According to Reuters, Oprah Winfrey has given every staffer at her self-published O Magazine $10,000, to celebrate the publication’s 10th anniversary. She also gave everyone an iPad, which seems like overkill, but who’s counting? Oprah is in a position to give all the writers under her employ — the total has not been disclosed — enormous bonus checks, even in this time of economic turmoil and print-publishing-industry peril! How extraordinary.
Speaking as one of America’s few remaining gainfully-employed magazine writers — a position none of us here at EW take for granted, trust me — I must say this news gives me hope, for several reasons. First, it means someone is still turning a hefty profit via the process of placing words on paper, which means someone, somewhere, is still reading. Hooray! Second, Oprah’s vast stores of wealth (currently estimated at over $2 billion, at least until Warren Buffett and Bill Gates start guilting her) mean that maybe she can buy another magazine, like Newsweek or something, and save it from an untimely death. And third, it means that because it’s EW’s 20th anniversary this year, clearly any moment now I can expect a check for some multiple of 20 from my employers. Dear Editors: direct deposit is fine.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Heartwarming story of corporate generosity, or sickening tale of wasteful largesse? Do you think she skipped down the halls, hooting, “You get $10,000! You get $10,000! Ev-ry-bo-dy gets $10,000!” Hell, would you settle for just the iPad?
I know some people will slam her (because some people slam Oprah no matter what she does), but this story just mostly makes me wish I was a staffer at “O”.
And, for the record, I imagine her making the announcement by extending her last two syllables, ala “30 Rock.” (“Everyone gets ten thousand dooooooo-llllaaaaarrrrss!!!”)
I love Oprah. I love most of her interviews and friends. Sometimes she is a little kooky but aren’t we all. The money has not gone to her head. I loved her show last year on Fridays. I just love Allie..and they were funny together.
It makes me wish I was a staffer there in another 30 years.
“You got 10 staaaaaaaaaaaaaacks!!!!”
basically oprah rules the world and is immune to all problems? but we knew that already haha that’s seriously amazing though. wish i worked there. “Do you think she skipped down the halls, hooting, “You get $10,000! You get $10,000! Ev-ry-bo-dy gets $10,000!” LMAO that made me laugh. i would probably cry major tears of joy if that ever happened to me.
Oprah doesn’t skip.
Hell I’d settle for the job!
Oprah is an exceptional person. Look at how long she has been able to stay on top of the food chain. She has been able to run her empire without scandals, keep her work force stable, maintain friendships. She has been on top of her game for over 25 years, starting out only with a staff of 3 people when she went national. She also paid for a complete family vacation to Hawaii for everyone in her staff. Staff could bring everyone in the family. Oprah paid the entire bill, everything. She is smart and she knows how to keep things together.
It is awesome, the Ipad a nice extra but not needed.
OMG! Oprah is such a terrible person!
Just kidding. Oprah is amazing and he rules the world and is most influential person in America (and South Africa!) I love you Oprah!
I could see why Opes would want to throw in the iPad as well. These peeps at her mag should be up on the very latest pop culture fads out there and how cool is it that everyone at O is working on the Pad. That makes a nice visual should anyone want to take a pic of it and O mag is so down that they are ready for the next thing while everyone is still coming around to this.
way to go OPRA!!! it’s nice to see someone who appreciates her employes.are u hiring?
She is a wonderful and powerful person; and knows how to take care of her hard working staff members. I hope others that have her kind of funds follow in her foot steps. You go girl!!!
What a truly amazing person to show her appreciation to her staff, especially in this economic climate. As someone who used to work in magazine publishing, something like that is unheard of – wow!
Funnily enough, I just finished watching the CBS show aobut the 30 biggest TV surprises, and watched Oprah give away the cars. I haven’t watched Oprah for years, but I have to admit that she’s incredibly generous. Congrats to the “O” staff.
Oprah’s one cool lady. Not just because she gave her staff a great reward, but because she she’s created thousands of jobs with her empire & because her show is so positive & inspirational. Kudos to Oprah & her staff. They are produce positive people who help make America great.
I wanna work for Oprah
This made me laugh out loud
Categories: Why Am I Crying?