This week’s a company holiday…its Oprah’s Birthday week.  But before we can get to that, we have shows to produce and meetings to hold!  So, we start the week with Sheri meeting with Oprah and a BIG ASK.  Sheri is asking for 2 episodes from Oprah…for 2 shows of fantastical, magical shows.  Oprah says, “I’ll let you know.” but we know…Sheri’s got this…and she won’t disappoint!

Finding happiness…Lesli Grisanti is going to help us find it in a show she’s producing, appropriately named, The “Are you happy? Show. And who other than Goldie Hawn will help with bringing joy to the episode.  On the day of the taping, there’s a little pre-show scramble…and Lesli seems a little stressed.  It must be a manic Monday…at least for Lesli because the show seems to be getting off to a rocky start. Oh…and Lesli, you did tell Oprah, “Candra.”  Had to check…Oprah was right. So sorry you are not probably feeling the happiness in this happiness show.  It’s just a moment…it will pass…right?  I’m not sure that anyone behind the scenes is feeling the happiness at the moment.  “I really really really don’t like it when shows are overbooked,” Oprah says. “I think it’s the biggest mistake a producer can make because I am thinking about the person that’s getting cut.” All of these people who have told people they are going to be on the Oprah show…not happy.  Sheri stays calm like a good boss…and Oprah tells us, “We have a motto at Harpo: “Feedback is your friend.”  I think I hear someone’s friend coming in the door…and everyone has ran for the hills.  Tara and Lesli.  Here’s your feedback.  Oprah’s not happy with the happy show.  “What’s the takeaway for the viewer? I expected to watch the show and have a take away for being happy,” Oprah asks?  “You let me down.”  Someone, send Oprah something happy, quick!

For our Celebrity Show, Jill Van Lokeren, Senior Supervising Producer, and Terry Goulder are working to make this fun. Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler and Piers Morgan. What will Oprah talk about?  Jill tells us, we want to make this memorable…make this a moment for the audience and the viewer.  Let’s make it special.  Well, it is special already because it’s being taped on Oprah’s birthday eve!  YEAH!  Jennifer’s gift…a great big mouse pad.  No really, it’s a yoga mat with a picture of all of her dogs on it. Adam’s gift to her…intimates.  But the real gift from his wife…a box of heart stones…a box of love.

So what about the “Big Ask”?  Sheri tells us that Oprah has agreed to hand over 2 of the last 3 hours to the producers and let her be surprised.  “I can’t think of a finer group of people to share these moments with,” Oprah says.  Sheri has raised the bar again…and the show is always better for it!  But for the last hour of The Oprah Show…the only 2 people who know about that are Oprah and Sheri.  Pass me the tissues please…I already feeling verklempt.

Finally, cupcakes, presents and love for Oprah on her birthday! Oprah tells us, “My real truth is I didn’t grow up with anybody celebrating my birthday. It never was a day that was kind of acknowledged…maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t’…but I don’t remember birthday parties…but whether I celebrate my birthday doesn’t matter to be because I get Christmas, I get my birthday, I get Hanukkah, I get Thanksgiving, I get all of the holidays every single day that happens to me.”  I love that!  Happy Birthday Oprah! Happy Everyday!