Coming to a Megaplex Near You

Terry McMillan and ex-husband Jonathan Plummer's much-promoted Oprah reunion was not at all what we expected. While Terry's trademark head- and eye-rolling dominated the show, she only raised her voice occasionally. Jonathan was given a warm welcome and allowed to explain his story; he was cross-examined, not demonized. Terry smiled when her now gay ex-husband walked onto the stage, and spent much of the next hour laughing and joking with him, touching and playing with the man she once-called a "sociopath." This was much like any normal hour of couple's counseling. The highly-anticipated, WWE-style smack down was nowhere to be seen.

Another fine example of Oprah's amazing powers to heal?

Hardly. The talk show hostess strategically disclosed another motivation at the very end of the show, as credits rolled and sponsor tapes were cued. You may have already been in the bathroom or flipping to another channel.

As hinted here yesterday, Oprah has purchased the movie rights to Terry McMillan's latest novel, The Interruption of Everything. At the very end of the show—not unlike a college student footnoting a term paper just minutes before it's due—the talk show hostess hastily made the announcement. "I liked it so much, I bought the movie rights. We're in pre-production right now."

Well. That interrupts everything.

The book was never mentioned until that 11th hour ethical disclosure. We timed the mention at eight seconds. Oprah apologists will certainly argue that the show was under no obligation to reveal the financial interest until the mention. That argument assumes that (a) McMillan and Plummer's miraculous "reunion" had absolutely nothing to do with McMillan's current book tour, or that (b) Oprah had no financial and creative interest in maximizing sales of that book. Sadly, neither assumption is correct; movie rights for an author of McMillan's stature level reputation are usually sold when book deals are cemented. Even if the rights were sold later, the "pre-production" refers to the stage beyond what is normally called "development", where projects can languish for months or years. Pre-pro implies the deal was locked months ago.

That off-hand, oh by the way, "I liked the book so much, I bought the movie rights" is a direct solicitation for the book to climb the charts because Oprah's influence in the publishing world is legendary. The buried disclosure causes speculation that the appearance was required by the movie deal or even the divorce decree. Much of the past several months may have been pre-movie fanfare, culminating with this reunion on Oprah at the height of November sweeps.

But once you're over those ethical hurdles—that would be after the show, because remember, the financial disclosure is at the very end—you would probably say that it was a fascinating hour of television.

The show starts with Terry on the set. Her story is almost a fairytale. She met Jonathan while in Jamaica and fell in love. The sex was great because "it surpassed different levels of orgasm." She admits that the 23 year age difference was appealing. "He was young, I thought that he's make a good learner." She says that he sexually satisfied her in almost every way and she was completely happy until the last year or so of their six and a half year marriage.

Then McMillan's bitterness comes across: when he revealed that he was gay, she was outraged. "How can you not know you are gay?" she demanded. She also said that Jonathan explained that he thought he was gay, but had never tried gay sex. "That's like saying you're an alcoholic but never had a drink."

Hardly. Psychologists, psychiatrists and most gay men and women (as well as alcoholics and recovering alcoholics) would probably disagree with the crude and inaccurate analogy. Oprah and the audience laughed at Terry's remark; a gentle correction would have been appreciated, even later from the usually fabulous Dr. Robin Smith. But this was Terry's show, so no one challenged the remark.

At the time, McMillan says she became outraged and threatened Plummer. "I feel like taking this halogen lamp and bashing your face in," she recalled. "But I didn't. Thank God." The harsh tone and threats of violence escalated as Oprah asked Terry to play down-low detective: "Did you ever see any signs" that Jonathan may have been gay? Terry repeats insults that she's made before: "He was not the most masculine man that I had met. ... He spent more time in the mirror than me." Then she borders on the petty and vindictive: "There were these nice things that he used to do for me, but then it got boring." And the coup de grace: "I had to take an HIV test. Thank God I tested negative. If I hadn't, I'd be in jail right now." The audience broke into applause.

