Truthful Tuesday - Reality TV

Do you remember the time J and I were invited to the O Show to talk about the importance of communicating about sex in marriage? It was a packed show. We did not end up talking on camera but we did get to experience reserved front row center seats with our names on them!

Last month, I got a phone call from a producer working on a show for O's new network regarding an opportunity to be on the new show and talk to a sex therapist in person (and on camera). What I really wanted was the 'homework' and any 'homework materials'... We got to the 'let's schedule the taping' point before J and I decided we didn't want to do the show.

Filming was shaping up to be a logistical nightmare with our work schedules and would have taken time away from our kids. I already feel I didn't get to spend as much time with the kids this summer as I would have liked. Oh, and there is that little thing about both of us working in public positions at faith-based organizations....

It would have been a fun opportunity. Who wouldn't benefit from free professional help in that area? Whatever we're doing, I'd give it a 95%. Sure it would be nice to be overachievers and hit 110% but why be greedy?

I have to say, it was truly an honor to be asked. Maybe if they want to do a reality show about our mad crazy lives, we'd be up for that....

Oprah Show - 2nd Time

I can't believe I didn't properly blog on this.

What is wrong with me?

My niece, the Original Mini Me, turned 18 a few days before she came to visit us in March. I knew I had to do something great for her birthday, so I emailed an Oprah Show producer who came through with tickets. Yes, I just happen to have an email address on file. I'm resourceful like that.

Naturally, Original Mini Me (referred to as MoJo from here on out) had to buy a whole new outfit and wake up 5 hours early to do her hair and makeup. This could be her big break - the one where Oprah sees how beautiful she is and decides to feature MoJo in a movie as the lead. Or just give MoJo her own little talk show. Come on, you must remember when you were a teenager and thought crap like that.

At Harpo Studios we had to wait outside.

Thankfully, there was people watching to be had.

I told MoJo my goal was for her to be in the front rows. I would be thrilled to sit way in the back as I already had my front row at Oprah experience. I did NOT want to be on camera.

We were ushered in to the 2nd row center seats. I must have a gift. The lady next to me was being mic'd. MoJo and I switched places because whoever sat next to her was sure to be on air. MoJo was stoked!!

After the show, they asked if anyone could come back to the next day's show and was willing to ask a potential on-air dating question. I gave MoJo a unique question to ask. They decided to tape her and a few others. We were escorted through ALL of Oprahland.

We saw the wall of pictures with all the big name show guests, the parking garage, the blue hallway, the section devoted to President Obama, staff break room, cubicles, conference rooms, we saw just about everything!!

MoJo was taped by 2 hot staffers. One guy in particular was HOT!! I wanted him to ask her out. I would have allowed it. They said they would call us if she was chosen for the show.

We were escorted through the amazing lobby with an oil of Oprah as a slave woman behind the receptionist's desk and a huge staircase. At the security desk on our way out, we met Oprah's makeup artist, Reggie. Reggie was awesome!! So personable and friendly. He was gracious enough to go outside with us for pictures (no photos allowed inside Harpo).

MoJo & Reggie, Make up artist to the Stars

Widney Woman & Reggie

MoJo did not get a call back, sadly.

Seems her big break is going to have to come another way.

Now, I should tell you, our show finally aired about a month later. Turns out, I was on camera for the first 15 minutes. If you knew where to look, you could see MoJo in an audience shot at the end of the show.... So much for me not wanting to be on camera!

Oprah Show Debut - Jan 9, 2009

We were on the Oprah Show today!!

This is the show we were invited to possibly talk on.

The topic: Sex 101

Click here for details on our experiences at

Harpo Studios.

At the end of the show, when they do the audience shot, you can see us in the front row. Front row center. I'm wearing all black with a white collar. I have knee high black boots on. J is all in black. We are clapping.

I watched the Oprah Show one Monday when Dr. Laura Berman was on. They talked about 3 different kinds of orgasms women experience. That night, J watched the show. Afterwards, we had some pillow talk.

It was during this time of talking that I told J about something I missed in our intimate relationship. He didn't realize I missed it. In fact, he thought I didn't like it. I thought he didn't like doing it and it hurt him.

It wasn't anything kinky or far out. That's the thing that got a call from an Oprah producer. It was basic. Something basic that we had miscommunicated about and revisted after communicating. Something basic that took our sex life from 95% to 110%.

Okay. Okay. I know you are wondering. We were going to tell 40 million viewers. Why not tell my bloggy friends. Manual stimulation. (Digital stimulation was the term I used that got us a call from a producer.) That's it. J had developed carpal tunnel syndrome a few years back so it had become painful for him to do for me. After a year or more, I forgot the reason why he was in pain. I would move his hand away when he did try. I didn't want my pleasure to cause him pain. As a result, he forgot I actually enjoyed it and thought I didn't like it. J is fine now. His carpal tunnel is managed. I'm a happy woman!

Basic. Basic. Basic.

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

Did you watch the show today? Did you see that huge vibrator? Everyone in the audience wanted one. At the commercial break, Oprah said she would have liked to give one to us but she could just see the headlines on the Drudge Report: "Oprah gives away cars and vibrators!" We did get some nice parting gifts though...

Important Announcement

I interrupt this blog entry for an 

important announcement. 

Please do not adjust your computers, but be sure to 

program your DVR for 

tomorrow's Oprah Show: Sex 101 

That's our show, baby!! 

And I know the backs of our heads are on for sure!! 

Now, you may click HERE to return to the 

regularly scheduled blog entry for today.

My Oprah Debut

Today, J and I were guests of the Oprah Show.

I always daydreamed of being interviewed on the Oprah Show. Typically it was for a fabulous book that I wrote, or some long lost family member reunion!  In my daydream, I was on stage, one-on-one with The Great One, herself.

