I watched Monday night, eager to take in the relaunching of the mysteriously beleaguered network Oprah and the Discovery Network have poured so much money, time, and angst into.
The back-to-back shows were something of a time capsule: great to see Rosie telling jokes and seeming sane (very.)
The problem was that, while she had some good jokes, several of her references were to people we barely remember. Anyone under 40 might be clueless.
Then her guest, Russell Brand was funny, but anyone over 40 was clueless: who IS this person?

Rosie’s ratings were higher than Oprah’s, interestingly…perhaps the re-packaged shows are revealing their age?

I’m sure this is much more than Oprah bargained for: the realization that “re-invention” might mean throwing out those thousands of hours of shows…and really re-inventing.Starting over. Thinking new.

What a drag for a woman who has spent a lifetime living the media dream with astonishing success.
In the category of “you’re only as good as your last show…” this is a case of being as good as your “last network.”
As always, Oprah is singular…and I’m definitely rooting for her.