Oprah Feud

[1Parker1]

The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Oprah Winfrey didn't waste any time in the new season of her syndicated TV show to revisit her summer feud with luxury store Hermès.

Halfway through Monday's premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," the talk-show host addressed the incident in June when she was turned away from Hermès' Paris boutique. Winfrey was denied entry after arriving at the posh store 15 minutes after closing time — even though others continued shopping inside.

"I just want to say shame on anybody for thinking that I was upset for not being able to get into a clothes store and buy a purse," said Winfrey. "Please, please."

"Everybody who's ever been snubbed because you were not chic enough or the right class or the right color or whatever — I don't know what it was — you know that that is very humiliating and that is exactly what happened to me."

"I would like to say we're really sorry," said Robert Chavez, the chief executive officer of Hermès USA, who was a guest on Winfrey's show. "You did meet up with one very, very rigid staff person."

"Rigid or rude?" Winfrey challenged.

"Rigid and rude, I'm sure," Chavez replied.

Winfrey said she wasn't playing "the celebrity card" and that she knew "the difference between the store being closed and the store being closed to me."Nevertheless, Winfrey complimented Hermès on its handling of the incident (including "sensitivity training" for employees), and urged viewers to again buy Hermès products.

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=202212&GT1=6955


I am a huge fan of Oprah. But lately, I've been liking her a little less. She is definitly in the wrong here. Anyone who's worked in retail knows, once you close the store, all the registers and deposits for the day are registered in and clsoed along with it. She is so pulling the "Celebrity" card here. If she was a regular Joe, she'd understand that this is how it works in the real world for everyone.

She's just causing trouble by pulling the whole "Race card."

What do you think?

[MannyIsGod]

Give me a fucking break!

[1Parker1]

Give me a fucking break!


That's what I said! Oprah has really turned into those high and mighty celebreties this past year or so. She's always throwing those extravagent, exclusive, select celebrity parties only, she's always having either her celebrity friends on the show or a show about transgender people. I think she's lost some of her substance.

[angel_luv]

I don't know what the employee said or anything other than what I just read.

But to me, unless you have made special arrangements ahead of time, when a store is closed, it is closed. Sorry, please come again.

Granted their is a right and wrong way for an employee to deliver that message.

[angel_luv]

If anyone should be mad, it should be the store owner.

I could see an owner wanting to cater to potential big purchasers.

[1Parker1]

The employee didn't tell her anything other than, sorry we're closed!

I mean, shit, just the other day I walked into the Anne Taylor at the mall just as they were shutting the doors..............and they wouldn't let me in?

[1Parker1]

If anyone should be mad, it should be the store owner.

I could see an owner wanting to cater to potential big purchasers.


I can't believe that the President of Herme's actually went on her show and apologized to her. Not to metnion make employees take sensitivity training classes. :rolleyes

[Flea]

Doesn't this store stay open for celebrities so they could shop after hours without interference?

[1Parker1]

Doesn't this store stay open for celebrities so they could shop after hours without interference?


Yes, but they usually have to call in and arrange that before hand!

[angel_luv]

The owner had to go on the show and apologize to save face and business. People listen to Oprah. Therefore can make or break you.

It was a typical management reaction.

[Clandestino]

supposedly the store wasn't closed and people were still in there shopping... the french are very racist and she wasn't let in because she was black...

europe in general is a very racist place.

a lot of times the doorman would tell me the club was full bc they would think i was turkish... i would say(in english), are you sure the club is full.. and they would say, oh american, come on in..

[1Parker1]

Yes, and she knows that, hence refuting her "I'm not pulling the celebrity card" statement.

[TDMVPDPOY]

APU: plz come back again :D

big freakn deal

[Useruser666]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40759/2

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Oprah-Gives-C.article.jpg


Oprah Stuns Audience With Free Man Giveaway

September 21, 2005 | Issue 41•38

CHICAGO—The season premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show unleashed a surprise for viewers Monday, when host Winfrey presented her studio audience with an unexpected gift: eligible men.
Enlarge ImageOprah Stuns Audience With Free Man Giveaway

Winfrey presents the studio audience with men.

"Everybody gets a man! Everybody gets a man!" said Winfrey, almost drowned out by cries of disbelief as 276 men, one for every member of the studio audience, filed onto the Oprah set.

Hoping to top last year's season-debut surprise, when members of the studio audience received free cars, Winfrey watched elated as the men knelt before their awestruck new mates and delivered gallant kisses and professions of undying affection.

"Signed, sealed, delivered... they're yours!" Winfrey said.

Hand-picked by Winfrey and her staff, the men range in age from 29 to 63 and were described by assistant producer Sally Heffernan-Ross as "great catches" with semi-professional to professional careers and stable personalities.



"Oprah showed it can happen: You can get that man of your dreams, or at least of your minimal expectations," Heffernan-Ross said.

