James Frey on Oprah

Seattlest is home sick this afternoon. Bad. But, happily, we're able to watch disgraced "memoirist" James Frey lick Oprah's boots on KING 5. She's decided that she was wrong to defend him and confronts him directly about his apparently fictional A Million Little Pieces, live. She also brings on the book's editor, literary celebrity Nan Talese, who comes off as a total phony. She says that an "author's note" will explain what Frey made up, and what he didn't.

But the publisher, Random House, isn't rushing to restrain their publicity push. An essay still on the Random House website contends that Frey "succeeds because of his honesty." Mmm.

And at the end of the show, after admitting his lies, Frey says "he's better off because of the experience." Yeah--with his book on the NYT best-seller list for months, he's at least one million dollars better off.

Oprah's truth and reconciliation commission is riveting TV--you can see it rebroadcast tonight at 9pm on KONG 6/16.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Seth in News on January 26, 2006 5:04 PM

Comments [rss]

Scott

Would you believe with all the reports about Oprah's apology on Google News, yours is the only one that points out that Frey still goes home a millionaire?

And incidentally he's sold 3.5 million books thanks to Oprah, so he's certainly made far more than just $1 million. Given that standard author royalties are up to 15% of the book's cover price ($15 for MLP), that comes out to be over $7.5 million.

Sickening, ain't it?