Last week OWN’s first part of their special, Oprah Builds a Network, kicked off as the camera rode shotgun with Oprah through Kingsland, Georgia…the site of OWN’s Love Town, USA.  On a lazy Sunday, Oprah had the car pull to a stop in front of a two-story home.  Pointing out the tree, the wrap-around porch, rocking chairs and the American flag, Oprah shared that this was her idea of happiness.   All of this from behind the window of the car.  I couldn’t help but take a moment for her.  How hard it must be to not be able to get out of the car and just walk the neighborhood or sit at the local coffee shop watching people walk by.  Staring at the home she commented how she wished she could sit on the porch with a little sweet tea…at then turned towards the camera saying “But that ain’t happening people ’cause I’m building a network.”  Although she has shown us how she lives in gratitude each day, I take in a moment to note the price she paid for the life she owns.

Part one of this special began with the announcement of the end of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the launch of the new network.  Admitting she wasn’t ready, the date had been set and the launch was in progress.  There was no turning back.  On January 1st, the network was live and not at all what Oprah had envisioned.  She wanted the network to be progressive, thoughtful, innovative and inspiring, however she believed “none of that happened” out of the gate.  The world was hungry for Oprah and the expectations were ridiculous.  When Oprah finally became CEO and added Harpo to the team everyone expected instant miracles.  It was a huge weight and spotlight placed on the entire team.  They were all bonded in their hope to bring something different to television…to make a positive change.  Throughout the special, viewers become privy to the “boots hitting the ground” moments as well as Oprah’s internal struggles and her awareness of magnitude of her decisions. 

One of my favorite parts of the special happened when Oprah talked about people sending mean tweets.  Jokingly Oprah laughed about showing up at the person’s house and calling them out on the hurtful comment.”That’s the problem with the internet is that people get to hide behind it.  I want to say, ‘Come out right now.  Say that to my face.  I’m gonna come show up and knock on your door and you say that to me right now.’  That’s what I’m gonna do.”  Could you even imagine?  That be a CRAZY show for OWN.  But she is so right.  People’s manners disappear behind the curtain of anonymity.  This was the perfect lead in to the next ridiculous scenario…the Nielsen box tweet!   For those who aren’t aware of the controversy, let me say it was totally overblown.  Oprah was sitting in a hotel that didn’t have OWN and tweeted out “Every 1who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box”.  Of course the media pounced.   Unaware that she had broken a rule, Oprah made a simple, honest mistake.  Really.  It was so totally overblown. 

Now of course the BEST part was reliving Oprah’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and getting to see the back story of how the skits came together.  When asked about how she felt about spoofing her brand, Oprah simply replied, “My heart is my brand. Wherever I am and my heart is, there in lies my brand. My heart is never going to be tarnished. My heart is never going to be ruined. My heart is never going to be taken down.”  Anyone who sees Oprah’s work, knows that.  Pushing her within her own comfy limits, Oprah was fantastic on JKL!  If you haven’t seen it, you totally have to.  Here is the interview and skits.

Cameras then moved on to Oprah’s time with Gloria Steinem and the women from Barnard College.  There she was caught in a couple of moments of absorption…taking in the smart, hopeful women, the history of the feminist movement and future that is within all of our reach.   Oprah was reminded how much she just needed to get out there to soak up the inspiration. 

As previews for part 2 point to the heavy stones being thrown by the tabloid media at Oprah and the newborn network, I can’t help but believe that there are MANY networks praying for the death of OWN.  The OWN team has a chance to change television in our lives and push a huge wave of positivity out into the world…the polar opposite to some of the other networks.  Yes, OWN may stumble as any newborn may, but their heart is in the right place and I have no doubt that they will find their stride and soar.  Sometimes it seems that no matter what Oprah does…people will find a way to try to pull her down.  Little do they know that there are millions of people who will help her to get to her feet and give her all the support she needs.  

Be sure to show your support and tune in Sunday, July 15th at 9/8C for part 2 of Oprah Builds a Network where they discuss the media and so much more!