The men, dressed in fresh chinos and polo shirts and bearing single red roses and gift baskets from Bath & Body Works, emerged moments after audience members were instructed to reach beneath their chairs, where they found inlaid boxes containing keys.

The keys, Winfrey explained, unlocked the doors to the men's individual domiciles.

"He's yours! He's completely yours!" Winfrey said to one speechless young woman who appeared stunned by what was going on around her. Assuring "no months of awkward dating" or "questions over who's going to make the first move," Winfrey said her man giveaway had totally eliminated the guesswork of romance.

The men Winfrey gave away are guaranteed to enjoy snuggling, to find the few extra pounds gained over time "cute," and to have read at least three books by the poet Maya Angelou.

"Oh, I love Maya," said one of the giveaway men, 32-year-old electrical engineer Doug Jefferson, who also enjoys warm, comfy sweaters. "I think she's very brave. Heck, I love poetry in general. Who doesn't?"

Winfrey had to reassure several of the more timid studio-audience members.

"Don't worry, ladies, they won't be going anywhere," Winfrey said. "Kiss him! Give his behind a little squeeze! It's okay—he's your man!"
As with 2004's Pontiac G6 giveaway, the man giveaway came as a complete surprise to audience members, many of whom said the men arrived just in time.
Enlarge ImageOprah Stuns Audience With Free Man Giveaway

Oprah celebrates with Stacy Feuerbach of Downers Grove, IL, who was given Daniel Berenbaum (left).

"I was beginning to think it was never, ever going to happen," said Karla Drozdowicz, 34, an unmarried bank teller from Superior, WI who won radio-sales executive Chris Iredell. "I'm totally thrilled to get Chris. He's not what I imagined from my romance stories, but I'll love him just the same."

Another audience member, Gwendolyn Havers, said her years of watching Oprah instead of dating had "finally paid off."

"My mom says my 'wallflower' personality keeps me from meeting men," Havers said. "Well, if I wasn't such an Oprah fan, I wouldn't have gotten tickets to her show, and I wouldn't have won [part-time assistant tech-support manager] Eric [Fitzgerald]."

Heffernan-Ross said the audience members were selected from a pool of "hundreds of thousands of single, lonely women" who had put in requests for show tickets.

"Unlike the selection process for the men, finding unattached women was very easy," Heffernan-Ross said. "All we had to do was stick our hands in a big barrel of letters, and voilá, our perfect audience."

Harpo Productions, Winfrey's production company, assured the winners that their prizes are guaranteed to "be into [them]" through 2010, and agreed to pay all local and state taxes relating to the men, as well. However, federal income tax and expenses such as meals, movie tickets, motel stays, teddy bears, plush slippers, and commitment rings will not be covered.

Audience member Karen Schoenegge, 38, who was awarded 41-year-old collections-department supervisor John Zimmerman, said several drawbacks have emerged since the show's taping.

"Well, as soon as we got back to the hotel, I found out that John doesn't give backrubs," Schoenegge said. "He's also weird about me walking in the bathroom to pee while he's in the shower. I mean, it's not like I'm looking at him. He needs to loosen up a little. But I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. I really, really needed a new man."

The seven audience members who declined their men, saying that they were too insecure about their weight to feel confident in a romantic relationship, were instead treated to all-expenses-paid weekends at the Omni Hotel in downtown Chicago.

[Swishy McJackass]

She's making too much out of this. She was LATE. The store was CLOSED. I'm pretty sure the people still shopping got to the store BEFORE they closed. Most stores don't kick people out just because its closing time.

Hell, the best part of my job is pulling that gate at closing time and turning people away. I just want to get the fuck out of there and go home.

[angel_luv]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40759/2

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Oprah-Gives-C.article.jpg


Please tell me this is a joke!

[BigDaddyMatty]

Its the Onion...Of course it's a joke.

[Trainwreck2100]

Oprah is, and has always been full of shit.

[ObiwanGinobili]

The employee didn't tell her anything other than, sorry we're closed!

I mean, shit, just the other day I walked into the Anne Taylor at the mall just as they were shutting the doors..............and they wouldn't let me in?


You were shopping at Ann Taylor???
I think thats teh big story here... :lol whats up with that??

[ChumpDumper]

If Oprah comes toward my store with a checkbook in her hand (well, her assistant's probably), I'm opening back up. The commision would be worth it.

[Jelly]

I can't believe that the President of Herme's actually went on her show and apologized to her. Not to metnion make employees take sensitivity training classes. :rolleyes

Perhaps Oprah should be the one taking sensitivity classes. Maybe show a little more respect for retail sales people and their working hours. But since she is accustomed to being treated like the Queen of Sheba, I don't see that happening. She is being ridiculous. She's making the Herme's president grovel on her TV show over this and, of course, he has to do it because she's one of the most powerful women in the world. No one ever dares critisize or challenge Oprah on anything. She is beyond reproach. And I'm so sick of the way people in this country worship Oprah like she's a freakin' deity. She has got to be one of the most over-rated, full of shit people in the world.