THE EXPERIENCE

The building is beautiful inside. Cameras are not allowed, so there are no photos to post. They checked in our coats, iPhones, and my book! (I carry a book everywhere so I can read while I wait.) We walked through a metal detector and went upstairs. While waiting to load into the studio, we met 2 fun older ladies. We so wish we had our cameras - there was a guy there that looked like Prince!! He was short and tiny, and eccentric, just like Prince.

Guests of the producers were seated first. They called a lot of people before calling us. When they called our name over the PA system, we went downstairs, into the studio and were seated in the back row of the center section. We did a high 5, because we realized we were not going to be interviewed in front of 40 million viewers! J enjoyed looking at the cameras, lights, and all that technical stuff. I enjoyed learning about it.

My lesson was cut short when a staffer asked our names. I told her and she escorted us to 2 seats in the FRONT ROW with our names printed on them!!! Soon, the producer I spoke to introduced herself. It was nice to meet her. We knew there was a pretty good chance we would not get on the show, because it was so packed full of content.

I should backtrack to say I saw an episode of the show and commented on it the next day, via the Oprah website. I didn't think it went through when I hit submit. Two days later, I got a call from an Oprah Show producer. The next thing we knew, we were shopping for outfits!

J sat next to 2 ladies from Ireland, who flew in the night before and were flying out the next day. On my right was a lady from Toronto!! 

The audience warm up staffer got everyone excited. It was during this time we shared what we went to the show to discuss - got a few laughs and Oprah heard us while backstage. I don't think the cameras were on at the time - but they could have been as we had to sign an additional waiver after the show. I didn't read it. I usually do and probably should have.

THE STAGE

The stage seemed smaller than on TV. But that is because they removed 2 pieces of stage and  added rows of chairs. Basically, we were sitting in the front round part where Oprah normally sits to interview her guests. The remaining stage was set back farther. There were some people on sofas on stage, around the host and guest chairs. We were in the first row of audience.

While waiting for the show to start, the crew was slip covering chairs and moving set pieces around. At one point someone said, "Remove the flowers." and the floral arrangement was gone. J was surprised at how much work was going on while we were sitting there. He said there was no way he could get away with setting up the room while people were sitting, waiting for church to start.

OPRAH

Soon, it was time for the show!! Out came Oprah Winfrey!  She walked out wearing her comfy slip on shoes and changed into the really expensive ones before the cameras turned on. We sat 10 feet from one of the most powerful women in the world! She made eye contact with us both. 

J commented on how real Oprah seemed in person. I had heard people talk about how much taller and beautiful she seems in person. Truly, she is just a lady who is so good at her job, she doesn't need to do multiple takes. She seemed very comfortable in her element but somewhat humble too. Oprah really relies on her people to do their jobs and make things happen. At showtime, she followed their lead.

The show was fun. While I can't say what the topic was, I will tell you we received take home gifts and I'm looking forward to doing the homework from the show. 

Oprah was so funny off camera! She wore diamond stud earrings and joked that the rappers have given diamond studs a bad name. The shoes she had on were beautiful and talked about how great they are - but she doesn't enjoy walking in them. They were NICE eye candy. Oprah made a number of topic related jokes but I can't say today. Check back on January 9th.

During a commercial break, we got to see Andre, her hairstylist, in real life. Andre was smaller than I had envisioned. I have his book!!

It was a wonderful experience attending the Oprah Show today.

500+ phone calls to the ticket reservation line.

1 connected friend who got me an October reservation.

(But that show cancelled, very rare)

In the end, it was 1 well worded e-mail that got us on the Show.

KUDOS

This blog entry is about Oprah, but I have to say I love my husband. J has made so many of my little dreams come true. While it was my e-mail that got us to the show, it was J being the wonderful husband, best friend, and lover he is that enabled me to have an e-mail to write. Thank you, My Love.

I'm the NEW Oprah!!!!!

Look at this e-mail I just received. I could be the new Oprah!! All I have to do is give away access to my bank account and wait for this person to drain my account of all funds and then, I'll be able to give a multi-million dollar donation to any church I choose!!  Oprah style, no doubt.  Of course, once I realize this is a criminal who has swindled me out of my life savings, quite possibly, my faith in God and my relationship with born again Christians will forever be ruined because I will have been ripped off by a 'born again Christian'. 

What a terrible way to make a living. What a terrible way to make Christians look bad.

From:

Susan Morgan

Subject:

Donation From Mrs Susan Morgan 

Date:

July 24, 2008 04:32:01 AM CDT

To:

su.morgan16@yahoo.co.th

 

 

From Mrs Susan Morgan

 

N�[38 Rue Des Martyrs Cocody
Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire

 

ATTN
DEAREST ONE OF GOD
 
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Mr.Abram Morgan, who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2004. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
 
Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $2. 5 Million (Two Million Five Hundred U.S. Dollars) in the bank here in Abidjan in suspense account.
 
Presently, the fund is still with the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that i have serious sickness which is cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church or individual that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavour that the house of God is maintained.
 
The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don’t want my husband’s efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don’t want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision. I am not afraid of death hence i know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.
 
I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband’s relatives is around me always I don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank here in Abidjan. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the Lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
 
Contact me on the above e-mail address for more information’s, any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church or individual for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. Hoping to receive your
reply.

 

Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs susan morgan

Oprah Show Tickets

For all of those of you who have been asking about when I'm going to get you Oprah Show Tickets.....You gotta wait a little longer!

The reservation line is now closed for the 2007-2008 season. The Oprah Winfrey Show season goes from August through November and then January through May.

Oh, and our loft is 0.9 miles - only a 6 minute drive - to Harpo Studios!!!

Tuesday April 22, 2008 - 10:50am