Thank you Oprah for relinquishing your support for James Frey and letting the public know that the truth does matter.
Oprah Winfrey WAS standing by her decision to back James Frey and his memoir A Million Little Pieces in her book club, stating, “What is relevant is that he was a drug addict who spent years in turmoil from the time he was 10 years old drinking and tormenting himself and his parents, and stepped out of that history to be the man that he is today and to take that message to save other people and allow them to save themselves.”
BUT after having given it more thought about being fooled by Frey, and receiving much criticism, some in the form of emails, about her decision to support him, Oprah decided to invite Frey back to her show Thursday not only to force him to explain why “he felt the need to lie,” but also to tell him, “It is difficult for me to talk to you because I really feel duped.”
For those who aren’t privy to the details, it seems we have a man who wrote a memoir; was fortunate to have Random House take him under his wing; even more fortunate to have his book picked for Oprah’s Book Club; and the book became a best-seller. And he accomplished this because he hoodwinked everyone.
The Smoking Gun published an investigation about his book stating that many parts of his so-called “memoir” were fabricated. They cited proof that he lied about many incidents he said were true.
Frey lied in his memoir. An incident where he'd been detained by police for three hours was fabricated into a three-month jail sentence. He'd written about a woman who supposedly committed suicide, who didn't.
What Frey has done sickens me; he’s taken the credibility away from honest, hard working authors with his chicanery.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mark Bellinghaus
Listen up AMERICA ! Shocked about Oprah and " Frey's million lies ?! " Well - just look at the December 2005 Playboy magazine ( with Marilyn Monroe on it's cover ) and an infamous story - created by a woman who claims to have been a close friend of Marilyn Monroe for 11 ( ! ) years and the niece of Joe DiMaggio ~ yet she fails to proof that accusation with a simple proof ! NOT ONE single picture of June and Joe or June and Marilyn in her so massivly pitched book throughout all the leading media - and here in Los Angeles - the CBS was highly supporting it ! I have proof that all the people behind this bigger than Frey's book scam are in for nothing but the $ !!! The good thing is that Frey's scandal will open the eyes for people and hopefully some greedy publisher - to be more careful and not let any 82 year old former actress accuse MM of the most horandous lies publicly via Playboy and the news ~ this will hopfully end in an open apollogy of legend Hugh Heffner - who has the nerve to print the most vulgar photo of MM and support these absurd accusations ! Ameria get ready for the next big scandal ~ the BIGGEST for sure ~ since the so called " Hitler Diaries " and the Grammy awarded pop duo " Milli Vanilli " !!! Robert Otto - who is involved in this book ( how strange, isn't it ?! ) and Mary Jane Popp ( another actress and infomercial host ) came out with the most spectacular and so unbelievable story ! Enough ! Stop using Marilyn Monroe over and over ! They are planning on touring the world with a 98,9% FAKE Marilyn Monroe exhibit ( which is right now and since November 2005 on display on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. I already received some threats - because of my mission; but I will not stop and enough people have been scammed already - they are trying to do this for the next 12 years - worldwide ! It needs to be stopped - here and NOW ! markb26(at)comcast.net
2 - Lies destroy America
Since when has lying your way through life become OK with America? Fact: lying is wrong! All it takes is one lie to decieve masses of people that want to live right and trust others to be doing the same. When lying becomes a way of life for people they most likely have plenty to hide in their lives and an unwillingness to confront the messes they have made and do what life requires to repair them. It takes a hero to stand for what is right! Rock On Oprah!
3 - Robert
I am so amazed by all of this. Anyone who is at all familiar with addiction can see how all of the players in this drauma are just sooo true to their ascribed roles. Oprah has fallen into the role of punishing mother, 'embarrassed' by the exaggerated stories of the addict. How could she be so shallow as to fall victim to one of the worst personas in the addictions trap--chatising an already shamed and guilty addict? And all of this live on TV. Oprah, who reaches near goddess status sooo often, has fallen victim of being a member of the clan we all are part of, human and a rather co-dependent human at that.
