Oprah Lavishes $4.5M in Goodies on Guests
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Oprah Winfrey (search) played teacher's pet Monday -- lavishing $4.5 million in goodies on her studio audience of 300 school teachers.
It was all part of Winfrey's annual "Oprah's Favorite Things" (search) show, which each holiday season bestows extravagant gifts on Oprah's studio audience.
The shrieking schoolteachers (yes, the men too) were stunned by a bevy of gifts for each of them, including a washer/dryer, Sony laptop computer, car navigation system and 30-inch LCD TV.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Winfrey, a longtime supporter/advocate of education and schoolteachers, decided to dedicate this year's show to teachers everywhere.
She surprised these particular educators by inviting them to her Chicago-based show last Saturday, on the pretense that it was the only time they could attend an "Oprah" taping since they work during the week.
"You give, and give, and that is why I wanted to give you the hottest ticket in television," Winfrey said -- unveiling the loot while her audience screamed, cried and broke into near-hysterics for the entire hour-long show.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This year's "Favorite Things" list cost about $15,000 per person -- far outspending last year's list, which totalled about $4,800 per person.
It's been a big year of giveaways for Winfrey, daytime's top-rated talk show personality, who's notching her best ratings in years.
Earlier this season, she gave away 276 Pontiac G6 cars to her studio audience -- a deal valued at over $7 million (the cars were donated by Pontiac).
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Oprah's parting gifts
Miraval Resort: $3,600 (one-week stay for two guests)
Dell 30-inch wide-screen LCD TV: $2,300
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Williams-Sonoma bedding: $1,125
Maytag Neptune Top-Load Washer/Dryer: $1,800
Burberry quilted jacket/cashmere scarf: $560
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sony S260 Notebook computer: $1,700
Eileen Fisher cardigan pants and top: $366
Apple Pocket Jeans: $78
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Arte Watch by Movado: $375
Magellan RoadMate navigation system: $1,400
Lollia hand cream/bubble bath: $50
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gourmet Florida key lime bundt cake: $26
Dell Pocket DJ: $200