Kinda! Really the “O” is for OPRAH! I have long been a fan and was excited beyond to get the chance to go to a taping! Not to mention, that meant two days walking and shopping the “magnificant mile”! My Mastercard was on fire!

the view from my hotel window

I’m a complete sucker for a “star” sighting! I am not one of those crazed fans who has to ask for an autograph as I’m perfectly content to stare from a distance! In NYC for my 4oth birthday and Gwyneth Paltrow came into the restaurant and sat at the table next to ours for the entire evening! I about pee’d in my pants! Then there was the Sandra Bullock/Jesse James sighting in Warrenton! And the time my niece and I sat on Sarah Jessica Parker’s stoop in Greenwich Village and waited for her….we finally got bored and left! A few years ago my husband and I were out for a nice evening celebrating our anniversary and in walks Matthew McConaughey and Lance Armstrong! Strolled right past us and sat in the next booth! Although it was no small task, I tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal, after all, I was celebrating wedded bliss to my own “star”!

I decided years ago that I had two choices, either turn off the TV and radio and never go to the movies again or put aside the political bone and enjoy “stars” for their pure entertainment value! Like many others, I was disappointed when Oprah got political last year, but I think it’s interesting to note that since then her ratings have taken a beating! But I’m not here to get on a political soap box. I had an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I was not about to turn it down! I have been choosy about the Oprah shows I have watched and, I must say, I have learned something every time I’ve tuned-in!

A few months ago our good friend and Chicago resident, John, emailed to say he and his wife Mary were at a charity event for Make-A-Wish and put in the highest bid for Oprah tickets! It was a win-win! Make-A-Wish got a donation and Mary and I scored tickets to Oprah!

I agonized about what to wear to see the queen-of-talk! Finally settled on the perfect outfit and two days before I left received an email from the “Audience Team” letting us know that Oprah would be launching a new campaign and we would be asked to take a pledge and wear an Oprah provided t-shirt during the taping! Yikes. What was I gonna do, be like the only person in the audience who didn’t take the pledge so I could wear my cute outfit? Believe me, I was tempted! I was not going down without a fight….in true Janet fashion my neck was draped in big bling!

Our pledge? Not to text and drive. That was an easy one for me. I’ve tried that like twice and realized it was not the smartest idea! I did, however, read the email from the “Audience Team” while driving….hope that doesn’t count!

back of the T

First, breakfast at WISHBONE, one of Oprah’s favorites and a block from Harpo Studios. Then, stand in line, check-in, stand in line, get a t-shirt, stand in line, go through security, stand in line, sit in the holding room for-ever and then get shuttled to our seats!

The studio is much smaller than I imagined. That day holding 312. We were off to the side with a perfect view of Oprah! In true Oprah fashion she stacked her guest list with heart-wrenching stories of death at the hands of people texting while driving. The behind-the-scenes process was fascintaing and she was on stage for close to two hours! It became clear to me that, while she makes it look easy, it is a job. There were a few funny moments when the cameras weren’t rolling and she clearly has a favorite 4-letter word! She complained about her shoes, fabulous Christian Louboutin ankle boots, which did look quite painful! Her beauty team lurked in the shadows ever-ready to keep the nose from getting shiny and the hair in-place!

The show will air January 15. And it will make you think twice about picking up your phone to do anything while driving. You can look for me and Mary in the audience…we’ll be the ones in the green t-shirts! Yeah, us and about a 100 other people! It was a ton of fun and Mary and I laughed a lot and had a complete blast!

me and beautiful mary!

As I sat in the airport Thursday night waiting for my flight home breaking news on CNN that Oprah would be quitting her show in September of 2011. It made being there a little sweeter! And how lucky am I that I got a pic with the queen-of-talk? Well….kinda!