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Oprah's Big Give
SERIES: ABC, Sunday 9:00p (60 minutes)
Starring
Nate Berkus,
Jamie Oliver,
Tony Gonzalez,
and
Malaak Compton-Rock
Contestants are given 1 million dollars and are challenged to use it to help as many people as they can.
| GENRE(S): |
Reality (Competitive)
|
| CREATED BY: |
Oprah Winfrey
|
| FIRST AIR DATE: |
March 2, 2008 |

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
80
Baltimore Sun David Zurawik
Winfrey and ABC have taken the much-maligned reality TV format and used it to create a show that both entertains and encourages viewers to think about such matters as how best to help others.

80
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Rob Owen
It may do some good, but it's still a piece of TV entertainment that, first and foremost, must succeed as a revenue generator for ABC. That realistic, not cynical, caveat aside, Big Give is certainly more positive than "Big Brother" or numerous other reality shows.

80
Salon Heather Havrilesky
A heartfelt, inspiring, uplifting TV show that brings out the best in people? Who could possibly resist that?

70
Slate Troy Patterson
In all, Oprah's Big Give is a triumph of virtue, which leaves only the question of who would want to watch it.

70
Orlando Sentinel Hal Boedeker
Oprah's Big Give overflows with emotion, tears and hugs.

63
New York Post Linda Stasi
Think "The Apprentice" meets "Extreme Home Makeover" and you've got the heartwarming Oprah's Big Give. All shows together equal more Sunday-night tears than a feelgood Lifetime movie marathon.

60
Boston Globe Matthew Gilbert
Is it strange to make good will and charity into a win-lose proposition? Is it peculiar to judge the givers on their manner of giving, to quantify their largesse? To me, yes, it is, and the show makes for awkward viewing as a result.

50
Chicago Sun-Times Misha Davenport
There also is something disturbing about making a game out of charitable acts.

50
Chicago Tribune Maureen Ryan
Though Oprah’s Big Give is supposed to be celebrating the power of giving, it’s more likely to prove that not everything can or should be turned into a contest.

50
Newsday Diane Werts
Pathos may make for a more positive reality TV experience than a parade of lying, backstabbing and physical torture. But the basic appeal remains pathetic. Perhaps in more ways than one.

50
Philadelphia Daily News Ellen Gray
I'm ashamed that a wounded Marine, about to be discharged after 15 years in the service, needs help from an entertainment show to find and afford civilian housing for himself and his family.
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