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Thursday January 26, 2006 6:56 pm
Oprah Reduces James Frey To “A Million Little Pieces”
Posted by Rhys Alexander
Categories:
Daytime,
Talk Shows,
Syndication,
Talent
Talk show powerhouse Oprah Winfrey has accomplished what Larry King could not: she got bestselling author James Frey to admit his best selling ‘memoir’ was largely fictional. The drama was increased by the fact that Oprah Winfrey promoted his book and was largely responsible for it becoming a bestseller. In perhaps the most dramatic Oprah episode ever—which is saying a lot—Oprah cried and audience members booed the formerly popular author.
In a stunning switch from dismissive to disgusted, Oprah Winfrey took on one of her chosen authors, James Frey, accusing him on live television of lying about “A Million Little Pieces” and letting down the many fans of his memoir of addiction and recovery. “I feel duped,” she said Thursday on her syndicated talk show. “But more importantly, I feel that you betrayed millions of readers.” Frey, who found himself booed in the same Chicago studio where he had been embraced not long ago, acknowledged that he had lied.
A sometimes angry, sometimes tearful Winfrey asked Frey why he “felt the need to lie.” Audience members often groaned and gasped at Frey’s halting, stuttered admissions that certain facts and characters had been “altered” but that the essence of his memoir was real.
Thursday’s broadcast, rare proof that the contents of a book can lead to great tabloid TV, marked an abrupt reversal from the cozy chat two weeks ago on “Larry King Live,” when Winfrey phoned in to support Frey and label alleged fabrications as “much ado about nothing.”
Sure, it makes for great television, but is this yet another sign that television shows need to more carefully research their subjects? What do you think? Is Oprah, in a way, as ‘guilty’ as Frey for the misinformation spread to her TV audience? Please leave your opinions in the Comments section!
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Comments
No Oprah is not as guilty as Frey...She didn’t LIE!!! She did however check with the publishing house BEFORE recommending the book as a book club selection and the publishing house stood behind the book as a memoir. If anyone else is guilty of anything it is Nan Talese and Doubleday!
Lana
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I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and a sponsor of a couple of men in our program. Recently at a closed discussion a rather new member brought up the book A Million Little Pieces, suggesting that it might make interesting reading as a means of recovery. Having been an AA man now for over 15 years and keeping an open mind I borrowed the book in question. Frey spins an entertaining yarn but has one major hole in his story. He may be a potential alcoholic but any real alcoholic knows that they are 100% powerless over the stuff and that self will is of no use against using again. Frey claims that he has recovered using super human willpower. Nonsense. Lucky for him no response will come from AA or NA regarding his claims as we remain anonymous. I have told my young sponsee to hang around and he will eventually see the truth in everything. It appears that reality is starting to surface now regarding Frey and Oprah. If Frey goes back out drinking again and becomes an alcoholic we will be waiting for him to offer a cup of coffee and a Big Book and a kind word. In avoiding the resentment toward the damage this guy is causing real alcoholics in recovery (who are always looking for a way off the hook) I can only pray that his ego doesn’t kill him.
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I think what is being lost in all of this, is the fact that James Frey is a recovering addict, he has done what many hard core addicts have not, he has gone threw hell and back and lives to tell us about it. I think what’s important is following his journey through rehad, how he saved himself from death...wether or not he lied about how a certain person passed on or how much time he spent in jail isn’t really the issue...those lies, which are really just an extension of the truth, he did spend time in jail, just not 87 days, unfortunately Lilly committed suicide, just not as described in the book...I think when reading this book, and you realize that as an addict or recovering addict this book can help you in some way, if it has, then it’s done it’s job, if you can relate to some part of the book, then it’s done it’s job.
I don’t believe that Oprah is guilty, as a very important public icon, she had to defend her views and the views of her viewers.
I still believe in James Frey and what he has gone through, I look forward to reading My Friend Leonard.
