InfoAnda - Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Lewis Black on Stark Raving Black | Entertainment | | 9 October 2009
50 years ago, Sammy Davis Jr at center of racial divide | 13 July 2010
Clinton pushes tolerance in Malaysia | 2 November 2010

Iraqi officials: Car bomb kills 20 in Baghdad | 27 March 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus Reuters - Saturday, April 24 Send IM Story Print By Elizabeth Guider LOS ANGELES - One has to admire Kitty Kelley's chutzpah. For decades, she has managed, unauthorized naturally, to take on really big people as her subjects -- Nancy Reagan and Frank Sinatra among them -- and this time around is no exception. Nowadays, what with the blogosphere, TMZ and kids baring their souls on Facebook, it's hard to imagine there's any audience for a so-called "authorized" biography of a celebrity -- privacy is just oh so 20th century. To have readers, a biographer simply has to gun it. Part of the irony of Kelley's "Oprah: A Biography," however, is that Winfrey built her success around getting folks, mostly women, to spill their hearts out in front of millions. She also did a lot of it herself, so there's not exactly that much we don't already know. OK, there is one page about a brief fling with John Tesh, of all people, but other than that. Still, work went into this effort. Oprah is a protected institution, and to try to pick it apart and reconstitute it is no mean task, especially when you don't have the help of the institution itself. A lot of other people did talk, however, and what emerges is a complex portrait of a personality full of contradictions, weaknesses and calculation as well as those positive traits we all know about. Fans who regularly watch "The Oprah Winfrey Show" are unlikely to tune out because of the book. Kelley seemingly has amassed 25 years worth of allegations and criticisms in 524 pages and managed to tell, tacky and titillating parts aside, an instructive tale about what it took for a dirt-poor black kid from Kosciusko, Miss., to become America's richest and arguably most influential woman. No doubt Winfrey's lawyers are all over this "so-called biography," as she off-handedly dismissed it, for possible libel claims, but in many cases in the book official versions of the facts as put out by the Winfrey machine simply boil down to: She exaggerated, either a little or quite a lot, depending on whom Kelley spoke to and what ax they have to grind. There are a lot of people giving their version of the Oprah they know or remember mostly in response to Oprah's own words to interviewers or statements on the show. The author apparently spoke to 850 sources, many on the record, including the delightfully homespun "Aunt" Katherine Estes. Deterred from speaking to Oprah herself, Kelley also combed through 2,500-odd clips from Oprah's public pronouncements. The juxtapositions are arranged to dramatize the gap between Oprah the public persona and the private person who is, or has had to become, like many of the rich and famous, increasingly calculating and controlling. Like just about everyone who achieves celebrity status, the Queen of Talk has morphed into a brand, and everything, if Kelley can be believed, is orchestrated to protect and burnish her image. Consider how Estes describes Oprah's philanthropy: "She does a lot of good things for people with her money, but it's really easy when you have that much. And Oprah doesn't bang a nail for Habitat unless her cameras are running. ... Nothing is wasted with that girl." What the book argues is that Winfrey not only has marketed her show and magazine meticulously but also dispensed carefully tweaked personal info as part of that overall package. "That's why the world needs unauthorized bios," Kelley has said on various interviews. Despite tons of minutiae to wade through, the stages of Winfrey's own rise are well-argued; she did not spring fully armed as Athena did from the head of Zeus with all the answers about dysfunctional relationships and recipes for self-realization fully spelled out. In the beginning, she was very much a chubby black woman who had, with luck and pluck, landed a talk show of her own, which was quite an achievement and a challenge at the time. But eventually she evolved into an influencer of the first order and one who essentially transcends race. There's also a similarly