Monday, March 24, 2008
Billy Joel's Performance:
Billy performed his song "Only the Good Die Young" from his 1977 album The Stranger. After the performance, Billy described how he was criticized for the lyrics of the song which some groups took as anti-religious - Billy reassured Oprah that the lyrics were simply pro-lust. With the song being banned at some universities, Billy shared that it helped the album climb the charts and become more of a success.
When Oprah asked Billy which of his songs is his favorite, Billy responded that creating a new song is like giving birth to a child - and he loves all of his kids equally. Billy explained that during the creation process he typically writes the music first and then adds the lyrics; and while some of his songs didn't "age" as well as others, they're "still his kids."
Oprah went on to ask Billy questions on things that have been difficult in his life, such as his divorce from Christie Brinkley, attending a rehab center and getting into a number of auto accidents.
Billy described his relationship with Christie as good, as they have stayed friends to raise their daughter Alexa. Billy went on to compare his stay in rehab as being "kind of like jail" where you don't have access to anything.
As for the 3 car accidents in 2 years, Billy explained that they were not alcohol related, he's just a good driver with bad luck.
When Katie first explained that she didn't really know much about "Billy Joel" - she said she knew of "Uptown Girl" and "Piano Man" but those were the only hits she thought he ever had - saying that he could have delivered a pizza to her and she wouldn't have recognized him.
The couple met when Katie was in NYC with a friend visiting for a weekend. On a warm November day they were referred to The Peninsula hotel's rooftop bar overlooking the city. As Billy exited the restroom, the pair ran into each other. Katie's friend asked him to join them for a drink and the night progressed from there.
The pair's night continued after drinks when they went out to dinner and then to Billy's show Movin' Out on Broadway. Billy went up on stage and performed the last 2 songs of the show - Katie thought this was something that Billy did every night - not just for her.
Katie explained to Oprah that she and Billy bonded over food - "love at first bite" since they had such a great first meal and both enjoy food. The couple was married October 2, 2004 when Katie was just 23 and Billy 55. Katie described that they meet in the middle being mature and immature for their ages - Billy explained that their relationship works.
Oprah asked Katie about her relationship with Alexa, and Katie shared that she was the maid of honor in the wedding, and that Katie recognizes her talent and grace - that she is very special.
Katie also shared that she enjoys cooking for Billy and using him to test new recipes. Katie grew up in a small town in West Virginia and learned to cook from her grandparents, great grandmother and great aunt and uncle. Katie was the host of the first season of the Bravo show Top Chef and has a cook book The Comfort Table with a forward by Paula Deen. Visit Oprah.com for Katie's meatloaf recipe from the show.
Katie welcomed Oprah's cameras into her and Billy's Nate Berkus designed home for a tour - in NYC's West Village. Katie walked the crew through their living/dining/kitchen space where she loves to entertain, through their upstairs living room with an extra-long couch and into Katie's 1930s inspired closet.
Katie wanted Nate to decorate the home after seeing Jerry O'Connell's space on Oprah's show - she contacted Nate from his website and the pair have since become friends.
Oprah transitioned into her Big Give recap and interviews as she does ever Monday. This week, judge Tony Gonzalez was on with eliminated contestants Kim and Eric. Kim discussed her problem with directions and driving - an error that caused her to be chosen to leave the show. When asked why she didn't go and purchase a GPS, Kim explained that it was part of the process learning how to get around a new city each week, and that she wanted to face her demons. She added that her life has been forever changed by the show.
Oprah told Eric that she was sorry to see him go - Eric explained that he realized on the show that there are so many people in need, and people who want to help but just don't know how. Eric was frustrated by his difficulty saying that it isn't as easy as it looks to spend other's money and find people to help. When asked what he would have done differently, Eric shared his feelings about not being able to help with the White family funeral arrangements.
The story of Ralph White really touched Eric - Ralph joined the Miami police department in 1944 with a group of 4 other black men, the first in the city. The men had to take their oath outside as they were not permitted in the building. The officers were required to patrol on bikes and were not allowed to arrest white suspects. Ralph witnessed change on the force in his more than 30 years of service living to be 90.
Ralph's wife, son and daughter were on the show and Eric was able to express how sorry he was that he was not able to come through for the family. Since the funeral for their father/husband had already been covered, the Maloof brothers wanted to carry on Eric's spirit and reimburse them $20,000.
The Maloof brothers explained that because the entire $700,000 was not spent from the show, the money that was left was used to help others. Some of the money was used in the Miami community, while more was given to families in the hospital who had just delivered newborns - $5,000 to each family went towards their child's college education. The Maloof brothers had $30,000 and decided to give $100 to each member of the audience - Oprah shared that they could spend it on themselves, but that they would feel better to spend it on someone else.
