Going the way of Oprah?
Say it ain’t so, Ellen! Now that she’s taken over the number one spot for favorite daytime TV talk show host from Oprah, Ellen has decided it’s her turn to spout some feel-good mumbo jumbo from her media pulpit. Today she had Dr. Wayne Dyer on, and he was really wearing Birkenstock sandals with his long sleeve shirt and long pants! Ellen said that she believed in the “vibrations” that were sent out from her changed mental attitude. Or something like that. I switched the channel, even though it’s usually my post-Sanskrit relaxation show.
Sigh. Back to your regularly scheduled philosophy. Which, I will add, might make you feel more positive and one with the universe, but not because my blog is sending out quantum vibrational Daoist particles.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I am silently screaming.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Yeah, I wound up posting a comment on her blog I was so annoyed….
Ellen, please don’t go the way of Oprah and “The Secret.” Wayne Dyer is great for basic ideas of positive thinking, but when I heard you say the word “vibrations” in all seriousness this afternoon, I was dismayed.
Imaginary “vibrations” didn’t get you to where you are, nor did the power of positive thought. Skill and human nature have. Stick with entertainment and leave religion and pseudo-philosophy out of your show!
(I say this in all seriousness, as a lesbian fan who is impressed that you’ve garnered the support of millions of straight housewives across the country. People have gotten sick of the Big O’s pretensions at messiah-hood, which is in part why you’ve so successful. Your candor, wit and laid-back approach to TV are what make you so enjoyable. Stay with it and if you want to share your spiritual advice, do it in another book, maybe…?)
January 25th, 2008 at 1:17 am
I saw your letter and liked it!
Today I was just emailing Elizabeth about her The Secret is Bunk post, and my growing annoyance with talk about nonsensical frequencies, vibrations, and attractions. It offends my inner scientist greatly.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Dyer is a bit goofy looking, but it’s good for a change to see an older white man on tv talking about peace.
I have to disagree with the part of your letter that says positive thought didn’t get Ellen to where she is now. I used to watch her stand-up fifteen years ago; and my brother and I were fans of her sitcom. She’s come a long way. I think to be as successful as she is, you have to work really, really hard (talent has less to do with success than commitment and access to resources, in my view), believe in yourself, and be quite lucky.
January 26th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Hafhidha, good point. I suppose I think that she’s conflating the way positive thought works in reality with Dyer’s idea of vibrational some such nonsense.
And I may just be feeling somewhat cranky these days, adding to my snark!
January 26th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Nothing like a hefty dose of New Wave flakiness to boost the old rating, I must say.