[DrRich]

Have you guys ever listened to Casting Crowns? In their song, What if People Prayed, there is a line that says: "WHat if people prayed and stopped asking Oprah what to do...." It's my favorite line in the whole song!!

[Trainwreck2100]

If Oprah comes toward my store with a checkbook in her hand (well, her assistant's probably), I'm opening back up. The commision would be worth it.

Would you if she was only buying a purse.

[ChumpDumper]

Would you if she was only buying a purse.You might want to check the prices of Oprah-level handbags.

Guess how much this hat sells for at Hermes.

http://usa.hermes.com/commun/produits/hats/int/detail/991033n7e56.jpg

My answer is yes.

[Slomo]

Would you if she was only buying a purse. I once entered a Hermes shop in London because I saw a handbag that I was sure my wife would have liked. After I was told the price I decided to get her something cheaper.



She loves her new car!

[angel_luv]

I once entered a Hermes shop in London because I saw a handbag that I was sure my wife would have liked. After I was told the price I decided to get her something cheaper.



She loves her new car!



:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

[1Parker1]

You were shopping at Ann Taylor???
I think thats teh big story here... :lol whats up with that??


:lol Please, I just needed a new suit for work!!!!!!!!!!!

[1Parker1]

I once entered a Hermes shop in London because I saw a handbag that I was sure my wife would have liked. After I was told the price I decided to get her something cheaper.



She loves her new car!


:lol

[batman2883]

I hope that fat bitch dies already i can't stand oprah..
-Horry

[1Parker1]

Robert Horry doesn't like Oprah?

[angel_luv]

Splain please Batboy

[batman2883]

im sorry Oprah is a horrible horrible woman who tried to stop us from eating hamburgers

[angel_luv]

I get that you don't like her but what is the Horry reference?

[batman2883]

Horry for 3...????

[angel_luv]

I didn't get that you were quoting Horry for 3

[batman2883]

Sorry Angel its something you would never understand

[alamo50]

LeBron will be on Oprah today.

[batman2883]

FUck Lebron James too

[angel_luv]

Sorry Angel its something you would never understand


It is probably for the best. = )

[Ocotillo]

Kewl, I can buy Hermes again.

[Marcus Bryant]

Who cares about Orpah?

Probably the same folks who care about Martha. Martha should've been getting fisted for the next 20 years. The Tyco guys are going to be spending some quality time in the NY state prison system, starting with a sleepover in Rikers. Now that's justice.

[Marklar MM]

She obviously never heard of the internet. Open 24/7/365.

[A Serbian Beast]

Oprah Winfrey doesn't care about white people.

[T Park]

The owner had to go on the show and apologize to save face and business. People listen to Oprah. Therefore can make or break you.

It was a typical management reaction.

no a typically politically correct, bullshit apology that wasn't needed at all.

Shes pulling the race card?? NoOOOOO!!!! I WONT HEAR OF IT!!!!

I stopped giving a shit what she though after the whole beef thing.

Fuck her.

[Shelly]

Well, say what you will, but she did donate $10 million to Katrina Aid.

[Spurminator]

Cue "Yeah but compared to what she makes, tightwad bitch, yada yada"...

[A Serbian Beast]

Well, say what you will, but she did donate $10 million to Katrina Aid.
Most of those people are black down there, so of course she did.

[Kori Ellis]

Would you if she was only buying a purse.

Hermes purses are sometimes in excess of $10K.

[ChumpDumper]

The hat was $280.

[Mixability]

Fuck her.

:tu

[T Park]

Well, say what you will, but she did donate $10 million to Katrina Aid

good for her.

Do it quietly like 95% of america does, dont have someone publish it.


BUt whatever.

Im sure ill be labeled a facist racist again, so whatever.

[ChumpDumper]

I would say that publicizing her donation might encourage her viewers to follow suit. I mean look at all the shitty books that have been sold on her recommendation.

[Kori Ellis]

Ugly Hermes Bag - $4995.

http://www.ciaobella.shoppingcartsplus.com/i//tn_bluetogoorange008.jpg

[T Park]

if people wait for someone like Orah to donate, so that THEY can donate? Then I have honestly lost all hope for humanity.

[midgetonadonkey]

http://vnexpress.net/Vietnam/Van-hoa/Guong-mat-Nghe-sy/2005/04/3B9DCF17/oprah-xau-to.jpg

I'd hit it.

[T Park]

I dont get hermes, I dont get Louis Vuitton, Coach, manolo blahnik.........

I dont get any of that overpriced BS.

[Kori Ellis]

Nice Hermes Bag - $15,000.

