Original Air Date:
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How Other People Live:
Opening the show by revealing 3 very different homes, Oprah shared again how she enjoys seeing how people live. With an aim to throw open the doors to each house to get an inside look at the lives of the people living inside, Oprah explained the first house as one with solar panels, the second being closed off with iron gates, and the third as an isolated island. Those willing to share their lifestyle may live very separate lives from one another, but are a great example of how we are all connected.
The Bunny Ranch Brothel, Nevada:
Oprah's cameras traveled to Carson City, Nevada, where they were met by Brooke Taylor, a resident of the Bunny Ranch Brothel. Brooke had just finished spending 2 hours with a client and freshened up before welcoming the cameras into her suite. The room included Brooke's office, bedroom, living room, and bathroom; which she highlighted as she explained how she works.
With many of her clients making appointments to see her, Brooke visits with 1 or 2 in a day. For times when a man arrives at the ranch and isn't on the schedule, he is able to stand in the entrance with all the girls before him and make his selection.
Brooke waits until she and her client have returned to her room before negotiating the date. The client is not expected to state his wishes before all the girls so they don't have to share their fantasies with everyone. Brooke revealed her drawer of 'toys' she has available for dates which included ties, blindfolds and a whip.
After a client leaves, Brooke's routine includes taking a long bath and playing with her dog. When she's not with a client, she shared that she spends her downtime going through her emails and talking to her mom. Prostitution is a part of her life, says Brooke, but it does not define her.
Brooke, a college graduate and french horn player, began her career as a case manager living pay check to paycheck. Feeling like she was on a hamster wheel, says Brooke, she was looking for a way to increase her income and be her own boss. Brooke is able to have her own guidelines for prices and services; not having to do anything she is uncomfortable with for a price she doesn't agree with. Preferring to be called an independent contractor instead of a prostitute, Brooke explained that the dates are not always about sex, but can also provide a girlfriend experience and intimacy for the client.
Brooke has also experienced downsides to her profession, such as losing friends who didn't approve of her actions, and having issues dating if men are not open to the idea of what she does for a living. Having her mother's support has been very important to Brooke, but it took longer for her father to accept her choices.
The Greenest Guy in Hollywood:
Actor Ed Begley Jr. and his wife Rachelle Carson-Begley do not live the typical Hollywood life. Actually, they don't even live in Hollywood. Residing in a modest house in Studio City, Ed and Rachelle are living green to the max; showcasing their life on Life with Ed.
On the Planet Green network show, the couple exhibit Ed's chosen lifestyle and how Rachelle adjusts to living within it. Instead of making toast in a regular toaster in the morning, Ed rides his bike for 10 minutes to power the small appliance.
For the show, Ed chose to appear via Skype to save resources, while his wife Rachelle sat down with Oprah on stage to share a little about living green. Ed has been concerned about the environment and doing his part since the 70s; before green was the new black. While Rachelle continually hope they have gone far enough, Ed expressed that he would still like to do more.
Ways that Ed does his part to make a difference include having a garden in their yard that provides 25% of their food, installing solar panels, owning an electric car, biking when possible, using a rain barrel, switching to a digital thermostat, and running ceiling fans. The Begley's are nearly entirely off the electric grid, using only $100 a year in electricity. This style of living has not always been easy in Hollywood, but Ed has influenced many of his famous friends to start living more efficiently and do their part.
Frenchboro, Maine:
How would you feel living in a town without stores, restaurants, or even traffic lights? With only 50 residents, the island of Frenchboro, Maine is 8 miles off the coast and a very tight, but isolated community. The majority of the residents support themselves with the lobster fishing industry and the enjoy the quiet life away from the rat race of the mainland.
30 of the 50 residents of Frenchboro appeared on the show via Skype to show viewers what life is like on a little island. The residents expressed how they know each others business, but also are a great support system for one another.
With lobster prices falling in this economy, the people of Frenchboro and struggling to stay afloat; doing their best to even keep open their one room school house which currently has 11 students.
The longest current resident of Frenchboro, John Lundt, also is the island's latest newlywed at 78 years old. John met his wife Helen online and they have since married with Helen moving to the island to be with John. Each resident of the island feels a connection with the sea, sky, and air and believes that they are the lucky ones to have the opportunity to experience such a life.
