When I first heard Lance Armstrong had selected Oprah to conduct his confession, I did what I suspect many of you did.
I cringed, groaned and worried.
Figured Oprah would be too soft. Figured Oprah would spend more time hugging Lance than asking tough questions. And most of all I worried Lance might start jumping up and down on a couch while announcing his love for Katie Holmes. (Would have been understandable, by the way. Katie is an attractive woman.)
Instead, Oprah was prepared and properly aggressive. She did a superb job. (And there was no couch for Lance to jump and down. He sat in a chair.)
Of course, there were holes. My friend and colleague Bill Vogrin points out that Oprah should have pushed Armstrong more on his assertion he didn’t dope during his 2009-2010 comeback. Mr. Doper didn’t dope? Really?
Otherwise, I thought Oprah was consistently strong.
And here’s the best thing about Oprah.
Armstrong couldn’t argue with her. Well, he could, but he knew he would never win in the court of public opinion if he tangled with America’s Sweetheart.
Oprah was solid. Really, she was beyond solid.
Agree. She asked the hard questions & he responded..most of the time. At times, he tap -danced around the question but Oprah pushed forward asking a question that had only a yes or no answer. She was not rude nor condescending but stayed on point.
David, thanks for the mention. And we agree completely on Oprah. I was pleasantly surprised by her performance. Now, I’d like a crack at grilling Lance! You, too, no doubt. It would be fun.