Lets Get This Party Started
Oprah Opens Another School -- in South Africa

Oprah Winfrey sang, danced and celebrated with the kids of the Seven Fountains Primary School on Friday, a new school for poor South Africans funded by Oprah's Angel Network charity.

The $1.6 million school has 25 classrooms, a computer center and two sports fields, and serves around a thousand students -- nearly 800 more than her other South African school, Oprah's Leadership Academy for Girls.

Oprah's has received both praise and some heat on that project -- a $40 million school with 28 classrooms which only serves around 150 girls -- since it opened in January.

No word on whether the talk show queen ever plans on opening a school for disadvantaged kids -- of which there are many -- in the U.S.

Naomi – Leave the Manolos at Home



Tomorrow, convicted cell phone thrower Naomi Campbell starts her five-day community service stint with the New York Department of Sanitation. She'll be mopping floors across the Big Apple as punishment for her attack on maid Ana Scolavino. Any tips for Naomi on her big day? Sanitation boss Albert Durell told the New York Daily News that he hopes that she'll "know not to come in high heels or anything like that. "Sneakers and blue jeans are a good idea. Wearing Manolos is not."

Eager to prove she's over pelting others with BlackBerries, Campbell says that the clothes she wears while performing community service will be auctioned for charity. We'd rather have the Manolos, Naomi.

Mills Could Be "Screwed" Says Rival Dancer


When "Dancing with the Stars" returns for its fourth season tomorrow night, all eyes will be on one-legged contestant Heather Mills -- including those of her fellow dancers. The New York Post talked to some of her competitors, who are equally in awe of Mills' moxie and prosthetic limb. "If I weren't on this show, I'd so be watching it," said DWTS fellow dancer and model citizen Paulina Porizkova. "Who wouldn't want to watch Heather Mills dance?"

"Stars" creator Conrad Green says that the judges should treat Mills like everybody else, but that she can't be penalized for things she clearly can't do, like, point her prosthetic toe.

Adds Porizkova, of the soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. Paul McCartney, who is Public Enemy No. 1 in her native England, "If she comes on and shows how warm and wonderful and gracious she is, the people are just going to go for her. However, if she doesn't, she's screwed."


Party Favors...Felicity Huffman Makes Jessica Alba Cry...Elton John Banned...David Duchovny returns to TV


Jessica Alba told Page Six that she recently took an acting class with married actors Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy. "Felicity was very hard on me," she said, adding that Huffman made her cry, "because I didn't prepare a scene right, or I didn't talk loud enough." ... Elton John is banned from playing the Plymouth Jazz Festival on the Carribean island of Tobago because he's gay. The archdeacon of the island told the London Standard that "his visit to the island can open the country to be tempted towards pursuing his lifestyle." Or pursuing platform boots. ... "X-Files" fans rejoice! Agent Mulder aka actor David Duchovny is set to appear in a new untitled comedy for Showtime this summer.

Tags: david duchovny, DavidDuchovny, elton john, EltonJohn, felicty huffman, FelictyHuffman, heather mills, HeatherMills, jessica biel, JessicaBiel, lets get this party started, LetsGetThisPartyStarted, naomi campbell, NaomiCampbell, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey

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(Page 4 of 5) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. Im with you #1 what the hell is wrong with the afican ameican kisds or WHITE kids for that matter are they not quite so unique and not quite the novelty that little african kids are these days (hence madonna and angelinas kids)she should be ashamed of herself yes its her money blah blah blah its probally a tax write off anyway and WHY not do it in AMERICA HELLO?????????????????? Are our litle black kids not so cute not poor enough oh damm you have to be an exotic little import okay now i get it silly me.........................

