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James Frey, 'A Million Little Pieces' author, earns apology from Oprah
James Frey, the "A Million Little Pieces" author who found himself on Oprah Winfrey's bad side back in 2006, faced off with the daytime talk show host on Monday (May 16) and on Tuesday they continue their conversation.Oprah acknowledges that she had an aha moment in the years the followed the memorable interview, in which she gave Frey a "lashing." At the time, she was upset to learn that his memoir, which she included in her book club, was not based entirely in truth.
"What people saw was my lack of compassion, so I apologize for my lack of compassion," she tells Frey. "Because I am in the business of trying to get people's stories and trying to get to what is the truth of those stories. But never in the history of my career -- and I've talked to murderers, I've talked to child molesters -- never in any situation have I walked into an interview and didn't have a sense of compassion for the person."
Continuing to explain that her ego got in the way of said compassion, she adds: "My position and intention was 'How dare you? How dare you? How dare you lie to me? How dare you lie to the viewers?' And it really was not a position of 'Let me hear your story, let me hear your side,' and that is what people saw. That is what the lashing was. The lashing was not the questioning, the lashing was the lack of compassion. And for that I apologize."
Frey responds with an appropriate, "Thank you very much" then opening his arms inviting Oprah in for an awkward hug.
In an immediate transition, which may have been intended to strengthen compassion from any lingering angry viewers, Frey opens up about losing his 11-day-old son some 18 months after that fateful 2006 television appearance.
"I've known some bad days," he says. "And as bad as any day related to the 'A Million Little Pieces' experience was, it's not in the top 200 of the bad days of my life."
What do you think Zappers? Did the author deserve an apology from Lady O? Does this change how you felt about the whole controversy?
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Will Okra also apologize to the American People for unleashing the Worst President Ever on them.
@FUO, I guess you're getting Obama confused with Bush. Either that, or you have no concept of the Worst President Ever means.
I guess FUO stands for F**ked Up Opinion.
The dude is still a liar and Oprah still owes the American people an apology for introducing us to Obama.
This man might be a liar...but he had his demons to fight. And I for one, read his book three times...knowing he lied...but it sure as hell helped me. Fiction or NonFiction it doesnt matter.
I remember that day. I thought
she was rude, and uncaring.
Ever since that day I lost all
respect for her. I dont watch her
shows. She thinks who she is.
James.. Like your Leo, I to acquired an iatrogenic neuromuscular disease (CPM) also uncurable. However, I was blessed to experience 52 years prior. Your words about Leo were short but ever so touching. Hoping to communicate. G-d bless you my friend...
Franky (my boston terrier neuro service companion) and Breeze (that's me)
Who the hell is Oprah? When did everyone owe her something or when didn everyone ask her opinion on something? She`s a power hungry money hungry person who loves herself and people fall for it hook line and sinker.Hopefully she`ll be out of our lives forever when she leaves her show and take Mary Hart with you, she`s been leaving Entertainment Tonight for 6 months now..but not till this star comes in and kisses Mary`s ***...UNREAL
I view the whole Frey thing as an awesome practical joke played on the kind of idiots who only touched it because they thought it was "true."
A wonderful comeuppance for fools who avoid works of written fiction for being "fake."
I never cared if his book was true or not. Oprah did owe him an apology. I think she was smart to clear it up & apologize. I have respect for that.
It's always good to give an apology if you feel you owe one, it doesn't matter if others feel you don't owe one.