By Alexis Stodghill on Jan 10th 2011 5:34PM
Filed under: News
Last week, Oprah found herself being
criticized after the launch of the OWN network because it is not offered as part of basic cable service. Some thought that this was rather elitist in a time when millions of people are facing shrinking budgets, making OWN something of a luxury outside of easy reach for all. Now Oprah Winfrey is coming under fire from someone who knows a thing or two about launching a successful network, BET co-founder and fellow billionaire Shelia Johnson.
EURWeb reports:
Have you taken a look at Oprah's OWN? Naturally some critics are certainly having a good-ol-time cracking on the media mogul's new channel due to the lack of diversity, specifically Black faces.
BET co-founder Sheila Johnson had a mouth full to say about it on NPR's "Tell Me More."
"The only advice that I say, let's open up your circle a little bit more. You know, we love the Dr. Phils. We love the Suze Ormans. Let's open up. There are other people. And there's also African-American experts out there that I think she should start bringing on her show that can reach even a wider audience."
Host, Michel Martin commented about the Whiteness on the programming and lack of diversity is a bit confusing to some.
"No. Yes," replied Johnson. "And I think she really should do that and not be afraid to do it. There's really a lot of great experts out there that really know the businesses at hand. And I'd like to see her open up her circle to do that."
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Celebrity Diet Secrets
21-Day Detox: Known for her constant dieting and weight issues, Oprah Winfrey caused a stir in '08 when she gave up meat, caffeine, sugar, gluten and alcohol for 21 days as part of a detox plan.
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Celebrity Diet Secrets
21-Day Detox: Known for her constant dieting and weight issues, Oprah Winfrey caused a stir in '08 when she gave up meat, caffeine, sugar, gluten and alcohol for 21 days as part of a detox plan.
Celebrity Diet Secrets
While that makes perfect sense, this is interesting coming from a woman who made her fortune by displaying the most narrow slice of black life in America in the most raucous manner possible. Yet, it's impossible to knock Shelia Johnson and her ex-husband Bob for what they did. This dynamic duo tried to offer diverse programming when BET was founded, but quickly found that the news and educational programming (that the black community knows it needs) could not keep the lights on at the company during its fledgling stages. In the end, the Johnsons had to give the public what it wanted, even if it did not represent the true
diversity of African American experiences. Hence a channel of rap music and infomercials.
Sure, OWN might not offer racial diversity, but in the end Oprah Winfrey has to stay true to what has made her an empowering brand for millions. Her selection of experts who have been a huge hit on her eponymous show is an obvious first step in that direction. Rather than criticizing Oprah, perhaps Shelia Johnson might sympathize with the tough choices Winfrey has to make in order to play to her crowd. Perhaps when OWN is more established, Oprah might be able to take more risks. Ironically, as BET became a household mainstay, as an organization it took fewer chances -- and then sold to the highest bidder.
To be fair, Shelia Johnson is doing amazing things with the money she earned peddling booty-shaking videos. She is working diligently as a
philanthropist in support of education, and is a prominent
fighter against the spread of AIDS in the black community. But she must know more than anyone that it is much easier to be an idealistic purist when you are
out of the media game. Should she cut Oprah some slack?
Or do you think Oprah should be called to task for a lack of diversity on her new OWN network?
Leave your comments below!
(via
The Root)
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Comments: (136)
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By: Jen on 1/10/2011 6:03PM
I think Sheila needs to keep her damn mouth shut. I guess Sheila knows all about diversity, this is the same woman who endorsed the Virginia governor who declared April confederacy month.
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By: The Truth on 1/10/2011 6:40PM
She's a business woman investing in what peaks interests of a diversified AMERICA.
Programming similar to BET caters to a limited audience. Black entertainment is merely one investment sector and may not have a large enough audience to justify her to invest much more of HER time and HER money at this time.
It's easy and conveinient to remain on the sidelines with ideas and suggestions while others are doing the work.
Smart lady, I aint jealous.
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By: Justifyed on 1/11/2011 5:06PM
Sheila is just jealous, because some of the program that BET airs lack integrity, including 'The Game'. One wouldn't even know her name if it weren't for her husband, hell I didn't even know he was married until the news of his divorce came out along with the details of her big "pay-off".
Those who can DO...those who can't talk about those who do! Sheila, you're a billionare now...create your OWN network and see if you can even spell quality programming.
She speaks of lacking diversity?? She lacks TACT! Publicly criticizing some one who has actually WORKED her way to the top. Oprah became a billionare on HER own accord, she didn't let a divorce settlement make her rich.
Stop being bitter Sheila, it makes you look unattractive...even more so than you already are.
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By: www.kocoisis on 1/10/2011 6:02PM
Why is this WOMAN hating on Oprah. BET is NOT a channel I would watch anyway....and I'm black. BET bailed out on African Americans YEARS ago when they SOLD it. Remember that sista Sheila? You are just JEALOUS! A straight hater. Anyone with SENSE knows it takes time to grow in a new avenue. But! Just like blackfolks we all hate on each other, try to sabbtoage progress cuz of straight out ENVY. Use your MONEY to get a LIFE....apparently you don't have ONE..but! I'm just sayin
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By: paulettegrayson on 1/11/2011 6:05PM
I agree with you. I wish it was something worth watching on BET>
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By: betty on 1/13/2011 6:00PM
The crabs are still in the barrel!Stop it black people!you are doing it again!
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By: elizabeth on 2/14/2011 5:24AM
You all are giving Oprah to much credit. Yea she work her way to the top and has only supported (brown nosed) the white folk. As far as I am concerned that is how she got there. Shelia is right there are black Dr. Phil's and Dr. ZO out there but Oprah will never give them a shot. She don't like us (black folk) unless they are rich
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By: joed on 1/10/2011 8:22PM
you guys just did articles on the disparity between black unemployed and whites. the biggest reason is blacks don't OWN no businesses/industries. now oprah comes along and open a programming network. and the only entities, you want me to believe, that will make her money are white. hahahaha. like sheila said, there are black experts. but, it just goes to show that blacks, like oprah, are just puppets for the mainstream. it's them(whites) what she distributes and who she hires. i betcha if you go to ABC,NBC,Fox and CBS you will find predominately whites in every key position. and obviously predominately white programming. wow! but, the blacks start something of significance and they have to have predominately whites managing and predominately white programming, in order to succeed. we should have stayed on the plantations if that's where we are at this stage of. as for oprah is a sell-out. yeah, they gave her the money but she's not going to do anything for the black community. i noticed her personal staff was all white. while blacks are having high unemployment. so, fooey her and her network. a bunch of sell-outs.
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By: workingman on 1/10/2011 9:15PM
I disagree with you... I'm sure Oprah will have more blacks on her network soon.. The network just Launch. Ms Johnson need to give Oprah a break and don't be a hater
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By: Sue on 1/11/2011 8:08AM
I agree with you. Why is most of Oprah's staff WHITE. When there many Intelligent and Talented black women and men out there. Sometimes I feel black celebrities get a bit "White Washed". YES I do agree OWN is about catering to a particular audience that's how she makes her money. On the other hand she's forgotten about the black audience and the educational topics that may appeal to our community.
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