JBJ on Oprah's Master Class

Jon will be on Oprah's Master Class this season.

Sneak Peek: Season 2 of Oprah's Master Class

A new season of Oprah's Master Class debuts with Academy Award-winning actress Jane Fonda. Other masters profiled this season will include three additional award-winning actors Goldie Hawn, Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman; media mogul philanthropist Ted Turner; acclaimed musicians Reba McEntire and Bon Jovi; and professional athletes Laird Hamilton and Grant Hill.

Oprah's Master Class returns Sunday, January 8 10/9c, only on OWN!

Bon Jovi at the "Oprah House"

Bon Jovi performed abridged versions of "It's My Life" and "Livin' on a Prayer" for Oprah at the Sydney Opera House during her Australian specials, which went to air this week. The performance is nothing special, but I think we've come to expect somewhat anaemic performances from the band's TV appearances; Jon's voice isn't at it's best here either. In a sign that I probably need to get out more on Saturdays, I actually spent part of yesterday defending the Bon Jovi's live chops from someone whose daughter had only ever heard the Altiyan Childs version of "Livin' on a Prayer" and declared that Bon Jovi was lame on the basis of this performance. :P

Bon Jovi coming up on Oprah; Poll almost over

I've just finished watching the second of four Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure specials, which have been screening at prime time here in Oz instead of its usual noon slot. Apparently Bon Jovi will be on the third episode which airs tonight in the US (January 20) and tomorrow night in Australia (January 21). Check local guides. I'll probably be watching the cricket tomorrow so I'll have to remember to flick the channel over myself but hopefully the relevant footage will be available online anyway.

I did notice that some of the ultimate fans were sent to my hometown of Perth but none of the footage seems to have gone to air. I'm not sure what they did here, but I hope they got to see the rest of Western Australia, which makes up almost a third of the whole country and is a lot more interesting from a tourists' perspective than the capital city.

Also, if you haven't already voted on my poll, you have four hours left. Looks like a new header is the priority, but more than half of you also want me to make my vlogging debut. :P

Oprah and "going indie"

Bon Jovi's in Australia. Oprah Winfrey's in Australia. I'm personally more interested in the former, but there's no doubt the Land Down Under has been touched by the Oprah Effect and that she's probably the best thing to happen to Australian tourism since... well, I don't know, Crocodile Dundee? :P Anyway, Oprah filmed a couple of shows at the Sydney Opera House today and Bon Jovi was part of the first. They reportedly performed "It's My Life" and "Livin' on a Prayer" before Oprah interviewed Jon. Triple M has a photo gallery from the show which you can check out on their blog.

Meanwhile, a story about Bon Jovi possibly ditching the record label to become independent artists has been doing the rounds. It's actually based on an interview that Tico Torres gave during the Lost Highway tour, in which he said:

“We are still on a major label but we can see the writing on the wall,” Tico tells Undercover News.

Part of the problem, he says, is that the old model doesn’t work in the current world. “It was a conglomerate machine that was invented many years ago which in essence owned and manipulated bands but also gave bands a chance to get some upfront money that was again recoupable,” he says. “The companies always made a lot of money of it. It got to a point where the price of records were so dear for the buying public that as soon as the internet came in there was there was another avenue for people to listen to music”.

For what it's worth, I think there could be great potential in being free of a record label. Jon would most likely want to start his own label if they chose to part ways with Island, and the main issue would be distribution, which shouldn't be a major problem for a band with such a massive existing fanbase. But to reap the benefits, it would also require Bon Jovi to be a lot more proactive and innovative with their promotion. It would mean utilising social media far more than the occasional "Hello Facebookland" message, and generally trying a lot of things that I don't think Jon is particularly comfortable with. If Radiohead's and Nine Inch Nails' methods are the "new model", Bon Jovi have a long way to go.

Merry Christmas + Oprah viewer surprises

Merry Christmas from my Tokyo hotel lobby to all my readers... or perhaps that should be Season's Greetings, seeing as I don't know whether or not you celebrate Christmas. Regardless, I wish you all happiness. Stay safe.

Anyway I just got this e-mail from a FutureWorks public relations person:

Hello!

I am writing to you on behalf of Harpo Productions to share the details about a very special Oprah encore presentation full of surprises (literally). On Thursday, December 24th, Oprah looks back at some of the best viewer surprises over the years that are destine to make you smile.

Here are a few highlights of the surprise filled episode:

-Oprah looks back on the HUGE surprise pulled off for a special 10-year-old co-host that nearly left her in tears!
-Bon Jovi gave his biggest fan a surprise of a lifetime!
-The legendary Stevie Wonder surprised the Star Search Grand Champion on the Oprah stage.
-Plus, one superstar is waiting in the wings to surprise an audience member (can’t tell who)!

Be sure to check your local listings for the time the show will air. Thanks so much and please let me know if you have any questions!

Best,
Stephanie