*Have you taken a look at Oprah’s OWN? Naturally some critics are certainly having a good-ol-time cracking on the media mogul’s new channel due to the lack of diversity, specifically Black faces.
BET co-founder Sheila Johnson had a mouth full to say about it on NPR’s “Tell Me More.”
“The only advice that I say, let’s open up your circle a little bit more. You know, we love the Dr. Phils. We love the Suze Ormans. Let’s open up. There are other people. And there’s also African-American experts out there that I think she should start bringing on her show that can reach even a wider audience.”
Host, Michel Martin commented about the Whiteness on the programming and lack of diversity is a bit confusing to some.
“No. Yes,” replied Johnson. “And I think she really should do that and not be afraid to do it. There’s really a lot of great experts out there that really know the businesses at hand. And I’d like to see her open up her circle to do that.”
In the meantime, Oprah announced to her OWN team that she’s proud of the new venture and says this is “revelatory for her.”
“We couldn’t ask for more – we built it and they came,” Winfrey told Multichannel News Thursday night during an OWN dinner party. “My dream is that they continue to come. It’s a long process – it’s not about this weekend it’s about sustainability long term, but I’m pleased with the start.”
Glad I’m not the only one who noticed that. But I guess Oprah is like, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And we know how much of O’s success came from pandering to them yt folks.
But if she is so quick to welcome a homeless (yt) man with a shady past, she should at least give some more consideration to her own peeps.
But I wouldn’t be waiting for much change from Oprah now.
I agree with you & Shelia Johnson, but who is she to talk when BET has ushered in some of the worst black “talent” and material ever. I’ve never been a huge fan of Oprah’s because of her constant pandering to white folk & because of how arrogant she is. She has never really tried to put any black folk on in the way that she has Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, and others.
By the way, her ratings have dropped significantly already. Oh how quickly the newness gets old! Maybe her arrogant ass will get her head out of the clouds when she realizes that running a network is totally different than running a 1 hour talk show!!
Why don’t people understand that we have NEVER been Oprah’s target demo? WHITE WOMEN are the ones who swear by her!
jazzfan, sadly I agree with you. When I saw that ad, I almost couldn’t find O for all the white skin blinding me.
I too noticed the lack of color not only on the lineup of the shows but behind the scenes as well.I saw a sprinkling of color amongst her staff but the majority are white and her top executives are white women, who also do the hiring.It may be that they are her target demographics but perhaps it is time to expand since this is supposed to be a new venture.
although sheila’s observation is correct, i dont put a lot of credence in what she says as relates to television. he credibility is suspect at best post b.e.t.
Gotta agree with you here Huey. Obviously BET has black faces, but they were presented for the most part in a negative light under Sheila’s watch.
Jeez, the network hasn’t been active a week and already the knives are out. Ms. Johnson has a lot of room to talk allowing BET to become the bastion of degrading music videos and tired, recycled re-runs.
While I am not even a fan of Oxygen, I wouldn’t judge something that hasn’t had a moment to find its level.
too bad sheila didn’t give this advice re program diversification to her husband when he was the head of BET. she isn’t the most credible person to be speaking about how a network should be run
i just love it when black people take out their measuring sticks to measure others blackness
I noticed it immediately; as someone already stated, “blacks were NEVER the target demographics” since she began her original show 25 years ago – no surprise here to me.
I agree with huey, ClosetNerdGirl and versatile on O’s network BUT!!! Ms johnson is not a reliable source and she is a fien one to talk when BET had some of the most stupid and buffonery shows on their network. She and her ex hubby got quite wealthy form it I might add. Yes, I agree OWN should have more black faces in front and behind the camera and perhaps Oprah will get the message and do better.
If you read what Johnson said, she talked about diversity.
BET is not a good comparison because Johnson didn’t build his empire absent a diversity in programming.
You tell ‘em Sheila!!!!.
Still “my girl” after 35 years!!!