4 - Robert Myers
I am so amazed by all of this. Anyone who is at all familiar with addiction can see how all of the players in this drauma are just sooo true to their ascribed roles. Oprah has fallen into the role of punishing mother, 'embarrassed' by the exaggerated stories of the addict. How could she be so shallow as to fall victim to one of the worst personas in the addictions trap--chatising an already shamed and guilty addict? And all of this live on TV. Oprah, who reaches near goddess status sooo often, has fallen victim of being a member of the clan we all are part of, human and a rather co-dependent human at that.
5 - Pat Fish
Joanne,
I can't agree enough with your missive.
I too am an author and one of my books is based very closely on my life. Which shouldn't surprise as authors often write about their own lives. But it would never occur to me to call it a memoir or non-fiction.
Frey has cast a pall over the publishing industry and no matter how pretty his prose, it's all a defeat clouded by the Great Big Lie.
6 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Mark, maybe you should write your opinion of the Marilyn Monroe scandal and post it on BlogCritics. ;)
7 - Joanne D. Kiggins
LDA, thanks for responding. Very true comments.
8 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Robert, I'm not surprised by the fact that Frey lied in what was supposed to be a "true" story. But I am appalled that there are still people out there that think it's OK to lie. Why are you blaming Oprah and calling her shallow? It's not Oprah's fault that she "trusted" people's recommendations that the book was worth backing. The fact that a reputable publishing house published the book wouldn't make her question its legitimacy. None of the lies came out until well after Oprah placed his book on her Book Club. Sure she still backed him when she heard the news. And yes, after she was chastised for continuing to back him and his book, she did an about face. Oprah called Frey to the table for his lies. Yes, she said she felt duped. No, she didn’t publicly apologize for backing a liar. But she did do the right thing in forcing him to speak the truth. That doesn’t make her shallow, wrong, or co-dependent. It seems you’re upset that she chastised someone for doing a wrong. That’s what surprises me. I have in the past had to deal with a person with an addiction. Because I’m not a “user” of any kind, I was duped into believing this person would change. It took years of hearing, “I promise, it won’t happen again,” before I finally stood up and put a stop to me being this person’s enabler. For those who have never dealt with someone with an addiction, lies are not easily spotted. When those lies become known, that’s when everyone should realize we should not "enable" them, regardless of who feels duped and who feels chastised.
9 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Pat, what you said is very true. In fact, three of my four books are based on my life. I wrote them as fiction rather than memoir because I didn't want to deal with those whom I knew couldn't accept or be responsible for the truth.
Though they would make wonderful memoirs, I'd rather people believe they are fiction than be called a liar by those I wrote the truth about. ;)
10 - Mark Bellinghaus
Dearest Joanne ! Thank you for your tip ~ but I am new to this site and have no clue how to do it ~ can you help me on that one ?! Seriously - this is a bigger story than the Oprah story ! The exhibit is running since November 05 and they are charging $ 22,95 ,- For an absolute cheap show ~ Robert Otto claims that his collection is worth 10 Million ~ when it is really not more than 25 to 30 K max ! That is fraud and we have been trying to bring this story out - as I said ~ Oprah did not even get back to us - nobody did ! I just have enough proof to just give up and go away ! I would appreciate if you can help me to pitch it on this great site. Thank you so much, Mark ;~)
11 - Aaman
If you would like to become a Blogcritic, read this post
12 - MB
Sorry for the typo - of course I meant to say : " I just have enough proof collected NOT to give up and go away as they surely hoping for ! I really hope that Oprah's case has really warned people not to believe what people are willing to make up - just for the right amount ! Look at June DiMaggio ~ she claims to have been to Marilyn Monroe's funeral ~ when I have a witness who also was a pal bearer of MM and he never heard of that woman ~ I have pictures from the funeral - and there is no woman next to Joe DiMaggio and his son or even near !
