The background actors on the set, most of whom were black, all burst into laughter when they heard Oprah's words.
"All right, let's welcome this trouble-ridden white young man to the stage, Tommy Hawk."
With blond hair and a dull suit, Tommy Hawk walked into the studio somewhat nervously, bowed respectfully, and shook hands with Oprah before sitting down on the guest sofa. He waved to the audience who gave him a smattering of applause, and then his hands were clasped between his thighs as he looked at Oprah with a bewildered and shy smile.
Oprah internally cursed at how good this asshole's acting was. Backstage, although his speech and reactions were a bit excessively excited, he certainly wasn't bashful or shy. But now as soon as he got on the show, he instantly transformed into a paradigm of a white person not accustomed to the stares of black people.