interesting through-line in the book about the evolution of the talk-show form that Winfrey was instrumental in shaping. Take how during the mid-1980s she routed Phil Donahue from his perch, sending him scurrying from Chicago to New York to escape her aura. For decades, Donahue had been jumping into audiences with a microphone and talking about -- yes, it's true -- important issues of the day as well as more pop-culture topics. But in 1986, Winfrey began trouncing him in the ratings. "She changed the ballgame," a Penn State professor tells Kelley. "She started the down-and-dirty exploitative show, the trailer trash, the unwashed parading of dysfunction. Donahue tried to compete but he couldn't do it as well or as badly. He was too smart." Then came an iconic moment that in retrospect changed the culture, not just the ratings dynamic with her rivals. In the first chapter, Kelley recounts the now-historic episode of December 5, 1985, when Oprah aired a segment on rape, incest and sexual molestation -- an episode that essentially changed the direction and tone of daytime talk forever. "No one had any idea she was about to blur the long-standing line in television between discussion and confession, between interviewing and self-revelation. Between objectivity and a fuzzy area of fantasy and factual manipulation," Kelley writes. That was the show in which Oprah first blurted out that she too had been a victim of abuse. "The same thing happened to me," she said, sobbing into the arms of a guest in the audience who had confessed she had been impregnated by her own father. Kelley is good at conjuring the motives at work in Oprah's performance: "Oprah flung her arms around and then burst into tears herself, covering her eyes with her left hand. With the mic in her right hand she signaled to the control room. She said later it was to stop the cameras, but they kept rolling." Even then the media manipulator, Kelley suggests. Given the national reaction to Oprah's own confession and the show's ratings, sexual abuse in all its forms and permutations became the topic par excellence for Winfrey. This being a tell-all, Kelley spends much time digging into Winfrey's own sexual proclivities and indirectly making the case that they influenced the topics tackled on her show. A five-year affair she had with a cad named Tim Watts is particularly instructive in that it shows Winfrey wasn't always the person in charge, and that quite likely inspired her to encourage other women to get out of debilitating relationships. As for confessions about her own sexual abuse, several family members dismiss them as fantasy. "I don't believe a bit of it," Estes tells Kelley, even suggesting that the timing of her revelation had to do with publicity when taking her show national. "That story helped launch Oprah and make her what she is today," Estes adds. "I don't hold with telling lies, but in this case I forgive Oprah because she has done so much for other people." Back to Tesh, who has in the wake of the book confirmed the two dated when they worked in Nashville during the early '80s. What's arresting is how much things have changed in 30 years -- in this case for the good. "He looked down one night and saw his white body next to black body and couldn't take it anymore," he purportedly told a woman he dated years later. The social pressures around interracial dating were simply too great. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 2 hours 23 minutes ago "Avatar" sets first-day Blu-ray sales record Reuters - 2 hours 23 minutes ago Usher's "good and bad" fight it out on new album Reuters - 2 hours 53 minutes ago "Sondheim" tribute would be better without songs Reuters - Saturday, April 24 Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus Reuters - Saturday, April 24 News Search Top Stories Greece pleads for debt aid At least 32 killed in Baghdad attacks Greece asks for activation of EU-IMF debt rescue Greece to seek EU-IMF debt bailout: govt source 'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen At least 45 wounded in Bangkok blasts: hospital Stars shine spotlight on the planet for Earth Day Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype Iceland turns to jokes -- and soul-searching More Most Viewed » Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype Two-million-year-old hominid sheds light on evolution Taiwan's male 'Susan Boyle' a web sensation Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 23 April 2010
