To my surprise, the saddest article currently in The New York Times online has nothing to do with Africa or Iraq, but Oprah and Chicago. Cutely titled “This Old Thing? It Was Oprah’s!” the piece covers the unstoppable Oprah machine’s new retail venture, the Oprah Store. Along with Oprah’s favorite books and kitchen accessories, at the Oprah Store, one can also buy the perma-dieting talk show host’s used clothes, many of which make her seem like a giant: “The pants are too long and the shoes are too big, but I will definitely be back for a sweater or a skirt,” a top-heavy customer noted.

But the shop itself, which donates all of its proceeds to charity, is not the depressing part; its customers are.

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