Posted at 9:14PM on Mar 19th 2007 by suan

47. I wish that two things would happen before people decide to be critical of anyone who tries to make a positive contribution to the world ANYWHERE. First, be informed. I am tired of the people, who don't watch or know much(?) about Oprah's contributions, trying to tell her how to spend HER money and TIME. If they did, they would know that what she has done for THEM over the last twenty years. You only have to watch other celebrities to understand that her impact involve more than schools in Africa. Who broached AIDS first, got laws passed to register sex offenders, was first IN New Orleans, etc. Who started the "make overs ( people/homes)? Funds 100 male scholarships to Morehouse? Why do you think people like Bono have her on THEIR teams? Denzel is being praised for his new endeavor, which waited for Oprah to produce (put up the money) it. "The color Purple" ran away after she came on board as a producer ( put up more money). Log on and review ( archives) the number of time when she has exposed and then tried to help remedy problems in American education/schools. You expect her to FIX all of the problems for all of YOU? Secondly, spend less time broadcasting your ignorance TO the world and spend more time figuring out how YOU can do what you think SHE should be doing. The fact that she never responds to people like you should tell you how much she values your efforts to direct her life. Ironically, her themes each year center around learning how to be YOUR best self so that you can be of service to others. You're the very people that she tries to reach each day. If you were less concerned about "her money" you would be either volunteering in those American schools you're worried about, tackling school boards, raising disciplined learners, becoming a student of life yourself, and not be angry with her for not doing YOUR job. Get on with your life, better yet, get a life.
.

Posted at 9:01AM on Mar 19th 2007 by Barbara Smith

48. Ever since I my girlfriend referred me to this blogger's articles on Anna Nicole, I've been hooked. And just yesterday I read some of his articles on Oprah. He's black and his view on O is pretty interesting.

http://www.theipinionsjournal.com/2007/01/oprahs-school-for-african-girls.html

Posted at 9:25AM on Mar 19th 2007 by allison

49. no one here watched the oprah show with hopes that she would use the money she earned to fix the US public school system, to only help americans, or to help anyone at all. you watch the show b/c you want to watch it. there are many people out there with a lot more money than oprah, and a lot more who have less. so b/c oprah doesn't do it doesn't mean it can't get done. it just won't be the one to fix it. i agree with every poster on here who says that oprah can spend her money the way she wants to. and the people who say she has only helped black people need to look at rachel ray, dr. phil, bob greene, and that doctor she always has on her show. basically anything she advertises is going to sell. so she may not give actual money but her advertising for you is just as good. and you can't say that about a lot of people. and thank you to comment #52 for pointing out her contribution of Morehouse. i guess she's been doing it for a while so it gets overlooked. contray to what a lot of ppl believe oprah does not need our approval/disapproval. she's having a hard time hearing us b/c of all the money coming out of her ears. and that's the bottom line. if you're so concerned about the state of our public schools why don't you donate your time and mentor a student. i say that b/c none of us have oprah's money. time can be just as valuable, if not more valuable, than money. if you're doing what you need to do then you don't have the time to worry about what someone else is doing. i kind of sympathize with oprah in that she can't satisfy white or black people. i'm glad that she did the show after hurricane katrina b/c no one else was trying to go into the superdome. i'm glad that she made it real. you might disagree with her, and that's your perogative. but i don't think she should be condemned because she chooses to help young girls from South Africa. it doesn't sound logical. just think about how that sounds.

Posted at 9:47AM on Mar 19th 2007 by skeptical at best

50. Why should Oprah be responsible for building schools in the U.S.???? We HAVE public schools. If some of those schools are worse than others, it sounds like something we should take up with our local and national government officials. We live in a Democracy ... remember?
Nationalists go on and on about how superior the United States is to other countries ... if our government is so superior, why should it be necessary for celebrities to build adequate schools, something that is/should be provided by the government we incessantly boast about.
The disadvantaged youth in South Africa do NOT have access to public schools. No matter how poor, their families (many of which have been destroyed by the AIDS epidemic) are responsible for paying tuition and uniform fees for their children/grandchildren to attend even the most shoddy facilities.
Oprah is a wonderful person for using her wealth in a way that it will benefit generation after generation of young men and women.
And P.S.
Do those who criticize Oprah remember what she did for American families after Katrina via The Angel Network???

