Episode
Oprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
49:55
Published: Tue Jun 08 2021
Description
Do you have weird feelings about Oprah? So do we, and so does our guest! Kimberly Springer, co-editor of "Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture," joins us to talk about the rise of Oprah Winfrey and her infamous "wagon of fat" weight loss episode.Buy Kimberly's books:Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American CultureLiving for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and moreClips!Oprah Winfrey Rolls Out A Wagon Of Fat (Buzzfeed)How Oprah's Weight Affected Her Relationship with Stedman (Oprah)MadTv - Oprah - Fat Cam (Mad TV)Links!The Importance of Being Oprah (New York Times Magazine)Oprah's 'Fattest' Mistake (CBS News)5 awesome objects from the new Oprah exhibit (Washington Post)Oprah's biggest on-air mistake? The wagon of fat (Today)Diet That Made Oprah Winfrey Slim Demands Discipline, Specialists Say (New York Times)Support the show
Chapters
The hosts of the Maintenance Phase podcast delve into both the positive and negative impact that Oprah has had on America, attempting to hold space for both while acknowledging the complexities of this cultural icon.
00:00 - 04:57 (04:57)
Summary
The hosts of the Maintenance Phase podcast delve into both the positive and negative impact that Oprah has had on America, attempting to hold space for both while acknowledging the complexities of this cultural icon.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The narrative that Oprah presents on her show is centered around stranger danger despite experiencing abuse in families.
04:58 - 11:20 (06:21)
Summary
The narrative that Oprah presents on her show is centered around stranger danger despite experiencing abuse in families. Moreover, her public figure status allows her to navigate societal understandings of abuse, and body shaming tendencies of the time.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses the intersectionality of race, gender, and capitalism, using the example of a black woman who fully owns the means of production and is aware of her position.
11:20 - 15:07 (03:47)
Summary
The speaker discusses the intersectionality of race, gender, and capitalism, using the example of a black woman who fully owns the means of production and is aware of her position.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The podcast talks about how Oprah became a cultural force with her book club, interviews and product endorsements which could generate millions of dollars in the market.
15:07 - 19:42 (04:34)
Summary
The podcast talks about how Oprah became a cultural force with her book club, interviews and product endorsements which could generate millions of dollars in the market.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The transcript discusses the dangers of fad diets, particularly those that involve crash diets and meal replacement shakes, and the negative media attention around celebrity diet culture.
19:42 - 23:51 (04:09)
Summary
The transcript discusses the dangers of fad diets, particularly those that involve crash diets and meal replacement shakes, and the negative media attention around celebrity diet culture.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Oprah revealed her weight loss of 67 pounds by showcasing a wagon filled with animal fat on her show, which was criticized for being salacious and promoting weight loss methods that are potentially harmful.
23:51 - 28:04 (04:12)
Summary
Oprah revealed her weight loss of 67 pounds by showcasing a wagon filled with animal fat on her show, which was criticized for being salacious and promoting weight loss methods that are potentially harmful.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The cycle of crash diets often leads to disappointment and self-loathing after inevitably gaining the weight back.
28:04 - 32:33 (04:29)
Summary
The cycle of crash diets often leads to disappointment and self-loathing after inevitably gaining the weight back. Doing this publicly on a popular TV show can lead to immense pressure and scrutiny from the public.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
A discussion about the conflicting messages in the "Healthy is the New Skinny" movement and the impact it has on body image.
32:34 - 38:09 (05:35)
Summary
A discussion about the conflicting messages in the "Healthy is the New Skinny" movement and the impact it has on body image. The speakers reject the idea that thinness equals health and question why people feel the need to comment on others' bodies.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The podcast discusses the racialized sexism in comedy, specifically targeting larger Black women who are typically expected to be nurturing.
38:09 - 41:11 (03:01)
Summary
The podcast discusses the racialized sexism in comedy, specifically targeting larger Black women who are typically expected to be nurturing. The hosts mention the trend in comedy where offense is seen as comedy, leading to the vicious mocking of Black women’s bodies.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses the pressure to conform to societal expectations in her relationship, specifically around issues of weight and appearance, and the impact that can have on relationships.
41:11 - 45:24 (04:13)
Summary
The speaker discusses the pressure to conform to societal expectations in her relationship, specifically around issues of weight and appearance, and the impact that can have on relationships.
EpisodeOprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
PodcastMaintenance Phase
In this episode, the speaker discusses the way body image, race, and wealth intersect, which can make it difficult for people to feel comfortable in their own skin.
45:24 - 49:46 (04:21)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker discusses the way body image, race, and wealth intersect, which can make it difficult for people to feel comfortable in their own skin.