| Oprah Winfrey is one of the most popular talk show | | | | In 2003, Oprah decided to do two episodes of her |
| hosts in American television history. As her show | | | | favorite things segment - one in the Spring and one in |
| enters its 21rst season, she has millions of viewers | | | | the Fall. Spring audience members got an Apple iPod |
| who tune in each day. One of her most popular | | | | ($399), Silhouette Minimal X Sunglasses ($175-$250), |
| segments is her "Favorite Things" holiday show. During | | | | and a Hewlett Packard Digital Camera, Printer and |
| this show, Oprah shares with the studio and television | | | | Dock (total value $730) among other items. Fall |
| audience some of her favorite things including jewelry, | | | | audience members racked up with UGG Classic Short |
| gadgets and vacation getaways. | | | | Boots ($110), a Philip Stein Teslar Watch ($595), and a |
| People love this show because on the "Favorite | | | | Sony DCR-DVD200 Handycam ($1000). |
| Things" episode, audience members get the | | | | 2004 was a very special Favorite Things segment for |
| extravagant gifts that Oprah displays. Around 300 | | | | Oprah. She convinced 300 teachers to attend her |
| audience members are showered with gifts each | | | | show, under the premise of talking about education |
| holiday episode. The amount varies, but Oprah | | | | and a teacher's daily routine. Instead, she surprised |
| audience members can each expect to receive | | | | them with the Favorite Things episode. The teachers |
| between $4,000 and $15,000 worth of gifts. But, Oprah | | | | received gifts such as a Sony VAIO S260 notebook |
| is a big winner as well. The 2004 episode of "Oprah's | | | | computer, a Dell 30" wide-screen LCD television, a |
| Favorite Things" had the highest ratings ever for a | | | | Maytag Neptune Top-Load Washer and Drying |
| "Favorite Things" episode and was the second highest | | | | Center, and a trip for two to the exclusive Miraval |
| rated episode for the season. | | | | Resort and Spa. Total gift amount for each teacher |
| Oprah has been doing her "Favorite Things" episode | | | | was about $15,000 - much more than the previous |
| since 1999. Guests received a set of Illumination Ritual | | | | year total of $4,800. Oprah, a supporter of education |
| Candles, each one to inspire different feelings like love, | | | | and teachers, knew the teachers were worth every |
| peace and passion and each candle contained a tiny | | | | penny. |
| gemstone inside. The 12-candle set was valued at | | | | In 2005, Oprah decided to make her favorite things |
| $169.95. Dog owners were no doubt thrilled with the Fifi | | | | audience up of Katrina relief workers. Among the gifts |
| and Romeo Pet Clothing ($150 and up) - one of | | | | were Sony VAIO(R) FJ Notebook, Kashwére(R) |
| Oprah's favorite things of 1999. One of the most | | | | Shawl Collar Robe, BlackBerry 7105T (TM) from |
| extravagant gifts that year was a Susan Abbott | | | | T-Mobile, and a couple of Oprah's favorites from 2004, |
| Personalized Painting, ranging from $5,000 and up. | | | | UGG Australia's Uptown Boot and an Apple iPod. |
| Oprah loved the Susan Abbott painting given to her by | | | | While considerably less than the year before, the 2005 |
| author Sarah Ban Breathnach. | | | | recipients still received over $7,000 worth of items. |
| In 2000, Oprah added many hi-tech gadgets like the | | | | Probably due in part to Oprah's television audience as |
| Motorola Talkabout pager (priced at $179), so audience | | | | well as her personal appeal, each year the |
| members could receive email while on the go. Another | | | | manufacturer's of the items found on Oprah's favorite |
| favorite thing from 2000 was the book equivalent of | | | | things donate all the gifts. But they reap great benefits |
| the iPod, the Gemstar REB1100 eBook from RCA | | | | from doing so. They get television exposure and an |
| ($299). The Gemstar let users download up to 8,000 | | | | immediate increase in sales after each episode. |
| book pages, so they never had to carry around a | | | | Companies like Sephora and Macy's have both |
| book again. | | | | publically stated that as soon as Oprah mentions one |
| The BlissLabs Glamour Gloves ($44) and Gel ($22) | | | | of their products, people are coming in the stores in |
| was one of Oprah's favorite things in 2002. The | | | | droves to get it. |
| Panasonic 4-in-1 Digital Camera from Frontgate ($449) | | | | So in the end, it is a win-win situation. The |
| was also a big hit that year. The camera, the size of a | | | | manufacturers see increased sales, the audience gets |
| credit card, takes pictures and video, but can also be | | | | great gifts, and Oprah just keeps on getting more and |
| used as a MP3 player and audio recorder. | | | | more popular with her viewing audience. |