Jennifer Aniston On the Season Finale of The Big Give
ABC Sunday 8/7c 4/20/08
Oprah's Big Give is finally almost over, with a visit from Jennifer Aniston, and a 1 million dollar check to award. While the spirit of the show was good, I did not enjoy the contest of charity. The final contestants are Stephen, Brandy, and Cameron; the assignment is to start with nothing and give bigger than you could imagine.
The 3 Big Give finalists had to work together to choose a large project and then add each of their own flair to the 'give'. The final Big Give took place in Chicago, and was termed "The Shirt Off Your Back" since the contestants started with no money.
Stephen had a college buddy who operates the Chicago Hope Academy, a private school for innercity and underprivileged Chicago children. Bob Mizikowski started and heads the Chicago Hope Academy, and explained that the greatest need of the school children is an athletic field. The cost would be at least $100,000. A tall order for 3 people with no money.
Brandi and Cameron felt they were being bossed around by Steven, so the team split up. Cameron continued to contribute to Steven's school idea by calling Phil Stanton of The Blue Man Group for a free show. Phil not only offered a show, but donated $100,000. Incredible! Phil Stanton and The Blue Man Group designated $50,000 to the athletic field development and $50,000 to the Fine Arts program for the school.
Steven managed to secure $60,000 in individual donations from his Rolodex of contacts.
Leaving Brandi to fend for herself and find another charity in need. Brandi went straight to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. She had spent a lot of time as a child in and out of hospitals and seemed to connect with what the kids wanted. Brandi went to the resturants of Chicago and asked for a Chef to donate his time for a cooking lesson for the children. She immediately found Chef Anthony Reyes of Rosebud and he not only donated that evening, but promised to comeback every month to give lessons and feed the kids.
Cameron had $10,000 remaining from his fund-raising efforts, so the 3 finalists bought supplies and creative activities for the Shriner's Children Hospital.
The total monetary fund-raising efforts broke down like this:
Stephen - $60,000
Cameron - $146,000
Brandi - $0
The contestants still did not know that they would receive any monetary prize, though how could you not expect something from Oprah Winfrey. The 7 eliminated contestants were awarded $30,000 each for participating.
The 3 finalists then found out that inside of the envelopes this week would be either $1,000,000 or $100,000. The winner would receive the Grand Prize, to be split 50-50 with the "give" of their choice.
The judges:Malaak Compton-Rock, Jamie Kennedy, and Anthony Gonzalez
The Grand Prize was given to Stephen for his fund-raising efforts throughout the competition.
While the show's heart was in the right place, it just felt a little forced. The 'gives' that did not go so well were really sad. I hope there is not a "Oprah's Big Give 2", but there probably will be.
More about Oprah Winfrey
More about the Chicago Hope Academy
More about the Shriners Hospital for Children
ABC Sunday 8/7c 4/20/08
Oprah's Big Give is finally almost over, with a visit from Jennifer Aniston, and a 1 million dollar check to award. While the spirit of the show was good, I did not enjoy the contest of charity. The final contestants are Stephen, Brandy, and Cameron; the assignment is to start with nothing and give bigger than you could imagine.
The 3 Big Give finalists had to work together to choose a large project and then add each of their own flair to the 'give'. The final Big Give took place in Chicago, and was termed "The Shirt Off Your Back" since the contestants started with no money.
Stephen had a college buddy who operates the Chicago Hope Academy, a private school for innercity and underprivileged Chicago children. Bob Mizikowski started and heads the Chicago Hope Academy, and explained that the greatest need of the school children is an athletic field. The cost would be at least $100,000. A tall order for 3 people with no money.
Brandi and Cameron felt they were being bossed around by Steven, so the team split up. Cameron continued to contribute to Steven's school idea by calling Phil Stanton of The Blue Man Group for a free show. Phil not only offered a show, but donated $100,000. Incredible! Phil Stanton and The Blue Man Group designated $50,000 to the athletic field development and $50,000 to the Fine Arts program for the school.
Steven managed to secure $60,000 in individual donations from his Rolodex of contacts.
Leaving Brandi to fend for herself and find another charity in need. Brandi went straight to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. She had spent a lot of time as a child in and out of hospitals and seemed to connect with what the kids wanted. Brandi went to the resturants of Chicago and asked for a Chef to donate his time for a cooking lesson for the children. She immediately found Chef Anthony Reyes of Rosebud and he not only donated that evening, but promised to comeback every month to give lessons and feed the kids.
Cameron had $10,000 remaining from his fund-raising efforts, so the 3 finalists bought supplies and creative activities for the Shriner's Children Hospital.
The total monetary fund-raising efforts broke down like this:
Stephen - $60,000
Cameron - $146,000
Brandi - $0
The contestants still did not know that they would receive any monetary prize, though how could you not expect something from Oprah Winfrey. The 7 eliminated contestants were awarded $30,000 each for participating.
The 3 finalists then found out that inside of the envelopes this week would be either $1,000,000 or $100,000. The winner would receive the Grand Prize, to be split 50-50 with the "give" of their choice.
The judges:Malaak Compton-Rock, Jamie Kennedy, and Anthony Gonzalez
The Grand Prize was given to Stephen for his fund-raising efforts throughout the competition.
While the show's heart was in the right place, it just felt a little forced. The 'gives' that did not go so well were really sad. I hope there is not a "Oprah's Big Give 2", but there probably will be.
More about Oprah Winfrey
More about the Chicago Hope Academy
More about the Shriners Hospital for Children
