Will you 'pay it forward' with Oprah or rely on good ol' consumption?

Oh it's even worse for those of us who took part in her "challenge" -- although the challenge itself was a wonderful giving experience...it was the invitation to come back...that slammed it for many of us....and now the challenge will be to have holidays for our own families after paying the money to attend the follow up show. Really for no reason, they should have only invited back the people who's tapes got featured instead of "we're inviting the whole audience back"..... at your own expense...yes...but the misleading announcement from the audience coordinator the first time: We're going to invite some of you back, because we'd hate to ask you guys to pay your way twice...." not to mention Oprah's comments on Tuesday after the taping, we couldn't GIVE you all the cameras because we wouldn't want you to pay the taxes on them...WHAT?!?! Welll --- No favorite things.... and the Holidays just don't seem the same any more ..and either does the Oprah Winfrey Show...for many reasons.

Kindness? Challenge? The whole thing was nothing but a contest from the beginning. A publicity stunt of sorts, we are not Oprah’s children learning a lesson! My understanding was that it was about giving to someone in need, it was about caring and paying it forward but the way I see it now it was about who could make their money grow and get more headlines!

I think 99% of the people who attended are upset. I've gotten a few emails from others in the audience who were very upset that their stories weren't featured and they spent all the time and effort yet were not recognized for all their hard work. Why weren't the smallest acts shown that were more from the heart? Oprah herself said it wasn't about how much money you can make, but yet the show only featured stories of the people who really stretched their dollars!!

The entire audience was invited back for a “Follow Up Show” at their own expense. For what? So we could watch as other stories got highlighted! I could have done that from home. When the producers called the audience to return they should have informed them that their particular stories were not going to be highlighted so they could choose to get a pat on the back from Oprah from home and not pay additional funds to come back. Come back? For what? I along with several others in the audience are absolutely furious about the way this show was presented. The wait in line itself was a fiasco! We waited for nearly three hours and were not even allowed to sit with the people we came in with!

I understand that not all stories could be highlighted in one hour. It is my feeling as well as others that the footage that turned out could have been used in some way, even if dubbed so that the reaction of the folks receiving the gift card was shown during the credits if nothing else. Something could have been done. But it was not! My daughters name was not even spelled right in the credits. The producers forgot about all the work, time, and effort that all the audience gave to this challenge! All should have been highlighted even if it took more than one show, what about future show? What a slap in the face! My challenge was very personal, meaningful and very hard to do. Why was my story not as important as others? Because it was not a money maker. Because it did not make headlines apparently it was not meaningful? When I first thought about my story being highlighted I did not care whether or not it was because I took the challenge to heart I done it from the heart not from the bank account. I done it the way I thought it should be done in a quiet and meaningful way, not for the production staff or for Oprah. But after returning back for the follow up show and realizing what was really happening I was hurt and angry that we were used to boost ratings.

You know, its funny when we all spoke to the producers about our challenges and what we were planning on doing we were told that they did not want us to use any of our own money for this Pay It Forward Challenge. What a joke. Yes, we Paid It Forward, boy did we pay! I am not so much angry but I am hurt and disappointed.

Oprah is a very kind, giving, generous and loving person who I adore and always have, I have followed her career since she started as was a radio announcer…but this is something that I will be a long time getting over. What exactly were the producers thinking? Most of the audience members I talked with both in email or in person at the show were sad and hurt. They might not be as verbal as I and may not tell anyone how they feel but I will as I feel it is important for the public to know what really happened with the “Oprah’s challenge Pay It Forward Campaign! And what do I have to loose? My dignity? You just do not use people that way…..

Shock, as an audience member I have to agree with Connie...Shock is the only thing I walked away with after this "challenge." All the stories that were featured during the show taping were ones I had already read about and seen throught he publicity that the stories had already received on the Internet. I was seperated from my party for hours, spent thousdands of dollars to fly and stay in Chicago for both shows. Surely I thought the producers would not ask us to pay all the expense the second time the week before the holidays and take that money away from our own families without somehow reimbursing us? They even SAID that the first show. I just felt misled and used. Shocked. And it would have been a great experience if they didn't invite us ALL back the second time. Why? Just the ones they featured, from a television production stand point. It's the Oprah Show for goodness sake, I just felt they should have known better. People told us we'd be crazy if we didn't go back...I would have rather watched it from home with my family, no reason whatsoever to travel and spend all that money the first time. The taxes on her giveaway car show pales in comparison to this I feel. Does Oprah even know? She claims she didn't know we flew ourselves in at first..she said she wanted to give us the cameras, but didn't want us to have to pay taxes on them? But didn't mind that some of us paid thousands of dollars to get there....well our own stupidity I guess....the first time, no problem. That was my sacrifice for the challenge, I just never would have thought they would have us back a second time at our own expense if they didn't NEED us to be there. And friends/ family members agreed saying we would miss out on something if we didn't go. We missed out on something alright.....
And this has forever changed my feelings towards The Oprah Winfrey Show and her production staff. Seperating parties for no reason--I could go on and on but just like the post before me...so many people were upset. So many tears were shed. Not so much anger but shock and disappointment, two days before the holiday. Who would have thought?