Armenia halts ratification of Turkey peace deal
Greece takes a battering on EU deficit revision
Iran tests speed boats in "major" Gulf war games
CenturyTel in 10.6-billion-dollar purchase of Qwest
Greece hit by widening deficit, ratings downgrade
New York Times posts profit, says ready to take on WSJ
U.S. sees sanctions by May; Iran lobbies against West |
Obama says financial reforms will end taxpayer bailouts
US-TECH Summary
At least 45 wounded in Bangkok blasts: hospital
Military gains seen sapping Iraq al Qaeda strength |
Naomi Campbell Rages Off ABC News Set, Strikes Camera After "Blood Diamond" Questions
Biggest study on cellphone health effects launched
U.S. signals its nuclear arms stay in Europe for now |
Gabourey Sidibe Shows Off Funny Side In "SNL" Promos
Missing Ohio Woman Found Safe In Miami With Mysterious Man
Armenia halts ratification of Turkey peace deal |
Michelle Answers Raise Eyebrows, Laughter During Take Your Child To Work Day Event
Four Decades Later, Healthy And Green Earth Day Brings Cash For Appliances
NATO agrees to launch Bosnia membership plan |
Burning Oil Rig Sinks In Gulf Of Mexico
IMF chief tries to shore up fraying G20 unity |
Obama Gets Cutter As Assistant for Special Projects
Greek workers strike, warn of social explosion |
U.S. Existing Home Sales Rise 6.8 Percent In March
Homeless May Be Protected From Hate Crimes Under Florida Law
Passengers Battered When Carnival Cruise Ship Tips
Obama makes defining pitch for finance reform
Pollution risk as US oil rig sinks after blast
Three dead, 70 wounded in Bangkok grenade attacks
Iran's Quds force in Venezuela, Latin America: Pentagon
Explosions kill 1, wound dozens in Bangkok
China will agree to new UN sanctions against Iran: Biden
Targeted killings put Pakistan's Swat back on edge
Grenade blasts kill 1, wound 75 in Bangkok
Briton's arrest in Kyrgyzstan raises concerns
Burqa bans infringe women's rights, say Indonesian clerics
Japan's most popular politician bolts conservative party
Indonesian workers riot over 'stupid' slur
Big expectations for RIM at BlackBerry trade show |
Automakers showcase new models at Beijing show
Japan's debt threatens its credit rating, says Fitch
Budapest book fest honours Israel
Fitch warns Japan credit rating at risk from debt
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Korea keen on Kazakh uranium, grain
London crowds say farewell to punk pioneer McLaren
China tycoon goes on trial for graft
NCAA signs $10.8 billion basketball tourney TV deal
India in danger of urban 'chaos': report
Playboy porn breaks into Disney channel
In Haiti, schools lure back students with a free daily meal
Michelin covers three more Japanese cities
Thousands take to Swiss Alps in gruelling Glacier race
Lisa Kudrow forges diverse post Friends career |
Irish author Banville loves being Black |
NCAA signs $10.8 billion basketball tourney TV deal |
Israel PM seeks new plan as U.S. envoy visits
UK's election race tightens after second TV debate
Thai police confront red shirts after grenade attack |
Microsoft profit soars with Windows 7 sales
No sign Scuds moved to Lebanon
Under-fire Ukraine president defends Russia deal
Israel PM seeks new plan as U.S. envoy visits |
U.S. sees sanctions by May; Iran lobbies against West
Microsoft to invest in small black-owned firms in SAfrica
Stars shine spotlight on the planet for Earth Day
US newspapers draw record traffic in first quarter: NAA
Minister says rockets not fired from Jordan
G20 plots post-crisis path; Greece dampens hopes |
Amazon net profit up but shares slide
Car bomb explodes outside Northern Ireland police station |
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking |
Guatemala hands over key file in army genocide case |
No sign Scuds moved to Lebanon: U.S. officials |
Venezuela raids cocaine labs on Colombia border |
Ariz. lawmakers: Candidates must prove citizenship
NKorea says it will seize 5 SKorean assets
US, African Union pledge greater engagement
US, China to resume human rights dialogue
Alleged US victim aims to open Vatican abuse files
N.Korea seizes S.Korean assets at mountain resort
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
China says naval exercise near Japan not a threat
China to OK new UN sanctions against Iran: Biden
