A List for Visiting Oprah Winfrey

One of the most exciting things in my short life has happened! In just one week – I will be sitting in the audience of the Oprah Winfrey Show!!!!!! I’m sooooo excited! This moment is going to be really special for me because it’s been 18 years in the making. You see, Oprah is the reason I went into TV.

When I was just 13 years old – I was obsessed with “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and decided to write a letter to my hero. So I did. I got a response back on official “Oprah” letterhead along with an autographed photo.

Check out the letter I got back and the vintage “Oprah hair” in her picture.

I love that the letter says, “time does not permit me to answer all your questions” – I can ONLY imagine how many questions I had as an inquisitive little “junior journalist!”

When my best friend Danielle told me that we got the tickets – I was home sick from work with a sore throat. When she said the words, “We’re going to Oprah!!!” I seriously reacted like I was an audience member in a “favorite things” episode. If you’re an Oprah fan – you know this reaction well. I was screaming at the top of my lungs with that crazy look in my eyes! Sore throat multiplied by 10 – but I didn’t care. What were the chances?! There are only 325 spots per show and we were going to be in the audience for one of the final few tapings. Wow!

Now that the initial shock is wearing off and we’ve booked our flight and hotel, I have to prepare. As a list maker –I’ve been making lists of lists that I have to make. I’m a bit neurotic – but very efficient! Here are the lists I need to make:

1. Packing List:

What do you wear to the Oprah show??? I’ve heard that bright colors will get you a primo seat. So that’s what I’m going with – a fabulous new red dress. Check.

We’ll be flying into Chicago on Monday, April 11th and coming back on the 13th. So I’ll need to have enough outfits and toiletries to get me through those three exciting days.

I find that before I travel, if I just take a few minutes to run through the trip in my head, I will be prepared. This little bit of research time means so much when you have all the things you need and don’t forget your toothbrush. I write down every last thing that I’ll need even if I think it’s stupid and I’ll never forget it. Now that it’s on my list – I don’t have to “remember to remember” it.

2. Restaurant List:

I’m a foodie, and not only will I be in a new and exciting city – but there will be fabulous eating opportunities abound – so I want to be ready! I’ve been writing down some suggestions from friends and scouring websites for recommendations. I don’t want to miss out on the culinary gem that is Chicago, so of course, I have a list for that.

3. Potential Questions for Oprah:

This is the big one. Because I’m an eternal optimist – I believe I’m going to have a shot to talk to Oprah on this trip! (Please check back for photos of the two of us together!)

If you think I’m just dreaming, that’s fine — but I’m going to be prepared when my big moment comes. At work, I’ve encountered some pretty big stars. Tommy Lee held the elevator door open for me once and I actually got to meet and talk to Betty White.  I’m also a “Golden Girls” fanatic.

Betty White and me!

She was fantastic and so sweet! (And yes — the T-shirt I’m wearing in this photo says “Stay Golden” and has all the Golden Girls on it.  Next question.)

But Oprah is really the holy grail of celebs for me. I don’t want to be like a deer in headlights without a plan. So I’ll be thinking about some thought-provoking questions that I would really want to know the answer to. And I want these questions to be ones that Oprah would enjoy answering as well. From my experience with interviewing people — you want to make them comfortable…even if you only get one question in!

Wish me luck as I head off to the Windy City. I’ll be tweeting about my experience as much as possible – I heard the Oprah people take your cell phones away before a taping! But I’ll do my best to stay connected and please send me any and all suggestions for any of my lists! Appreciate it!