Oprah was wrong about Frey!

[Briarmom]

On that note, does anyone else find surreal the sway and influence that Oprah Winfrey has on the entire US publishing industry?

No. It's a Bookclub. When my bookclub meets, we all buy the same book. I just have a much smaller audience than Oprah. Plus, if someone can influence that many people to read, I am in their corner.

 

[Christine]

He said the airplane thing was exactly as he had written it. I guess that part didn't 'stink' to me of lies like it did the journalists. I realize that THAT occurred a looooong time ago. Back when airport security was much more relaxed.
Yes, I have the same questions. I have 'My Friend Leonard' sitting here on my coffee table. I guess I will read it, but I think it is about his jail stay, which did not occur. That bothers me. The jail stay thing.
I thought Oprah was all about herself. SHE was embarrassed, SHE made a mistake. I think she meant about calling in to Larry King. I missed the first 10 min and I didn't see Larry King, as I was on vacation.
I'd really have liked Oprah to have a list of things and have him say 'true' or 'false'. And I almost understand that he didn't know if he'd had novicaine. Sometimes it doesn't take. Been there, done that. He said there was papers to proove that it'd happened. I just want an exact list of what is true. The very end of the book, for instance, WHO is dead? What happened to those people? Are they real?

I thought that too about the plane--this happened about 10 or 15 years ago (did he say late-80s). Airport security was NOTHING, so all of that is possible.

As for My Friend Leonard, it is a pretty good book. The jail stay is only a minor portion of it.

Frey said that all the "characters" in his book are/were real people, everyone of them. He just changed their names and some things about them so that they were not recognizable.

I think it was Oprah who said it best, though, that maybe his book should have the statement "Based On A True Story."

 

[Briarmom]

I think it was Oprah who said it best, though, that maybe his book should have the statement "Based On A True Story."

Oh, I agree completely.
Also, I guess when I read a memoir, I don't expect everything to be true. There are people to protect here. People have moms and dads and kids. You can't just talk about them using their names and exactly what they did...
I am discussing this some other places, so I'm sorry if I already said that. I lost a lot of respect for Oprah today.
If you look at my earlier posts on this thread (before I saw Oprah) I was very upset with him. Oprah's show today turned the tables.

 

[Daxx]

Lesson for the day ...

Never lie to Oprah -- it ticks her off.
In turn, never tick off Oprah -- you'll live to regret it.

 

[ReneeA]

I kinda feel sorry for him. I know he shouldn't have lied, but from what I've read, the publisher kind of pushed him to market this as a non-fiction work.

I like the book. I'm *almost* done with it. My SIL was in an inpatient treatment facility for drug abuse and said it's very true to life. She said she'd have been shocked if he *hadn't* been through withdrawal before after reading the book. It gave me chills...probably really did her.

Now that I know the truth, the story does seem a bit over the top...but it is a good read.



ReneeA

 

[Ever_After]

On the first show, one of the first questions she asked him if it was all true. He lied to her on her own show. What more could she do? By the way, her producers do alot of the researching, too not just her. I think she nipped all of this in the bud in a timely manner. jmo!

 

[canwegosoon]

I guess I am one if the few that feels that this is no big deal...it is a book...nothing should ever be taken as scripture(yea I know the guy lied...but don't a lot of people-tell people what they think they want to hear?). I like to read, but no matter what I read, I am not that committed to it, that I couldn't believe that the truth was exaggerated. I think Oprah only made it complicated by giving it more airtime. I am sure it will blow over soon.

