To say she thinks highly of him is probably an understatement. “Jon Stewart understands TV and timing…how to say something poignant and funny at the same time.” Oprah goes on to open this Behind the Scenes show with, “He understands the dance and is a great television guest.” I can’t wait. Jack tells Oprah that for the interview, Jon would like to ask her a few questions…since she would never be on his show. Oprah responds back, “Has Jon Stewart ever asked me to be on his show?” Silence…then No, seems to be the answer to that question. Then it happens, out loud with cameras rolling, Oprah says that she will go on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” “Doesn’t he want to wait and ask me those questions there?” She asks. Good point, O. I can’t wait! I love the Daily Show. So, listen up – make it happen people.
Ok…now the drama behind the drama. Jon Stewart is MIA…but we have our favorite star whisperer, Bridgette, on the case. 30 minutes before the show starts taping…where’s Jon? I love how Jack doesn’t rattle Oprah and tell her that her guest is not there as she gets show -ready. He briefs her with how the questions will flow and some Jon updates to talk about (like his Rally to Restore Sanity announcement) and leaves her…not knowing that there is still no guest to ask these guest questions to. 5 minutes to taping…no JS. So, why all the drama? Finally pieces are coming together. Jon’s flight was delayed the night before because of the crazy hurricane that touched down in NYC…he finally arrived at the hotel at 4am…touched down in the cozy Four Seasons bed and then, the next morning, the car service was late. Finally, he arrived 2 minutes before taping…in his play clothes. Get him changed and shined like a new penny…and away he goes. Does nothing rattle this man? I LOVE him! So…after all of the pre-show drama is over and all of the high-fives “that was such a great show” comments flow around the control room, Jack tells us that we now are faced with another dilemma…we have 18 extra minutes. It was too much goodness that it spilled over. WHAT Jack? You just said that this was the funniest that Jon has ever been….and now you are cutting part of it out? Seriously? Where are the outtakes? I want to see them. You’re killing me Jack!
It was so good with Jon Stewart that it can’t be over yet. One day later, Oprah makes a call to Jon and says she wants to announce on his show tonight that she is sending his audience to the Rally to Restore Sanity at the end of October. Jon adds in…”and having Travolta fly them there too? That’s great!” I ask you, can the man NOT be funny? So, free air fare and 2 night’s hotel. Let’s restore some sanity! Oprah really likes Jon. They should hang out more. Give me THAT show, OWN.
Anyway…today, I will move past the whole “virgin show” idea and will be open to Lisa M.’s Yosemite show…Let’s go Lisa and Sheri! Oprah and Gayle on the road to Yosemite…Gayle gets to drive and play music…Oprah gets to play Scrabble on her IPad. Sounds perfect…right? Now, let’s get it set up. The Yosemite show is a result of a letter from a Yosemite Park Ranger – Shelton Johnson, who wants to increase African American park attendance. Did you know that only 3 or 4% of the people that visit the park are African American or of color? Say What? C’mon…what’s up with that! Let me just say…I’ve been to Yosemite…it’s no lie….it’s majestic….and you need to go. Put it on your bucket list. Just maybe stay at one of the hotels/lodges in the park…Lisa’s making O&G rough it….and that’s really rough.
As it’s all coming together…someone (Leeeesa) yells out “WHEN OOOOOOOOOOPRAH comes…” OPRAH….It must have echoed through the beautiful Yosemite Valley….but good thing that they had the people sign the confidentiality agreement…so she said, “shhhhhhhhh**” and a hush came over the whole valley like a morning mist…not really, but what a good lead in that would have been. Anyway, people were sworn to secrecy….pinkie swear.
All the details…flying in to Fresno, Oprah and Gayle’s car is set up with 4 cameras to catch the conversations so that we have enough footage to make a full show…or two…or three…what about four? One problem…the cameras turn off when the car turns off…and have to be turned back on manually. Foiled by technology on a wilderness show. Who writes this stuff? This is definitely going to come back to bite them…I’ve seen the next episode promo. Man…I wonder if it will be like my sister’s Yosemite technology fiasco. Faced with a BEAR only 100 yards away, she takes the camera from around her neck, points and clicks, backs up slowly….and then as we move towards safety (to the bus) and everyone starts to breath again as we squish together in public safety on wheels, she realizes that the lens cap was still on the camera…and that the black bear that just turned to her, stood up on it’s hind legs and smelled the wind while it stared her down…well, the photo is of the lens cover. To commemorate the occasion, we all went into the Yosemite General Store and took a photo by the big wooden bear. Same difference…
We end the BTS show with a quick trip to REI before the roadtrip before the arrival into the park…before meeting Shelton. Not everything is going to Lisa’s plan…but she just needs to go with it. “Hellllllllo Yosemite”…I hear Oprah saying in her heart. And wait for it….here it comes. Shelton Jackson wrote Oprah…and said that he “rarely sees African Americans and people of color using the parks. It would be great and provide wonderful service to the country if you could do a show that focus’ on that issue.” Lisa’s waiting….waiting….Shelton is getting closer….sees Oprah….Is that surprise on your face? Is that shock? Is that thrill? He’s just calm…like my sister was when she saw the bear…when you are trying not to faint and draw too much attention to you so that you do not end up being lunch. HELLO….this is Yosemite people. He knows, be calm in the face of stress. In all the pre-planning, Lisa and her staff did not factor that in. “It’s not the oprah show reaction we were looking for,” Lisa says disappointed. Whatever…everyone was disappointed with his reaction EXCEPT Oprah. “He was exactly who he needed to be in that moment.” Oprah. Bear. Standing in front of you. OMG…TAKE the picture…TAKE the picture! Lisa and staff…just relax. It’s all good…or is it? We’ll see on the next episode of BTS: Season 25.
Let’s just add one more note in for Sheri Sheri Sheri Salata. She is called to “O”ffice for a little talk about Oprah’s schedule. It makes me feel like an underachiever – Starting at 6am, Finished by 9pm. This is why Oprah is done….keeping up with this pace is not working for her anymore. It doesn’t matter how many free lunches you get. Oprah knows it. This is just the 3rd week into the season and Oprah is already overwhelmed….Sheri – stop squeezing Oprah like an Orange! Oprah cuts post show meetings. She’s looking for adjustments…and more time. Get to work, Sheri. Start canceling meetings and OWN it.
So…the things I learned this week on BTS: Season 25?
- Jon Stewart is funnier than….well, everyone.
- Meeting Oprah is a little like meeting a bear in Yosemite.
- Oprah doesn’t have time for a life either.