January 4, 2024 SPARTANBURG SC
Johni Bleu
"The Dr. Oz Show (2017)"
In the early stages of my art career, I never missed an opportunity to incorporate my art into any event I was invited to, no matter the cost. I would often pay exorbitant fees to fly with my large canvases and arrive at the event with no idea what would happen.
So, when I received a call from a former college classmate informing me about his upcoming appearance on The Dr. Oz Show for a health and fitness segment, I immediately began brainstorming ideas for a painting. I dedicated a week to creating the artwork, carefully packed it, and hoped on a plane to New York hoping for the best. With my canvas in hand, I confidently entered the ABC studio located on the upper west side of Manhattan.
Fortunately, the painting was an impressive size, impossible to overlook. It felt like a triumph initially, as I made my way past the bustling production crew backstage. They were frantically brainstorming ways to showcase the painting on the show. However, just as we were still behind the scenes, a producer with a scowl on his face marched through, shaking his head disapprovingly.
The moment arrived for my classmate to step onto the set and perform his segment. Although I never received a definitive confirmation that the painting would or would not be featured on air, I convinced myself that the entire experience was still worthwhile. Surely, I thought, I would have an opportunity to present him with the painting after the show.
As the crowd erupted in applause, I assumed the show had concluded. Yet, in a thrilling turn of events, one of the other producers came and ushered me onto the stage where I had the chance to present the doctor with the artwork live on air.
Ultimately, art emerged victorious. The show aired on season 9 in December of 2017.