Posted at 2:00PM on Mar 19th 2007 by Gwynedd

51. PS to #52 : Boys and Girls Club in her home town? She gave away over 300 cars? Did you forget that they went to teachers who NEEDED them ( not just wanted them and didn't expect them). I can understand the source of your hostility towards Oprah. You either can't read or don't read well, which may mean that you are intellectually challenged and "can't stand her" for not dumbing down; you don't watch her show so you resent her having made such a success of it WITHOUT you; she's what and who you would like to be; she hasn't apologized to you and yours for not wallowing in self-pity and laziness, but instead used her circumstances as motivation; she's comfortable in her size and skin and can hold her own, without having to feel inferior to anyone. Oprah has remained Oprah, in spite of .... No one MADE her rich. She earned her money and learned how to manage it herself ( why aren't you attacking the kings and queens of "bling", who, until recently, when it has become news worthy, didn't show an interest in anyone but themselves?). As for being publicity hungry - you've got to be kiding! The most publicity she gets comes from people who have stalled in their careers and take pot shots at her to attract the attention her name draws. I DARE YOU to trace the media attention she's gotten and the initiators of it. Her extravagant birthday bash - did you know that SOMEONE else sponsored that surprise? Her school special - even you wanted to see what all of the fuss was about! Other than things like that, the media is rarely something she courts. Why should she? She has her own magazines, production company, radio and television programs, classes that she teaches, foundations, listing in FORBES as the first African-American and African-American Female BILLIONAIRE.
If you didn't watch her show, you missed The Legends' Weekend!
As for forgetting where she came from - SHE did not trace her ancestry, Dr. Louis Gates
did, in connection with tracing his own, Quincy Jones', and several others. Like I said - know what you're talking about!

Posted at 10:22AM on Mar 19th 2007 by Barbara Smith

52. "No word on whether the talk show queen ever plans on opening a school for disadvantaged kids -- of which there are many -- in the U.S."

Here's the thing - yes there are many disadvantaged kids in the US, and guess what - THE GOVERNMENT HAS THe MONEY THE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. However they are more interested in investing dollars and lives in the Iraq war. No one cares about Africa. Did you know that the US could single handedly step in and change the face of Africa, poverty, starvation, AIDS and all with a mere 3% of it's annual military spending? Makes it pretty damn shameful to be an American doesn't it???

Why should Oprah take any heat over this - she's stepping in and trying to make a difference in Africa, and give some of that nations children some tools for possibly creating a sustainable future. No one else seems to give a damn about the state of Africa, but you can bet your ass that if it was sitting atop of liquid gold the way the middle east is - they'd be all over it. It's disgusting. We are supposed to be a global community, and yet the world has largely ignored the problems in Africa. It's not like we haven't been blasted by images of starving children, dreid up lands, and civil wars - yet everyone is content to sit back and do nothing...

Shame on you TMZ for even daring to criticize Oprah, and suggest that she do something for the disadvantaged kids in the US - take those words to your government and demand that they stop throwing away tax dollars in a war that was started based on lies in the first place.

Posted at 1:15PM on Mar 19th 2007 by TJ

53. don't criticize OPRAH for not opening a school in the U.S. FIRST it is ot her job to open schools here in the U.S., it is the U.S. governments responsibility and let's not forget who's money it is she's using.

Posted at 10:50AM on Mar 19th 2007 by Carlos

54. I think it's great that orpah is helping build schools in africa. All those people who speak badly of her because of it shame on you. Why would oprah want to build schools here when kids in urban communities would rather bring guns to school rap and play basketball then learn. kids in this country take education for granted so why would oprah want to help them when should could help kids WHO ACTUALLY CARE.

Posted at 12:08PM on Mar 19th 2007 by PHIL

55. GIGGABOOER do u have any education? just a question cause you sound like you are a special education child maybe you should go back to school and acutally learn how to speak english

Posted at 12:14PM on Mar 19th 2007 by PHIL

56. To # 48...............At least Oprah has $$$ to "throw around" and she does it well...........Where is your money??? I bet you do not even give a dollar to the Salvation Army at Christmas! Shut up!

Posted at 12:19PM on Mar 19th 2007 by Amy

57. So yesterday I saw something on TV called the trumpet awards in passing...really interesting how many influential African American are helping in the country..it was really interesting to see...Oprah has given and given and given so much.....so has the money to give so hey let her......The only reason why the South African project is such a big deal is that its one of her biggest dreams to open a school for girls....she has a special affinity for underprivileged girls....in a way its a special gift to herself...some people give because it makes them feel really really good...so from what I heard her say about this venture, the girls are doing her a favor.


SO the United Nations wants all countries to donate % of their GDP towards development in Africa and others...The US refuses to donate that amount, the leading donor is Japan and the Scandinavian give a lot of support. US developmental work is very little compared to the rest of the G8 countries. Oprah is at least making up that difference single handedly

Oprah is doing a lot of the G8 countries a favor, she is helping stock the human resource that will assure development. Her efforts will even help reduce future illegal immigration to the industrialized world. Little by Little she is helping out....now if you look at it from another perspective, she is aiding the US children simultaneously, there will be less people competeing for jobs with them in the next 10yrs on.

