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Oprah Goes Back In Time In PBS 'Colonial House'
The Kanasas City Channel ^ | May 17, 2004

Posted on 05/18/2004 7:48:54 AM PDT by presidio9

Imagine one of the wealthiest people on Earth living without indoor plumbing.

Granted, she only lasted a few days, but Oprah Winfrey took that challenge. She sat down with KMBC's Kelly Eckerman to talk about what life is like without electricity, running water or modern conveniences of any kind.

Oprah and her friend, Gail, recently stayed in the PBS "Colonial House," where the pair agreed to live as people did 400 years ago.

Eckerman: "Were some people surprised you were anxious to do it?"

Oprah: "I come from a very poor family, so it was like going back in my own time for me. Gail, on the other hand, grew up with a maid and always had indoor plumbing."

There were many unforgettable moments for the television talk-show guru. Oprah seemed to take most tasks in stride, but Gail was another story.

Oprah: "First, you arrive and they make you strip all your underwear because women didn't have underwear in the 16th century. Just one of those facts, I guess I never knew that."

Eckerman: "I never thought about that."

Oprah: "You never think about it. The panties have to come off, bras off."

The chores were another big adjustment for Gail.

Oprah: "We're trying to cook bacon, gasping for air, and Gail says, 'I'd like mine extra crispy.' And I said, 'This is not the Fairmont Hotel, sister.'"

A rodent finally sent the pair packing -- that was where Oprah drew the line.

Oprah: "I'm not going to survive if a rat falls on my face!"

Oprah's said her stay was short, but priceless for "seeing how far we've come as women, as people, and all the people who did so much for us to have this exquisite life that we so often take for granted."

Oprah added that the most revealing thing about her colonial experience -- besides no underwear -- is how hard they had to work. The women, especially, never had a minute to themselves, Oprah said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: colonialhouse; oprah; oprahspanties; pbs; smallpox
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To: presidio9
the pilgrims wore very colorful clothing on the Sabbath. The Puritans were "puritanical" and mostly wore black and white.
61 posted on 05/18/2004 10:23:44 AM PDT by mondoman (si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: af_vet_rr
The New England colonial concept of community based on the "congregation" of believers is well explored in an excellent history by Peter Marshall, "The Light and the Glory". This series explores the early Christian influence on American History through the Revolution.

Although I don't remember the title, there was a sequel which followed the same theme through the Civil War

Our Bill of Rights, which enshrines the concept of freedom of religious thought, as well as the 19th century abolition movement were outgrowths of the Christian revivals of their respective times. It is ironic that "Christian fundamentalism" today is vilified by those on the Left who benefit most from these "liberal" (Separation of Church & State; Civil Rights & Emancipation) ideals that were championed by the "Christians" of the past.
62 posted on 05/18/2004 10:36:25 AM PDT by mondoman (si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: stainlessbanner
"there are no atheists in a foxhole"

If they were really dumped on a distant shore, 6-months by sea from civilization, stranded with only a 4-month supply of food, surrounded by savages watching HALF of their companions die off in the first year, I doubt anyone would quibble about praying to the Lord God for provision and guidance.

This experiment has no teeth, just PBS Reality Programing. I did find it engaging.
63 posted on 05/18/2004 10:39:49 AM PDT by mondoman (si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: presidio9
Oprah and Gail sound as vacant as Paris Hilton and Lionel Ritche's adopted daughter.

Such programming makes a mockery of being rich ("I can't survive out here! There's dirt! Where's my Gucci???").

I've seen other programs in this series (Manor House, and I don't recall the names of the others).

Those others were better than this personality spotlight implies.

64 posted on 05/18/2004 10:55:19 AM PDT by weegee (NO BLOOD FOR RATINGS. CNN ignored torture & murder in Saddam's Iraq to keep their Baghdad Bureau.)
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To: mondoman

Well said. These people today know they can quit - the original settlers had no choices except all or nothing.


