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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1779
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 11:47 am: | 
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Do you think she should make a formal apology to the Black Community?
January 26, 2006
Oprah Winfrey Calls Defense of Author 'a Mistake'
By EDWARD WYATT
In an extraordinary reversal of her strident and angry defense of the author whose book she catapulted to the top of the best-seller list, Oprah Winfrey said today she believed that the author James Frey "betrayed millions of people" by making up elements of his life in his best-selling memoir, "A Million Little Pieces."
She added that she believed "I made a mistake" when she said that the truth of the book mattered less then its story of redemption.
In a live broadcast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" from her studios in Chicago in which she interviewed Mr. Frey, Ms. Winfrey apologized to her audience for her call to "Larry King Live" earlier this month defending the author. Today she berated Mr. Frey for duping her and her audience.
"I gave the impression that the truth does not matter," Ms. Winfrey said. "I made a mistake." To all of the viewers who called and wrote to her telling her she was wrong to allow Mr. Frey to maintain that his book reflected the "essential truth" of his life even though substantial details were falsified, Ms. Winfrey said, "You are right."
"I feel duped," she said. "I don't know what is true and I don't know what isn't," she said, before addressing Mr. Frey with the question, "Why did you lie?"
Ms. Winfrey chose "A Million Little Pieces" in September for her popular television book club, and it sold more than two million copies within the next three months, making it the fastest-selling pick ever for her book club.
But questions about the truth of Mr. Frey's memoir began to arise almost immediately, as they had since its publication in 2003. The memoir tells the harrowing story of Mr. Frey's arrival at a Minnesota rehabilitation center, which has since been identified as Hazelden, after years of alcohol and drug addiction.
In early January, The Smoking Gun, an investigative Web site, reported that Mr. Frey's claim to have spent nearly three months in jail was false. Actually, he spent only a few hours in jail.
On Thursday, Mr. Frey said of the Smoking Gun report, "Most of what they wrote is pretty accurate."
Mr. Frey said he had made up many of the details of his life and had created a bad-guy portrayal of himself as a "coping mechanism."
"I thought of myself as tougher than I was and badder than I was," Mr. Frey said.
Ms. Winfrey asked if he made up the material because it helped him cope or because he thought it would help sell books. Mr. Frey responded, "Probably both."
Ms. Winfrey was about 20 minutes into her show when ABC News interrupted the broadcast to televise President Bush's news conference. "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is televised in Chicago in the morning but in the afternoon in most major television markets.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 4042
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 01:00 pm: |
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Oprah was NOT at fault for what James Frey had done. Why WOULDN'T she and her staff rely on the PUBLISHER of Frey's book to authenticate the claims made in his book?
Her only error was supporting Frey AFTER it had been proven that his book contained lies.
So I am happy that Oprah has taken a step to remedy her prior error. And I hope this unfortunate episode with Frey does NOT discourage her from supporting books and reading. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3572
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 01:05 pm: |
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It must have come as a shock to Oprah that she is not infallible or sacrosanct. Too bad it took negative feed-back for her to realize this. But she has done damage control and can now sit back and bask in the admiration she will inspire for admitting that she was wrong. |
Michael_t_owens
Regular Poster
Username: Michael_t_owens
Post Number: 34
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 02:48 am: |
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As I stated in an earlier post, this whole thing will only propel Frey's book higher up the bestseller's list. America is interesting like that... I read some of his new book. The man is a good writer. Period.
Michael T. Owens
http://www.michaeltowens.com |
Kris_broughton
Newbie Poster
Username: Kris_broughton
Post Number: 8
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 01:24 pm: |
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"Do you think she should make a formal apology to the Black Community?"
For what? We aren't her audience. And this book didn't really affect us. I don't know one brother who gives a sh*t about this unless he's a writer. I mentioned this to a few friends and they were clueless.
I frequent a writing site where I am the only active black member. I am always in the dark when a thread starts to read like a Physicians Desk Reference when the use or abuse of narcotics comes up. I told them that I thought white folks were too caught up in the pharmacology industry. Not sure if this will hold true as we become more and suburbanized.