 

[jedi_librarian]

Got this from Publisher's Weekly:

Doubleday/Anchor to Reissue AMLP With Notes

After James Frey's painful trip to Oprah's couch this afternoon—the author sat through a live taping of the talk show with a stunned look as journalists and Oprah skewered him for fictionalizing key elements of his memoir A Million Little Pieces—Doubleday/Anchor, announced it will be adding both a publisher's note and author's note to all future editions of the book.
Frey's hardcover publisher Nan Talese, who appeared alongside the author on the Oprah broadcast, made mention of the changes on-air. In its statement, Doubleday/Anchor noted that while it initially stood by Frey, after further questioning of the author, the house has "sadly come to the realization that a number of facts have been altered and incidents embellished." Doubleday/Anchor apologized to the public "for any unintentional confusion surrounding the publication" of Pieces.
The company said that no new copies of the book will be shipped and it will not go back to press for new editions without the two notes. The notes will also be posted on randomhouse.com as well as mailed to booksellers to insert in existing copies. Books with the update could be headed to bookstores by next month. —Rachel Deahl

 

[Gemmie1]

I really have mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Angry, he lied.
Sad, he looked so beaten on the show.
Concerned, relapse would be so easy for him with this going on.

The basic thing is that I do not admire his sobriety. Good sobriety to me is about being honest to yourself and others. It's about changing for the better. Not just NOT useing.

 

[disney4us2002]

I guess I am one if the few that feels that this is no big deal...it is a book...nothing should ever be taken as scripture(yea I know the guy lied...but don't a lot of people-tell people what they think they want to hear?). I like to read, but no matter what I read, I am not that committed to it, that I couldn't believe that the truth was exaggerated. I think Oprah only made it complicated by giving it more airtime. I am sure it will blow over soon.

I have to say I agree with this. Bottom line, imho, is that his story, real or embellished, really hit home with thousands of people and influenced many to seek treatment. How can that be a bad thing? I've never suffered with addiction personally, but I know enough about it to give him kuddos for turning his life around and living daily w/o using. I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers because he has rough days ahead. Oprah is far from perfect and I believe she could have been more compassionate. She just seems ticked off or embarassed. Look beyond yourself, Oprah!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Oh, I agree completely.
Also, I guess when I read a memoir, I don't expect everything to be true. There are people to protect here. People have moms and dads and kids. You can't just talk about them using their names and exactly what they did...
I am discussing this some other places, so I'm sorry if I already said that. I lost a lot of respect for Oprah today.
If you look at my earlier posts on this thread (before I saw Oprah) I was very upset with him. Oprah's show today turned the tables.

Just wanted to say I agree with this - I am a big Oprah fan - for years - but today, I dont' know - I just didn't agree with all the bashing - Reminded of me of her Hermes incident - Anyone who has ever worked retail would understand that the store was in the process of closing and when you are doing that, you don't want to let anyone in!

Today, watching Oprah, just left me with a sick feeling in my stomach -

 

[Geoff_M]

No. It's a Bookclub.

I think that's a bit over simplistic. The woman can make a literary career by simply endorsing a book. It gets her "thumbs up" and BINGO it rockets, at times out of nowhere, to the top of the charts. This isn't a criticism of her, but I can't think of another example of someone whose endorsement has that sort of weight within a business. For example, Roger Ebert's "thumbs up" doesn't set off stampedes to that movie, or anything else like it.

 

[Briarmom]

I think that's a bit over simplistic. The woman can make a literary career by simply endorsing a book. It gets her "thumbs up" and BINGO it rockets, at times out of nowhere, to the top of the charts. This isn't a criticism of her, but I can't think of another example of someone whose endorsement has that sort of weight within a business. For example, Roger Ebert's "thumbs up" doesn't set off stampedes to that movie, or anything else like it.

Yes it is simplistic, I meant it to be. BUT, I also meant what I said when I said that anyone who encourages people to READ (not go to a movie like Ebert) is doing a good thing. That's all. I think Oprah has done a great thing in getting people to read. And it's hard for me to say anything nice about her right now.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

On the first show, one of the first questions she asked him if it was all true. He lied to her on her own show. What more could she do? By the way, her producers do alot of the researching, too not just her. I think she nipped all of this in the bud in a timely manner. jmo!

A newspaper in Minneapolis was catching on to the discrepancies in Frey's story when the book was published in 2003. Oprah could have had someone checking the facts. She liked the book and she wanted to push it, regardless of the facts.