We're going to keep this recap serious, but just a momentary break.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Two other statements are worth mentioning. First, Terry said that she "never thought" that her marriage would "be happily ever-after." "Happiness is as long as it lasts." We actually feel the same way about relationships; it is what it is, nothing is guaranteed, right? Assuming that's also how she feels ... why become enraged when the seasons change? Also, Terry once again described Jonathan as young, docile and impressionable, comparing her young husband to a pet. "You get a new puppy, you give them unconditional love, they will lick you and love you back." (Ladies and gents, we love ya dearly; it may seem fun to compare men to dogs, but if you want a k9, get one. You cannot "train" men. It never will work. Never.) That last comment is probably the root of McMillan's anger; she feels that Jonathan's "betrayal" is like a dog biting the hand that feeds him . In an earlier comment, our friend Pamalicious sums it up nicely: "This really ain't about 'sexuality' - this about a 'dream deferred' "

Jonathan was introduced by a taped package that was cleverly edited. The lighting was harsh; the extreme close-ups to his face (obviously made-up for the camera, standard industry practice) and slo-mo of the couple's wedding video made his movement appears fluid and feminine. As a producer, we would have encouraged him to dress ... less sporty. However, he was warmly welcomed on the set. Terry smiled and the ex-couple instinctively sat near each other.

Amazingly, they continued to sit near each other during the entire show. You would assume that a couple that had just endured such an acrimonious, heated divorce would be apart; not here.

Their body language spoke volumes; Terry was smiling, playful. At time they would interrupt each other, and often touch each other. Jonathan's arm was almost around Terry. He admitted that he had loved Terry and still did. That was obvious. "I think that Jonathan loved me," the author later said. "And he still does." It appears that she feels the same; "I wished that he would still love me the way he did before. I am in love with the man that I met." Much later in the show, Terry admitted that the night Jonathan revealed his long-repressed sexuality, she held him all night and rocked him to sleep. Those scenes were quite touching, and you almost feel sorry for her.

Oprah's tone ranged from soothing to prosecutorial; one certainly wonders why Jonathan agreed to the show unless it wasn't required by the divorce settlement and generous payments from Terry and the show. He appeared nervous and sad, almost like a child being scolded by both mama and big mama. At times he held his own with Terry; a few times he had the upper hand in arguments—as much as a husband could when arguing with his wife. But obviously he could not win with the Queen of Talk. During the second and third segment she once again wore her now-patronizing "downlow detective" badge. "How can you not know that you are gay at 20 years old? I have many gay friends who say that they knew at four and six years old."

We're not the biggest Oprah fans—depending upon the topic, she can be extremely supportive or extremely irritating, but she's far from the messiah that many of us would like her to be. Oprah's self-appointed "gay girlfriend" status reminds us why we only watch the show for entertainment. For the record, lgbt can come out at any age. Sometimes younger, often much older. We came out at 20 years old in college, but, it's not uncommon to come out in the 30s, 40s ... or not at all. We would have appreciated a pro-gay voice, but her show (like most talk shows) popularizes notions that (gay) men are predators. Terry McMillan took no ownership for any part of the saga.

There was an expert on the show. Unfortunately, Dr. Robin Smith, the psychologist seated in what we call "special audience", is essentially on the show's payroll. She did not counter Oprah's claims nor Terry's ridculous comparison of homsexuality to alcoholism. Both Oprah and Terry interrupted the psychologist while she was talking—the talk show host in a dramatic "STOP RIGHT THERE!" hands movement akin to a crossing guard. For more on Oprah, Terry and the doctor's non speaking role, go to Being Bobby Brown Jr. for his recap at Terry vs Jonathan.

Oprah also made a dramatic flourish of forcing Jonathan to admit that he had cheated and slept with men. He finally confessed that he had several encounters, all safe sex, and had fallen for a man. This counters his earlier public assertions.

Okay. He lied.

We're not giving him a pass, but it's not uncommon for cheating spouses to lie. (Duh, they're ... cheating.) Oprah has done (too) many shows on infidelity. Let's look at this show in the same manner. We would have preferred if more attention had been paid to why Jonathan cheated and why his sexuality had been repressed. But the dramatic Oprah moment was just that ... a moment of television. It's almost unbelievable that with a simple question, Oprah could find out what Terry's army of lawyers and private detectives could not. Obviously the information was fed to producers and the revelations were contrived. (It's also probably the reason why Jonathan lost his lawsuit.) Again, Oprah morphed into the DL detective: "So you were DL?" Oprah demanded twice, and explained the downlow to her audience. "You were on the DL. Just say it." **SMH**

A later segment began with another "Oprah exclusive": she had information that Terry and Jonathan recently spent the night together. More coincidences: An Oprah camera crew was at the McMillan mansion when flowers were delivered from Jonathan. Terry explained that recently, Jonathan had came over to "take a bath" and they actually ended up sharing the bathtub, "holding and caressing." The couple waffled on revealing that sex was involved. Oprah finished for them. "If he's gay, he wouldn't!" Not necessarily; Terry admitted earlier that Jonathan had handled his business faithfully for six years. But as we said, if sex were involved and Terry admitted to it, her victim status is in jeopardy.

