LIVE THREAD: Oprah does Brokeback

[Dave Cullen]

Update:

This thread is now the Oprah Live Thread (as of Friday, 1-27, when it started airing.)

Post away at your reactions to the show -- don't hold back; lots of people want details.

To jump right to the live discussion:

The first post once the show began broadcasting (in Chicago, where it runs at 9 a.m.) starts here:


http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=214.msg22664#msg22664

If you want to follow this discussion from the begninning, when Oprah first posted a message on her website calling for Jake & Heath fans, and then later a discussion looking forward to the show, discussing how it might play out and what it would mean, all that begins here:

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Original Post:

Whoa. I've been praying for an Oprah show on Brokeback from day one, but it's starting to look real.

To me, she's second only to an Oscar win in my hopes for Brokeback. OK, and $100 million gross, so she's third, but could be crucial to dream #2.

I know she's got her detractors, but I love/admire the woman, and I don't think our opinion of her is relevant anyway. She is THE most influential force in the world of mainstream American women. Which is the most important audience for the success of this film. And the most important audience for hearing what it has to say. For getting used to the idea of two guys holding hands, kissing, doing whatever it is boys do.

Oprah is the ultimate.

And now this on the upcoming shows area of her webiste (much thanks for the link, Dogie):

Calling All Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal Fans!

Calling All: HEATH LEDGER and JAKE GYLLENHAAL Fans!

Do you know ... or are YOU Heath Ledger’s or Jake Gyllenhaal’s BIGGEST fan? Why does Heath or Jake mean so much to you? What is it about them that you love? We want details describing what makes YOU UNIQUELY their number one admirer!

Has Heath Ledger or Jake Gyllenhaal changed or influenced your life? How long have you been a fan? Do your friends and family think you're obsessed with Heath or Jake? If so, tell us why!

Write us soon and share your story! We look forward to hearing from you!

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So for God's sake, write in!

She's either planning a show or assessing interest in a show.

Let her staff know how wild the support is. From women and men. (I'm sure they'll focus mostly women fans on the show, but given the nature of the film, I can see them having a little fun and including at least one guy. Could be you.)

Go get her.

https://www.oprah.com/plugger/templates/BeOnTheShow.jhtml?action=respond&plugId=201400002

Update:

Oprah has taped a Brokeback show

This thread was originally titled:

OPRAH'S WEBSITE CALLING FOR JAKE & HEATH FANS! -- We need your help!

We changed it once the announcement came that the show had been taped.

You can keep using this thread for anything about Oprah and Brokeback. Check in here for details about air date, etc.

UPDATE:

The show will air Friday, January 27.

[Dave Cullen]

And feel free to use these space as a sounding board, editing room.

Try you first draft here, if you like, give/get feedback and tighten it up. Let's hear your stories.

I'm sure plenty of them have already been posted in the Jake/Heath threads. Think about who some of us should nominate. (You can nominate yourself or someone else.) If they got a whole lot of messages nominating a few people from here, they might take notice. Who has had a really moving account so far?

Or who wants to try topping it?

Let's go!

[Bobbie]

Dave, I get the distinct impression you're a leeetle passionate about this!   

Apparently she is planning a show as this request is on Oprah's site under "Upcoming Shows."  In addition to writing in, a person can submit a video saying why they want to meet Heath or Jake.   

I think that we all should get tickets for the show as well.  I wouldn't mind a trip to Chicago!  (Can I squeeee now!)

[Dave Cullen]

Dave, I get the distinct impression you're a leeetle passionate about this!   

hahaha. just a bit.

i will lay money that the folks at focus are, too. short of a bunch of oscar noms, this is prolly at the top of their list. neck and neck with globes, wins, maybe ahead. (they've already established it's a critical darling. every award helps, especially on tv, but oprah is a force all her own.)

[jack]

say dave.....

here's a thought.  maybe you could point her producers to this website and ask about some comp show tickets for a select 100 or so.  they would have the audience of a lifetime, OH YEAH.  i would walk on bleeding stumps with WDJ on my back to be there.

jack

[lightsrays05]

Calling All Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal Fans!

Calling All: HEATH LEDGER and JAKE GYLLENHAAL Fans!

