We’ve received three calls from a reader, who didn’t leave a phone number or other contact information, complaining that Oprah got too much attention before, during and after her visit to Macon and that, contrary to what the newspaper might think, the talk show host doesn’t walk on water.
From the perspective of a newspaper editor, I'd say we had a nice few days in Macon covering Oprah’s visit. It was just the kind of story readers periodically tell us they want to see more of. Positive. Energizing. Fun. In the end, Oprah’s visit was a story about somebody doing something nice for somebody else. From all accounts, Oprah and her crew were very gracious guests who delighted hundreds of people by stepping out on the town and engaging with the locals. Frankly, some of the video footage made me wince because some eager fans seemed to forget that it can be frightening to be rushed. Everybody wanted a piece of Oprah, and she gave as much as anyone could have expected.
Does she walk on water? Of course not. She’s human, and that humanity was on display in fine form for a few days in our fair city.
By the way, if you did not visit macon.com during the visit, you can still find plenty of content related to Oprah’s visit. The photo slide shows and the videos are terrific. My favorite is video of the unscripted encounter between Oprah and fans outside her hotel Friday morning. If you haven’t already, check it out.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Oprah visit a shot in the arm, or too much?
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21 comments:
I think it was excellent coverage. Too bad the telegraph couldn't get a one on one interview with Oprah like her local affiliate did. I would like to see the story revisited in early 2008 after the recipients receive all of the gifts to how their lives were affected. My wife and I were able to attend the taping so we pretty much have two of everything and it will definately be spread around at Christmas.
I am sorry that the "first anonymous blogger" was so nonchalant about receiving "two of everything". What an honor and a gift to attend the show!!! I felt very honored and blessed to have been at the 1842 Inn that Friday morning. Oprah Winfrey was one of the most gracious and down to earth people that I have ever met. The interaction she had with the little preschoolers would certainly warm a cold heart. She made our precious city feel very special in a time of need.Macon has been divided for a long time. The election of a new Mayor and a visit from Oprah Winfrey were a shot in the arm that out city so desperately needed. Meeting Oprah Winfrey was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Kudos to Liz Fabian and all the photographers for all the wonderful coverage !!!!
Few times in my life have I seen the united spirit I saw when Oprah was in Macon. It happened in 1973 when we had 18 inches of snow, again in 1996 when we had the flood, and the last time was on 9/11. Almost everyone just came together because something good was happening. Maybe we will see some more of that with out new Mayor.
On re-read of my comment, I left out "or we needed to support each other" pertaining to 9/11. Sorry.
I thought the coverage was too much - but I seem to be the minority in saying so, after commenting on Oprah-related stories. I guess this is a big event for the Macon area, and we'll be hearing about this for months and months and months and months... so I've decided to buck up and just get ready to breeze past the stories, and the inevitable very negative, very racial comments on macon.com.
Opray Winfrey is a delightful and gracious lady who contributes much to society. Her visit was truly a blessing to Middle Georgia. I am a southern born/raised, white/male and believe that Ms. Winfrey is a significant international role model. I enjoy her show and appreciate her vast humanitarian work. Thank you Ms. Winfrey for all that you do for our world and nation. God bless you.
Lewis Cazenave
Montezuma, Georgia
I think the coverage was too much. Don't get me wrong, I love Oprah, but it has been over a week since she left and there are still pictures on the Telegraph website from her visit. I just get tired of reading about it a week after she left, as if there are not any other worthy news stories for the Telegraph to cover.
Well if you're tired of it... Then don't read about it.
Problem solved!
The coverage was fine, but I think people overestimate the impact of Oprah's visit on the city. What did Macon really get? A weekend with Oprah, a brief but positive spotlight, and some free refridgerators. Basically, a nice story. Don't forget that Oprah is a billionaire business woman and her visit to Macon was a business venture plain and simple. She visited her most loyal customers, Macon viewers, and gave away some free gifts. In return she receives ad revenues and builds on her billion dollar brand identity as a do-gooder. Do a little good and get rich in return? Not a bad way to make a living.
To the last poster:
You're obviously not paying attention to what she is actually doing.
Not only did she tell her many MANY viewers to visit Macon if they haven't already during the first show, but she's also doing another show this afternoon highlighting her tour of our city. Now I'm no marketing professional, but I would think that having a cultural icon such as Oprah promote your city and its establishments would have a more than significant impact on the city and those establishments...
