NY Times & TV Guide Say Oprah's Empire is Crumbling and the Queen of TV is Falling Off Her Pedestal

TV Guide's Chloe Tse article dated 05-27-2008in and bold enough to share what she thinks will
reports tremors in Oprah's media empire.empower people to live better lives. Her intentions and
According to TV Guide Winfrey's new-age spiritualismmotives are certainly pure. If Oprah were solely money
and political persuasion is jeopardizing her marketabilitymotivated, she would not continue to promote her
in the media, thereby diminishing her status.spiritual and political views. Yet being already
Perhaps Winfrey's longtime reign over the media isestablished financially, Oprah is embarking upon larger
coming to an abrupt end. For so long revered asmore meaningful missions to change the world. O
nearly a saint because of her uplifting programming,Ambassadors is just one new endeavor Oprah is
Oprah is now beginning to receive criticism for herpartnering with Free the Children to liberate and
views. It has often been said that one should not talkeducate kids worldwide.
about their religion and politics. Oprah is defying theHopefully Oprah who says she is a Christian will not
odds and daring to do both.find problems with parents concerned about their
I salute her for her authenticity and boldness tochildren getting sold new-age ideas. I think Oprah is
express her individuality. Yet doing so is simultaneouslydoing a great work and deserves our support. Yet at
hurting her marketability. Nevertheless on the flip sidethe same time we who have beliefs of our own
of that argument, we do well to remember thatshould not be any less vocal than Oprah.
controversy does sell. Who knows the queen of TVAnything worth having in life requires a sacrifice. For
could remake herself into an activist for worthyOprah it is a drop in viewer ratings, book sales, and
causes and a voice against social injustice. Nobodymagazine distribution. Nevertheless the rewards of the
can dispute Oprah has done and is doing a lot of goodsacrifice should be sufficient to warrant the losses.
in the world. And with such influence why shouldn't sheOften we must first be willing to lose in order to win.
let her voice be heard?It cannot be disputed that ultimately we attract what
The New York Times says Oprah's choices arewe are. We cannot please everyone and succeed.
gaining skepticism and audiences are tuning out.We are at our best when we are true to ourselves
According to Nielson Media Research, for the thirdand transparent about it. That Oprah is and that is why
straight year in a row, Oprah is experiencing a declinewe love her.
in audience viewers.Beyond touching hearts and putting tears in our eyes,
Research shows Oprah's program has dropped 7%Oprah also makes people think. Now raising eyebrows
of its viewers this year alone. Oprah's other projectsand making us scratch our heads, Oprah is finding
also seem to be suffering. For example her realityherself as she further evolves. She recently said on
show Oprah's Big Give debuted this winter with a hugeher program that she admits to not having enough time
audience and beat every program on television exceptto truly enjoy herself. Perhaps as Oprah becomes
for American Idol, but also experienced the loss ofmore present and lets go of the ambition of sustaining
almost a third of its audience.her empire, critics will be silenced and her true spirit will
Winfrey's readership of O her magazine, which youemerge in purity untainted from the labels many have
would think to have increased with the nonstoptried to presumptuously give her.
promotion of Tolle's book, suffered a beating and lossDividing audiences is not always a bad thing as even
of 10% over the last 3 years according to the Auditthe Word of God itself divides, while exposing our
Bureau of Circulations.hearts (see Hebrews 4:12). Although Oprah's television
Even Oprah's favorite and highly promoted books inaudience is predominately middle-aged white women
her book club are suffering harsh criticism. Apparentlywho support Senator Hillary Clinton, most Americans
Oprah either didn't adequately study the demographicsare awaking to the reality that we need some color in
of her viewers, or disregarded her viewers beliefsthe White House to truly get real and heal the
altogether. Women in the deep south who heavilyhomeland.
watch Oprah's program are typically Christian andAngry criticism of new-age spiritualism and political
many supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton. Hencedisputes though a common message thread on the
Oprah has cut her own throat by alienatingmessage boards from her website, Oprah will continue
Christendom with her new age books and shows,to transcend the accusations and come out on top as
while simultaneously disenchanting white women whenshe honors the God of truth. Love rejoices in the truth
she endorsed Barak Obama for President.and we should do no less.
As a Christian who read "A New Earth" and found it aNext up for Oprah is OWN: The Oprah Winfrey
in meaningful book, I understand both how Oprah feelsNetwork. featuring programming that will reflect
and religious folks who don't play around with their faith.Winfrey's vision of what she considers empowering
Certainly not all Christians can eat the fish and spit outprogramming.
the bones when reading spiritual truths originating fromYou can't go wrong when you touch, teach, and
another ideological orbit. Politically Americans aren'ttransform your audience.
very tolerant or understanding either, as evidenced byIt's not about being the queen of the media as much
the great political divide in our country betweenas it is about living a meaningful life of purpose to
Republicans and Democrats.impact humanity.
I commend Oprah for being true to what she believes