74. Oprah Winfrey, James Frey.

[etpapillons]

I am more disgusted with Oprah and her show today than I care to discuss in depth. I would like to say that I am appauled that she would allow and condone guests on her show to make jokes insulting the character of other guests on her show, in their presence. Even during a live airing

Comments

[anonymous]

I'm sorry that you don't believe that James Frey lied, but how can you say that changing a few hours in jail to 87 days in jail protects anyone? How can you say that fact is not a lie?
Frey's book touched me, but I believe that most of it is a lie and that the only person James Frey cares about protecting is himself.
My son was in Hazelden for his addiction and I can promise you that what he says about the treatment center is NOT true.
You should be mad that James Frey lied to YOU.

[etpapillons]

I don't believe that this fabrication is a lie that was meant to hurt anyone or anything - nor do I believe it was for protection of characters in the book. I believe that it was apart of his making the story more readable, as the author. Just like the cut on his cheek, for which he received 41 stitches, was in fact in a place on the inside of his mouth between his bottom lip and chin. It's much easier to read and imagine a cut on the cheek - especially in following James' style of writing like an addict - quick, with simple vocabulary and little punctuation. Also, this is a minor detail in the book - by no means a SIGNIFICANT part, like what some of the guests on Oprah's show would have people believe. The tragedy was not in that James had to spend a MINUTE in jail, the tragedy was that he could not be with Lilly, and that Lilly killed herself in his absense. And the tragedy is not in that Lilly cut her wrists instead of hanging herself - it is in the fact that it was suicide. I am disgusted that so many (in the audience on Oprah's

Not a doctor but plays one on TV

[anonymous]

Lilly who? Lilly's a fictional character. James said so himself. Weep for real people, not character's on soap operas. Keep believing in imaginary people as if they were real and some folk might start questioning your sanity.

You want tragedy? Watch Coronation Street. Now that's a fun (and far healthier) way to vicariously wallow in other people's miseries!

Re: Not a doctor but plays one on TV

[etpapillons]

Excuse me for not saying "the person who the character Lilly represents in A Million Little Pieces"... actually, nevermind, don't. Your attempt at being a smartass recognized, though! KUDOS.

I'm upset at your choice of words (and perhaps your whole opinion) in the last sentence. I do not chose "to vicariously wallow in other people's miseries" as you say. I sought understanding in this book, something I knew I couldn't find elsewhere, because someone that was extremely close to me was an addict. I found that understanding in James' book and I only regret not reading it sooner. I find James' story too sad for any words that I could express but wallowing in his misery? Not so much. Moreso, I find triumph, healing, and inspiration in his own recovery. The story surrounding his life does not interest me as much as the story of his addiction - and any person who would let a book with such meaning be degraded by such insignificant details doesn't deserve to understand the message.

Who am I to demand truth?!?

[anonymous]

Here's a simple analogy: If I'm selling a car for, say, 7,000 US dollars, and someone comes to me and says, "I'll buy your car," and offers me as payment a piece of paper that he claims is official United States currency in the form of a 7,000 dollar bill, I'm just supposed to accept his perception of reality and give him my car for what my perception of reality tell me is a worthless piece of paper?

Not only did this man create detailed memories of being in jail out of whole cloth, but up until today, he swore that it was the truth again and again and again! Look: he either purposely lied about being in jail for three month, not just when he wrote the book, but repeatedly in interview after interview after interview for the last three years, or he was and continues to be certifiably delusional. Either the man is a pathological liar or his next of kin should demand power of attorney and have him legally pronounced mentally incompetent.

Either way, the man's story is a fraud.

Re: Who am I to demand truth?!?

[etpapillons]

You're right about that being SIMPLE. That "analogy" holds no weight with me, in fact I can't find a part of my entry that that would be analogous with. Think you're being funny with your repetition of 'perception of reality'? Not so much, hon.

I would truly like to see the "interview after interview" in which he swore that he was in jail for 87 days. Links would be nice. And in case you were wondering - if you can give me what I've asked for I will be disappointed in James. However I will not discredit his text or his experience based on something so insignificant. If I come to find out he wasn't an alcoholic, I could change my mind. But no one's disputing to get publicity for themselves that the man was in a severe state, and that he overcame something incredibly difficult to become a better person.

[unrestricted]

i am confused with this. i had the show on but it was on mute because i didnt know what it was about. what did they do?