Oprah once gave away cars to her studio audience and for the season premiere of her final season, Oprah gave everyone in the studio audience a 10 day trip to Australia. The bad news? John Travolta is flying the plane. Yep, hopefully not that old 707 of his, but some newer model. Do you think Oprah will fly with the audience or will she get there on her own?
Although I think it is a very attention grabbing gift, it does kind of suck that the audience member cannot take anyone with them. Also, can they all take 10 days off work? I bet only about half the audience ends up going on the trip. Plus they do all have to pay taxes on the value of the trip. Of course John Travolta will probably bring some of his friends along so free stress test for everyone!!
That's as dumb as the cars she gave away years ago. If she wanted to give them a trip, it should have been an open ticket to Australia for whenever the individual could take the time off. When it suited them, not Oprah! And not being flown by John Travolta.
ReplyDeleteI know someone that works for Harpo Productions. This person is always stressed out and has been working really long hours. So this was what it was for, I have been curious.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they all came with someone they want to Australia with.
I mean want to go to Australia with.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how anyone can complain about a FREE TRIP to AUSTRALIA.
ReplyDeleteOprah needs to quit with the gifts, they always bring her more grief than they should. I would love a trip to Australia, and having John Travolta for a pilot would be memorable...but having to go alone and be able to take 10 days is a bit daunting. I think it's a great idea, but if she gets half a plane full, it will be surprising.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the calmest of flyers and the thought of John Travolta piloting would throw me over the edge. I would be convinced he would choose that moment to completely breakdown and repent against Scientology. I know it sounds strange but he doesn't fit my idea of a pilot that inspires confidence.
ReplyDeleteTravolta's been piloting for years. I'll take this free trip, and I have no problems getting to know the other passengers. There is bound to at least one decent person on the trip.
ReplyDeleteShoot, I'll take it!
Poor Australia. It is in the grip of an awful drought according to old friends.
ReplyDeleteDoes the trip including meals/lodging?
ReplyDeleteI don't see what's the problem...paying only the taxes for a full 2 week trip sounds cheap especially if traveling to australia.
ReplyDeleteAt most probably would pay no more than like 500 dollars or something...a bargain.
The only problem would be to find the time...
Would totally take it.
I am completely available to fill in for any audience member that cannot travel to Australia. I am will to do this happily and with a smile on my face, not complaining about Scientology or really anything.
ReplyDeletei can't help but think that a xenu agenda is behind it all...
ReplyDeleteIn reality when Oprah gave away the Pontiac's they were 1099'd at $28,000. Recepients ended up paying close to $7,000 in taxes - which many could not afford to do.
ReplyDeleteI have to believe the trip to Aussieland will be 1099'd at an inflated rate and the amount paid in taxes could rival what you could pay traveling on your own.
When I went to Martha's show I had to fill out a 1099 there.
Well, if anyone doesn't want to go or can't, I will be more than happy to go. By myself and taking 10 days off, possibly unpaid. Seriously, are people really whining about this? "My surprise from Oprah wasn't good enough! Wah!"
ReplyDeleteI won a trip to Hawaii and the 1099 I received valuing the trip as income was steep... much more than if I had purchased the flights and hotel room separately. (It was FUN TO WIN though ... so no big complaints. Got my fiance to take a few days off so it was a win win.)
ReplyDeleteI've also flown from LAX to Australia ... that is one longggggggg flight. I imagine JT will have several back-up pilots. Just hope they allow the caged audience to watch something other than BATTLEFIELD EARTH.
oh fuck OPRAH! enough of this gift giving bullshit, it's your LAST year...do something good for you country..or anyone. why not dedicate some airtime to the problems you care "oh so much about" instead of facking Julia and Jen A?
ReplyDeletenext...over her.
That's my biggest problem with Oprah her "gifts" are way too random. Most of you wouldn't notice this but she vary rarely gives her audience anything or any real attention for that matter.
ReplyDeleteYou're either totally ignored or she goes way to the left and gives you something extremely expensive which overall is not fair and just doesn't make any sense.
I wish she'd give everyone in a city, state, county a small gift or be consistent like The View and give away those cheap gifts that are advertised on the show DAILY.
I may not like The View but I would certainly prefer to be a member of their audience because they give out several gifts during an episode as opposed to Oprah giving them out on said day to only that particular audience.
Oh and yes I get to be bitter because I've been a member of Oprah's audience and didn't get SHYT! The woman chose to ignore us for the day. That's all we got from her.
Oprah, on behalf of the entire city of Chicago, I'd just like to say that we're all counting down the days until you're gone.
ReplyDeleteGood fucking riddance.
How about instead of giving away vacations to your audience, you give back to the city that's been harboring your yo-yo dieting ass for years? Maybe donate some money to each of the major colleges here or how about some cash for the elementary schools on the South Side? Shit, even a free concert in the park with some legendary artists would be great. I'd like that.
Man, I miss the days of Phil Donohue. That man...was a talk show host...not a sycophant who's obsessed with herself.
Yeah, that's what I've been praying for -- paying $3,000 to the IRS for 15 hours trapped in a sealed metal container with a bunch of Scientologists. And you can bet O won't be on the flight.
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ReplyDelete@Nightmare Child ITA with you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Harpo is all that serious about this trip. If they really wanted to pick up the tab to send 225 people to Australia with John Travolta they would've run a season-long sweepstakes and really milked this for a TON of publicity as well as increased ad revenues, sponsorships and promotional opportunities.
ReplyDeleteSure, it'll happen for the few people who can take off the time and afford the taxes/incidental costs of traveling, but the Harpo staff would've anticipated these logistical problems and are betting on them to keep Harpo's expenses down.
Just a quick bit of advice to anyone who is travelling to Australia with Oprah. Do not complain about the length of the flight. We here in Australia have to travel great distances to get anywhere (except New Zealand if you are on the East Coast, which is closer than Western Australia).
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, have a great time down here. Hopefully we will have some beautiful sunshine. You will need 30+ sunscreen, our sun is bitingly hot, hotter than the Northern Hemisphere sun at the same temperature. Best you go to a pub and drink over lunch, like the locals do.
I'll be thrilled to go in place of anyone from her audience who can't or won't go. I'll pay the taxes.
ReplyDeleteWhat @__-__=__ said!
ReplyDeleteI'll go! I'll go! Australia is tops on my list of places I MUST visit. Oh and I'm unemployed too, so I got time!
My question is, in addition to the taxes of it, is, when is it? I mean, Australia is a foreign country, and you'll need a passport to get into the country, and doesn't it take a while to get a passport? So, if it was scheduled for some time like, Halloween, I'm sure a lot of people couldn't go because of passport issues.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be in December.
ReplyDeleteI woke up to the news this morning and thought better not be anywhere near the Opera House when they're filming. :)
A lady I work with, her aunt and cousin were in the audience and are going. It's December 5th, 10 days, they have to pay the taxes, and couldn't say anything to family members until the show was shown on the air. They signed paperwork saying they wouldn't mention it to anyone.
ReplyDeleteI wanna go. Ebay, here I come.
ReplyDeleteAs always, Oprah makes a "gift" all about her.
ReplyDeletePuke.