Book Review - James Frey Tackles Oprah Winfrey in It Takes a Village to Abuse a Child
Published November 04, 2007
While the school is being built, Oprah seems more interested in announcing that the school is being developed rather than making sure she has the right staff to make her “dream” come true. Teachers get hired without proper background checks and administrators have criminal backgrounds that aren’t discovered. Oprah then puts herself on magazine covers, bragging about her latest philanthropic efforts. She even creates a television special about it. Once again, Oprah fools her audience into believing something wonderful has just been done. The night after filming the television special, Oprah heads back to America. She goes out to eat with her assistant Gayle -- an activity that both enjoy very much -- but gets into a major argument. Gayle tries to tell Oprah that since she started this new academy for girls in South Africa, she needs to go there at least once a month to make sure everything is going well. Oprah fires back and says that she hired the right people to make sure things go well.
Rumors start circulating that some of the girls at Oprah’s new school aren’t being treated very well. When a specific incident that involves an alleged sex act occurs, Oprah dives for the phone. “You need the number for the school?” Gayle asks.“No, we’ll deal with that later; I’m calling my publicist,” Oprah answers. It is at this point where Frey gives an accurate description of Oprah’s breakdown. When Oprah’s publicist assures that the information will not get out into the media, Oprah breathes a sigh of relief.
For the next several months, Oprah fears the worst: not that the kids will be hurt, but that the media will find out about the kids being hurt. She buys several bags of potato chips, cookies, popcorn, and candy bars. Whenever she feels stressed, she makes herself a junk food cocktail with all that she bought. Gayle gives Oprah a weird look one night while both of them are eating out. “Oprah, you look like you gained a lot of weight. What are you going to tell your audience?” she questions.
“I’m going to tell them I have a thyroid problem. The healthcare industry will pay me millions for this because many middle-aged housewives will then get physicals to have their thyroids checked,” Oprah smartly answers. Both continue their dining experience but Oprah shows continued signs of breaking down.
One week later, the sex abuse scandal breaks. Oprah acts shocked and hires an “investigator.” Tiny Makopo, a 27-year-old former dorm matron, is arrested and Oprah acts as if the problem is solved. She runs to Africa with all her digital photography and video crews again to act like a savior. This time, she gets an unwelcome reception. “But we put the abuser away!” Oprah cries. The government officials cover their heads. “Oprah, we may have put the abuser away, but that still doesn’t make everything right,” Mr. Banda, the South African D.A. says. Oprah gives him a confused look.
Daryl, who thinks that both Democrats and Republicans are ruining our country, is a freelance writer who writes articles on politics, technology, and entertainment. If you want to send him feedback on any of his articles (good or bad) don't hesitate to email him at report345@yahoo.com.
- Book Review - James Frey Tackles Oprah Winfrey in It Takes a Village to Abuse a Child
- Published: November 04, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Video: Talk Show, Culture: Media, Culture: Humor and Satire, Culture: Celebrity, Books: The Writing Life, Books: Humor
- Writer: Daryl D
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Comments on this article
Daryl D's personal weblogComments
Dear Darryl. Why are you attacking Oprah when according to Business Week she's given over $300 million of her own money to charity (more than any other black in U.S. history)? Lots of celebrities talk the talk, and lots of celebrities raise money, but Oprah backs it up by actually giving her OWN money. You have every right to attack or mock Oprah, but criticizing anyone for giving that much of their own money to charity is extremely distasteful.
I am not attacking Oprah. James Fry is!
Thank you for the most hilarious thing I've read in ages! OPRAH SUCKS!
the stedman part was the best.
Another Oprah hater. Nothing new. It is amazing what people who are jelous will say and do. Meanwhile, Oprah continues with her life and her mission to make this earth a better place. Only she truly knows what is in her heart and her mind. Many respect and admire her choices. We all fall down, but she gets back up -- a testimony to her resiliance and intelligence. So, write a million satires about her. It won't make a bit of difference in the end. She is still one of the riches human beings in the world -- and self made at that. Oh, I have an idea. What about a satire about a little-known blogger named Daryl D., entitled, "I wanna be. I wish I could be Oprah"? I bet that would be a funny story too -- or maybe not so much. As for Oprah, I just want to say to her keep up the good work and "AMANDLA!!!"
oprah is a fraud its just unfortunate that the exploitation and mistreatment of kids had to happen to expose the type of person she really is
I see a warning above the comments box "Personal attacks are not allowed...".
How hypocritical. The article rips Oprah (er- wait, that was James ((snicker, snicker))Your "writing" exudes the (lack of) talent and imagination of an 8th grader.
It scares me when I read others' comments describing coffee-snorting, on the floor laughter.... well, at least I know that the internet is reaching trailer parks across the country.
Why is it that the most successful African-American/Black woman in the history of television must continue to be attacked/abused for simply trying to do the right thing?!
I would think that all this energy and effort spent attacking Oprah would be better spent on doing something to bring greater attention to the men and women dying each day in _________ (you can fill in the blank).
This is hands down the most hilarious thing I've read on the Internet. The author should get a writing prize for this, possibly even the Nobel Peace Prize.
This is typical of small mindedness and really dosen't deserve a response. But becuase I absolutley love, admire and respect this woman I am compelled to say something to this person who is wasting a potentially brilliant God given talent to write. Mr. Daryl D, I just find it remarkable that you would so shamelessly allow yourself, your smaller self, to be goaded into something like this. Ms. Winfrey might not have earned your praise but what could she have possibly done to elicit from you such hostility? It takes a very small mind to latch onto someone else's diatribe as you did with Mr. Frey. I am going to ask Ms. Winfrey to find it in her heart to pray for you son, you are in a world of trouble-and don't even realize it! If I had the level of writing ability with which you have obviously been blessed and I were in your position I would write Ms. Winfery and the public who supports her, a well deserved apology. You could not have been more wrong in supporting Mr. Frey's characterization of this woman.
I don't know how this was published, a silly rant against Oprah, published as a book review? And what is the book exactly? Doesn't actually seem to exist.
I kept looking for the "Satire" disclaimer - didn't see one, even tho even as Satire, this piece is lacking.
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OH MY F**** GOSH! THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY MORNING! I literally spit up my coffee when reading this. My husband laughed so hard that he cried. God Bless your website for putting a smile on our faces during difficult times!