The 'Oprahization' of America
Only the most famous, most elite, most influential people can be recognized by a single name and their personalities run the gamut: Elvis, Gandhi, Prince, Einstein, Elmo and Madonna, to name a few. Their names contain three or fewer syllables, yet evoke a multitude of powerful references to the mere mortal. But it is Oprah -- the woman who, in 2004, gave each of her 276 hand-picked audience members a new Pontiac G-6 sedan -- who truly stands alone among the famous first namers.

