants, and once again, handed out.
But no one knew what was coming next. A box that had a miniature model of a cruise ship was presented by the show’s crew members. People went insane as Oprah said the words, “You are going on a seven day cruise!” The Black Eyed Peas performed at the end, and each person was able to bring home their new CD which wasn’t released until the next week. So are you wondering what the biggest present of all was? A black box with keys to the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle that comes out in Spring. And as the crowd went wild, the show came to an end.
Many people think it is Oprah herself that gives these gifts away, when really it is the companies trying to get advertising. The companies give the show the products for free so that they can be exposed to the public since so many people watch her show. Of course it makes Oprah look like the most generous person in the world, which keeps people watching. The people who were watching at home were filled with jealousy, but we all know that they deserved the gifts for giving back. However, the brand new car part was hard to watch. It was a good end to 25 years of Oprah.