I can go on and on - but I think that this Oprah story was just right on time for the June DiMaggio is coming ( trying to ) come out with a book full of more lies - maybe she can rename it to " A trillion little lies " since million is already taken by Mr. Frey ! What do you think ?!
13 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Mark,
Please follow the link on post #11 by Aamon. All the directions are listed, if you'd like to write your story.
Comments on my post about my post are welcome, however, please refrain from telling your story here.
Thank you Aamon for posting the link.
14 - Mark Bellinghaus
Yes - Sorry I did not get the concept immediately ~ already submitted for becoming a critic and wish you well and Thanks for the info ~ but if you really think about it - your story is so important - the things you describe really go well for mine ~ I have been trying to get this out for two month now - it is truely not to become famous - it is to stand up for my believes and knowledge ! I know I will succeed - it is just a question of when...!
15 - Joanne D. Kiggins
You're welcome, Mark. Keep standing up for what you believe in. I'm looking forward to reading your post and the facts you've gathered about your story. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do fine.
16 - Ray
Great article, Joanne!
17 - Ray
The sad thing is America will continue to buy Frey's book, and he will continue to become richer and more (in)famous, and people will continue to lie about their lives and market them as sensational "memoirs." If we will ALL stop supporting lies like these, none of it will happen, but unfortunately, the buying public loves controversies and people will continue to buy and "support" such atrocious dishonesty. That leaves the honest writers left in the dust.
18 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Thank you Ray.
19 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Ray, you're right. There are people who will continue to purchase his book, if for nothing else, to read the lies everyone has talked about.
I mentioned in my article that I would like to see the publishing house stop printing his book. Along with that, I'd like to see Oprah go the extra mile and have the "Oprah Book Club Selection" sticker taken off those that are available.
20 - steven edward streight aka vaspers the grate
Sharp Tongued Bloggers Unite!
I am so pleased to see people actually praise Truth and ask, "Since when does America approve of lying your way through life?"
Since Ad Agencies, Politicians, and Corrupt Corporations made a science out of it, and were oh so charming as they screwed us.
How could even Oprah believe all that silly exaggeration and stereotyping?
Publishers may state "we took the memoirs on trust". Means: "We are too inept and cheap to hire good fact-checkers."
Be harsh and abrasive about it dear bros and sistahs. They are arrogant, these publishers and rich folk. Hit them and kick them into submission via blog comments and posts.
Yeah, buddy!
21 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Steven,
I'm not an ad agency, politician, or corporation. I am a writer, and I do believe that a little more care should be taken by publishing houses in checking facts.
Three of my novels are autobiographical and I chose to write them in fiction form. This entire tale substantiates my decision to write fiction even if I do have the paper trail to prove explicit details of my life.
Facts are facts. Truth is truth. Unfortunately, some people's memories are different than others. And some people have selective memories, or choose not to remember at all.
Seems fiction is safer, not only for the writer, but the publisher as well.
22 - Heidi
Do you think that Arthur Golden was a geisha? As I’m sure you are already know he wrote "Memoirs of a Geisha," and if I were to apply your logic to that title I would have to conclude that he was a geisha. However, that is clearly not the case. As noted by the entire world, Oprah was offended because James Frey’s book was also supposed to be a memoir, but he actually embellished the truth to such a degree that she was beyond offended. James Frey a fraud as you defined it? I truly don’t think that he woke up one morning and “deliberately” decided to deceive “poor” Oprah and the rest of the world. And if he did, then shame on you for being so naĂŻve. Most importantly, for people who read the book, when you first read the book, did you enjoy it? Find words of wisdom? Then your time was not wasted and the author was doing his/her job, entertaining you and even making you think. Anyone who reads a book, to include biography or autobiography, would be a fool to believe everything written. Sure, it would be “nice” to get the complete truth, but does the complete truth exist in this society? To say yes, is only lying. As Jack Nicholson’s character said in “A Few Good Men,” “You can’t handle the truth!” And, it wouldn’t be as entertaining, which means it wouldn’t sell as many copies, it wouldn’t make as much money, etc. I can certainly think of far more things to lose sleep over and whether or not James Frey told a “fish story” is definitely not one of them. I haven’t even read “A Million Little Pieces,” but because of all of the media hype and everything that Oprah and others have put into it, I now know more about the book than I ever wanted to know. Why all of the wasted time? It has only made the book more appealing to people and has given it that much more publicity â€" you’ve only added to Frey’s 15 minutes of fame. Now, the June DiMaggio story sounds like a REAL story! I’d like to hear more about that because that IS deliberate and would definitely fall under your definition of fraud.