(no I am not a recovering addict, ....these are just my opinions)
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Oprah is the figurehead in a very large team she employs to execute thorough, accurate research into the topics she airs on television. I have always thought Oprah is well informed, succinct and truthful in her intent on air - she realized she made an error in judgment and that mistakes on her and her team’s part were made - she was forthcoming in admitting that and handled herself well in that respect. The fact still remains that James Frey is a liar - beyond all else, that is the fact. You can allow him to hide behind his addictions as reason for being a liar, but I think that is weak. In my opinion, lying is a disease too and I think we have all mistakenly cannonized Frey for this. What’s truly sad is that there are many authors out there who have benefitted from Oprah’s involvement in encouraging reading/literacy and helping leverage authors into unimagined success. Now, Frey has tainted this as I am certain Oprah’s team will be more suspicious and certainly less trusting of those who pour themselves into their books.
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The biggest problem that I have with the James Frey book is that it has based his recovery on his own ego. Being in the re-hab business for over fifteen years I have found that ocassionally a person will achieve sobriety on their own to a degree.
The minute I finished the book, I started to fear how long it would take for Mr.Frey to relaps. Yes he is alcohol and drug free, but is he free from the mindset that caused the problem in the first place? I think not, because only TRUTH will fill the void that he somehow seems to think that he can fudge on a little. Like everything else he has tried, it will only be tempory because it is not 100% TRUE. Attaining a level of TRUTH can be obtained by way of the back door, if you will, but maintaining that TRUTH without the real thing is impossible. Only TRUTH it’s self will fit in the mold created for TRUTH. Anything else is trying to put a square peg in a round hole. You may be able to put the peg in the hole, but you cannot maintain the peg there because it really doesn’t fit. All the effects of reality will be forcing the project to fail. I have never met a human that can handle that pressure.
Perhaps James Frey is laughing all the way to the bank? Maybe he and his constituants have planned the scam from the get-go? If you can handle the pressure James, no doubt, you will be a millionare and then you can afford a good drunk, and continue to laugh in your beer. When that doen’t work any longer you can add a little crack. When all else fails, try TRUTH again and realize that God and TRUTH are the same thing and they will fit perfectly in the void. You then must maintain the TRUTH with more TRUTH. That means God must be part of your recovery program.
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I think that the real story here is that James Frey was an alcoholic and a drug addict and this book shows that he had recovered from this hellish experience. Why Oprah was so gung-ho about him on Larry King and just weeks later can barely talk to him civily (not acquiring any more information, by the way)… She knew the information before, she just can’t handle the #### she’s getting about it. Leave the man alone… let him live his life. Next time put Based on a True Story and everyonen will be happy. Just think of all the people that he has helped with this book and then think of all the people Oprah probably destroyed with this ########.
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Wow, what fabulous replies!! Thank you so much, everyone, for sharing such valuable insights. You bring up excellent points and give us all something to think about.
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Oy! What a big deal! Why is this such a huge deal in everyone’s life? What’s the point of dragging this writer through the muck? His publishers wanted and published it as a memior...he was marketing as a novel. He trusted his editor and this is what happened. It’s a shame and I’m sure everyone will get over it in a few days. After all, it’s just a book
that was written for entertainment purposes.
And Oprah...what was her point giving the author a public flogging? Do you really think that was called for?
I wonder how the next author lined up for her ‘best book club’ feels now, and how they feel about appearing on her show.
I sincerely hope Mr. Frey continues to write, and everyone else get’s back to the more important things in life instead of picking this guy apart.
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no she is not guilty
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In a recent discussion with friends about Oprah (pre Frey issue),I commented on how pervasive---far-reaching and powerful her influence is. One person there posed this question: Yes. What are her credentials?
Personally, I don’t enjoy watching a person( meaning the book author) being publicly humiliated. A simple statement of her point of view would have been adequate. I think that Oprah has become intoxicated with her own power. I wonder sometimes, when I see her ready tears, at her sincerity and when seeing her portrait on every single cover of her magazine can’t help but think of narcissism. She seemed self-righteous re. this book issue. Has she never made a mistake? NEVER? Never done anything wrong? What happened to her famous compassion in this situation?
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It such a shame that we live in a world that needs to find someone or thing to blame!! James, Oprah, and anyone else for that matter are not responsible for our thinking and thought process!! It would seem to me that the buck stops at us the reader!! When i read this book i came to my own conclusion. I realise that books of this nature are not Written in the moment, so there will always be that question of “Truth” At the end of the day Mr Frey has to live with himself. And in the grand scheam of things i didnt lose any sleep over it. I’m happy to have read Mr Freys account, regardless! and i wish him all the best!!
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