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking
Thai police tell Reds to retreat after grenade attacks
Sri Lanka president to appoint new cabinet
Obama, Dalai Lama world's most popular leaders: poll
Remaining wreck of S.Korean warship lifted from seabed
Suspected militants kill 4 'US spies' in Pakistan
Redbox gets deals with Fox, Universal movie studios
Wipro quarterly profit up 21 pct, attrition rises
Chinese auto maker Chery says signs Messi
Kia Motors says Q1 profit quadruples, sales rise
PAKISTAN
NZ credit card billings rise in March
S.Korea's Kia Motors earnings quadrupled in Q1
S.Korea hopes to bridge divide over yuan
Honda doubles operating profit: report
Brazilian state bans Toyota Corolla sales on safety concerns
Susan Boyle success helps Cowell amass a fortune
Polanski loses bid to be sentenced in absentia
Fox to air delayed lingerie ad with busty models
"Dragon" set to overshadow J.Lo at box office
Woody Allen details movie with Carla Bruni
Four-day adventure gets Irish film to NY's Tribeca
Redbox gets deals with Fox, Universal movie studios
Rapper B.o.B leads chart, Glee crew ubiquitous
Nixed "Idol" Tim Urban gives secret to his smile
Polanski loses bid to be sentenced in absentia |
Woody Allen details movie with Carla Bruni |
Dragon set to overshadow J.Lo at box office |
Fox to air delayed lingerie ad with busty models |
Four-day adventure gets Irish film to NY's Tribeca |
Rapper B.o.B leads chart, Glee crew ubiquitous |
Greece pleads for debt aid
Bombs kill 56 in Baghdad after al Qaeda deaths
EU wants united airspace after ash cloud |
McAfee: rogue anti-virus slipped quality controls
Greece asks for activation of EU-IMF debt rescue
At least 32 killed in Baghdad attacks
Greece to seek EU-IMF debt bailout: govt source
Zimbabwe's Mugabe backs Iran's nuclear programme
Bombs kill 64 in Iraq after al Qaeda deaths |
Tori Spelling Starring In Planned ABC Talk Show
ABC, Fox Deny Refusal To Air Lane Bryant Plus-Size Lingerie Ad
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
NATO irons out plan for Afghan civil, military handover
50 Cent Announces “The Invitation” U.S. Tour
Belgian bishop resigns over abuse of boy |
Iran agrees belatedly to better monitoring
SEC Staffers Engorge Hard Drives In Flaccid Economy
Two UC Davis Students Charged In Hamster Tortures
“Archie” Comes Out With First Openly Gay Character
UK parties clash over recovery after GDP data |
“Monsters Inc” Opening Sequel In 2012
Poll: Most Americans Confused About Health Care Bill
U.S. charges 11 Somalis with piracy in ship attacks |
Tiger Woods Mistress No. 1 Pitching Reality Show Idea
Napping Could Boost Memory, Especially If You Dream
NATO agrees Afghan plan, but says no rush to exit |
India police clash with Kashmir protest, 7 injured
Sri Lanka reduces Cabinet to 37 from more than 100
A day to honor poets? Quoth the raven 'Evermore'
US envoy in Israel talks amid spat between allies
Northern League says Berlusconi government doomed |
Kyrgyzstan's ousted president vows not to return
Sex abuse victim lawsuit against pope 'without merit'
Thai protesters want Parliament dissolved in month
Iraq closes secret prison, arrests 3 officers |
Suspect nabbed over killing of US consular worker
22 Indonesians die after drinking poisonous liquor
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking |
Clinton urges North Korea to avoid provocative actions
NATO says 2 US soldiers killed in Afghan firefight
China warns of anthrax, rabies in quake zone
Thai protesters welcome promise of fresh elections
Pakistani stocks down; rupee weakens; o/n rates flat
Pakistani banks to close on Saturdays to save power
Euro rises as Greece requests debt help
Euro at a year low as Greek debt weighs heavy
India approves $3.4 bln bank recapitalisation plan
India's Wipro reports profit rise
"Sondheim" tribute would be better without songs
China's Changan confirms Peugeot tie-up talks: report
Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus
Chinese auto maker Chery signs Messi
Singapore's 'void decks' reflect racial rainbow
Gandhi's sex life laid bare in new book
Usher's good and bad fight it out on new album |
Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus |
Simon Cowell ups fortune by $69 million in past year |
Avatar sets first-day Blu-ray sales record |
Sondheim tribute would be better without songs |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01