I have lost all respect for Oprah for not rewarding those fine audiance members that faithfully gave away their $1000 gift cards to charity. And Oprah saying she didn't give them the cameras cause they would have to pay tax on them. What a hoot, she didn't mind that they had to pay thousands of dollars in taxes when she gave away those cars two years ago. I will never watch Oprah again, I would rather watch Ellen from now on during that time slot, Oprah you lost lot of good fans with this fiasco. Shame on you.

I agree with everyone else. The whole show was a disappointment and was a big contest on who could raise the most money. People were split up for NO reason and it was a waste of time for most of us to be there and not even have a brief clip of our footage. We were told it's the littlest things that come from the heart that mattered the most, but obviously that was a lie - because none of those stories were featured! What a disappointment.

I am very dissapointed in Oprah. That was a very cruel trick she played on her loyal fans. She was not concerned about the tax burden she laid upon the fans she gave cars to, two years ago. These members were honest to give those $1000 gift cards to the needy. Yet, them being need too in these stressful economic times, had to pay their own way to the follow up show on Tuesday. This is unconsionable actions by Oprah and her production company. I will not watch her show again as she is a capitalist that preys on the needy to gain statis. I will watch Ellen instead in the same time slot in my area.

Now the challenge for many of us who particpated is getting over this shock and disappointment & moving forward for our own families to enjoy the holidays. It's really hard since it feels like such physcological games were played like playing all the past Favorite Things Shows in the waiting room. I don't know, I would have never thought in a million years I would be feeling this way. My Thanksgiving had such a damper on it all day long. Surely Ms. Winfrey didn't know this was what was going on did she? It felt strange when she was talking about how she didn't want us to have to pay the taxes on the cameras, which that amount of money paled in comparison to what some audience memebers paid to get to the show twice in one month. And they've watched during the weeks in between some auidence members get gifts for no reason but being in the audience at the right time. Shocked....that's all I can really say. That best feeling in the world of being able to give - Oprah - a damper was put on that by having us all back the 2nd time. There was no need, especially after being treated the way we were. Most of us would have rather watched it from home.

Reading all the comments, sounds like the follow up was really a let down. Can't believe that would happen to the group that did all of that for her. And you all had to pay your own way there and back? I don't think that was said on the show. Glad you have let us know though, it puts a whole new view on what Oprah expected of all of you. With all of her holiday surprises and shows in the past I'm surprised there was no big thank you at the end after all it cost some of you to go out there twice to do. wow and if she does her Favorite Things next year oh boy. I don't know, I don't think I'm watching those ones anymore.

Hi Everyone, I'm glad I'm not the only one disappointed. I agree with all that has been said about how expensive it was to travel not once but twice.Did anyone else see and hear how RUDE her staff was as we were leaving and getting our checked items. I have never been treated like like that before from anyone. I went to Ellen Degeneres and Carson Daley this past May and was treated wonderful by there staff and I did pay my own expenses and it was much less to travel from one end of the country to the other than what it cost to go to Oprah the second time during a holiday week.I hope Harpo Studio's gets some staff who know how to treat people like Humans especialy after all the hard work we all did.Would a Oprah mug or Teddy have been to much as a token of the work we did?? I'm so disappointed.

You stupid asses, quit whinning, what did you expect?
You think these show biz people care about you.
Your crazy and stupid.....

Play it forward is a wonderful idea, sometimes just giving a person clothing can make the world of difference to a person, I remember when I was a small child, I came from a family of 14, that times can be hard, but that there are Angels among us, a childhood teacher paid for my 8th grade graduation dress, shoes, etc., I will never forget her or her kindness, I just wish in the real world that all people can get help, I have had a hard year, just started a new job, I am now working to jobs, but I know that God will find a way to provide a way for me to keep my home , though times are tough, it is Angels like you that give the average person a lot of hope for the future. Sincerely, Catheran Miller

Since I don't meet any strangers I would love the opportuinty to put a smile on someones face or add some happiness to a unhappy man, women or child.
Pay it forward is something we should continue all the time so that no one and I know that sounds unrealistic is left without something to smile about or be happy about.
So many of us have lost sight of what giving is all about because we have become such a do for yourself and damn anybody else society especially for those less fortunate than ourselves.
I will stop because I could go on.