Hello ,
I was watching Oprah's show and I thought I'd check out your town online .On Oprah's show your town welcomed her and her crew .Everyone looked sooo happy and glad to see her.
I was reading a few of the blogs about her visit.I was so surprised to see a few negative comments about her and her show.
Do you relize how fortunate your town is .I had never heard of your town until last week,Here I'm posting on your site Macon
So What she has alot of money.From being poor growing up ,look what hard work can do for you if your really want it .You know darn well she had to bust A_s to get where she is today.
I had tears watching last weeks show all the happy shocked faces.I bet the people that was at the show and recived so much were'nt thinking in the back of their minds I want money not gifts.Come on it sounds like you are jealious .There are thounds of citys + towns that would love her to visit.With al the crew spending money in your town.Far as I can see you all were blessed by her visit .Your town is now on the MAP.Thank God for all the blessings.She could of come to Dexter ,Maine .but SHE choose your town.
And those of you lucky enough to get two of every thing what about sharing with a family you don't know and then you would know what Oprah felt when she gave without asking for anything in return.Could you do that.
Sorry if I offended anyone
And I will visit your town someday and I bet many others will visit too.
To Melanie in Maine---Thank you for your comments about our city. Please do come and visit. We are truly very blessed to have had a visit from Ms. Winfrey. Macon.com has some great coverage of her visit and some wonderful video footage.
I guess not all of us could worship at the Mighty Temple of Oprah.
Or better yet... not all of us want to.
Although I've never been to Macon, I think it's extremely exciting that Oprah paid a visit to your city. It was a smart move on Oprah's part to acknowledge her number one audience in America with a personal visit. Furthermore, it's smart of the paper to cover this event as much as it did. When 43% of Macon's population watches Oprah, I'm sure a large percentage of that number read the Telegraph. Plus, how often does a small American city have a media mogul spotlight it in an episode? As a show that is viewed by 49 million viewers a week, I'd say that's a pretty good plug for Macon. I was even thinking about making a visit myself during the holidays.
Anyway, people that are making complaints seem to be just biting the hand that feeds them. While Oprah isn't that exact hand, the business Macon could drum up from new tourists certainly is not something to complain about. I say suck it up and just don't read those articles - there's no reason to start whining about it.
At least your paper isn't filled with people being shot and stabbed daily...I feel like the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, my morning read, can only focus on the negatives on everything in Atlanta. I'd gladly trade any of those for excess Oprah coverage.
Cultural icon? Society contributor? Role model? Are you people listening to yourselves? Some of you act like she's the Second Coming. I agree with the poster that said Oprah's effect in Macon was being overstated. I love her show, I love everything that she's done for not just Macon, but other places - but the butt-kissing is just nauseating.
Oprah's visit was good for Macon, but people make her out to be Mother Theresa. People do know all those gifts were donated by those company's for the air time on Oprah. They don't come out of her pocket, or the show's for that matter. These company's give these great gifts so people hear about their products, good advertising. I'm not saying Oprah is not generous, but she's the richest woman in the world, she's definately not giving the shirt off her back to anyone and anyone with that much to give, I would hope would be generous. Not all are as generous as her, but you don't become the richest woman in the world by being very generous, if she was that generous she could settle for like fifth richest woman and feed about a hundred hungry family's or just get fridges with TV's from LG and give those out, even if people can't afford food to put in them, they got a TV.
who says you have to give the shirt off your back to be generous? are you saying that the only way to be generous is to suffer.
I say you people need to get over yourselves and look at the Oprah visit for what it is: a good thing for Macon.
Oh wonderful! So we get to be known as the city that Oprah honored with her presence. I suppose that's better than being known as the city whose mayor honored Hugo Chavez, eh?
(I wonder how long this post-Oprahgasm glow is going to last...?)
Sherri, I was on your side about the Oprah coverage until I saw where the Telegraph actually assigned a reporter to investigate the National Enquirer's claims about how much Oprah ate while she was here. Now I'm just embarrassed for the Telegraph.
I have never been a big fan of Oprah or Jack Ellis. Thank God their both gone. Now let's here some news about someone who is doing something for Macon other than given out 'her' favorite things and 'him' having a hissy fit when he get caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Let's move on PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can this really be called a blog if it only gets updated about once a month or so? Sheesh
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