TVSquad

What in the heck is wrong with you people??? So he fudged in his book. SO WHAT. It was still fascinating reading. And James Frey is being persecuted because he called it a memoir. SO WHAT. Who cares if it was or not. It was still a very good book!

Reply

last night, that lamer, Larry King denied that he had also be conned.

Reply

Ok, folks, bottom line...its a book!!! There has been far too much emphasis put on this topic. Yes, he lied and we see a red flag but, for Heaven sakes, history books lie!Why?, because, it is being told by a human being, through THEIR eyes. This book is not required reading nor is it going to hurt anyone who reads it, quite the opposite. It is a "story" tol by a man who lived it. When we tell stories, we ALL embellish the truth. I agree with whoever said switch it from non fiction to fiction and be done with it. The public ridicule on Oprahs show, was dissappointing to me. A Million Little Pieces, is an emotional, compelling read, no matter what. Now, can we get back to worthwhile news topics, like our men and women in the services, dying daily, in a war that seems to have no end????

Reply

I cannot believe how the media and Oprah are crucifying this man. The book was very good, whether it was all fact or some fiction. I liked it before and I still like it. I felt more anger at the self-righteousness of Smoking Gun and Oprah. She berated this man for an entire hour. I think no one should ever be treated the way Oprah and her guests treated this man. She could have easily gone on, said she felt duped, apologized and left it at that. I feel she was more concerned about herself and her image than whether the book was fiction or nonfiction.

Reply

I cannot believe how the media and Oprah are crucifying this man. The book was very good, whether it was all fact or some fiction. I liked it before and I still like it. I felt more anger at the self-righteousness of Smoking Gun and Oprah. She berated this man for an entire hour. I think no one should ever be treated the way Oprah and her guests treated this man. She could have easily gone on, said she felt duped, apologized and left it at that. I feel she was more concerned about herself and her image than whether the book was fiction or nonfiction.

Reply

I cannot believe how the media and Oprah are crucifying this man. The book was very good, whether it was all fact or some fiction. I liked it before and I still like it. I felt more anger at the self-righteousness of Smoking Gun and Oprah. She berated this man for an entire hour. I think no one should ever be treated the way Oprah and her guests treated this man. She could have easily gone on, said she felt duped, apologized and left it at that. I feel she was more concerned about herself and her image than whether the book was fiction or nonfiction.

Reply

BGDC,

Priceless word -- that verisimilitude! I worked in marketing for four publishing houses in New York City during my career, and every boss I had used that term more than once. The supervisor who made me laugh out loud defined the word as "The appearance of truth, but not necessarily truth in fact." This has been happening for years, both with fiction and non-fiction work. Let's get over it and move on to larger issues like why I'm still paying for Social Security when my estimated benefit gets smaller with each yearly statement. Maybe Oprah will endorse my "memoir." I have a bad back. It's true! Then, I won't be 66.5 trying to get a job sacking groceries.

Reply

I think this is only a story because it's a chance to put Oprah in her place. If she wasn't such an icon, this wouldn't even get a sideline. We're are all so sick of seeing her mug everywhere, along with all of the stories of what a wonderful person she is. Give me a break. I once grabbed an "O" magazine and counted how many pictures of Oprah was in it? Any guesses? Yes, I do need a life. But I wish it could be without Oprah crammed down my throat!

Reply

I just think the Queen of Talk, was pissed she was dupped. She could care less of his reputation, as long as hers was not tarnished. I felt sorry for the guy, really can't believe this is news, but you don't mess with the most powerful woman in t.v. I respect Oprah on 98% of her issues, but this one was too overboard. The man will probably relaspe, or kill himself.

Reply

I think that the book was awesome, and so was Mr. Frey's follow up book. Just because he embellished doesn't change the jist of the book. He still was an addict & was in rehab, Lily did die. So what if he changed how she died & that he went to jail. Oprah NEEDS TO GET A LIFE & SO DO HER BANDWAGON VIWERS!!!

Reply

Uh, I kind of feel sorry for the guy.

But the topic of truth in society today is something Oprah should tackle. The fact that it has trickled down to this poor guy is sad - on the other hand - he had a lot of hutzpah to face the music so publicly.

NOW Oprah should tackle the real liars - Oprah and a sit down with George Bush. AND MAY SHE BE AS VICIOUS (AND MORESO) TO HIM AS SHE TO THIS POOR GUY.