 

[Royalbear]

(sorry for the pun). After looking at the Smoking Gun report, and having Frey say that he did fabricate stuff, I really think that Frey was just a punk kid who had a problem with drinking, not that he was an alcoholic. I think he got one too many DUI's and his parents put him in rehab as an alternative to other punishments. I am sorry, but if you lie about one thing, how can I believe you about other things? I think the only truth in this book is that he spent some time in rehab. And if Frey had all this documentation to help him "remember" why isn't he bringing that out so that it can verify his story? I thought Frey looked like my kids do when they keep telling lies to get out of the original lie.

BTW, I read the book when it was non-fiction, my dd read it when it became fiction, and while I am angry about being "duped", my dd just thinks of it as a good read.

 

[gemmie214]

I have to say I agree with this. Bottom line, imho, is that his story, real or embellished, really hit home with thousands of people and influenced many to seek treatment. How can that be a bad thing? I've never suffered with addiction personally, but I know enough about it to give him kuddos for turning his life around and living daily w/o using. I'll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers because he has rough days ahead. Oprah is far from perfect and I believe she could have been more compassionate. She just seems ticked off or embarassed. Look beyond yourself, Oprah!

It is very true that many were motivated to seek treatment after reading his book. That is a great and amazing thing. Unfortunatly, some also tried to emulate his recovery. Staying sober without ongoing help is very very difficult. Most do not make it. Also, those who suffer with addictions usually have to make some life changes to stay sober. One of those changes is being honest. Some active users are very used to lying and hiding the truth. James has shown that just because you stop using doesn't mean you are working on the core issues that got you there in the first place.

 

[Ever_After]

A newspaper in Minneapolis was catching on to the discrepancies in Frey's story when the book was published in 2003. Oprah could have had someone checking the facts. She liked the book and she wanted to push it, regardless of the facts.

Then in 2003 why didn't the publisher put disclaimers in the book?? Why didn't the publishing company stop the "memoir" back then?

 

[crs7568]

Lesson for the day ...

Never lie to Oprah -- it ticks her off.
In turn, never tick off Oprah -- you'll live to regret it.

It is all about her ego.

As a side note, I do agree that it is great that she has sparked an interest in reading. (Even though I loathe finding anything positive to say about her and I am immediately tempted to talk about how she pilloried James Frey to take the heat off of herself. No, I will not give in to that temptation. )

 

[Christine]

It is all about her ego.

As a side note, I do agree that it is great that she has sparked an interest in reading. (Even though I loathe finding anything positive to say about her and I am immediately tempted to talk about how she pilloried James Frey to take the heat off of herself. No, I will not give in to that temptation. )

I agree with you.

I have always liked and respected Oprah. Her show is one of the few that I will watch--I don't watch much TV. But in the last year, or maybe two years, there has been something very arrogant and almost condescending going on with her and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I can't put my finger on it but, I'm sad to say that I think the the wealth and fame have finally "changed" her. She does not strike me as the down-to-earth woman she once was. I will definitely say that she does wonderful, good works and no one can take that from her. But her personality is different. She just doesn't seem in touch anymore.

The show with Frey made it more evident. I know she was pissed and I know he deserved to be called out, but I don't think she handled the show well at all.

 

[disneychick05]

I have not been able to stop thinking about this situation since the show yesterday.

James Frey has that addictive personality which has enabled him to lie time and time again. Yes, it bothers me to a point, but the book was an amazing read that I really got into and loved. I feel bad for him and what Oprah did to him on the show. I agree that she has become so arrogant and increasingly negative. At what point is she willing to admit that she didn't do her research either? She is the person who put this book in the limelight..where is her accountablity? As for Frey, I feel that rehabliltation is an ongoing process just as lying is an addiction that must be overcome. This poor man has some tough days ahead.

I also want to know why Oprah did not run through the key moments in the book and find out from Frey what EXACTLY was fact and fiction. There were so many sections of the book that seemed "unbelieveable" so why didn't she find out for us while Frey was sitting there.

I guess I'm just all around dissappointed.