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I’ve grown slightly less obsessed with podcasts over the past year. In 2006 I was listening to TWiT, Diggnation, and a whole bunch of others daily, during my commute. More recently - not so much.
This has changed in the past month however, as the Apple TV has made podcasts more accessible. I’ve reinstated my former diet of audio podcasts, and video podcasts are much more satisfying on a large screen. Many podcasts play instantly via the Apple TV, rather than waiting for a download.
But one recent experience had me agreeing with an analysis at Last Podcast that Oprah could very well save podcasts (also: ReadWriteWeb). My wife and I were clicking around in Apple TV, looking for something fun to watch, and found a special Oprah podcast where she interviews Eckhart Tolle, author of the book A New Earth. Geek that I am (and less interested in the touch-feely subject matter), I noticed that Oprah used Skype to answer questions from viewers across the country. Several times she mentioned how cool the technology was, both the video chat and the far-reaching nature of the podcast itself.
Anyhow, it’s a safe bet that millions of mainstream Americans will check out whatever Oprah recommends. Her podcast is currently #1 on iTunes. Every new book in her book club becomes a huge best seller. She may even influence the current presidential election. Oprah’s mention of podcasts and Skype will surely have an effect as well.
Given how large the “Oprah Effect” may be, I wonder if Apple could sell more iPods… or even Apple TVs? Maybe Steve Jobs should go on Oprah and find out.
Disclosure: I own a tiny amount of Apple stock.
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"Heh... yeah now that I think about it, was that theater as empty as youremember? So many plot holes - of which you list several. I think Hubbardwrote himself into a corner with the premise - the humans are enslaved by anall powerful alien race, so how exactly do you get the humans to a levelwhere they can overthrow their masters? It seems half the solution wasmaking the Psychlos complete morons... anyhow, it's definitely good forlaughs." - 
Heh, if Steve Jobs went on Oprah’s show…that’s probably the only time I’d ever watch it.
Oprah’s nice and all, but I’m starting to get tired of hearing about her. At least she’s not Paris Hilton, though.
I can’t wait for the day when I can easily listen to internet radio in my car without pre-recording it or using my laptop and Verizon air card. Until then, I probably won’t be consuming much in the way of podcasts.
And ditto on the “sick of Oprah” thing. I just don’t see the attraction.