Even though this was Terry's show, the producers didn't totally stack it in her favor. Several of McMillan's infamous answering machine messages were replayed, replete with obscenities and "faggots." Oprah made no comment on these; neither did the psychologist Dr. Robin Smith. But Oprah did comment on Jonathan's lawsuit to her author: "Do you regret that? ... Sleeping with another man, lying to her and then suing her for money! 'Cause that's when I turned against you." At least Oprah was honest and admitted that bias ... before the show was over.

Terry Loves Gays, Hates Saddam Couldn't I See the Signs? "How Do You Not Know You Are Gay?" More Filed Under Terry McMillan Publicity Stunt

Comments

[greg]

You did hint about a movie deal yesterday.

Rod, a question. Do you work for Oprah? How do you always have the video.

This recap is freakin' fabulous. The writing is superb and the pics are wow. But not much sarcasm today. Different.

[ralphie]

i'm actually glad that you posted this later as opposed to arlier. if i would have read this first i would not have believed it. the show did seem very setup. i taped the show and totally didn't hear the book mention. i had to rewind the tape.

now, reading your piece, i also timed it. eight seconds. you are working out.

what show do you work for? obviously not oprah.

[ricky]

(LOL)

Did you really draw little arrows between the two of them? I never would have looked at the body language. Do you think they are still together?

These recaps are becoming almost addictive.

[Andy in Seattle]

It's sad that a woman with the influence that Oprah has should be used to perpetuate sexist and homophobic stereotypes. I don't care how much money she has, Ms. O needs to be called on her shit.

Thanks for the excellent recap, Rod, for those of us who forgot to set our TiVos...

[TheRevKev]

ROD!
I LOVE YOU!
Just a necessary voice and a necessary vice!

Love...And Insight!

[pamalicious]

I was waiting on your 'editorial' - (typing fast Noah is on,lol). Since the first arrangement was just that an arrangement - I'm sure they are currently ironing out the kinks of a newer one. Two times a month, a dinner party and a stipend sounds about right, lol

[Bobby Brown Jr.]

Excellent recap and priceless pics..Terry proved who the real sociopath is and for the record, Oprah and Terry cut off Dr. Robin. She should have had a FULL segment with them both.

[Bobby Brown Jr.]

Excellent recap and priceless pics..Terry proved who the real sociopath is and for the record, Oprah and Terry cut off Dr. Robin. She should have had a FULL segment with them both.

[David]

Ok, it's now official: I am in love with your blog.

I thought I was the only one observing the gang-up: three black women against one gay black man (even the psychologist was painting Terry as the victim). They didn't even think to bring in a gay voice - none!

When Terry tried to portray Jonathan as a predator "that might harm someone else", I was outraged.

Yes, Jonathan didn't do right - especially in suing for money. However, he was freaking 20 when this 42 yr old woman sunk her claws on him. Didn't she realize that? He was barely an adult. He couldn't even legally drink in the US!

I come from a VERY homophobic culture (yes, people get sentenced to death by stoning for being gay where I come from where I come from). I know for sure that I would NEVER have admitted to myself that I was gay if I had not come to attend college in the US - n.e.v.e.r. I understand where Jonathan is coming from (I thought I was straight until I arrived in the US at 17!)

I just wish Oprah would have overcome her own prejudices (both for "down-low" people and for gold diggers) to really see that Terry was at least half-responsible for the situation.

Is this a new trend now? The demonization of black gay men? It looks like everyone is hating us these days.

[Blak]

My favorite part was when the expert told Terry, in so many words, that she is at an emotional level of someone half her age! The way she reels her head around and twists her mouth up is that of a five year old.

And that Oprah! Pushing Jonathan to define himself as being on the "Down Low!" Terry McMillan is a mess! She needs therapy in the worst way.

[ReggieH]

Great recap as always Rod. I had no plans on watching this trainwreck and thanks to you I don't have to!

Why is Oprah continuing to play into the whole DL mess? And has no one told her how 1) Homophobic Jamaica is (they've *killed* men they thought were gay down there; 2) gay men can perform heterosexually -- Plummer did for how many years of the marriage?; 3) one can love and be in love with someone but still have an orientation toward a different (or the same) gender.

Finally, I am VERY SADDENED by the whole 'I bought the rights to the book' note at the end. Expect a re-run of this show just before the film opens.

