By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
Oprah Winfrey giveth and she taketh away!
The talk show titan has canceled her own show, opting not to bring back her debut reality series, 'Oprah's Big Give' for a second season.
In a shocking move, Winfrey, 54, asked ABC executives not to renew her weekly primetime show about charitable giving.
"We loved that show and absolutely would have loved to bring it back," ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson said yesterday during an upfront press conference. "But it was something [Oprah] didn't want to do."
Despite winning its time slot each week on Sunday nights, critics pretty much panned the feel-good series.
On 'Big Give,' an eclectic group of 10 contestants traveled the country attempting to outdo their opponents in helping unsuspecting people tackling a diverse array of extraordinary circumstances.
Each week, the judges – Jamie Oliver ('The Naked Chef'), Tony Gonzalez (NFL Hall of Famer) and Malaak Compton-Rock (wife of Chris Rock) – sent the ineffective giver home.
The show, which was hosted by 'Oprah' regular, interior designer Nate Berkus, also featured appearances by many of Winfrey's megastar friends like Jada Pinkett-Smith, John Travolta, Natalie Cole, Donald Trump, Jennifer Aniston and best bud Gayle King.
The winner of the series was Stephen Paletta, a 43-year-old contractor from
'Oprah's Big Give' was birthed out of an episode of the 'Oprah' show, where the billionaire TV talent gave audience members $1,000 and a video camera with instructions to give away the money to someone deserving.
Guests recorded their good deeds and they aired during a follow-up show weeks later.
Comments: (967)
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By: TeYoJe on 5/14/2008 3:32PM
I loved this show and am happy Oprah is not bringing it back. I always thought if she did, people would try to be contestants just so they could win something. In my opinion, she is doing the right thing.
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By: MrMellow on 5/14/2008 4:30PM
I enjoyed this show and was looking forward to another season. Even though that is not to be, at least The Big Give showed how individuals can bring about positive changes to the lives of others.
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By: MovieWatchingFamily on 5/17/2008 8:51PM
I actually enjoyed the shows. I could have done without the "celebrity" drop ins. To me they just took away from the show and premise.
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By: Matt on 5/15/2008 6:10AM
I HATE FAKE HEADLINES. It lead me to believe that she was canceling her "OPRAH" show. I WISH! She has never been a good role model and her show is SOOOOO boring. I wish she would cancel Dr. Phil as well. BORIINNG!
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By: JBJG24M on 5/15/2008 6:16AM
GOOD ! HAVE NEVER REALLY OPRAH AT ALL!!
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By: Lvschitwn@aol.com on 5/15/2008 6:16AM
I wish the fat blowhard black woman would just cancel everything media related and go bury her fat ass in her mansion and rot.
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By: SHARYN on 5/15/2008 6:24AM
I would rather see Nate have his own show instead of watching Oprah, she is boring me. Ever since she endorsed Obama, come on. HAD ENOUGH OF OPRAH.
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By: Paully on 5/15/2008 6:25AM
Oh look at this!
Little males without anything nice to say.
Why don't all you BOYS go home to momma, stop wetting your pants, grow up and become REAL MEN.
All this Oprah-hating! When you have accomplished 1/2 of what she has done in her life, then maybe you can criticize her.
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By: Shannon on 5/15/2008 6:26AM
Of course she had to cancel it, or everyone would be entering so they could win some money at the end. I think some of them probably entered for that reason anyway, knowing that there had to be some kind of prize at the end.
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By: d on 5/15/2008 6:31AM
Right... SHE cancelled it. (wink, wink) For someone who is supposed to be well adjusted she cannot admit to failure.
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