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/fb/50/08_12_sb.JPG

[ChumpDumper]

BTW - I thought the beef fiasco was just about the funniest chapter in my hometown's history. The citizens' starfucker instincts completely overrode any consideration for local economic concerns.

[Shelly]

I would say that publicizing her donation might encourage her viewers to follow suit. I mean look at all the shitty books that have been sold on her recommendation.

I'd say it's more of "Oprah's got millions of money, why hasn't she donated?" kind of thing.

[Shelly]

Nice Hermes Bag - $15,000.

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/fb/50/08_12_sb.JPG


That is a cute bag!

[midgetonadonkey]

Nice Hermes Bag - $15,000.

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/fb/50/08_12_sb.JPG

It looks like something you can buy at a flea market next to the ostrich skin cowboy boots. I can't believe someone would pay 15g for that.

[ChumpDumper]

I'd say it's more of "Oprah's got millions of money, why hasn't she donated?" kind of thing.Two birds.

[T Park]

15 grand....

youve got to be fuckin kidding me.

YOU CAN BUY A CAR FOR LESS THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kori Ellis]

It looks like something you can buy at a flea market next to the ostrich skin cowboy boots. I can't believe someone would pay 15g for that.

I actually have a similar looking ostrich bag that I got from an estate sale for $20. :)

[ChumpDumper]

Why did they take a picture of it in an airport restroom?

[The sone]

Give me a fucking break!


manny your comments speak for us all...

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Oprah sucks big dick

[The sone]

http://vnexpress.net/Vietnam/Van-hoa/Guong-mat-Nghe-sy/2005/04/3B9DCF17/oprah-xau-to.jpg

I'd hit it.


you sick fuck

[CharlieMac]

Anyone who has ever worked in retail knows thaat you turn people away 5 minutes before you even close.

[Jelly]

Well, say what you will, but she did donate $10 million to Katrina Aid.

No. I'm pretty sure it was just 1 million.

[exstatic]

You people crack me up. Oprah, while no saint, is the most sane and normal uber-rich person in the world. She went out and about in Paris looking like a bag lady and got Punk'd. BFD. Did she get anyone fired over this? Geroge Steinbrenner once got a hotel operator fired because he was calling the front desk and it rang too many times.

Lighten up.

[exstatic]

No. I'm pretty sure it was just 1 million.

What? Do you manage her fucking checkbook?


Oprah donates $10M (http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1004634)

[NZHayden]

People listen to Oprah. Therefore can make or break you.

is this said in a russian accent? :lmao

ohh and those handbags. F**KEN ugly, 15g could pay for my college education with change

[angel_luv]

no but it was said in horrible sentence structure.
I should not post when I first wake up in the morning. = )

[T Park]

is the most sane and normal uber-rich person in the world

yes being offended that someone wont stay open for you, because you have money, is quite sane.

Suprised you dont hate her Ex since she is successfull and has money.

All liberals percieve the rich as evil.

[Trainwreck2100]

http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/fb/50/08_12_sb.JPG
I'd hit this before






http://vnexpress.net/Vietnam/Van-hoa/Guong-mat-Nghe-sy/2005/04/3B9DCF17/oprah-xau-to.jpg

I'd hit this.

[Kori Ellis]

If I got to a store late (and I was dying to get something) and they were still letting people shop but wouldn't let me in, I'd probably throw a fit too. Granted, I wouldn't pull the class/race card (maybe because I'm a WASP) but I'd still get mad. If it was closed and all the customers were just checking out that's one thing, but if people were still browsing -- they probably should have let her in, knowing she was going to lay down $10K or more.

Anyway, I don't get what the big hoopla is about. I'm not an Oprah fan at all (I think I've only watched her show 3 times ever) but she does a lot of charity work and seems decent compared to a lot of people.

[exstatic]

yes being offended that someone wont stay open for you, because you have money, is quite sane.
I think she was just mad because the store was closed/closing in her face. That's never happened to you? You've never gone anywhere just as they were closing? It has nothing to do with having money or not having money.


Suprised you dont hate her Ex since she is successfull and has money.
She seems willing to part with it for good causes. I think you hate anyone with money who isn't scrooge-like, telling people to earn their own, dammit!

[midgetonadonkey]

you sick fuck

Why not? A moist opening is a moist opening. That phrase is on my family crest.

[scott]

15 grand....

youve got to be fuckin kidding me.

YOU CAN BUY A CAR FOR LESS THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or a Spurs bobblehead.

[Sense]

15 grand....

youve got to be fuckin kidding me.

YOU CAN BUY A CAR FOR LESS THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


In Eagle Pass, you can buy 5 cars for that money.

[T Park]

running or not running?



She seems willing to part with it for good causes. I think you hate anyone with money who isn't scrooge-like, telling people to earn their own, dammit!

Glad your thinking for me once again.