23 - Lyz
Did you just seriously compare Frey to Memiors of a Geisha? Talk about a logical fallacy.
Memiors of a Geisha is fiction and marketed as such. In fact, you may be surprised to find that there are a lot of fictional memiors going around (ie books that are marketed and written as FICTIONAL memiors.) Such as Memiors from Antproof Case etc. Frey's book was NOT one of those books. So the comparision is not valid on any level.
And when did the truth take a back seat to entertainment? People who are mindless consumers, who sit mouths drooling saying "entertain me with your swear words and ribald stories" are not people to emulate (as you suggest we ought to).
And this isn't a case of just altering some details because of memory lapses or perception. This is lying his little white bootay off to pretend that he is this great writer, to make money, to satisfy his ego. I'm glad this whole thing went down. Now hopefully America will stop associating sex, drugs and lies with a good writing. If Frey can't make the TRUTH appealing then he is not a good writer. Anyone who has to lie to get where they are is not someone who should be defended or emulated.
24 - Joanne D. Kiggins
Heidi,
[quote]Do you think that Arthur Golden was a geisha? [/quote]
Who is being naive here? Let's be realistic. Memoirs of a Geisha was a fiction novel. A "vintage contemporary" at that! Arthur Golden did not sell his book as a memoir.
[quote]I truly don't think that he woke up one morning and "deliberately" decided to deceive "poor" Oprah and the rest of the world. And if he did, then shame on you for being so naĂŻve.[/quote]
I'm not sure when he decided to deceive. Could it be after he couldn't sell his book as a novel?
Most people can't handle the truth, that's true! You've just compared apples to oranges with your reference to Golden's novel; pretty much proving the difference between fiction and memoir and substantiating that lies are lies no matter how you look at it. ;)
As far as adding to Frey's fame--I don't think so. I'm rallying to have Oprah take the "Book Club" stickers off copies available AND for the publishing company to STOP printing his book and take it off the shelves.
25 - Heidi
As the author of the article defined memoirs, a true account of an author’s experiences, and as it is used in the title of “Memoirs of a Geisha” makes one believe that it is a memoir. However, the reader knows that it is not a true memoir written by a geisha no matter how the book is marketed. Also, a reader knows that, nonfiction included, things are never as they appear no matter how hard one strives to make it so.
The truth took a back seat to entertainment when time began â€" sad, but true. We pay millions of dollars to be entertained yet we pay our public school teachers squat. I never said to emulate such behavior, but I did write about not feeding into it and giving it more “air time” than what is clearly deserved. To get offended because Frey embellished the truth is really stretching it. If that’s the case, then people would be walking around continually offended. Authors, even of nonfiction, stretch the truth. Is it right? Absolutely not, but that will never change anything.
No one should emulate Frey. Defend him? No, I’m not defending him, but I’m also not going to put him on live television and attack him just because I blamed him for making me believe something that was otherwise, as Oprah did last week â€" crazy. I saw part of that “interview” and Frey definitely did not look like a person who could scam Oprah and the entire world. Yes, let’s beat an addict more and see Oprah as a victim â€" very logical indeed. She went live because she was embarrassed â€" if the truth be told, shame on her.