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Some people are star-struck when they meet celebrities. They get all excited, start screaming and ask for an autograph.
Not me.
As a rule, I don't ask for autographs. I'm really cool about it. I remind myself: they're just people. I've hobnobbed with a few big stars: Bryant Gumbel, Matt Lauer and Emmitt Smith. Not to mention Barbara Eden, the original genie in a bottle.
But I would literally do a backflip if I ever met Oprah Winfrey. To me, she's TV royalty. I admire her. She's a savvy sister. Oprah's a self-made billionaire and host of a long-running daytime talk show. Every time I tune in, I learn something new. She has tips for bargain shoppers, ways to better communicate with your spouse and how to host a dinner party.
In college, I had it bad. I didn't want to miss a single episode, so I scheduled my classes around Oprah. I'm better now. I tune in when I can. Now, I guess I'm a "recovering" Oprah addict.
I read O magazine and frequent the show's Web site. Recently, I saw a topic on the site for a future show that interested me. So, I wrote in. About eight lines. This was the first time I'd ever written the show.
So when a producer from the show called me Wednesday, I was surprised. They had gotten the letter I wrote explaining that my husband and I would like a "financial makeover." The producer wanted to talk with us about possibly being guests on the show. I know they get thousands of letters every day. I didn't think they'd actually read mine.
But, there I was, talking to a producer from the Oprah show.
Already, I envisioned myself sitting next to the Queen of Talk. As a bonus, we'd get free advice from a money guru and a free trip to Chicago. Hello.
I was ready to say, "Sign me up."
I put the producer on hold and squealed.
Then, as I tried to gather my composure, I filled my hubby in about the call. He thought I was joking. But he was game. Later, he confessed that he has never watched a single episode of Oprah. Where has he been for the past 17 years?
The producer fired off question after question.
"Do you own or rent? Do you dine out a lot? Do you have a 401K? An IRA? Do you have credit card debt? How much do you spend a month on clothing?"
I thought, "Dang, she's all up in my business."
I felt really embarrassed sharing financial information with her. I didn't even know this woman. Usually, we don't just approach a stranger and begin to give a rundown of our financial background. Essentially, that's what we'd be doing.
Except, we'd be talking to about 8-million strangers.
We're not in bad shape. We're homeowners with one credit card. We just need a financial plan for our future.
I think, the producer sensed that I was a bit uneasy.
"Will you be comfortable sharing this on TV?" she said.
We'd have to think about that.
After the phone call, I called my parents. Ma said go for it.
Dad was a little less enthusiastic.
He said,"You don't have to go on Oprah for financial advice."
That's true.
That night, I tossed and turned. I worried about all the candid answers I gave. I wondered if I seemed really ditzy talking about how I'm a "frugal" coupon-clipper who owns a $400 handbag? Or that my ceramic piggy bank is my 401K. And, what the heck is an IRA?
The next day, I called the producer and kindly told her no thanks. I just chickened out. I hope one day I get another chance to meet the Queen.