Dora and Oprah - SOUL SISTERS

This morning my boys were watching Dora. It was an episode with Diego before he possessed enough staying power to launch his own show. As I tidied the kitchen from the breakfast muddle while Dora courageously trudged through Spooky Swamp and across Crocodile River, I pondered over the power and dominance of Dora in preschool programming. I was struck with her sheer supremacy as the forerunner to the hearts and minds of inquisitive young tots throughout North America. Her influence is immeasurable. She has been copied. She has upped her game when necessary. Kids repeat her catch phrases. She has launched spin-offs. She has created movies. She has been merchandised. She reminded me of Oprah.

The similarities are truly striking – both single, minority women working hard to prove themselves in a predominately Caucasian market. Both pioneers in their industry defining and bench-marking the standard for the look-alike shows trying to compete for the leading market-share captured by these women. Here are some similarities I have chosen to highlight.

1) Both female minorities. Dora - Latin American. Oprah – African American.

2) Both set the bar for their industry creating a new standard. Dora pioneered interactive preschool programming. She has been copied for years with some success – Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Oprah has been aped by Ellen, Rosie, and Tyra. However, the taste of knock-off sets too heavily on the palate to be equally appreciated.

3) As competition becomes fierce and the market shows a shift, both change their shows to evolve with the market. Dora introduced Diego as a regular guest for his expertise in rescuing exotic animals. Oprah brought on Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz as regulars for their respective psychiatric and medical expertise. Dora started to collect powerful stars along the way for added flare. Oprah launched “Her Favorite Things” episodes. The market will shift – successful shows will shift with it.

4) On camera, both appear to care deeply for their subject matter; however, after so many recordings, for how many poor lost animals, slow choo-choo trains and helpless friends can they feel true heartfelt sympathy and compassion. Sure both have their off-screen causes – Oprah, women’s rights and African American empowerment; Dora, Latin American issues awareness and Spanish as a Second Language curriculum - but on camera, their subjects have become a profession – another feeble victim in need of rescue to acquire necessary Nielson ratings.

5) Both could not help but develop an inflated sense of power, success, and accomplishment due to their following.

6) Both have successfully launched peripheral industries. Dora – toys, stationary, clothing, DVD’s. Oprah – O magazine, Oxygen channel.

7) Both launched their sidekick experts into stardom. I do not know the behind-the-scenes conversation between Dora and Diego when they parted ways, but I image it could have followed this logic:
Diego: Dora, I am going to branch out into my own show.
Dora: Get me my lawyers and the fine print!
Diego: No need, my show will only feature me in my field of expertise. Thank you. I will never forget my roots.
Dora: Roots? ROOTS? I made you, Diego! Without Dora, nary a preschooler would have ever uttered the name “Diego.” Without Dora, you would be saving the rainforest animals with late night infomercial pledges one red-eyed-tree-frog at a time. I OWN YOU! I wish you luck, Diego, but watch yourself closely. Know this: What I touch turns to gold and what I curse withers away like the ash of yesterday’s fire. Books I endorse turn into instant Scholastic Best Sellers. My favorite backpack things become the hottest selling items on E-Bay. I CAN SINGLEHANDEDLY LAUNCH A PERSON INTO THE WHITE HOUSE, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Yes, Diego, go your separate way, but watch yourself closely.

I imagine the conversations between Oprah and Dr. Phil the Oprah and Dr. Phil legal teams were similar.
Ultimately, neither Oprah nor Dora are threatened by this parting of ways. The women still hold a broader appeal for their demographic. Diego can only save animals. Dora can save her friends AND animals, produce plays, become a princess, and bring cookies to her abuela. Dr. Phil is stuck psychoanalyzing problematic relationships and obsessive-compulsive patients. Oprah can still psychoanalyze mentally imbalanced guests, yet also host celebrities, go on road trips, makeover houses, and shower her audience with gifts.

8) Both hold power over their on-screen conflicts with single catch phrases. Dora – “Swiper, no swiping.” Oprah – “We’ll be right back after this commercial break.”

Yes, these women of daytime TV are great forces to be reckoned within their industries. What Oprah accomplished for afternoon talk shows, Dora paralled for interactive preschool series everywhere. These divas of the day will be examples of empowered minority females for years to come.

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