________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When this blog went on unplanned hiatus, ABC reality charity competition series "Oprah's Big Give" was readying to premiere. As of today for TARbloob's return, "Oprah's Big Give" is officially dead.

ABC officially cancelled "Oprah's Big Give" today but the impetus of its demise was from Oprah Winfrey herself. ABC president Steve McPherson stated at the netowrk's upfront presentation to advertisers that Winfrey simply did not want to be involved with another edition of the program.

----
"The Amazing Race" co-creators Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri had been brought into the show development early on to help craft a hybrid between the reality competition format and Oprah Winfrey's sense of personal charity. The fusion proved difficult though with reviews for the program decidedly mixed. Controversy also attached itself with a lawsuit from a Boston woman who claimed original ownership of the series concept.

Nielsen ratings for the show were not great past the first few episodes but nonetheless were certainly strong enough for at least a midseason renewal. Without Oprah Winfrey though, the program simply can not exist as a viable entity. I would love to know why Oprah has stepped away from the show but we may not get the answer to that one for a long time. Nontheless, it was a noble effort.

----
Relevant link: The Hollywood Reporter

Labels: other reality