Oprah's Big Secret - The Countdown

[MacMadame]

I just wonder if the mother is allowed to keep refusing contact.

There is no law that says you have to associate with someone, relative or not.

[kosjenka]

And Whitney Houston…

Have you ever seen Kathy Griffin's bit where she imitates Oprah interviewing Whitney Houston? (the part I'm talking about doesn't start until 5:30, but it's worth the wait )

ETA: Or even better, Deeeeep Fried BUUUUUUUTTTTEEEEEERRRRRR at the Texas STATE FAIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Not a huge fan of Kathy. She is not as fun as she was when she was actually on the D list.

But her Oprah bits are so good.

I love those jokes about when Oprah and Gayle went to that food festival in Texas and had fried butter! What an adventure

I have to be honest and say I was sure Kathy made it all up, until 5 months later I actually saw that very episode on my national tv and pissed my pants.
FRIED BUTTER!

[Veronika]

Especially JOHOOOOOON TRAAVOOLTAAAAAAA!!!

Don't forget JUULIAAA ROOOOBEERTS! (And JEEENIIIFEEER AAANISTOOOON!)

[deltask8er]

What are the rights these days for parents who give up kids for adoption?

It probably depends by state.

I remember the fascinating story of a woman adopted and eventually wanted more info about her biological mother.

It was a casual inquiry but it brought this letter from the adoption agency.

"Well, it said, 'You were born on October 9, 1968 at 12:51pm, the younger of twin girls,'" she said.

"Oh my God, I'm a twin! Can you believe this? Is this really happening?"

Nevertheless, he admits, this isn't something that would happen today. Still, Diamond expects the questions will keep coming - questions she may not be able to answer because of strict privacy regulations.

"I'm aware of, certainly, at least one situation of separated identical twins who do not know," Diamond said.

She isn't sure if she has the right to tell them.

http://www.identicalstrangersbook.com/press-cbs.html

And I remember a report done on NPR a couple years ago of a man describing his experience learning of his biological mother and getting the courage to contact her. I think they recent changed the laws in Oregon, which gave him that opportunity. She was at that point living in Canada with her husband (not the father), and she had a child with him. She was stunned to receive the phone call from him, but it wasn't a rude conversation. She did, however, send him a letter explaining that while she wishes him well, she does not want any further contact.

Adoption in America: A Series Overview

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=12138181

http://www.childadoptionlaws.com/

Whatever Oprah's intentions, good for them on finding each other. Based on the brief video clips I saw, Patricia seems to be a sweet, dignified person.

ETA: Did Kitty Kelley miss this in her Oprah biography last year? I remember hearing about the John Tesh romance, but not this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/ma...1fob-q4-t.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/books/12book.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/20...prahs_bed.html

[Rex]

^^^John Tesh does NOT come off well...but those were the times I guess. The first comment on that review of the book had me though.