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BY PHILIP POTEMPA
ppotempa@nwitimes.com
219.852.4327 | Tuesday, September 26, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
Everything Oprah
Oprah Winfrey makes it no secret about how much she loves to eat.
All the more reason it's a mystery that the media queen left out her "food friends" when lining up radio shows for her "inner circle" and staff for the launch of her new series of XM satellite radio shows, which debuted yesterday.
This business partnership consists of the newly created Harpo Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio, which joined forces to create the "Oprah & Friends" channel: all Oprah, all the time.
If you're one of the 7 million subscribers to commercial-free XM Satellite Radio, according to the press materials I received, you can now tune in to around-the-clock radio programming with shows discussing topics "ranging from nutrition, fitness and health to self improvement, home décor and current events."
In addition to Winfrey, other personalities featured with their own individual radio programs on her channel include her best friend Gayle King, her personal trainer Bob Greene, her interior designer Nate Berkus, her writing muse Dr. Maya Angelou, her spiritual guide Marianne Williamson, her relationship specialist Dr. Robin Smith, her health go-to guy Dr. Mehmet Oz and her financial expert Jean Chatzky.
So, besides Dr. Phil McGraw, the most obvious missing players from the airwaves are Winfrey's personal chefs Rosie Daley (remember the fuss over the 1994 cookbook "In the Kitchen with Rosie" ?) and, more recently, Art Smith, whose newest cookbook, titled "Back to the Family: Food Tastes Better Shared with the Ones You Love" ($29.99 Rutledge Hill Press 2007) comes out in March 2007.
There's no doubt that it's popular to chat about food and recipes on the radio as a ratings cinch, especially considering Martha Stewart has built her entire competing Satellite Radio channel on Sirius Radio using this concept.
In fact, on the premiere of "The Gayle King Show" radio program this week, her first guests were Winfrey and longtime beaux Stedman Graham, the latter, revealing what a great cook Oprah is, especially her hot ham and cheese sandwiches.
"For me, being a part of XM Radio is a full-circle moment because I started out in radio when I was 16 years old and now I’m able to share the airwaves with my friends," Winfrey said in a released statement.
Well, since Winfrey's $55 million contract is for three years with XM Satellite Radio, there's always the possibility that McGraw, Daley and Smith could be on the menu sometime in the future.
In addition to Winfrey's friends who are serving as show hosts, there will also be on-air segments with listeners through call-ins and e-mails, in addition to celebrity guests.
According to Winfrey's press flak, Donald Trump, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Annette Bening, Jon Bon Jovi, Nora Ephron, Carnie Wilson and Norman Lear are just a few of the names who will appear on "Oprah & Friends" radio shows during the first few weeks of broadcast.
As for Winfrey's daytime television talk show, it began its 21st season last week, and the last contract negotiation guarantees it will continue until 2011.
One of the debut week episode topics?
"Burning Questions for Oprah."
This answered something I'm sure you've all been wondering: How much cash does Oprah have in her wallet on any given day?
The answer on that particular taping day?
$14.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.
celebBirthdays
Fitness expert Jack LaLanne is 92. Actor Philip Bosco is 76. Actress Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies") is 73. Country singer David Frizzell is 65. Actor Kent McCord ("Adam 12") is 64. "The Weakest Link" host Anne Robinson is 62. Singer Bryan Ferry is 61. Country singer Lynn Anderson ("I Never Promised You a Rose Garden") is 59. Actress Mary Beth Hurt and singer Olivia Newton-John are 58. Singer-guitarist Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos and singer Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship are 52. Country singer Carlene Carter is 51. Actress Linda Hamilton is 50. Country singer Doug Supernaw is 46. Actress Melissa Sue Anderson ("Little House on the Prairie") and singer Tracy Thorn of Everything But The Girl and actor Lawrence Leritz are 44. Actor Jim Caviezel ("The Passion of the Christ") is 38. Singer Shawn Stockman of Boyz
II Men is 34. Singer Christina Milian and tennis star Serena Williams are 25.
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