The Oprah Effect

It’s official – the Aussie Oprah obsession has gone completely over-the-top.  I thought it was bad enough when she first announced she was coming out here.  Everyone was in a twitter and it seemed to be the only thing the news programs and talk shows could drone on about.  But now that she’s actually stepped foot on Australian soil, the infatuation has reached new heights.  There have been daily travel updates, detailing her exact whereabouts and activities.  There is a constant running commentary on where she eats, what she wears, and what she says.  The Oprah overload never ends.  Don’t get me wrong; I like Oprah as much as any other woman on this planet.  (I would kill to be an audience member on her Favorite Things show.)  But this total adoration is slightly disconcerting and almost creepy.  She is only human, after all.  And there are other things on the news to report.  (For example - the massive flooding taking place all over the country.)  Of course, good luck explaining that to all of the major news networks, who have set up camp at the Sydney Opera House today, where she is taping two shows.  They are dedicating more coverage and media analysis to this than they did the Prime Ministerial election.  It’s insane!  I finally had to turn the television off because I couldn’t take any more of the love fest.  It was just too much Oprah-lovin’ for me to stomach.

Oh Oprah!

Oprah is coming to Australia!  Big deal, you may be thinking.  Such news is barely worth a yawn in the states.  Not here in Australia.  This is the biggest news to hit the magical land of Oz all year.  Seriously.  Everyone is atwitter.  All of the news programs and talk show hosts are gushing about it non-stop.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  After all, it wasn’t that long ago that a condemned children’s tree house was the top news story of the week.  (People seriously had their panties in a bunch over that one!)  I get that Australia is a little isolated and starved for any real news.  Typically, the headlines have something to do with some footy player making a drunken fool of himself.  So, I really shouldn’t be surprised Oprah’s impending visit is the biggest thing since Vegemite.  But do I really need to see another interview with her wearing that ridiculous bush hat?  Does she have any idea no one but Crocodile Dundee actually wears those things?  (Reminder - he's a fictional character!)  It’s embarrassing.  Thanks for playing into the stereotypes, Oprah.  I’m just praying that something else comes along soon to steal her thunder, because I can't take much more of this.  (Who am I kidding?  It’s going to take a lot more than a drunken footballer to overshadow Oprah!)