Sarah Ferguson in Talks to Host Show for Oprah...

The New York Post is reporting that Oprah Winfrey personally called Sarah Ferguson and offered her the opportunity to host a "docu-series" about the financial problems faced by the Dutchess.Â Fergie, as the Dutchess of York is often called, was recently entangled in a scandal for accepting a $500,000 bribe for access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.Â Video of the Dutchess accepting payment was released to the media and caused embarassment for the Dutchess and the Royal family.Â Fergie appeared on Oprah to talk about her financial problems and the embarrassing release of the video.

According to the New York Post report, Winfrey was impressed that the Dutchess was willing to discuss her mistake and take a hard, critical look at herself.Â Fergie's decision about the offer has not been announced.

It would seem that gainful employment for Fergie would be a good thing for all involved.Â The financial problems endured by the Dutchess since her divorce from AndrewÂ are not a secret.Â If the queen is unwilling to help Fergie meet her financial needs and obligations, she has to be able to support herself and her two girls.Â It will be interesting to see if Fergie accepts Oprah's offer and if the queen allows the deal to happen.

Source:Â New York Post

Comments: 9

Ishbel R. Jul 26, 2010, 5:43pm UTC

She will never make a penny here in the UK - after her PR disaster of getting drunk and compromising her ex-husband in 'money for influence' activities.

The woman is a walking disaster area.

Jeri Nowlin Shaffer Jul 26, 2010, 5:49pm UTC

She seems to be received much better here in the US. I'm sure that I don't know as much about her as the people in the UK do, but I feel sorry for her. American's love a great come-back story. I am hoping Fergie will give us one. That said, I also feel badly for Andrew. He was put in an awful position through no fault of his own. The whole situation is unfortunate.

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Leigh Ramsey Jul 26, 2010, 5:57pm UTC

What Jeri said ... re: The British press is notoriously nasty. "Duchess of Pork" might actually have been one of the nicer nicknames she was given.

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Leigh Ramsey Jul 26, 2010, 6:01pm UTC

Also, in the U.S., while we do love an underdog, so to speak, I think in general we cannot as readily identify with a (to many) outdated monarchical system in which citizens have to pay for the upkeep of a figurehead (not one person or a couple or even four, but an extended royal family). We already have enough (conservative) people over here crying foul about taxes/deficit for legitimate causes--schools, roads, health care, environment, and so on--that I could just not see monies being used to keep up a growing royal family accustomed to the best of everything.

Jeri Nowlin Shaffer Jul 26, 2010, 6:30pm UTC

I read something recently about the monarchy costing each British citizen something like 63 cents per year. I think that is a bargain. In America, we don't have that great sense of history. The United States goes back less than 250 years. Anything in the US that is more than 10 years old could be torn down and replaced at any moment. We are still a very young nation. I think I would be willing to pay 63 cents a year for the monarchy just as a nod to that past.

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Leigh Ramsey Jul 26, 2010, 6:51pm UTC

Good point. I wonder how many are in the UK ... 20-30 million? That adds up, even if only 63 cents person going to the monarchy (maybe $10 million/year?). What services do they actually perform for their "subjects"? The figure you mention is apart from their taxes, right? I've always anecdotally heard the UK's various taxes were high, but, then again, they seem to have a pretty different health care system (and educational and ...) than we do that those tax monies go into, not simply the monarchy. In the end, not really my choice to make, is it!?! : )
True ... we are quick to forget in the U.S. We are infants (or at least forgetful) in terms of our history.

Ishbel R. Jul 27, 2010, 3:10am UTC

It doesn't go to the monarch.... it pays for the upkeep of palaces (which attracts tourists and puts pounds into the Exchequer). The Queen is our HEAD of state. And cheaper than most. Even as a Republican Scottish Nationalilst I have no problem with paying my 63pence (notcents) for the Queen, it's the other hangers on that cause me grief. Like Andrew's 2 daughters having full-time protection officers whilst they doss about the world on their 'gap' years, for instance.

The Duchess of Pork earned every insult she was ever given here. She was a married woman, caught sucking the toes of her so-called 'financial advisor'. She made an absolute fortune, in the US, trading on her ex-title as Duchess - and frittered the entire fortune away. The woman is a financial disaster area.

Our taxes ARE high, but then so are our benefits, including the NHS and unemployment benefit and sickness benefit and many, many others. I'd rather pay high taxes to ensure that the poorest members of our society are adequately taken care of, rather than just hoping that I don't get fired and then lose my health benefits.

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Leigh Ramsey Jul 27, 2010, 10:06am UTC

Ishbel, thanks for your perspective. Fair enough--the Queen et al (some much more than others) "makes money" for the people of the country. For what it's worth, I believe your NHS and education systems (among others), from what I know of them looking in from the outside, to be superior to ours in the U.S.; I would also be willing to pay higher taxes for such improvements to our system (but that would never pass in this country, at this time). I don't know enough about Fergie (or have a desire to follow her doings) to comment much about her seemingly self-imposed foibles. From your description, she sounds like she's reaping what she's sown. I don't think I feel sorry for her, that's for sure.
Also, as a side note, my parents are very proud of our Scots heritage. : )

Ishbel R. Jul 27, 2010, 7:02pm UTC

Well, I'm glad to give you my perspective on her and other members of the RF.

I'm glad to know your parents are proud of their Scots heritage - I'm proud of my family and its history, too.

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Sarah Ferguson in Talks to Host Show for Oprah Winfrey Network (video)

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