By Sheri

OPRAH’S NEW TV ENVIRONMENT DEEMED “HOSTILE”

The OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) has had it’s launch date pushed ahead a few times with the latest one being January 2011. It’s sure not completely clear for take off yet with the recent scandal of OWN cable channel ex-employee, Catherine Dunn, suing Oprah’s new TV home for discrimination in a “hostile work environment.” The lawsuit was filed on Friday, August 13. (Ooooh, I frickin’ wonder if Oprah now has Friggatriskaidekaphobia! (a fear of Friday the 13th)

Dunn, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), began working for OWN in Autumn, 2008. She claims she was let go for wrongful dismissal because of her MS. Okay, off the top, you wouldn’t think someone with Oprah’s apparent values would allow that, but you know it’s probably not like she was running that department herself or anything. Still.. It makes you wonder and discrimination does happen for all kinds of reasons, so who knows for sure?

Catherine Dunn alleges her wrongful dismissal from the Oprah Winfrey Network occurred when she was forced to take a leave of absence, then was replaced during that time. (You know, that same thing happened to me on my scheduled legal mat leave, and moi sued and won!) If she and her lawyers can prove the reason was actually discrimination due to her MS, she might damn well win her case. Guess Oprah can afford to lawyer up, though.

Anyway, since there were several delays since the Oprah Winfrey Network started up about 3 years ago, and now this glitch, the January 2011 date may end up being moved again – or not. If it does ever get on the air, the OWN cable channel is supposed to hit about 80 million TV sets and feature shows with Oprah herself as well as Shania Twain and Donald Trump’s favorite gal ( ha!), Rosie O’Donnell.