It's as simple as "R E S P E C T" For all involved.
There's nothing more you can do but voice your opinions. Don't let this detour you from doing good things for others that's the most important thing now. At least the people you were trying to help are better off for your attempts. It's very needed for compasionate people to extend their hands to others in need. Okay, so it's a little gushy! I'm just gushy!

Hello, My name is Philip Morgan and I a 29 year old male from Milwaukee, Wi. I moved out to San Diego in 1998 with one mission in my mind. To save the Human Race..or at least try. Since, my motivation was of positive nature of course my life thus far has become positive in value. I have one objective...to interview individuals who run companies and share their success in a personal note. A live, personalized audio and video interview sent out to young people across the globe. …. Let us say I am a guidance counselor for the many unfortunate or to those who cant see a light. I have a membership base of over 3 million students and achievers in Urban areas across the United States and beyond. I give these kids more than what they think is out there...


My company is a public company and I give any proceeds to my cause.

I love life..no matter how much I tear. It will get better for kids...They just need guidance.

I think paying it forward is great,however, my idea of paying it forward is doing something for someone to do but is needed by someone very much and in turn that person does the same for someone else who is in need. Pay forwarding to me is a selfless act done for someone and in turn that person finds someone in need and and does the same thing. Then the feelings will star up in your heart. Actually paying forward does not have to always be monetary, if it could just grow and grow it may have an effect on the world we now live in. I watched the movie about paying it forward. I cried and cried and I felt it in my heart and that what you it to do.

I really do like Opera, I don,t look at the all the time because of work. I have sibblings that I have not seen since I was a little girl I am 50 now. Not a minute goes by that this is not in my mind. I did write Opera and never heard back.

I wasn't even in the audience and I was disappointed when I found out they weren't doing the Favorite things show, but you were expected to pay it forward. I think that's a great concept, but why cut out the middle man, the person being loyal to the show? Oprah should have done the favorite things and given the gift cards on another day.

But apart from that, I think you all should put your thoughts together in one packet and Fedex it to her attention at Harpo Studio's. She needs to know that whole thing was screwed up and she deserves to know how you feel.

I am deeply disappointed - not at Oprah or her staff - but at the seemingly large number of people complaining about their Pay it Forward contributions not getting recognition. Not being an avid viewer, I was personally touched by all the people on that show regardless of whether or not their story was told. This is why it comes to me as a great shock to see that some of these same people are in an outrage over how the show handled this idea. I am a college student who averages next to nothing monthly in my checking account. I would not have had the money to travel to the first show. That being said, after watching, I felt compelled to do my part to 'pay it forward.' My friends and I are attempting to put on a benefit concert to help a local charity in our own community. None of us received $1000 debit cards or are being told we have the chance to appear on a nationally-televised program. We are doing this because it is a good cause, and overall the right thing to do. I assure you I will not be any richer for doing this, but I wanted to because of what you all had done. So, while I commend you on your good deeds, I'm so very disappointed that you choose to diminish it by expecting to be paid in forward in return.

I am also very disappointed - not at Oprah or her staff - but at the seemingly large number of people complaining about their Pay it Forward contributions not getting recognition. Stop complaining about what you didn't get and just be happy that you did something good for someone. "Pay it forward" is "Pay it forward" "NOT pay it back". If you were able to return to the show, your one of the fortunate ones that can afford to do so! There are people/families that can't even buy a gallon of milk SO GET OVER IT. Oprah has touch both me and my family and this year, we will pay it forward. AND the only thing I want back is seeing someones face light up or seeing a child jumping with joy because someone did something special for them and their family! I'm sure that the only reason why these complainers returned to the show is because they thought they were going to get something from Oprah bigger and better than the $1000.00 WOW there are sad people in this world. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like OPRAH!!

Like Laurence and Yvette, I too am disappointed at the people who were in the audience the first time. Remember, you chose to be there. You chose to return. Whatever your motivation, don't blame Oprah because of choices you made. Personally, I think you got what you deserve if you only did it for recognition. If I were on the receiving end of such a greedy giver, I would give it back. How stingy can you be? As for the person who wanted to see the show with all the great items Oprah would recommend: Get a brain. Do research based on your own preferences and make your own choices. How much control can you people allow a stranger to have in your life! Ridiculous!

I created a site that allows you to link to sites to donate to charity as per Oprah's pay it forward challenge, but ALSO gives product links to all of her previous favorite things... am a little mad she didn't do that again this year, but can see both sides. Let's all give to charity and buy a nice plush robe as well.
http://www.oprahsfavoritethings2006.com