Oprah's Big Give (also known as The Big Give) is an American reality competition television series created and produced by Oprah Winfrey which focuses on 10 contestants as they travel across America with a large sum of money, trying to help people in unique ways.
The series aired in the USA on ABC from 2 March to 20 April, 2008. There are eight hour-long episodes in the series, which was cancelled by ABC on 13 May, 2008.
Oprah's Big Give premiered in South Africa on SABC3 on Tuesday 25 November 2008, at 16h00. It continues on Monday 1 December, after which it airs daily, on weekdays. See "Episodes" below for episode broadcast dates and times.
Synopsis
In eight one-hour episodes, a diverse, determined and competitive group of 10 people are given the challenge of a lifetime — to change the lives of complete strangers in the most creative and dramatic ways.
In this intense competition, the contestants criss-cross the country, scrambling to find ways to impact the fates and fortunes of unsuspecting people who are in for the surprise of their lives.
Lives will be changed in the blink of an eye as contestants race against time to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences and also give away hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Who will be the lucky few to get a "Big Give"... and who will get all that cash?
The series premiere kicks off in Los Angeles, where Oprah hands 10 contestants sealed envelopes with only a picture and the name of a complete stranger. Under intense pressure, they must give big to change this person's life in just five days.
The contestants must use their creativity and resources to generate the most powerful and sensational ways to make a real difference, and with the clock ticking, the competition, drama and emotion mount and the contestants' stamina, creativity and drive are tested.
This first dramatic challenge will send one person packing.
Throughout the episodes, Oprah makes multiple special appearances and turns up in various locations to surprise the contestants with dramatic new twists and turns.
As the competition tightens, big Hollywood stars join Oprah's Big Give, raising the stakes and turning up the heat. Celebrity guests include actors Jennifer Aniston, John Travolta and Jada Pinkett-Smith, tennis legend Andre Agassi, skateboarding idol Tony Hawk, racing star Danica Patrick and more.
The series' host is Nate Berkus, a popular television personality and frequent contributor to The Oprah Winfrey Show and O, The Oprah Magazine.
At the end of each hour, the contestants must face a panel of three expert judges who will judge them on their leadership, accomplishments, creativity and presentation.
They include world-renowned "Naked" chef and philanthropist Jamie Oliver; NFL star, nine-time Pro Bowler and Boys & Girls Club Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez;, and wife of Chris Rock and charity founder Malaak Compton-Rock.
In the end, there is only one rule in Oprah's Big Give: you either give big or you go home. In every episode, the contestants must each find innovative and ingenious ways to impact the lives of strangers, or they risk elimination at the hands of the judging panel.
As the episodes continue, the "gives" get even bigger, the guest stars get brighter and tensions mount, all culminating in the series finale where The Biggest Giver will become the biggest winner.
What the contestants don't know — and only viewers do — is that Oprah will surprise The Biggest Giver with a $1-million prize.
Thousands of hopefuls auditioned to compete in Oprah's Big Give. The 10 contestants were discovered in auditions held in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Nashville and represent all walks of life, from a pageant queen and a pre-med student to a paraplegic and a young dot-com millionaire.
Contestants
Angelo, 30, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran from Ann Arbor, MI
Brandi, 23, a pageant queen from Chicago, IL
Cameron, 22, an entrepreneur and dot-com millionaire from Roanoke, VA
Carlana, 38, a paraplegic, author and media executive from Glendale, CA
Eric, 37, a former model who now works as a disaster relief worker from Boston, MA
Kim, 39, an NFL marketing specialist from Brentwood, TN
Marlene, 37, a train attendant from Chicago, IL
Olussegun "Sheg", 23, a pre-med student from Nashville, TN
Rachael, 31, a singer and actress from Los Angeles, CA
Stephen, 43, a real estate developer from Bedford, NY
In addition to Los Angeles, other episodes were filmed in Denver, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, New York City and Chicago.
Episodes
(All episodes air at 16h00)
Episode 1
Tuesday 25 November 2008
The competition kicks off in Los Angeles. Oprah hands 10 contestants sealed envelopes with only a picture and the name of a complete stranger. Under intense pressure, they must change this person's life in just five days.
Who are the strangers? Can the contestants help them? This first dramatic challenge will send one person packing. You either give big or go home.
Episode 2
Monday 1 December 2008
In week two, nine contestants are dropped in the middle of a major US city – where they don't know anyone. Oprah gives them a 48-hour challenge that sends them scrambling to give away bundles of cash in the most creative and dramatic ways.
Who will get the money? A surprise twist dials up the pressure even more.
Episode 3
Tuesday 2 December 2008
In week three, eight contestants land in Houston. More than 1,000 children are depending on them to make big dreams come true...but will a confrontation between contestants derail the giving?
Superstars Andre Agassi and Tony Hawk make surprise appearances and put the pressure on. With only four days, limited cash and a monumental challenge....can they do it?
Episode 4
Wednesday 3 December 2008
Seven contestants are sent to Miami where billionaire brothers shock them with a huge surprise: a suitcase filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars and only 24 hours to give it away.
The stakes are huge, panic sets in and the judges' deliver a startling decision.
Episode 5
Thursday 4 December 2008
Indy Racing Superstar Danica Patrick revs up the competition when she sends the contestants speeding off on “The Big Give Road Trip” challenge. Every mile counts on this wild ride.
An unexpected event finds one contestant in the middle of a harrowing tragedy.
Episode 6
Friday 5 December 2008
The final four land in New York City for “Operation Big Dreams.”
The stakes have never been higher. Two dying parents. Two dramatic last wishes. Will the contestants be able to fulfill these lifelong dreams or will they fall apart?
Jada Pinkett-Smith, Gayle King and Natalie Cole use their star power in this emotional episode. But will the fighting contestants ruin what could be two people's final wish?
Episode 7
Monday 8 December 2008
After seven emotionally draining weeks on the road, Oprah sends the final three contestants home for a special family reunion. This week they must go home to give big.
With four days and $10,000 cash, the pressure is on to prove they have what it takes to win. To everyone's surprise, movie star, John Travolta shows up with a huge announcement that stuns both the contestants and Oprah.
Episode 8
Tuesday 9 December 2008
It's the first ever big give finale and Oprah delivers the ultimate challenge. With no money and very little time, the last contestants standing must create "Big Gives" - out of nothing at all.
Jennifer Aniston makes a special appearance and delivers big news.
Who will win and be named Oprah's Biggest Giver? A last unexpected twist makes for an interesting series conclusion.