| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | In 2003, Oprah decided to do two episodes of her |
| Oprah Winfrey is one of the most popular talk show | | | | favorite things segment - one in the Spring and one |
| hosts in American television history. As her show | | | | in the Fall. Spring audience members got an Apple |
| enters its 21rst season, she has millions of viewers | | | | iPod ($399), Silhouette Minimal X Sunglasses |
| who tune in each day. One of her most popular | | | | ($175-$250), and a Hewlett Packard Digital Camera, |
| segments is her "Favorite Things" holiday show. | | | | Printer and Dock (total value $730) among other |
| During this show, Oprah shares with the studio and | | | | items. Fall audience members racked up with UGG |
| television audience some of her favorite things | | | | Classic Short Boots ($110), a Philip Stein Teslar Watch |
| including jewelry, gadgets and vacation getaways. | | | | ($595), and a Sony DCR-DVD200 Handycam ($1000). |
| People love this show because on the "Favorite | | | | 2004 was a very special Favorite Things segment for |
| Things" episode, audience members get the | | | | Oprah. She convinced 300 teachers to attend her |
| extravagant gifts that Oprah displays. Around 300 | | | | show, under the premise of talking about education |
| audience members are showered with gifts each | | | | and a teacher's daily routine. Instead, she surprised |
| holiday episode. The amount varies, but Oprah | | | | them with the Favorite Things episode. The teachers |
| audience members can each expect to receive | | | | received gifts such as a Sony VAIO S260 notebook |
| between $4,000 and $15,000 worth of gifts. But, | | | | computer, a Dell 30" wide-screen LCD television, a |
| Oprah is a big winner as well. The 2004 episode of | | | | Maytag Neptune Top-Load Washer and Drying |
| "Oprah's Favorite Things" had the highest ratings ever | | | | Center, and a trip for two to the exclusive Miraval |
| for a "Favorite Things" episode and was the second | | | | Resort and Spa. Total gift amount for each teacher |
| highest rated episode for the season. | | | | was about $15,000 - much more than the previous |
| Oprah has been doing her "Favorite Things" episode | | | | year total of $4,800. Oprah, a supporter of education |
| since 1999. Guests received a set of Illumination Ritual | | | | and teachers, knew the teachers were worth every |
| Candles, each one to inspire different feelings like | | | | penny. |
| love, peace and passion and each candle contained a | | | | In 2005, Oprah decided to make her favorite things |
| tiny gemstone inside. The 12-candle set was valued | | | | audience up of Katrina relief workers. Among the |
| at $169.95. Dog owners were no doubt thrilled with | | | | gifts were Sony VAIO® FJ Notebook, |
| the Fifi and Romeo Pet Clothing ($150 and up) - one | | | | Kashwére® Shawl Collar Robe, BlackBerry |
| of Oprah's favorite things of 1999. One of the most | | | | 7105T from T-Mobile, and a couple of Oprah's |
| extravagant gifts that year was a Susan Abbott | | | | favorites from 2004, UGG Australia's Uptown Boot |
| Personalized Painting, ranging from $5,000 and up. | | | | and an Apple iPod. While considerably less than the |
| Oprah loved the Susan Abbott painting given to her | | | | year before, the 2005 recipients still received over |
| by author Sarah Ban Breathnach. | | | | $7,000 worth of items. |
| In 2000, Oprah added many hi-tech gadgets like the | | | | Probably due in part to Oprah's television audience as |
| Motorola Talkabout pager (priced at $179), so | | | | well as her personal appeal, each year the |
| audience members could receive email while on the | | | | manufacturer's of the items found on Oprah's |
| go. Another favorite thing from 2000 was the book | | | | favorite things donate all the gifts. But they reap |
| equivalent of the iPod, the Gemstar REB1100 eBook | | | | great benefits from doing so. They get television |
| from RCA ($299). The Gemstar let users download | | | | exposure and an immediate increase in sales after |
| up to 8,000 book pages, so they never had to carry | | | | each episode. Companies like Sephora and Macy's |
| around a book again. | | | | have both publically stated that as soon as Oprah |
| The BlissLabs Glamour Gloves ($44) and Gel ($22) | | | | mentions one of their products, people are coming in |
| was one of Oprah's favorite things in 2002. The | | | | the stores in droves to get it. |
| Panasonic 4-in-1 Digital Camera from Frontgate | | | | So in the end, it is a win-win situation. The |
| ($449) was also a big hit that year. The camera, the | | | | manufacturers see increased sales, the audience gets |
| size of a credit card, takes pictures and video, but | | | | great gifts, and Oprah just keeps on getting more |
| can also be used as a MP3 player and audio recorder. | | | | and more popular with her viewing audience. |