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Oprah Watch

By Margaret Hicks in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 2, 2007 10:24AM

Chicagoist can't deny the influence of Oprah. Her book club books shoot to best-sellers, her favorite things become best-sellers, and her presidential candidates become best-sellers. Chicagoist is going to start an Oprah Watch so you'll know sooner than later who to vote for, which fridge to buy, and which book will make your book club cry.

bobgreen12_2_07.jpgWednesday, Oprah and her personal trainer Bob Greene, welcomed people who have lost 100 pounds or more with no surgery and no diet pills. We've always found Bob Greene to be just a little skeevy — it could be his tiny, beady eyes — or it could be that he is way more healthy than we will ever be. We were ready to fall in line and be inspirational with our heavier sisters until Oprah started calling them “She-roes” instead of heroes. Sorry, that drives us nuts. We think it's sheover the top and shetupid and makes Oprah look a little too shenuts.

Oprahpants12_2_07.jpgThe weight loss stories were amazing though, Cathi’s story about making up fake names to buy a three-tiered wedding cake she could eat on her own in a matter of two days really amazed us. She ended up losing over 340 pounds.

We also heard from the six people who took Oprah and Bob Greene’s Best Life Weight Loss Challenge. They were so successful Opes and Bob are going to do a “million viewers weight loss challenge.“ Well, Chicagoist has a pound or twenty to lose, so we signed up with 999,999 of our closest friends to get personal attention from Oprah and Bob Greene. All we've done for now is sign a contract that says we will be physically active for 80 minutes a week and will be more aware of our eating habits. So far, we have been really aware that we are eating lots and lots of chocolate. We're off to a good start. We’ll keep you up to date and tell you how Oprah and Bob Greene are helping us lose weight online.

Oprahdude12_2_07.jpgOn Thursday Oprah hosted hairstylists to the stars. Hair makeovers are always impressive, all the women look so much better with their new cuts, but it felt like there were way just too many makeovers, how many do we have to see? Give us more celebrity gossip please. The most amazing one by far was the dude who got pulled in by an Oprah producer for his makeover. He went from not to hot. Too bad he's going to lose his part on the critically acclaimed "Caveman" series.

Foxxoprah12_2_07.jpgOn Friday we watched Country stars sing for Oprah. Really the singing guests shows are never that much fun to watch. The best part of these shows is watching Oprah mouth words to songs she doesn’t know. Hottie McCaramelskin Jamie Foxx sang with Rascal Flatts, surprising Oprah, who seemed a little peeved at the surprise. Apparently, Oprah's staff is told NEVER to surprise her. Vince Gill and Amy Grant showed up, and that was fairly uniniteresting until we heard their love story. The two were married to other people when they first met. We spent the rest of their interview not listening to them, but reading Christian message forums and articles about whether Amy Grant can still call herself a Christian singer. We had no idea she was such a heathen.

Monday is an "Ask Dr. Oz" show. Our question would go something like this, "Hey Dr. Oz, how come you never wear socks?" And then we'll watch him make Oprah touch something gross. S'gonna be a riot.

Email blast of the week:
“So many of us have been there — fighting other desperate mothers and fathers for the hottest toys of the season. If you find yourself caught up in a gift-giving frenzy, step back and take a breather!” Does Oprah know our problems or what?