“Big O” the Leader of A Cult?

Oprah is coming under attack as she is being likened to a cult leader commanding her faithful.  In this video clip from ShowBiz Tonight, on CNN.com, the question is posed, “has Oprah transitioned from popular media mogul to cult leader?”

Christian leaders are leading the charge with this accusation.  For years Christians have been put off by many of Opera’s practices including her well-documented opposition to marriage.

Though this accusation may seem outrageous, there could actually be something to it.  I don’t watch much of her show, but when I do, I am blown away by some of the personal opinions she forwards to her audience.  Maybe even more surprising, is how her audience seems to eat it up with a spoon.

From what I have observed, Opera’s audience behaves much like the followers of a cult. They are completely accepting and hang on every word that comes out of her mouth.  They applaud and add their ‘amens’.   I don’t think that it was Opera’s original intention to foster this mindless devotion, but she hasn’t done much openly to discourage it.  It appears clear that the demographic that watches her show is ripe for manipulation.

Sadly, this is all too common of celebrities these days.  It seems that anyone who appears on the television is idolized as some sort of guru, possessed of uncommon wisdom and insight.  I can’t find any other explanation for the success of characters such as Opera and Dr. Phil.  It seems that in our contemporary culture the only prerequisite for genius status is a camera and a microphone.

As for Oprah being a cult leader, she is no more a cult leader than any rock star or know nothing billionaire heiress.  The masses lack a strong general consciousness or reasonable critical thinking skills.  Group think appears to be the culprit in this case, not supposed tyrannical intentions of the most successful woman media mogul of our time. 

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Final Potter Book To Be Two Movies

Warner Bros. announced Thursday the final Harry Potter novel “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be split into two movies.

The first installment of the film is scheduled to debut in late 2010 and will be followed months later by part two.

“We feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ and release the film in two parts,” said Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

The first five films in the popular series has generated an estimated $4.5 billion in worldwide box office sales.

Hernandez Gets Axed From ‘Idol’

America voted to eliminate former gay-stripper David Hernandez from “American Idol” during Wednesday night’s episode.

Hernandez became this year’s cloud of controversy on “Idol” when it was revealed by AP last week the Phoenix, Ariz. native formerly worked as a stripper at a gay club.

Kristy Lee Cook, the gorgeous blonde with an annoying country twang, was kept on the show despite getting horrendous reviews from the judges week after week.

Hernandez told his fans-we assume those customers who put dollars in his G-string that paid his way through college- his elimination from “Idol” isn’t the end of his singing career.

“You will see me at the top,” Hernandez said.

America Gives 4 ‘Idols’ The Boot

Then there was 12. Four semi-finalists were kicked off “American Idol” Thursday night, including the obnoxious text speaking Danny Noriega.

Contestants Luke Menard, Kady Malloy and Asia Epperson accompanied Noriega as those voted out of the finals round.

The finals competition will begin next Tuesday and remaining contestants include: a gay stripper, a “Star Search” winner, an Irish pop-singer and a commercial actress.

Here is my rundown of the finalists and their odds for winning the competition:

David Archuleta: Excellent vocalist and likable teen is the front-runner to be the next American Idol unless something drastic occurs: Like a sex-tape is released with him and Vanessa Hudgens.

Jason Castro: Singer-songwriter won’t win this competition because he doesn’t posses the pure vocals of Archuleta, but I am willing to bet his albums outsell everyone else’s from this season.

David Cook: This year’s Chris Daughtry is a major sleeper to win it all. His cover of Lionel Richie is the best performance of the show thus far.

Kristy Lee Cook: She’s a hottie, but as Kady Malloy can tell you, looks will only get you so far with America.

Chikezie Eze: Will be kicked off next week.

David Hernandez: After a horrid first week, Hernandez has come on strong in the competition. If ‘Idol’ was solely based on vocals Hernandez would be a player. But with reports surfacing that Hernandez was once a gay stripper in Phoenix, odds aren’t good that he can weather the controversy and become America’s darling.

Michael Johns: The Australian rocker delivers solid performances week in and week out, but unlike Archuletta and Cook he doesn’t seem to have a strong support base, at least not on this continent.

Ramiele Malubay: The Hawiian will probably hula-dance her way into the top 8. As far as winning the competition though, it seems like a long shot.

Syesha Mercado: Will be kicked off next week.

Amanda Overmyer: The biker-nurse with the Joan Jett voice won’t make it deep into the competition because lack of range.

Carly Smithson: Smithson is the only female performer who has a shot at winning this competition in my opinion because of her tremendous vocal chops. But, would America dare vote for an Irish girl who has had already had a record deal as “American Idol”? I doubt it.

Brooke White: Like Cook, she is a dark-horse to win this competition. White is an innocent Midwestern girl who sings like Carly Simon. She has proved to the music industry that she is an undiscovered talent with last weeks acoustic cover of Pat Benetar’s “Love is a Battlefield.”

Who will win: Archuletta

Who should win: Archuletta

Who I want to win: Cook or White

Who will be the most successful musician: White or Castro

‘Idol’ Guys Go ’80s

Despite the controversy swirling around last night’s “American Idol” competition and contestant/stripper David Hernandez, the Idolette guys delivered their best overall performance, singing tunes from that materialistic decade we fondly refer to as the ’80s.

The eight remaining male contestants shared their “Most Embarrassing” moments, which ranged from Luke Menard being dressed up in a tutu as an eight-year-old to Michael Johns being beaten to a bloody pulp as a mascot at a Rugby match, showing the extreme sexual diversity of the male contestants.

Washington Post television columnist Lisa de Morales wrote a running blog of last night’s episode. Check it out here.

Star Watch (Part 1)

Note: Now that I will be living in L.A., I am officially starting a Star Watch post. On this post, I will tell you what celebrity I saw, what they were doing, and who they were with. Oh, and of course I will put my spin on the situation.

Star: Justin Long

Where You May Have Seen Him: Apple Commercials, Live Free or Die Hard, Accepted, and my personal favorite, Ed.

What was he doing?: It appears Mr. Long was shopping on Sunset because a limo was parked waiting for him and he came out of a clothing store carrying a bag and a cup of coffee. The limo was double parked and I was trying to make a right hand turn onto Sunset when I saw Long. At first I was pissed because it is difficult to get around a double parked limo, but when I saw Long my anger subsided because I remembered he was in Ed; one of my favorite shows from a few years back that was critically acclaimed but wasn’t that popular and is sometimes mistaken for that terrible movie Ed T.V. with Ellen and Matthew McCounehey. So, Mr. Long you can double park your limo anytime…unless you start dating Lindsay Lohan. That automatically outweighs all grace given to you with your performance in Ed.