Steffen Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Hello! When an antagonist tried to implicate the PCs of my group in crimes they were not involved in they decided to make their side of the story known. They wrote a statement, teleported into the middle of Oprah Winfrey's show, handed over the note and left again. Of course the surprised host read the statement out loud and discussed what happened with her guest Cindy Lauper. What I would like to know is: How would Oprah Winfrey react after she had time to recover from the shock? As far as I know Oprah is very influential and may affect public opinion. This may be an odd question but Oprah Winfrey is not well known in Germany so I cannot predict her actions. But as my players just love to hear about public reactions to their exploits I would like give them something and maybe something interesting will result from this. Some background information: It's 2004 in the (more or less) real world and the PCs are the first superheroes to appear one year ago. They are only active in New York City and despite several sightings and blurry film footage they are still considered urban legends or a hoax by a lot of people. The alleged crime was the rescue of an abducted superhuman (who later turned into a killer) from the antangonist's laboratory where he was subject to experiments. The villain later made it look as if the PCs freed a monstrous murderer from prison and new all along about the killers nature (which they didn't). The group's note hinted at the true story, reminded everyone that the heroes themselves caught the killer after his crimes were made public and stated their belief that superhumans should have the right to a fair trial. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnStrawberry Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I know one thing - Oprah and her producers wouldn't have been satisfied with the 'blink and out' appearance. They would make a public appeal and pursue the PCs relentlessly for a special hour-long interview with the entire superteam so that their existence and story could be told in full. Tit for Tat: you get your publicity if Oprah gets her ratings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clonus Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 The Captn is right. Oprah would invite the characters to be interviewed if they want to get their side of the story out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steffen Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 So you think Oprah would have refused to read the statement handed to her live on air? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjd59 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I believe she may have read it first, then discussed it with whomever was there, as you stated. Then I agree she and her producers would be relentless in getting the heroes to appear as other have mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister E Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Oprah is an empathetic listener & modern day pop-sage. I personally would never go to Oprah w/ my super-problems. She neither needs the attention nor deserves the credit. It reminds me of the fool that made first contact w/ alien life -- & then told everybody that "Spielberg was right!" ... & what Nixon did w/ Doctor Manhattan. Oprah would be in over her head & easily compromised/corrupted by global supernatural forces. Nope. That is definitely not the way I would introduce my super-self to the world. No way. You just created Dark Oprah. Good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steffen Posted February 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 The players' intention was not to introduce the heroes to the world (this was simply a side effect), they wanted to prevent the public to mistrust them as they were afraid that this would hinder them in helping people. They thought about how they could quickly reach a lot of people and one of them said "Let's go to Oprah Winfrey". They didn't do it for her, they simply wanted a quick and effecive solution. I don't want to "punish" them for this, just show them that this will have some consequences. Do Oprah's producers offer money to get certain guests on their show? How much? Do you think she would host super-hero themed shows, inviting people who were saved or even critics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assault Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Jerry Springer would be more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister E Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Jerry Springer would be more fun. The sortedness of the fiasco leads me to believe there will be multiple revelations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnStrawberry Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I don't want to "punish" them for this, just show them that this will have some consequences. It's your game, obviously you can handle it as you choose. But based on your description (a world where supers are extremely rare/not established) I was imagining the chaos that would erupt in a live studio if someone teleported in! They would kill the cameras, call security, possibly evacuate the audience, etc. Even if Oprah wanted to read the statement, not sure she would have the opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba smith Posted February 22, 2015 Report Share Posted February 22, 2015 Hello! When an antagonist tried to implicate the PCs of my group in crimes they were not involved in they decided to make their side of the story known. They wrote a statement, teleported into the middle of Oprah Winfrey's show, handed over the note and left again. Of course the surprised host read the statement out loud and discussed what happened with her guest Cindy Lauper. What I would like to know is: How would Oprah Winfrey react after she had time to recover from the shock? As far as I know Oprah is very influential and may affect public opinion. This may be an odd question but Oprah Winfrey is not well known in Germany so I cannot predict her actions. But as my players just love to hear about public reactions to their exploits I would like give them something and maybe something interesting will result from this. Some background information: It's 2004 in the (more or less) real world and the PCs are the first superheroes to appear one year ago. They are only active in New York City and despite several sightings and blurry film footage they are still considered urban legends or a hoax by a lot of people. The alleged crime was the rescue of an abducted superhuman (who later turned into a killer) from the antangonist's laboratory where he was subject to experiments. The villain later made it look as if the PCs freed a monstrous murderer from prison and new all along about the killers nature (which they didn't). The group's note hinted at the true story, reminded everyone that the heroes themselves caught the killer after his crimes were made public and stated their belief that superhumans should have the right to a fair trial. Thanks for your help! you mean BESIDES have the PCS arrested for trespassing on studio property and disrupting her taping ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoloOfEarth Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Keeping in mind that this is all in a game and so things don't necessarily have to 100% follow real-world logic and consequences... Anti-Oprah detractors would slam the "so-called supers" appearance as Hollywood smoke-and-mirrors and dismiss it all as a publicity stunt by Oprah's producers. Any bad guys who would benefit from keeping the superheroes from being believed in would throw their weight behind discrediting it all. Oprah would definitely push to have the heroes put in a repeat appearance, if for no other reason than to show that her people didn't fake anything. Once she and her people verify the heroes are for real, maybe arrange something outdoors, a public place with plenty of civilian targets witnesses. Invite her detractors to attend and share the stage with her, to prove it's all real. Of course, lots of advertising beforehand. (Can you say "super-fight on live TV"? I knew you could!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Since no one has mentioned the most logical thing. Oprah is evil. She is probably the supervillain mastermind behind the efforts to take the superheroes down. Repeat Oprah is evil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister E Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 I am Oprah Winfrey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnStrawberry Posted February 24, 2015 Report Share Posted February 24, 2015 Oprah is evil. She is probably the supervillain mastermind behind the efforts to take the superheroes down. Repeat Oprah is evil. I personally feel her proteges, Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz, are much more evil. Probably went to Evil Medical School. They just need some uniformed minions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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