I think that people look to Oprah for "guidance" because she's had such great success ion her life despite some pretty lofty obstacles. She was one of the first uber-successful women in the overwhelmingly male-dominated world of broadcast television, and not just as an on-air personality, but as a studio-chief of sorts as well. She appears to have multi-faceted success as well. She's attractive despite her weight issues, she's successful in her multiple business ventures, she successfully engages with celebrities at all levels and is active in their "social networks", and she's successfully contributes to making the word a better place. All this success while still letting us see some (but certainly not all) of her struggles. So, I think that many people see someone who has success in so many different areas and they want to bring some of that success to their own lives by reading what she reads, and using the exercise routine she uses, and eating the Ben & Jerry's Acai Berry ice cream she eats. Unfortunately many of those people also forget that you can't believe everything you see or read, and that there's plenty you never see or read, and clearly the Acai Berry ice cream ain't doing her any good right now.

Is Oprah too powerful? I dont think so, Like Rebecca I dont watch Oprah but I certainly know who she is.. and I have to say being a black woman raising two little girls, I need to have women like Oprah out there to show my girls that its not all about "shaking your money maker" or "your humps\lumps". When Oprah makes or breaks a country then you can talk to me about her having too much power. So Dooce if ever someone refers to you as the Oprah of the Bloggosphere,dont worry its a good thing, and all I can say is " More Power to Ya!"

I'm like Rebecca, I could count the times I've watched her show on one hand. Obviously she's powerful- there is no denying that. She's a powerful woman and a powerful black woman at that. So, she's going to draw some attention. I love her story, she is the picture of rags to riches.

My only problem with Oprah is that it feels to me as though the good things she does aren't always for the right reasons. I get a strong "LOOK AT ME and see how good a person I am" vibe from her that rubs me the wrong way. I like that she does use her power and influence in good ways, I just don't think she's always motivated by the right reasons.

While I don't watch Oprah personally, I admire her for what she has accomplished. And I don't think that she is "too powerful" but I do believe that people can get a little carried away with how much trust they put in her advice and guidance. But that is not Oprah's fault, therefore, I say "more power to her!"

good point tabitha! i totally get what you're saying about "people getting carried away with how much trust they put in her advice and guidance." does anyone here watch 30 rock? if so, did you see the oprah episode where they're on the plane and liz lemon basically asks oprah to more or less fix her life, and the lives of those she works with (the dispute between tracy and jenna). it's kind of along the same lines that tabitha mentions, and yes, while it's not oprah's fault, she does end up looking like the shepherd that rebecca mentioned on this episode.

I don't watch Oprah, so I can't say much but I will say I feel like she flaunts her money a lot which makes me uncomfortable.

I do agree with Bwankel that Oprah flaunts her money a lot and the fact that she is friends with TomKat ect.. ( that is one of the reasons that I do not watch her show... there is just too much of that..) but you have to give her props because she has worked hard to get where she is right now.

I'm an Oprah mag reader myself. Don't watch her on TV, but I love the intelligent, uplifting, positive messages coming out of that magazine, with just enough fluff to make it perfect airplane or "I deserve a treat" reading. What's not to love, really? Yes, she's rich. Obviously. I don't think that talking about it openly = flaunting. What's she gonna do -- pretend she's "just like you and me"? She's not when it comes to $, but when it comes to the stuff that matters, I feel like she just may be.