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Oprah

Oprah

Date: Mar 03 2010

Themes: News, Pop Culture

Grammar: Present Perfect Tense

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Thirty years ago, nobody would have predicted that an African-American woman raised by a poor single mother in a tiny southern town would become one of the most influential people in the world. But while not everyone is a fan of Oprah Winfrey, nobody can deny that she pulled herself up by her bootstraps to become a rich and powerful media tycoon, as well as an American icon.

Oprah produces movies, writes books, and publishes magazines. But she is best known for her TV talk show, which has been on air since 1986. Recently, Oprah announced that the show will end in 2011. She wants to retire so that she can devote more time to her philanthropy and other projects. Find out if Marni and Ella will be sad to see her go.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Ella

Ella

Marni:  So, Ella, I assume you’ve heard the news that millions of Oprah fans were dreading.

Ella:  Oh darn. Yes I did. I was so disappointed.

Marni:  I can sense the sarcasm. But I’m actually a huge Oprah fan. I think she’s kind of an incredible person. I mean she’s obviously a media mogul, an icon to many people. But I think that she does have a lot to say, a lot of interesting value. But also she’s had a really interesting stamp on our culture, because she’s so far-reaching, and you think about how she has such a huge impact on book sales with her book club, and it’s just like people are total fanatics about anything that she recommends.

Ella:  No, this is true. I don’t dislike her. I respect her as an individual, as being, you know, kind of a trendsetter. And like, it’s very authentic, and that’s what I respect about it. It’s very her, she’s not basing it on anyone else, it’s just what her tastes are.

Marni:  Right.

Ella:  Did you hear about the woman who’s living one year based on everything Oprah says?

Marni:  Oh, no. How interesting. So she just…was she so fascinated with Oprah, is that why she’s doing it?

Ella:  She wasn’t a fan. She’s trying to understand why people liked Oprah. So she watched Oprah all the time. And every day, a lesson was lived by Oprah. She said it was expensive.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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It doesn’t sound like Ella is very sad to hear that The Oprah Winfrey Show is going to go off the air. But Ella respects Oprah as an entrepreneur. Whatever Oprah recommends, whether it’s a book, a beauty product, or a new diet, millions of people buy it. Ella thinks Oprah only recommends things she really believes in.

Marni is a big fan of Oprah. She’s impressed by what a powerful impact Oprah has had on American culture. Women of all races and classes love Oprah and watch her show. Also, Oprah’s book club has helped get more people interested in reading.

Is Oprah popular in your country? What do you think makes her so appealing?

 

Comments

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jaynedayana

Colombia

oprah is really amazing and is an icon the society, not only for being one of the richest and succesful person in the world, but she has broken the marble ceilling of a society that put down the woman

09:43 PM Mar 31 2011 |

thomas121

thomas121

Germany

I love The Oprah Winfrey Show. In this series  Oprah plying a great roll. I'm a Big of Oprah. She is amazing. 

12:10 PM Feb 28 2011 |

becmoon

becmoonSuper Member!

Mexico

i like Oprah her interviews are always with interesting people and she helps charities also.

10:55 PM Oct 21 2010 |

charming princess

Saudi Arabia

I feel like the dialogue has been cut off. There seems to be no end to it. Don't you agree with me? what happened to the woman? :(

10:02 PM Sep 06 2010 |

This is me

This is me

Oman

I love oprah .. she is a great example to be followed by most of the womens..

I hope to be like her in the soon future ..Smile 

07:38 AM May 27 2010 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Oh! I confess that I knew little about her I just  but now I'm impressed with how she is rich and important person in USA hehe…Here she is not popular 'cause we have our own popular women show for instance our Maria da Graça Meneguel (Xuxa) she is like Oprah Winfrey but blonde version :)

Now,will it be Oprah Winfrey doesn't want to adopt me as her Personal Trainer??? hihihi :P

01:15 PM Apr 03 2010 |

rosendo

rosendo

Mexico

i havent watched any oprah's program , so i dont know abt her. but according this lesson and the commends wrote by yrs , she seems good person.

10:00 PM Mar 10 2010 |

dan333

Canada

I love Oprah, Her tv show is really good. She have always nice subject to talk.

12:05 AM Mar 09 2010 |

mehdi52222001

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

nice ,lovely,vibrant,... woman

03:04 PM Mar 07 2010 |

Shinichi Lover

Bahrain

She is very famous person in my country.. I saw her many last time before ..

she is a good person she is try to help people .. good luck for her

02:15 PM Mar 06 2010 |

tidaa

tidaa

Saudi Arabia

hi Oprah i like ur show very much

08:50 AM Mar 06 2010 |

melamela

Ethiopia

My friend Aaron I might not live in America that doesn't mean I don't know what going on there I have number of friends and families living in the USA four about half a century I am prity much knowledge and interest about the western country more over I was there a couple of months ago, anyways the main point here is about oprah and she did and doing fantastic job inorder to help people who has forgotten. If you don't see that or seeing in different angle its no problem world is full of conspairecy so you might be right but for me she is still brave and amaizing lady.

04:40 PM Mar 05 2010 |

mickee85

mickee85

Philippines

We can see the oprah winfrey show in my country. I don't know her well, all I know is that she is a great tv talk show host. I just admire her for being a hard working and for helping other people of what she has. She knows how to share the blessings she received. And above all, she's not spending her money for surgery or anything that will make her beautiful and sexy, even though she is so rich.

12:12 PM Mar 05 2010 |

erynabe

erynabe

Indonesia

i love her program 100% totally extremely very much. she always gives a gr8 experience in my life. Laughing always be like so oprah.

Cool cheer up dude! 

12:08 PM Mar 05 2010 |

thecharlie77

Dominican Republic

she is authentic,a kind person,she likes to help people,that´s why everybody love her

06:34 PM Mar 04 2010 |

uniqueness

uniqueness

Saudi Arabia

thy gave her a greater portion

and she deseves it>

02:51 PM Mar 04 2010 |

SuperHeroes

Egypt

I love Opera so much , she is so helpful women ,she is a trendsetter in all fields , she has become a mogul person ,she has made abig stamp on People over all the world , she has pulled herself up by her bootstraps , she tries to make people happy. Surprised

12:59 PM Mar 04 2010 |

deepalijain

India

i love oprah winfry show..she brought very good real story that happens with people so  with their experience u can learn thing..

i am really disappointed by hearing this news that she is ending this show..i am gonna miss her..she is a trendsetter.whatever she wears i just love that specially her shoes.i  am proud to imitating her

10:25 PM Mar 03 2010 |

fancy cake

fancy cake

Ukraine

Oh i admire her ! I think that her show is very useful and instructive.

08:02 PM Mar 03 2010 |

quick to pardon

Mali

I love Oprah and a lot of people in ksa like her

I used to watch her program daily

07:28 PM Mar 03 2010 |

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