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Apparently the "Oprah effect" doesn't transcend U.S. lines. Winfrey's audience went into typical pandemonium when she announced that she'd be footing the bill for a trip to Australia last December, but the resulting TV series, titled Ultimate Australian Adventure, underwhelmed viewers and failed to boost Australia's tourism efforts as planned.
As we reported previously, it was actually Australian taxpayers who shelled out money to fund Oprah's adventure, some $3 million to be exact, including expenses for 300 of her fans. Updated estimates put the cost closer to $5 million. The return, which was valued at over $300 million in global publicity according to Tourism Australia, didn't quite hit the mark. But just how far off it is has yet to be determined as Tourism Australia chief, Andrew McEvoy told the Sydney Morning Herald, "the full impact will be seen over many years to come."
Experts have relied on visits by Americans (as well as those by Canadian and British residents) to gauge Oprah's influence, numbers which showed that U.S. visits fell 0.8 percent in the first five months of 2011, compared with the first half of last year. The dip was even more pronounced in Britain and Canada, where Oprah's special also aired.
Australia's rising dollar is partially to blame, but critics also say that the TV series' narrow focus-showcasing only two "stereotypical" parts of the country-was also a factor.
Comments: (108)
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By: Myrna on 7/20/2011 10:14AM
Sunny Oprah didn't twist their arms to pay that money. They shouldn't have paid it in the first place. There are some people that will follow Oprah to the ends of the earth, straight to Hell. Sorry folks, that's not the one to follow.
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By: Janice Myers on 7/20/2011 10:17AM
IMO, Oprah is HISTORY, and I for one am
HAPPY!!!!!
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By: girlking on 7/20/2011 5:56PM
@Myrna,
Now explain how you know Lady O is going to Hell.
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By: Sandi Greever on 7/21/2011 8:11AM
It should be noted in big writing that the taxpayers were in Australia not U.S. taxpayers. I can just see it now,the headlines sounded like it meant U.S.taxpayers.I can just hear the Repukes complaining now.We just loved the Oprah show which we have watched for 25 years and really miss not having it on.She is a very very nice lady who does a lot of good things for people all over the world. You should be ashamed to be knocking her.
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By: mike on 7/20/2011 7:24AM
You don't have to worry about anyone complaining about Oprah costing the taxpayers in America money...that's what we have Obumma for!!For instance..trip to Copenhagen for Olympics..10 million...Hawaii Christmas trip 1.4 million...Michelles 21 assistents 3.5 million per year....Trip to India last November where he brought nearly 500 people with him...800 billion... Trillion dollar waste...ooops stimulus program..No we don't need to worry about Oprah, Obama is well on his to destroying America. Remember his campaign statement..."We live in the greatest nation on the planet...please help me in changing that" When you already the greatest the only way to go is down... Thats where Obama is taking us!!!
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By: Sue on 7/20/2011 12:30PM
and u are extremely brainwashed! she always used other ppl's money.
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By: Christine on 7/20/2011 9:52AM
People who give to others, with true Charity in their hearts, don't flaunt it. She never gave a nickel away, that wasn't covered, by the press. She's a racist. When she was in Africa, visiting one of her schools, a reporter, wanted to talk to her, and she said, she didn't have to, because, he was white. She's a PHONEY!!!!!!
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By: Cindy on 7/20/2011 10:01AM
Yes...and right alongside them is the NAACP claiming unfair criticsm of an "african american". Just like if you happen to disagree with Obama, they, liberals, and african americans alike, immediately label one a racist. Oprah has been given too much credit. Her popularity is tremendous, but she's not a demigoddess. She was a talk show host who made wise decisions, most likely from counsel, that has made her very wealthy. But that doesn't mean she's the second coming. Besides, why is she out there trying to bolster tourism to those dolts in Australia; she should be helping the U.S. For that matter, why make a school for young women in Africa? Again, why not in the U.S. Like her Hollywood phoney friends, she's just looking to bolster her image on a glogal scale. I used to like her when she first started back in the 80s, she was refreshing from that boring Donohue, but shorty after, I realized she was just another fame and power hungry hypocrite.
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By: girlking on 7/20/2011 5:56PM
@Christine,
People who give to others, with true Charity in their hearts, don't flaunt it.
When did Oprah flaunt her charity? Make up your mind either you want her to tell everyone or you don't.
She never gave a nickel away, that wasn't covered, by the press. How do you know?
She's a racist.
It is obvious that you don't know the word means so I'm going to give you the true definition so you can stop misusing it: Racist - Someone who believes that some races are inherently superior to others. Now given the definition can you see why you're wrong. I don't Oprah believes white people are inherently superior to others since they make up the majority of her audience.
When she was in Africa, visiting one of her schools, a reporter, wanted to talk to her, and she said, she didn't have to, because, he was white.
You have the story wrong: This what ACTUALLY occurred:
"When a white woman reporter asked her about white criticism she was getting for her clearly praiseworthy educational project in South Africa, she was shocked at the shamelessness of it and rightfully repelled by the not-so-friendly fire. Answering the irrational with commendable calm, she (Oprah) said “I find it interesting that white people are concerned about me educating Black girls.” “I say ‘criticism be damned’.”
So the next time you tell the story, tell the correct story and not some made up nonsense.
She's a PHONEY!!!!!! Question, how do you know.
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By: girlking on 7/20/2011 5:55PM
@Cindy,
Yes...and right alongside them is the NAACP claiming unfair criticsm of an "african american".
When did the NAACP claim there was unfair critism of Oprah?
Just like if you happen to disagree with Obama, they, liberals, and african americans alike, immediately label one a racist.
The only time you really hear African Americans labeling a racist a racist is when they use racist remarks.
Oprah has been given too much credit.
Too much credit for what?
Her popularity is tremendous, but she's not a demigoddess.
If anyone has made her into a demigoddes, it's white people. That is the majority of your audience.
She was a talk show host who made wise decisions, most likely from counsel, that has made her very wealthy.
Any good business person has good counsel. You say that as though it takes something away from her. As though she isn't savy enough. So the questions is, SO, AND...
But that doesn't mean she's the second coming.
Who said she was the second coming.
Besides, why is she out there trying to bolster tourism to those dolts in Australia;
It's not her responsibility to bolster tourism for any country and that includes the US.
For that matter, why make a school for young women in Africa? Again, why not in the U.S.
Because it's her money and not yours. When you have the opportunity to build a school, build it where ever you want to.
Like her Hollywood phoney friends, she's just looking to bolster her image on a glogal scale. I used to like her when she first started back in the 80s, she was refreshing from that boring Donohue, but shorty after, I realized she was just another fame and power hungry hypocrite.
I know you couldn't be that naive to believe that she wasn't in this for her career and the pay off is getting paid.
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