Oprah Winfrey, Mutual of Omaha fight for rights to ‘Aha’ moment
She says she made it famous, insurance giant says she didn’t ‘police the alleged mark’
W hen I heard Oprah Winfrey and Mutual of Omaha were sparring over "A-Ha" moments, I thought it was a bit strange for anyone to be fighting over bragging rights to a Norwegian synth-pop group best known for the groundbreaking music video for "Take On Me."
Turns out they're not fighting over A-Ha. They're dueling over "Aha!"
Mutual of Omaha calls itself "the official sponsor of the aha moment(TM)." According to its Web site, "Aha moments are powerful. More than an idea, or an epiphany, aha moments demand attention and action. Deciding on a new career. Jumping out of an airplane . . . [becoming] a fire dancer."
I call those WTF moments. ("WTF" stands for Where's the Fun. What'd you think it means?) For example, I once decided to become a fire dancer at the exact moment I was jumping out of an airplane.
Mutual of Omaha cites a 2004 study at Northwestern University, in which "researchers discovered . . . a split-second before having an aha moment, we experience a burst of electrical brain activity . . . kind of like a light bulb going off in your brain."
Oprah says she's the one who made the aha moment famous. The insurance company counters that Winfrey failed to "police the alleged mark" and thus abandoned any rights to the phrase.
In the meantime, Homer Simpson remains the owner of the "D'oh!" moment.
Questions: Who says "Aha!" when they have a moment of clarity, a moment of inspiration, a moment that changes their life? Aren't you more likely to say, "Ah, now I understand," or, "Oh, I see what I'm meant to do!" or, "I've got it!"
"Aha!" sounds more like something Harvey Korman would say in a Mel Brooks movie, or a line Kevin Kline would use. "Aha! Now I've got you trapped in my lair!"
I always thought "Aha!" was the same as "Gotcha!" You've foiled your opponent, you've gained the upper hand. I could see somebody making a big bet at the poker table, only to be re-raised by an opponent who says, "Aha! You fell for my trap!"
("Aha!" should not be confused with "Ta-da!" a phrase that should be uttered only by magicians or porn stars.)
But I guess I'm wrong, as I found literally hundreds of examples of people writing and talking about "aha moments" even before that 2004 Northwestern study. (I also found several transcripts in which Oprah or guests used the phrase prior to 2004. Here's Oprah during a January 2003 show titled "Mothers respond to secret thoughts of fathers": "That was a bing-bing aha moment. Was that not an aha moment for y'all?")
Seven, eight, 10 years ago, reviewers at publications such as Entertainment Weekly and Variety were talking about "aha moments" in movies. I found decade-old references to "aha moments" in stories about politicians deciding to run for office, teachers connecting to their students, parents learning something valuable about raising their children.
Everybody's been having these "aha moments," but I've yet to hear anyone in my life ever say, "Aha!"
Unless "Take on Me" came on the jukebox at a certain point in the evening.
Just wondering: Has anyone in the Bulls organization suggested to Ben Gordon that grabbing one's crotch is not the most exemplary way to celebrate hitting a clutch shot?
Tyra Banks is due to appear in court this week to testify against an alleged kook accused of stalking her.
The Georgia man is quoted as telling authorities: "We had a thing together." Also: "I sent her flowers. I sent her cards."
Also: "I've got satellites watching me and recording us." Ahem.
Mister Delusional rejected several plea deals that would have resulted in no jail time. Had he taken these offers, Ms. Banks would not have had to appear in court.
Which is probably why he rejected the offers. Now he gets to be in the same room with Banks, and she'll have to talk about him, thus acknowledging his existence.
Every once in a while you read about a celebrity having to appear in court with a stalker. I understand the legal reasons for this, but it's a shame the celeb -- or for that matter anyone who's been targeted by a delusional stalker -- has to appear in the same room with said person, thus feeding into the fantasy that they actually know each other.
To all those who expressed outrage over my ketchup-on-a-hot-dog endorsement: Sometimes I have french fries, and when I do, I soak 'em in . . .
Mustard.