Original Air Date:
Friday, February 29, 2008
Introduction to Oprah's Big Give:
With the motto, "give big or go home" the goal for Oprah's Big Give was to find 10 people who could out-do each other to be the biggest giver. Oprah's team held auditions in LA, Chicago, NYC and Nashville where people from around the world came to tell their stories. Oprah hand-picked 10 contestants who we will see compete for 8 weeks until 1 is chosen as the biggest giver. A twist to the show is that none of the contestants knew that there would be a million dollar prize for the biggest giver! Oprah stated that she was glad to see that America is interested in giving back.
Oprah's Big Give Host - Nate Berkus:
Big Give host, Nate Berkus described how being a part of the show impacted him. Nate felt like the experience of being on the road with the contestants and judges for 45 days was an amazing, but very dramatic, experience. After his own struggles during and after the Tsunami, Nate could relate to both the contestants and the people they have helped.
Nate expressed that the show has changed him by "giving him a greater sense of humanity." He was even moved by the fact that many weeks the challenges weren't focused on money but other ways to give.
Big Give Contestants:
Eric, 37 is a disaster relief worker from Boston, Massachusetts. Eric used to be a model but was hit by a drunk driver in 2004 which caused his life to change. Instead of having surgery to fix his eyesight, Eric decided to use the money to travel to Sri Lanka and help with the Tsunami relief.
Kim, 39 is a sports marketing executive in Nashville. Kim wanted to be a part of the show because she has lived a selfish life oblivious to other people's feelings and is ready to turn her life around.
Rachael, 32 is a singer from Brooklyn, NY. Rachael shared that her experiences with sexual and physical abuse and growing up in the ghetto shaped her and gave her a fire to help others. Rachael wants people to know that is she can do it, they can too.
Brandi, 23 is a pageant queen from Sierra, Arizona. Brandi knows how to perform in the sometimes dirty pageant competition world and feels this challenge will be easy for her. Brandi was motivated to make a difference in her life starting with her scoliosis diagnosis in 7th grade that caused her to be teased by her peers and grow stronger.
Angelo, 29 is an Iraq war vet from Philadelphia. After graduating from West Point, Angelo served as active military personnel while also marrying and having 2 children. Angelo says that he will do whatever it takes to be the biggest giver.
Cameron, 22 is a self-made millionaire from Roanoke, Virginia. Cameron wanted to be the next Donald Trump when he was 8 years old, and by 9 had already started his first business - by high school, Cameron had already made his first million dollars.
Carlana, 38 is a TV producer from Glendale, California. Carlana's life changed drastically at 17 when she went from an athletic cheerleader to a paraplegic after she climbed into a car with a drunk driver. Carlana shared that her biggest obstacle is the looks of pity that she gets, not her wheelchair.
Sheg, 24 is a medical researcher from Nashville. Sheg was born in Nigeria and moved to the US at 18, alone with only a duffel bag full of belongings. Sheg shared that American life has been good to him and that participating in the Big Give is one of the biggest opportunities of his life.
Stephen, 42 is a contractor from Bedford, New York. Stephen is described as the typical family man. Working from his home office gives Stephen a large amount of time to be involved with his family. Oprah's Big Give was a once in a lifetime experience for Stephen which is why he chose to be away from his family to participate.
Marlene, 37 is an Amtrak attendant in Chicago. With an energetic personality, Marlene says she only has good days, but is a big competitor. She is ready to give all she has into the competition.
Oprah's Big Give Judge - Jamie Oliver:
Jamie Oliver is also well known as the Naked Chef. With 7 cooking shows and a number of cookbooks to his name, Jamie isn't just about making food, but also changing lives through food. Jamie uses his skills to teach children in underpriviledged neighborhoods how to cook and understand the craft. Jamie also taught cafeteria workers in England how to prepare healthy meals for the school children and changed how the country eats. Jamie shared on the show that it was great to be a part of something that encouraged people to contribute something positive to the world.
Oprah's Big Give Judge - Malaak Compton-Rock:
Malaak Compton-Rock is not only Chris Rock's wife and mother of their 2 daughters, she is also a humanitarian. Malaak founded Style Works, a program that helps women on welfare get the style they need to help them look the part to get a job. Malaak has also done humanitarian work in Africa. Malaak commented on the show that the toughest part was having to choose the person to go home each week, especially since everyone tried their best to give. Malaak's key point in choosing the contestant to go home was if they really listed to the needs of the people they were helping, or if they just did what they thought the person needed.
Oprah's Big Give Judge - Tony Gonzalez:
Tony Gonzalez is thought of as one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Tony is involved in many aspects of charity as a Boys and Girls Club participant, founder of the Tony Gonzalez Foundation and part of Shadow Buddies, giving comforting dolls to sick children. Tony shared that he was emotional during many parts of the competition, but that it was great to see how a sad story in the beginning could be turned around by the end.
Jamie Oliver's Sunday Night Dinner Ideas:
Jamie had Oprah and Nate help him with his Sunday night dinner idea - personalized pizzas from scratch. Using a simple recipe for pizza dough and a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs and cheese, Jamie was able to make a fun and creative dinner the whole family with enjoy. For the adults, Jamie provided the recipe for his cocktail, The Berkus Give-a-tini after Nate. All of the recipes can be found on Oprah.com
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition:
Ty Pennington from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition appeared on the show via satellite from a secret location to welcome Oprah and her team to Sunday nights on ABC network. Ty's popular show gets 14 million viewers a week and keeps him on the road for 225 days a year. Ty is happy to see that there are 2 shows back-to-back that display how people can change another person's life just by donating their time, and that everyone knows someone that needs help. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is currently helping their 114th family get into the home they need.
