Oprah Appears To Be Gaining Weight

I have been noticing something is different with Oprah this year. She looks more tired than usual. And, while I watch the show fairly regularly – I record it and then watch it when I don’t feel like doing anything else – it wasn’t until I saw a show last week with Nate Berkus that I noticed something else that seems different about Oprah this season.

Oprah looks very self-conscious and uncomfortable physically. I wasn’t really paying attention and then there was a segment on the show where Nate gave a room that was set up on the Oprah set a very inexpensive make-over and there was a before and after room on the stage separated by a wall. As Nate described the things he changed Oprah walked back to the wall and looking like she was almost clinging to it or trying to hide her butt behind it she kept comparing things in each room back and forth.

That was the moment I noticed. Oprah looks like she’s gained back a significant amount of weight. Okay, well, I noticed that and then didn’t think much more about it.

Then the next few shows I watched I noticed that the shows open differently than they have for the last few years. Oprah isn’t walking out on stage anymore and greeting everyone. She is already on stage, either seated or right up close to the camera (or it’s close up shot from her chest up) and she introduces the show that way.

I have also paid particular attention the last 3 shows I watched. Oprah and her guests of late have been shot by the camera mainly from the chest up. Very tight shots. The only longer camera shots have been very distant shots or from severe shots at some distance angled to the what would be Oprah’s left.

What is going on? I think this is sad. I mean on the show I watched today (I am a week behind – it was recorded) there were still all these tight camera shots going on. Then I noticed Oprah is developing a double chin. I joked with a friend I was watching the show with, "What are they going to do next, just show us Oprah’s eyes?"

I realize that re-gaining weight can be anywhere from upsetting, embarrassing, to outright humiliating. But really, why not just continue to shoot the same camera shots as always. Why is Oprah trying to hide? That’s such a shame. Actually it leaves me feeling awkward watching her like she is hiding and shaming herself.

In the October issue of O Magazine Oprah, in her "What I know For Sure" column mentions having some thyroid problems.

I would not ever criticize Oprah or anyone else for gaining weight or re-gaining weight. What I take issue with is all these in tight shots and what seems to be Oprah’s hiding.

I hope that Oprah will come out from behind the tight camera shots and just be herself. She should not feel ashamed or like she has to hide. She is human and stuff happens.

I find her self-conscious hiding and the tight camera shots distract from my enjoyment of the show.

I wonder what is so different with Oprah now that she just doesn’t mention it and get it over with and move on. I sure hope her newly-found confidence and presence of recent years wasn’t all related to her size. Right now I am wondering.

It is painful to watch such an accomplished and talented woman like Oprah sending out this message of shame and discomfort about her body size. It really is.

© A.J. Mahari

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