It is a true fact that Americans have quite a lot to even move themselves out of poverty..the tools are there, you have to look hard, and have to work hard, for some races harder than the whites to lift yourself up....in Africa, you may be willing but he opportunities are sssssssssssssssssooooooooooooooo few and far in between that it just depressing. Opening a School for these children who have lost parents to HIV , and are poor is the best thing ever in their lives, its like they already died and went to heaven.....................their lives have been tough

Africa is about 3 times larger than the US with a very low population being wiped out daily due to disease and poverty. And when the US uses the people as Gunea pigs to dump their new untested drugs and expired drugs its a way to ensure certain death for the people............the international crimes against that continent is atrocious. And if even one person who has reason to hate it, for both African and Europeans helped in getting her ancestors in the slave trade, has really transcended beyond us regular folk to do good.......


I can only commend this woman for what she had done for the people in the US, all races which she does not broadcast ..Howevcer the school is a special gift t o herself which she feels the need to broadcast because it gives her so much joy..when you are happy you want to shout from the roof tops..and Oprah is happy...she gets joy form working with Young girls who remind her of herself......

Please do not bring Angelina jolie up in this debate...she is ignorant about internatinal issues and her bribery to these countries she visits to government officials just keeps corruption alive, its does not go the the people who need it , just sits on top like when you pour oil on top of water...she gives kids a home...whether good or bad is debatable, better money and food than the orphanage for sure.......It makes her feel good , great...

As I saw bits and pieces of that trumpet award I was seeing people who give back to their community big time...its difficult to grow up certain places and completely forget, so they give back............Oprah will not give you a list of her good deeds nor call a press conference for every money she deeded away. But she gives to all races..she cannot concentrate only on African American...people are people.!!

Have to say, I haven't seen the Oprah show in years, its a little too boring for my taste....


Elton John is a great musician, why cant people just see him for that, I bet they don't go looking up the sexual preference of acclaimed hetros and annoy them...especially if those hetro are closet pedophiles or have s and m tendencies.....Leave the Queen to do his work y'all.........

Tell Alba to shut up already..she doesn't have any awards and might not get one if she doesn't stop bad mouthing those who will be voting for her...Felciitys work off of desperate housewives is much better ..........hey if don't like the class , drop out and find a teacher more to your liking. When these Hollywood chick give producers a whiff of their p***y for jobs they get surprised when a woman well known for some superb acting deosnt fall for the same shit!!! ahahhah grow up Alba

Posted at 12:35PM on Mar 19th 2007 by miapocca

58. Excellent job Carribean,you have taken the first step in fighting Aids,keep all these freaks and liberals out of your country. Good Job.

Posted at 3:32PM on Mar 19th 2007 by God Bless America

59. #31 and #33 - "waiting for the homecoming" Yes, after all the money has been spent and all the hard work has been done, you will buy a ticket to Africa for the party. You will feel that you have a connection with it, and you will enjoy it, and walk around in your fine American clothes and sing and hug and stuff..... Might even move over there.

Now, while you can do something to help, send a $5 bill to Oprah and tell her that you just wanted to help pay for ONE brick in the school. Just do that much, and you will enjoy the homecoming so much more. I did it.

Posted at 11:18PM on Mar 19th 2007 by catatonic stupor

60. To #59, Amy: I have plenty of money, myself , and I do give to charity, but this is about Oprah. Yes, I still thinks she throws her money around, mostly for publicity. While I do agree she does actually help people, I think she takes credit for things that are donated by others. For example, those "300 cars donated to teachers," I read that they were actually donated by the dealerships, but everyone assumed the money came out of her own pocket. Then the teachesr had to pay their own taxes on the cars. Oprah could have at least footed that bill. Also, her Angel Network that helped American victims of Katrina receives millions of dollars in donations from regular Americans. How do we know she didn't use some of those funds for the African schools? Lastly, 40 million dollars for only 150 girls? What a culture shock that must have been for the girls! She could have helped so many more students with that much money. Yes, it's her money ( or donations from Americans ) but use some common sense, for goodness sakes!

Posted at 5:52PM on Mar 19th 2007 by tellingitlikeitis

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