Oprah is well loved -- with loyal subscriptions to the TV host’s eponymous O Magazine as an attestation. But something got in the way and now complaints are desperately arranged. Raise that to a lawsuit to merit O’s attention.
Allegedly, O Magazine and Hearst Magazine subscribers often receive letters informing them their subscription payments are past due. The notices come with threats that unpaid accounts will affect credit standings. "I was double billed," claims one disgruntled subscriber.
The lawsuit argues that the publisher is allegedly employing a nationwide scam to trick, deceive and scare subscribers into paying money they do not owe, when in fact subscriptions are already paid for in full.
Whatever the case, trust Oprah to answer this one, with feelings. And – applause, applause – the dame has an ally in her Hollywood press; the media passing quick judgment: "This class action lawsuit against O Magazine is a cheap attempt to use Oprah to grab some publicity."
True enough, it happens with lots of magazines but this one seemingly zeroes in on O. Sure bet -- then again, why not? No guessing, Oprah doesn't have much to do with sending out invoices for magazines. But this is her turf and at least she can sway her staff to be very conscientious. Anyway, the TV magnate has this affinity for untangling, meddling into, other people’s confusion, why not hers?
Conversely, there are wily lawyers on the loose – say, in this one they connived with one pissed-off woman to launch a class action lawsuit. As schemes would have it, they need the media to put the word out to gather other plaintiffs and subsequently make more money. Again, Oprah can very well take care of that.
The media, which dug up the lawsuit and broke the story, may not bother to engage further in this “a little bit sickening” lawsuit. But the lady is "huge" and the moment Oprah heaves a sigh, it will rub on the hungry press anyway.
"O" or Oprah just happened to be the "cover girl." If truth be sought, let it be on concerns related to “customer care.” A little fixing will silence the alleged unhappy subscribers. And who’s to gain in this anyway but the magazine that flourishes on people’s payments.