Did Oprah Winfrey Ask an Australian Shop to Remove Blackface Dolls?

Remember how Harry Connick Jr. guest-judged an Australian talent competition TV show last year, and was put in the awkward position of having to tell a Jackson 5 tribute band in full-on blackface that their act was wildly offensive? You may not, but Oprah Winfrey -- who flew 300 screaming fans Down Under last week -- probably does, and she's allegedly hellbent on eradicating the country's racist traditions, one golliwog "washerwoman" doll at a time.

After a 15-hour flight and meet-and-greet with one koala fan, Oprah apparently asked a local shop to remove their collection of blackfaced dolls. Upon realizing that there was a number of these dolls -- with names like "Jenny Girl" (pictured right) and "Jerome Boy" -- on open display in the store where Oprah would be hosting a cocktail party later that week, Harpo Productions made special arrangements with the storeowner to remove the dolls.

Said a source close to the situation, "Oprah's people came ... and yes it was discussed. As a result, they won't have that particular doll on display. But there will be plenty of other gollies when they come through."

A spokeswoman for Winfrey declined to comment, but Tourism Victoria claims neither it, nor Harpo Productions, told the shop owner to remove the dolls.

[via Eurweb.com]