I was just glad to see O jack his ass up. Reminded me of my mother and one of her spoiled students who thought he could get over on her like he did at home. Not in her classroom. |
Femme_scholar
First Time Poster
Username: Femme_scholar
Post Number: 1
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 07:47 pm: |
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"Do you think she should make a formal apology to the Black Community?"
Can you clarify what you mean by this question? What does Oprah have to apologize to black people for?
I think she did the best anyone could do in a situation like this. It's easy for people to say what she should have done, but if you have believed in a person enough to endorse him or her with your name, then I can see the progression of actions here. She went from wanting to defend him, then to gaining clarity, and she confronted him in front of her audience. I'm not saying she handled the situation perfectly, but I can say that I'm sure she's learned her lesson. I'm also sure that in the future the fact checking and litmus test to be even considered for her book club will be pretty stringent from now on. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1791
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:24 am: |
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"What does Oprah have to apologize to Black People for?"
There is not enough room in Cyberspace to answer this question. If we would count up each issue of "O" magazine (the only publication besides a comic book with the main character on the cover of each issue--my bad. Even Spider-Man is not on every cover of his book.) Each show and each of her self serving public utterances we would run into the thousands.
One tearful (she can boo hoo on cue, no biggy) on her knees hands clasped admission on her show that she has sinned against us a la Jimmy Swaggart should do. |
Dr_j
Newbie Poster
Username: Dr_j
Post Number: 3
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 03:58 pm: |
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Oprah's debacle over the Frey book does raise a legitimate question.....that being, Does Oprah in fact read the books she promotes, or does she rely on a paid staff of readers to give her a thumbnail outline and recommendations for or against?
Anybody know? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3626
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 04:57 pm: |
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I'm sure if "O" ever wrote her memoirs, she would claim as she does frequently on air that she is an avid reader, never without a book at her bedside. Her staff, however, may recommend the books she so eagerly devours. And if anybody is tired of me raggin on Oprah, you have to know that I'm jealous of her because I want to be a billionaire without a care in the world. siiigh. |
Babygirl
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Babygirl
Post Number: 223
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 05:02 pm: |
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Oprah doesn't owe Black America an apology any more than she owes anyone else an apology. Oprah happens to be a black woman who happily attained hers doing what she enjoys doing. She has promoted herself into her own success and wealth and has selectively given back as much as she deemed fit to those she deemed worthy as was her right to do with what belongs to her. How does her putting her image on HER magazine offend Black America? It doesn't. If it weren't her image you'd be pissed cause she put someone else's image on who you didn't like or agree with. Oprah can be as self-serving as she pleases. Black America didn't put Oprah on the pedestal she sits on. They didn't fill her bank account nor have they been the prime proponents and advocates of all she does or doesn't do. We are not her audience, nor does she bother to pander to us as if we are. Oprah learned early in her career that she doesn't need the support or the approval of Black People to do what she needs and wants to do for OPRAH. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3628
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 05:20 pm: |
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What you say is very true, Babygirl, but chrishayden will undoubtedly be outraged by your daring to disagree with him. ;] |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 4087
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 06:00 pm: |
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I'm bored with all the Oprah talk.
Hey, really, I got nothing against her. More power to her and her bank account.
But seldom has someone who's done so relatively little garnered such endless discussion and consternation.
In a way, Oprah singularly symbolizes everything that's both right and wrong with this world. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 3636
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
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ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1805
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 01:39 pm: |
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Abm:
If you are bored with all the Oprah talk why do you keep it going by posting?
How can you be bored, anyway--you got all them funnybooks to keep you warm.
By the way, Funnyman--here is a new Marvel monstrosity you can blow the rent money on--
http://www.comicbookgalaxy.com/review_010206_maxff_DAB.html
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1806
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 01:40 pm: |
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Babygirl:
The Big O sucks |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 4101
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 01:56 pm: |
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Chris,
Touché.
I guess my lamenting the ubiquitous Oprah-speak is about as genuine as your abasements of comic books. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 1808
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 02:44 pm: |
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Abm:
I'm surprised you are still here and haven't run out to get that Maximum FF yet--or maybe you ordered it from Amazon. |
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