A Few Of Her Favorite Things: Oprah Gives iPods To Everyone In Audience

by , 10:00 AM EDT, May 22nd, 2003

Raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and 15 GB iPods...

That may not be how the original song goes, but when you're Oprah, you can sing it any way you want. According to Observer Randy Souther, Oprah likes iPods so much, she recently gave each and every single person in her audience a 15 GB iPod. That might make you reconsider attending an Oprah taping, no?

The show was part of her "Favorite Things" series, where Oprah shows off what are literally her favorite things. While we don't know how many people are in her audience, we should imagine that most of them were pretty darned delighted to have gotten a free iPod. It is not known if Apple gave the iPods to Oprah as a promotional trade for the exposure, but being highlighted on Oprah will bring the iPod to the attention of millions of people who might not have otherwise seen it. From the write up of the iPod on Oprah's Web site:

Oprah's Favorite Things

Apple iPod 15-GB MP3 player
Less than an inch thick and only 5.6 ounces, this tiny device can store thousands of songs. It'll revolutionize your music!

• Price: $399
• Apple stores nationwide; www.apple.com
• Featured in Oprah's Favorite Spring Things, 2003

For those keeping score at home, here are the other items listed as "More Oprah's Favorite Things:"

Hewlett Packard Digital Camera, Printer, and Dock

Apple iPod 15-GB MP3 player

Weber Q Grill and Cart

Roomba Floor Vac

Citrus tote

Silhouette Minimal X Sunglasses

Picnic Backpack

Le Mystere Tisha Bra

Daryl sandals by Coach

C and C California T-Shirts

Adidas Mei Mind and Body Footwear

La Brea Bakery Granola

Miss Rona's Lavender Applesauce

GAP Body Terrycloth Collection

Embroidered-detail shirt by Boston Proper

Thomas Pink shirt

Decleor Vitaroma Body Sumptuous Anti-Aging Body Cream

Ribbon Crusher hats

Spa Fleurs sandals

You can find this page and the list at Oprah's Web site. Anyone more versed in Oprah's show is encouraged to fill in any details about this event in the comments below.

Thanks to Observer Randy for the heads up on this.

The Mac Observer Spin:

Our guess would be that Apple cut Oprah a deal on the units she gave away; either that, or the company simply gave the units to her flat out. It would be hard to buy the kind of promotional power that being featured in this manner represents, and it is indeed a coup for Apple. We imagine this will sell tens of thousands of iPods, if not more, and to people who are less likely to be up on the latest and greatest tech gadgets. It's just hard to overstate the power that Oprah has when she does things like this.