When it comes to lying - start at the top.
The example must be set - you lie, you get caught, you suffer humiliation, and punishment. . . .

GO GET HIM OPRAH.
BUSH YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

Reply

it's really more the principle of the thing. it has become almost a habit in society today to allow "embellishment" or "alterations" in all aspects of daily life - from social interactions to big business, and of course the law.At this point the lines between honesty and dishonesty are extremely blurred.
This is why there are so many responses saying "what's the big deal, it's just a book, it's just a guy..." and " wake up america, everyone lies to you, even your president" to paraphrase another posting.

The thing is, it's not about James Frey, poor man, or his personal or identity problems. This should be viewed as an issue of ethics for publishers, journalists and writers. Once we give something a name, that is what we expect it to be - if you bought a can of baked beans and it had lima beans or soy beans or chick peas, with no sauce or flavouring, would you not be up in arms? That's why there are organisations that monitor food, it's quality, it's labelling etc.

IF we have standards about what we put into out bodies, should we not stand up for standards that relate to what goes into our minds? If we accept this kind of blurring in publishing, what about journalism - should embellishment and outlight lying be allowed and accepted in our magazines and newspapers and on Tv? And does it already exist? Whyis it acceptable to us? Is this kind of acceptance not the underlying reason for why plagiarism is such a problem all the way down to high school? Is it ok for our children to "embellish" or "make up" what they tell us happened to them in school or with their friends?

Reply

Give the guy a break. So he said his girlfriend killed herself a different way in the book. That is a very personal subject. Granted he decided to write about it but he wanted to keep some stuff private. What difference does it make? He still got the point accross that something tramatic did happen to her. this whole thing has been blown out of proportion by oprah. I have read countless stories that readers have changed there lives because of this book and if it only helped one person then it is all worth it. I still plan on reading it.

Reply

OPRAH PUT HIM ON HER SHOW AND MADE HIM LOOK LIKE AN ASS. I FELT SORRY FOR HIM. WHO CARES. IT IS AND STILLIS JUST A BOOK. BLAME THE PUBLISHER..THEY PROMOTED IT AS A MEMOIR. I HOPE OPRAH FEELS BETTER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN HER SO UGLY AS SHE WAS YESTERDAY ON HER SHOW.

Reply

also, if this continues, how long will it be befoer we are no longer able to believe in or trust anyone as a role model? People need all kinds of heroes to be a beacon in their lives - a sign of the possibility that positive things can happpen..........

Reply

I think that things happened for reason. Whatever you put out there it comes back. So the writer exposed himself with all the lies and it came back strate to him. We should learn to be more responsible and not to always seek for someone to blame. I do not understand why is everybody angry at Oprah? And why should she be responsible for Frey lies?! She took responsibility for her actions! Everyone makes mistakes, the question is what you do with it!!!

Reply

It's just a Book! Either you liked it or you didn't. So Oprah was embrassed. Who cares besides her. Can't she find better things to discuss on her show?? James is not the only person she has had on her show and made them feel less than a human being. I am liking her less and less everytime I tune in.

Reply

How can Oprah sit there and play Judge, jury and executioner? I suppose she never told lies. She should go about her business and leave the publishing world alone. Doesn't she have enough to do? I think all this fame has gone to her head. She is now superior and above everyone else. She was horrible the way she sat there in front of millions of people and shamed him even more. I haven't bought the book but because of this I will be buying it. I'm not a drug addict or an alcoholic. I hate people with power and money trying to put the little man down, when he is already down. She should just move on. That guy from the smoking gun is to much. Which one of you has never lied, throw the first stone.

Reply

You know what "Queen" Oprah just did for this man? She probably just helped him sell another million books. Others who did not read the book will now want to see what the hoopla is all about.
Oprah, make your apology in five minutes, looking at the camera, and STOP at that! You did not need to humilitate this man for an hour. Are you perfect? Have you never made a mistake? Oh what am I asking? Of course you are perfect. That's what you think anyway! All your money has done something to your brain. Time to retire and start enjoying your life,.. in private. Don't worry so much about what others have done.

Reply

Oprah went way too far. If James Frye is ever going to do drugs, it is now. The show was all about HER! I have a great deal of admiration for all that she does to help so many people. Now, I am beginning to wonder, is this all an act for "sainthood". If so, she sure showed her true colors yesterday. No true child of God would tear into another for l hr. the way she did. I feel sorry for HER!

Reply