[Erick]

I'm disappointed to hear Oprah's show with Terry McMillan and her ex-husband was not about educating Americans about about fear and denial in relation to homosexuality but about persecuting a gay man. So many heterosexuals seem shocked many gays & lesbians are afraid to face their homosexuality forgetting so many of us hear the taunting, name-calling and outright hatred from a very early age. It is very possible to be in denial as an adult. Oprah's very one-sided, biased broadcast today was disheartening and a reminder that even the most celebrated nurturer can be prejudiced.

[Dante']

I smell another long comments column a-brewing. LOL

Anyway, I didnt see the show since I had to work. Didnt even TiVo it. Dang gonnit. But I heard about how it went and even though we didnt see the Jerry Spring antics that we were used to seeing on her very first episodes back in the day, we did get a good taste of drama from these two. Maybe Im wrong, but fro mthe pics, Plummer looks bettah now than he did when he was married to Stella (i meant Terry).

But no one spoke about the idea of him becoming a U.S. citizen legally because of this failed marriage. Was Oprah blind over this conversation piece?

[dromdaq]

money money money O wants big ratings and Box office profits Terry needs to sell alot of books and poor hubby needs a makeover ( not feeling the brows)

[naturalblkluv]

I don't know why Miss Johnny did this show, like said in the other post, he must be stupid or getting Pd. I am sure his lawyer passed a stone, before and after this show.

Terry is dick whipped, I guess he must be hung like buffalo. After her tirade on Tavis show and any other show that would put her own, the phone messages she left on his phone, he actually went back and slept with her again. He's got issues and needs therapy.

Maybe he needs to do a friends check, and get rid of all those who said yea, girl do the show. In life you need people around you who are gonna tell you the truth, rid or die with you, and those who will make you laugh. Apparently he has none of those because at some point, they was to tell him sit ur ass down in west holly wood and shop for shoes.

[Poet Man]

ROD, you are awesome at recaping shows! I know that you must work for one or another.

Terry is in it for the money and so is Ms.O ( and I love that INFLUENTIAL woman)..Johnathan to I guess sometimes money makes people do crazy things.. It made J. L. King write a book ... hmph

Johnathan just semented his way in to getting a book deal himself. And played into the fears of women, I won't say black women, beacue women of all colors watch Ms.O.

And David... I think that we are the new people that everybody loves to hate and tries their best to IMITATE. but of course that can't do it like we can..Be strong and Be safe my brothas of all colors!

[KenfromIDAHO]

DID you check out Lady's "O" after show on Oxygen. That's probably where the stuff really went down

[BANDIT]

I was disappointed that Jonathan was not strong enough to put both of them in their place. It is Oprah's show and Terry's moment, but he could have cleared some things up.

First, Every gay man does not know from birth that he is gay. There is a process and denial is a big part of it. Having fantasies or feelings is a lot different from action. And you don't know your gay, until you are mentally ready to accept it. Psychologists have proven that everyone has gay fantasies so Oprah and Terry need to let that go.

Second, he should have refused to answer the sex questions. This was not the format and since it did not involve into a relationship it was irrelevant. This was done to give Terry more leverage in her counter suit of Jonathan.

Finally, does he deserve money from Terry? That is a matter of opinion. How much money did the book and movie "loosely" based on their relationship make? Since it was about him, he should be entitled to half of that along with the pre-nup. Funny on how when a woman breaks up for a man for whatever reason, the first thing sister's say is "get the money girl!" but when a man leaves, it's all about what he did to her. Women want equal rights as long as they are the beneficiaries. When they are applied on an "even" playing field, the response is always different. What Jonathan should have said was "I was her husband, I have suffered pain and suffering because of her putting my personal business out in the street, I cannot go back to my country and that is why I am entitled to something." End of story.

[Tab]

TAB IS DA HOTTEST GAY RAPPER, FUCK FIDDY
WWW.TAB2012.COM

[Wayne]

What a wonderfully written article. I am so glad to see that there is other content to this group other than just the usual d & a sex conversations. I really appreciate that about this group. Much appreciated.

[LB]

I posted this on Keith Bokins site and I'll say it again here...