65 posted on 05/18/2004 10:55:21 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!)
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To: TexasRepublic; mondoman

Excellent points. The folks who whined about planting seeds will not go hungry in four months, they will go home.


66 posted on 05/18/2004 11:01:15 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: Redcoat LI

When she said the governor's daughter, who gave a great Christian testimony, should give "more credit to herself, not God", she showed her true colors. Pretty sad, actually.


67 posted on 05/18/2004 11:06:31 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: Constitution Day; martin_fierro

There were neither slaves nor privies in 1628 New England.


68 posted on 05/18/2004 11:11:50 AM PDT by Mr. Lucky
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To: stainlessbanner

It gets back to "why we were put here?????"

IMHO: To give Glory to God and Praise Him in all things.

I was extremely proud of and pleased with the young lady and her testimony. The rest of the world wants to make of themselves "gods", funny that was Satan's sin as well....

Who do the unbeleivers pray to, even involuntarily, when things get tough "Oh God, help me!"


69 posted on 05/18/2004 11:16:10 AM PDT by mondoman (si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: cyborg

After Isabel hit Virginia, it took us eight days to get our power back. Fortunately I was connected at work.

But after several days of a perky office assistant (who got her power back after two days) asking me "did you get your power back?"...I wanted to scream "Do I SMELL like I've had a hot shower?"


70 posted on 05/18/2004 11:16:21 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (Senator Kennedy, please take the panties off your head.)
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To: Corin Stormhands

LOL well my mom boiled water on the grill and that's how we took 'bird baths' hehehe


71 posted on 05/18/2004 11:20:04 AM PDT by cyborg
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To: cyborg

Well fortunately we could go to the gym to shower. But it was still frustrating to be without hot water - and with cold water that was contaminated for several days.


72 posted on 05/18/2004 11:22:10 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands (Senator Kennedy, please take the panties off your head.)
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To: cyborg

No Free Republic? Horrors!

...Yes, I think God was wise to put me in this century. :)


73 posted on 05/18/2004 12:00:48 PM PDT by 4mycountry ("Completely concretely" - - That's "the power of the 'Freeper'.")
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To: Redcoat LI

Thanks for the info!


74 posted on 05/18/2004 12:02:18 PM PDT by Zack Nguyen
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To: stainlessbanner

Yeah,I saw that too,typical condescending Liberal,trivialising things she does not believe in.

Very sad,she's a sick woman.


75 posted on 05/18/2004 12:27:22 PM PDT by Redcoat LI
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To: stainlessbanner
The folks who whined about planting seeds will not go hungry in four months, they will go home.

Yep, and they wouldn't be so picky about the food they have. The sad thing is, most of those whining there, most of the country is like them. We descended from very hardy stock, and along the way lost some of that toughness.

I must admit, If I was setting up a colony 400 years ago, I think I would have picked a little bit warmer climate.

76 posted on 05/18/2004 12:36:16 PM PDT by af_vet_rr
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To: stainlessbanner; Zack Nguyen; cyborg

The Mayflower Compact

1620
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.

Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."

No atheism there.


77 posted on 05/18/2004 2:20:44 PM PDT by Redcoat LI
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To: Aggie Mama

Yeah, I noticed that too. Hubby and I were kind of chuckling about it. Notice too someone even made a comment about how there was no leadership in the settlement.


78 posted on 05/18/2004 3:43:11 PM PDT by cupcakes
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To: af_vet_rr

They don't realize just how old it is getting. We chose to flip the channel when this part came on. We just knew we were in for a pc lecture once they started the discussion.


79 posted on 05/18/2004 3:47:16 PM PDT by cupcakes
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To: stainlessbanner

Another person caught that one. Yup, showed her true colors indeed. It wasn't enough to disagree, she appeared offended and angry that this young lady placed such faith in God.


80 posted on 05/18/2004 3:51:37 PM PDT by cupcakes
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