It’s a new year, but Oprah’s back to her old self. It’s been a few weeks since she stated the obvious: she’s gained weight, and it’s not just holiday pounds. But there’s a silver lining to the somewhat inflated cloud that is Oprah, and that beacon light is the Best Life Series. Oprah began this week-long self-improvement program on Monday talking about her weight. Yes, “again,” but she’s the first to admit we should all be sick of this subject. She can’t believe she’s once again the big 2-0-0, especially considering the downright arrogant stance she took on weight loss during her skinny mini stage about four years ago. Open mouth, insert foot. Oprah spent the first half of Monday’s show eating crow, admitting her life has been out of whack, and that balance was what she truly hungered for. You may assume sitting through a solemn Oprah diatribe would make you want to head for The Hills, but in fact hearing the Great and Powerful Oprah speak honestly about her own flaws made her amazingly human, and we immediately rooted for her. more ›

On Monday, a disturbing story yielded disturbing information about our legal practices in this country as the show welcomed Marty Tankleff, a man recently freed from prison for the murder of his parents. Marty, who always knew he was not his parents’ killer, told the story of why he confessed to a crime of which he was wrongfully accused. Before he could get a word out, our knee-jerk judgmental side asked, “Why would anyone confess to a murder they didn’t commit?” The answer was in the mind games prosecutors sometimes play when investigating crimes. Per the experts, in 25% of cases seeking overturn through DNA evidence, a confession has been signed. So how does this happen? In Tankleff’s case, the police told him his father had been pumped full of adrenaline, came out of his coma, and fingered his son for the crime. Marty, only 17 and feeling his father would never lie, became confused and began to doubt himself. The trick caused him to confess. The most shocking part of this story? American police are allowed to do this stuff. more ›

Suze Orman again?? Who are we kidding. We can’t get enough of the Suze. This Monday there she was wearing the same gold earrings as always, but this time she was doing her “Can You Afford It?” thing from her show. Show me the money! Can a speech therapist mother-of-two afford to stay at home? No. Can a hip, young college grad afford an extravagant lifestyle? Hells no. Can a sales manager with a healthy 401K and stock options afford to retire? FUCK no. Man, these are troubled times we’re living in. more ›

It was all squeals right off the bat this Monday when Oprah brought out Nate “Dreamy Dreamhouse Maker” Berkus and announced someone in the audience would be taking him home for a free home makeover. Oprah followed this act of benevolence by doing the meanest thing ever: dragging an unsuspecting mother of 5 out of bed and throwing her on national television via Skype. Oprah had good reason, though, as Mom won a free home makeover too. Yippee! The show took a more sentimental turn with the return of Fannie Eugene, a guest Oprah once crowned “Princess for a Day” and showered with gifts back in 2003. Now a post-Katrina victim stuck in a FEMA trailer for the last 18 months, Fannie once again received the much-deserved royal treatment from Dreamboat Berkus. With a new house and new hope, tiara-sporting Princess Fannie’s spirit was renewed, as was ours. This is why we watch Oprah. more ›