SUCH A DOUBLE STANDARD.
I thought Mr plummer did not represent himself well)not prepared). The reason he deserves spousal support -money? Think about this. She ships him in at 20 from Jamaica-he is illegal (cannot work nor school) and still a child. She shacks him up in her house as boy toy and has full financial, social control over this growing boy at the time. She marries the dildo with a pulse at 23. Remember she asked him in Jamica to sleep with her (prelude to boytoydom). She is all he's known from 20 to adulthood. What skills has she, as a grown "loving" partner with some years wisdom on him encouraged him to attain? She just wants the "puppy" to fuck her. That is abuse at the hands of a female. He became dependent and as she states a "puppy" for her to groom and control. You can control,people for so long. He got used to the purks that she lured him with under the conduition that he keeps her rotting coochiw moist every other night. It;s not about his sexuality it is about his maturity. The things I liked at 20 now are not that important to me in my 30's it's called growth. Terry said she did not expect this to last ... so what's the problem? That show was so all over the place, not structured and 3 lashings for Oprah. Did she not do a show several months back with white men that came out to their wives and one wife stayed? Yet O, plays all dizzy and shit! All about the benjamins in the U.S. Don't buy her book, boycott (an insult to our heart strings for money). I think Terry was like, "I don't want to give you my actual money but here is a way for US to both profit". Such tripe! We have been hoodwinked for entertainmemt purposes only.

[LB]

I posted this on Keith Bokins site and I'll say it again here...

SUCH A DOUBLE STANDARD.
I thought Mr plummer did not represent himself well)not prepared). The reason he deserves spousal support -money? Think about this. She ships him in at 20 from Jamaica-he is illegal (cannot work nor school) and still a child. She shacks him up in her house as boy toy and has full financial, social control over this growing boy at the time. She marries the dildo with a pulse at 23. Remember she asked him in Jamica to sleep with her (prelude to boytoydom). She is all he's known from 20 to adulthood. What skills has she, as a grown "loving" partner with some years wisdom on him encouraged him to attain? She just wants the "puppy" to fuck her. That is abuse at the hands of a female. He became dependent and as she states a "puppy" for her to groom and control. You can control,people for so long. He got used to the purks that she lured him with under the conduition that he keeps her rotting coochiw moist every other night. It;s not about his sexuality it is about his maturity. The things I liked at 20 now are not that important to me in my 30's it's called growth. Terry said she did not expect this to last ... so what's the problem? That show was so all over the place, not structured and 3 lashings for Oprah. Did she not do a show several months back with white men that came out to their wives and one wife stayed? Yet O, plays all dizzy and shit! All about the benjamins in the U.S. Don't buy her book, boycott (an insult to our heart strings for money). I think Terry was like, "I don't want to give you my actual money but here is a way for US to both profit". Such tripe! We have been hoodwinked for entertainmemt purposes only.

[Mark]

So he had good sex with her all those years, but he's gay? And then after the divorce he went back and took a bath with her? I'm as confused as Oprah. Not about whether Jonathan is gay or not, but about what people mean when they say "gay"? Is gay the same thing as bisexual? If not, what's the difference?

[Trev]

I enjoy reading ROD 2.0 and generally don't comment on any of the topics but this day is the day! In my opinion I feel that Oprah benifitted greatly from having this interview. From the rateings to the book plug, to the movie rights on the book! Oprah will be Oprah....strong, powerfull, and did I mention "rich"!

Now Miss Johnathan, in my opinion, knew she was a lady from the start of the relationship. That girl eyebrows where arched for the Gods. That takes years of pratice. The lips..the lips...the lips....need I say more! For a so called heterosexual married man to go from masculine to "her" level of femine qualities takes a long time. So obviously he had to be that way for a while or from the begining.

I honestly thing he was a queen with a plan to come to America and picked the right one!

It happens all the time! This time it just happened to be with a celeberity!

[taylor Siluwé]

I loves me some Oprah, lord knows I do ...

... but the jack-off-your-spirit tone of the show in recent years has bored me to tears. I haven't watched since she introduced Dr. Phil ... until his know-it-all ass pissed me off and I stopped watching again.

Terry McMillan has always rubbed me the wrong way. No, I've never met her. I don't know her at all. Her public image just exuded an aura, which always disturbed me. I can't explain it. But whenever I got that feeling over the years however, the individual in question always proved me right somehow.

In spite of those ill-vibes, I've loved her work. After reading 'A Day Late and a Dollar Short', I was so distraught that I stayed on the phone 'til the wee hours with my mother.

Dems powerful words.

Having said that, I expected to continue my love/hate thing with her. But surprisingly, I like her a lot MORE now ... and Oprah a lot LESS.

Me thinks Ms. Sophia just showed her dark heart. But it should have been expected ... hasn't it been said that 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'? Or something like that?

But what does that mean for any community she decides to set in her powerful crosshairs?