Spring Break
'The Decline of Mojo'
Philanthropy never made
so much money
Kris Anderson
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Opinion
It strikes me that the show is so popular for its charitable nature, that so many people claim to be moved by it, and none actually pay it forward.
So we get right back to the question: What is Ty Pennington really doing? If nobody is touched enough by his charity to enact the same forms of giving, then really, he's profiting off of the poor.
He's the anti-Robin Hood. He's exploiting those inhabiting the lowermost rungs of the economic ladder.
And for that "Extreme Makeover" hour, I just want to weep endlessly.
Now, even the effervescent Oprah is getting in on the act, assuming the face behind the new reality game show "Oprah's Big Give."
It's part debacle, part money-maker, part tearjerker - I think.
Oprah takes the time to step away from her show, bookclub and Stedman to hurl mountains of cash at unwitting participants who think it's their lucky day.
But … there's a twist.
They need to turn that cash into charity somehow, and the person who most successfully brings joy to another person's life wins the secret contest.
Really, it's a win-win for all parties; Oprah invades more homes with that smile and motherly know-how and everybody on the show looks great - right?
Oh, and the person who turns that cash into the biggest donation will win a surprise sum of $1 million.
Oh goody!
It makes me sick. It completely spits in the face of generosity. The idea that one will be paid to give is ludacris; it subverts the notion of kindness.
Even for Ty Pennington. You can't say he's not making a pretty penny for assaulting the ears of the subjects of his show, or at least enjoying quite an ego boost.
They aren't doing any of this crap for charity. They're doing it for the love of the buck and public image.
Mother Theresa would be pissed, and so would Santa Claus.
So we get right back to the question: What is Ty Pennington really doing? If nobody is touched enough by his charity to enact the same forms of giving, then really, he's profiting off of the poor.
He's the anti-Robin Hood. He's exploiting those inhabiting the lowermost rungs of the economic ladder.
And for that "Extreme Makeover" hour, I just want to weep endlessly.
Now, even the effervescent Oprah is getting in on the act, assuming the face behind the new reality game show "Oprah's Big Give."
It's part debacle, part money-maker, part tearjerker - I think.
Oprah takes the time to step away from her show, bookclub and Stedman to hurl mountains of cash at unwitting participants who think it's their lucky day.
But … there's a twist.
They need to turn that cash into charity somehow, and the person who most successfully brings joy to another person's life wins the secret contest.
Really, it's a win-win for all parties; Oprah invades more homes with that smile and motherly know-how and everybody on the show looks great - right?
Oh, and the person who turns that cash into the biggest donation will win a surprise sum of $1 million.
Oh goody!
It makes me sick. It completely spits in the face of generosity. The idea that one will be paid to give is ludacris; it subverts the notion of kindness.
Even for Ty Pennington. You can't say he's not making a pretty penny for assaulting the ears of the subjects of his show, or at least enjoying quite an ego boost.
They aren't doing any of this crap for charity. They're doing it for the love of the buck and public image.
Mother Theresa would be pissed, and so would Santa Claus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ryan Flarity
posted 3/04/08 @ 6:08 PM PST
At the end of the article is the claim that Anderson is a Spartan Daily copy editor. Shouldn't that position be held by someone who knows the difference between Ludacris (a rap star) and the adjective "ludicrous"?
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