I have always dreamed of being in the audience during Oprah Winfrey’s annual “Favorite Things” show. After all, who wouldn’t want to be the recipient of tens of thousands of dollars worth of luxurious goodies that the divine Miss O personally owns?
Once the gift-giving extravaganza became an annual event, tickets to that particular show became the most sought after passes in daytime TV. Even Winfrey herself admitted that her own family members would call asking for the coveted tickets to her “Favorite Things” show.
A couple of years ago, Winfrey wised up and began hand-selecting audience members for her most popular show. One year the audience was filled exclusively with teachers (whom Winfrey called “overworked and underpaid”). Another year Winfrey’s studio was filled with individuals who brought relief to people whose lives were devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Now, each year millions of Oprah fans play the “Favorite Things” guessing game: Who will the legendary talk show host pick to walk away with all that loot?
This year’s “Favorite Things” show doesn’t air until Tuesday, but according to news reports, it was taped yesterday… in Macon, Georgia.
That’s right, not at Harpo Studios in Oprah’s hometown of Chicago. Winfrey took this year’s “Favorite Things” show on the road. According to show producers, Oprah kicked off a series of shows spotlighting towns across the United States by showering the local crowd with presents ranging from refrigerators to camcorders to wrapping paper. (Apparently those are just a few of Oprah’s favorite things for 2007.)
While she was in Macon Winfrey also toured the downtown area and stopped by Nu-Way, a well-known hot dog restaurant. According to audience members, Winfrey proclaimed the hot dogs her favorite thing about the visit.
What made Winfrey’s “Favorite Things” list may have been a surprise to Macon residents lucky enough to get into the show, but her visit was planned well in advance, according to Macon city leaders. The mayor said the city spent nearly $20,000 to ready City Auditorium for Winfrey’s visit. Though, her company, Harpo Productions, has offered to reimburse the city for some of the improvements to the historic building.
Could this new series mean that Oprah is coming to a city near you? Guess you’ll have to watch Tuesday’s show to find out.