How did just the commercial made you decide not to watch…im just curious!

It seems to me it is an act of humility for Oprah to act on a TV show because the actors have to take direction from the director. If Oprah had an ego problem, I doubt Lee Daniels would have bothered to ask her to be a part of the show because she would have been too much trouble! He would know, having directed her before. So to say Oprah has an ego problem doesn’t make much sense in this context.

An act of humility, Gmbenet? Oprah’s not as relevant as she once was. EMPIRE has the fastest growing ratings in the country right now. There’s nothing humble about being on that show…she wants in! ( not saying I blame her…she loves acting and it’s a hit show) but let’s be real. She’s doing it for Oprah. Personally? Seeing her on that show will break that forth wall for me. Unless she plays herself…that might work if she’s there to interview the family or one if…I cops. Deal with that…

Fourth wall

Ican deal with that.

Jimh…I agree with everything you wrote…you put into words exactly what I interpreted from Gmbenet’s questions/comments…but I have something to add to Gmbebet…if anyone posting here didn’t want Oprah because he/she was racist…why would any of us be watching EMPIRE in the first place.

Jimh…I actually DO think Kanye’s incredibly inappropriate, insulting behavior to other artists he deems unworthy of winning is tied in to racism on his part…yes, I that example,mi think it really is. Until and if he pulls the same stunt if black artist wins, that’s the impression I’ve gotten.

Jimh

Thanks for your reply. I do agree that not everyone who dislikes Oprah feels that way because they are racist. I also agree that not everyone who disagrees with the views of an African-American does so because they are racist. Kanye West’s rude behavior toward Taylor Swift was not necessarily racist either, but it sure was a terrible thing to do to anybody regardless of race.

But in this case involving Oprah there had previously been so much backlash regarding the movie Selma and the events commemorating the Selma March that I did wonder. The backlash had occurred by comments on the website. That’s why I asked the question.

There seemed to be no explanation for the responses I was reading. And please note that I did ask rather than spew accusations of racism. I can accept that opposition to Oprah may be due to something other than racism. I’ve also read here that Oprah has a big ego. I do find that amusing based on everything I have seen from Oprah.

But let me share this for those who may be interested to hear. I think Lee Daniels just wanted to work with Oprah in this project. Period. Why? To have some FUN doing it. That is all! I also believe Oprah said yes for the same reason.

Have you noticed the number of African-American stars who have come on the show as guests or have recurring roles. In that sense, Oprah is just one in the number!

Not to take anything away from the show in any way but when was the làst time you saw a successful Primetime drama with this many African-American actors and producers, writers etc. involved? This is a thrilling time for them as entertainers! Excuse my expression, but “every hog and his brother” (an expression common among African-Americans) is coming on that show and they are having a blast! Oprah is an African-American (obviously) and those other African-American entertainers love and appreciate her for her accomplishments as well as for herself. So the idea of all of them being together on a project such as Empire in their minds is “Yes!”

I am confident that if those same African-American entertainers had read the exact same comments that I read in the same context, they would have asked the same questions too!

By the way, just because I don’t watch Empire (the story is not my “cup of tea”), doesn’t mean I am not aware of what stars are appearing on the show. I do keep abreast with the comings and goings. The premise is just not what I like to watch stories about.

Wow…is that true? I remember there was a former employee, a female, who said she felt Oprah treated her very badly because she was overweight and treated the thin, attractive female staff better. Saw the interview on either 20/20, 6o
minutes or dateline a few years back…don’t recall which show.

Chris…I can DEFINITELY believe that!!!!! Check this out: A long time ago, a friend of my mom’s had an older sister who (also) was an audience member of Oprah’s talk show. According to my mom’s friend’s older sister, Oprah (1) refused to make any eye contact with anyone sitting in the audience, (2) would not sign any autographs before or after the taping of the show and (3) VERY RUDELY kept barking out orders to the whole and entire staff (especially the cameramen) before and after taping of the show. Chris, as far as I’m concerned, Oprah’s E-G-O is BEYOND RIDICULOUS!!!!! Most of all, Oprah is nothing but a MEDIA-HUNGRY H-O-G who will do ANYTHING to make it all about H-E-R!!!!!! Beyond lame.

Have a good one, Chris. Peace.

You have your opinion and I have mine. She’s an ACTRESS and I’m sure she’ll play the part Daniel’s wants her to play and she’ll do great. It’s not her problem that other people can’t separate the difference.

Both DAYTIME and PRIME TIME use stunt casting–and NOT just when the show is doing bad, for example Liz Taylor was on GH when the show was at its prime. So stunt casting can happen anytime—perhaps prime time uses the word special guest star, but it is still stunt casting and all shows do it now and then.

I understand your point. Oprah is a personality and depending on the role it might be hard not to see anyone but Oprah on the screen. However, she is good friends with Lee Daniels and he is going to put on the show, whether you like or not– Oprah will be on this show, but take heart, knowing how busy she is I expect whatever role he writes for her, it would be short live.