Yeh says the women with a cooning network. What diversity are you talking about? More drug dealing themes? More booty shakin because in your head it represents all blacks? Not hardly. Contrary to belief,being on the other side (pot) calling her out (black)If you must know… white people watch BET more than we do, many of us can’t stand the total disrespect of their people. I ONLY started watching after 15 years because I wanted to watch the Game. Get it together and quit hating on someone who did not choose to exploit her own people to make a profit.
@uarecrazy, I can hardly imagine Oprah having anything on her network to exploit and degrade her own so we don’t have to worry about her doing a BET number BUT it would be nice to add some diversity on her show. I’ll reserve my judgement on OWN for awhile. It’s still new and there will be a lot she will constantly add to the new network.
I am appalled by Oprah’s lack of black faces on her new program – then again she loves to cater to others other than her OWN (how ironic is that…lol). Like a few posters have mentioned, “what ground does Sheila Johnson has to say”? Well, a lot if you ask me. Even if she [Sheila] didn’t portray her people in the best light – still, she brought us to the table! Oprah, has done nothing to advance the careers of other “highly” intelligent black professional! I think this seems from the fact she always wanted to be white. I have watched her show and I can tell you this sister [lack of a better word] loves the other race than her ‘OWN’!
I can name the times she has done something for her people:
1. She donated $20,000.000 for Katrina Efforts
2. She gave the sister the house and paid her mortage for a few years
3. Built a school in Africa – and shun it since the harassment was brought to light
4. Brought Jay-z to the table after she was clowned by other rappers by not using her show as a forum
5. Had only one black professional on her show (can’t recall her name) and NEVER heard from her again.
6. She had the Legends Balls
…. and I am sure she probably has done more, but I can’t recall. Even a few months ago when she has the black woman that was homeless and just finished her tour of the military, I didn’t hear or rea if she did anything to assist her? Oprah has the means to bring a lot things to the masses. I am not saying black people are “wanting a handout” but dam, she only recognizes her blackness when put on the spot. I hope she isn’t celebrating too much because the ratings for OWN are slipping big time. I think 25 years if enough for her – she could have had other black people “primed” to carry her torch, but this sister is all about the other other than her OWN!!! To me, she is no better than O.J. and a host of others that don’t recall their “blackness” until something trajic happens in their lives! No matter what – you are still black and the rest of society will definitely let you know it!!! Wake up… someone in your family walked the picket lines!
Forgive me grammatical errors – I was typing fast and didn’t “proof-read”…duh!!!
@ timmdogg – i am with you on 100% on your statement. Already her own people critizing her to do right by them, we were not the ones that helped her along the way but yet she still reaches out to the millions of us who want to receive her. Some blac folk make it so easy for yt or other blac folk not to deal with us, just by what they speak. She doesn’t owe us(blac)folk anything. If Barbara or anybody else doesn’t see the diversity maybe they should look at something else. The fact that Oprah is the woman she is should be diversity enough, or shut up and create your own diversity if you think its that easy…….
Oprah probably thought many people would assume that she would have a “Black Network” only, but let’s give her some time and hopefully she’ll realize that there’s soo much talented and educated black people that are more than qualified to be a part of her network.
For some strange reason some black people once they attained a certain level of wealth or prestige, seem to forget their surroundings and have this mentality they are “color-blind” and that the world is Utopia!??? Don’t get it twisted, once that azz is in trouble then they want to come home and say “the man” aint right! We as black people don’t own other blacks anything – but we do owe our race the respect and admiration “our forefather” and others did to accomplish the things in life we take sooooo much for granted! Oprah, is a really sad prominent African American in the eyes of her ‘OWN’ people! Nothing but a rich “southern mammy”, that ignores her past. I tell you – yt is just waiting to get some photos of her and Gail caught in the act!
Y’all know if she was to turn OWN black, she’d be bankrupt. Can’t stand Oprah Winfrey at all. Middle age, stay at home peckerwood white women have made her a billionaire. Can’t knock her hustle!
People stop all the negativity. It’s a wonderful thing that Oprah has her OWN network. It’s called OWN for more reasons than some of us want to admit. The reality is…it is her network and she can put on whatever she pleases. You as the consumer can chose to change the channel or watch the channel. The choice is yours! I’m very proud of Oprah and all her accomplishments!