Do you know ... or are YOU Heath Ledger’s or Jake Gyllenhaal’s BIGGEST fan? Why does Heath or Jake mean so much to you? What is it about them that you love? We want details describing what makes YOU UNIQUELY their number one admirer!

Has Heath Ledger or Jake Gyllenhaal changed or influenced your life? How long have you been a fan? Do your friends and family think you're obsessed with Heath or Jake? If so, tell us why!

Write us soon and share your story! We look forward to hearing from you!

With all due respect, Dave, can't you see how they are "screaming" too?

It's not screaming. It's emphasis!

[Dave Cullen]

With all due respect, Dave, can't you see how they are "screaming" too?

It's not screaming. It's emphasis!

Well you nailed her. Yes, Oprah has been known to shout when she's excited. Check out her show sometime. She's Oprah. I think her fans forgive her. heeheehee. (Note: all caps on the web are commonly referred to as shouting, not screaming. Big difference.)

I PM'd you. Please take up any further discussion of all-caps usage with us privately. I don't think the group really wants to get inolved. Thanks.

[sotoalf]

Now I'd love Oprah to devote a show to the BBM phenomenon, but not on those terms. For god's sake, people, she's turning we fans into slobbering Tiger Beat fans!

[Dave Cullen]

Now I'd love Oprah to devote a show to the BBM phenomenon, but not on those terms. For god's sake, people, she's turning we fans into slobbering Tiger Beat fans!

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions. She did a show on The OC this fall, which featured a visit to the set and then the entire cast on her couches. One of the gimmicks involved was they made the wildest dream of one woman come true. She had always wanted to meet the McKenzie guy, so they flew her to LA and she got to meet him. (And I think they brought her to Chicago, too.) It was a small part of the show.

I imagine they had a similar post on their website before that show. And they prolly only needed audience help for that aspect. I imagine the producers were able to arrange the rest of it themselves.

Who knows how they'll use it this time, but they often use letters, or have fans in the audience . . .

I would just say, don't take the one thing they're looking to the audience for and make any assumptions about what the rest of the show will be about.

(Which also suggests it might not be a show at all. Could be a five-minute segment in one of their wildest dreams episodes. Who knows. But the fact that both are being requested, and together, suggests odds are prolly in our favor of a show or partial show.)

[sotoalf]

True.

[Pug]

I have a feeling that Heath and Jake will be on the show.  What I would give to be there!

[zach]

Oprah is one of the smartest people in show biz.  She knows that this thing is grabbing everyone, especially her top demographics (women and gays).  She is also a good person and probably can't resist an opportunity to help make the world a better place.  My bet is that she will have the Brokeback show soon.  This may be the best opportunity of a lifetime.

[Dave Cullen]

Oprah is one of the smartest people in show biz.  She knows that this thing is grabbing everyone, especially her top demographics (women and gays).  She is also a good person and probably can't resist an opportunity to help make the world a better place.

very wise, zach. i think you nailed it. may be becoming a win-win for her.

[AidanC]

Hi everyone,
sporadic poster from the old thread here. I agree with Dave on this, Oprah is IMPORTANT whether we like her or not, so in the spirit of getting this thing started here is a draft of a letter idea in response to her yucky "Tiger Beat" questions:

*Draft*
Dear Oprah,
I am a fan of Jake and Heath simply because of their extraordinary humanity.
For example, when I heard Heath Ledger respond to yet another trite question regarding his thoughts on kissing his male co-star in Brokeback Mountain as "just like kissing another person" I knew right there and then that the heartbreaking story of Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar was in good hands. These guys fully commit to their roles and pull out all the stops to bring this tragic story to life and the world owes them and everyone else involved a debt of gratitude because of it.
Oprah, I hope you celebrate them not only as the mature beyond their years ,gifted actors they clearly are but as soul searching mavericks who are willing to take a chance and change the debate to the benefit of all of us.
Bravo Heath,Jake and everyone involved in Brokeback Mountain!

No idea if this will even register with them so I would love some input. Be honest , is it too overstated or thinly veiled ??
I'm not a writer ( clearly) so appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.

 

[jmorales]

Aidan C:

What you wrote is absolutely beautiful and you should send it like that. I think the Oprah people will love it. Bravo!!