An Open Letter to Tyra Banks

Dear Tyra,

You have a successful (and entertaining, to my surprise, since I’m not a huge fan of the genre) reality show; you’ve also had quite a successful career as a model. I even liked Higher Learning and your stint on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

I even, at times, enjoy your talk show. But I think it’s time you slowed down a bit. Take a step back and look at what you’re doing with that talk show.

I know you love Oprah. It’s evident each time you appear on her show. And it’s natural to want to emulate someone you hold in a high regard, both professionally and personally. However –

You are not Oprah. You, are Tyra.

And there’s nothing wrong with being Tyra. Tyra is – as you often say – fierce. But Oprah, she is not fierce. She is Oprah – at times her own adjective.

Because you’re not Oprah, when you have a show about the vagina, let’s say, it doesn’t print the same way an Oprah show about the vagina (or poo) would. Instead of “Wow, that was an informative hour of television” viewers are left with, “Oh no she didn’t.”

You’re better than “Oh no she didn’t,” Tyra. And you know this.

So, please, please, for the sake of your viewing audience, maybe wait awhile for the choochie-paloozas. Afterall, it was almost 20 years before Oprah did a show about poo and not much less before she had a vagina show. Also, Dr. Debbie is no Dr. Hilda. Next time, try to get Laura Berman for your guest panel.

For now, stick to shows about helping teenage girls find their inner fierce, or choosing the right bra.

Sincerely,

The Channel Surfer

P.S. – No more puppets. Please.