In this photo provided by "Larry King Live", author James Frey appears on "Larry King Live" to discuss allegations of fraud in the writing of his memoir, "A Million Little Pieces" on CNN Wednesday Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/CNN, E. M. Pio Roda)
Posted on 01/13/2006 1:50:00 PM PST by freepatriot32
NEW YORK - Now that Oprah has spoken, and forgiven, don't count on any major changes in James Frey's "A Million Pieces" or in how publishers ensure the accuracy of memoirs.
With the force of a Supreme Court ruling, Oprah Winfrey phoned in to "Larry King Live" this week, at the end of an hour-long interview with Frey, and reaffirmed her support for his memoir of addiction.
She declared that the allegations that Frey had fabricated some parts _ including a three-month prison stint that apparently never happened _ were "much ado about nothing" and that the book should be judged by its redemptive power.
On Thursday, the book's publisher, Doubleday, announced that Frey was writing a brief author's note for future hardcover and paperback editions. Spokeswoman Alison Rich would not what would be in the note. Memoirs sometimes contain disclaimers acknowledging that some names and events have been changed.
The dispute set off a debate over what obligations publishers have to make sure that memoirs adhere to the facts. But some publishers said that they must depend on the writers because too many memoirs come out to fact-check them all.
"I think it changes nothing," Jane Friedman, chief executive of HarperCollins, said of the Frey scandal.
Grove/Atlantic president Morgan Entrekin said: "It's impossible to establish with certainty the factual accuracy of every piece of nonfiction we publish; we would grind to a halt. "I don't know what we could do. It's just the nature of the beast."
For days, Frey had been intensely criticized _ and defended _ by publishers, authors and readers. Winfrey's endorsement last fall made the book a million-seller, and her rejection could have finished it off and made publishers wary of the whole genre.
"I know a lot of us were nervous about what Oprah was going to say. It was a dramatic moment," Entrekin said.
Although Doubleday reported a small number of customer complaints, and many unhappy readers have posted e-mails on Winfrey's Web site, the controversy appears to be helping sales. Not only has "A Million Little Pieces" remained at No. 1 on Amazon.com, the sequel, "My Friend Leonard," has moved into the top 5.
"I think probably the matter is over and people will go on reading it," says Cathy Moseley, a book seller at That Bookstore in Blytheville, Ark.
In this photo provided by "Larry King Live", author James Frey appears on "Larry King Live" to discuss allegations of fraud in the writing of his memoir, "A Million Little Pieces" on CNN Wednesday Jan. 11, 2006. (AP Photo/CNN, E. M. Pio Roda)
That's Rather twisted logic.
I caught only a few seconds of the Larry King puffball interview, I happened to channel-surf to it just as Frey was claiming that the "emotional truth" (yes, he actually used that idiotic phrase) of the books is what matters. I vomited and immediately clicked away - I can't watch the moron Larry King give these puffball interviews anyway.
That's the favorite evasion of sleazeball charlatans beloved by the MSM -- if you're shown to be a liar and fabricator or delusionist ala Mary Mapes or that former NJ Governor (McGreevy?) you just claim that the "emotional truth" of what you saying is all that matters.
"DON'T BOTHER ME WITH THE FACTS, ALL WE NEED HERE IS MY EMOTIONAL TRUTH!!"
Fake, but accurate.
Her Worship has spoken.
She looks an awful lot like LooterGuy in that shot...
What a horrible photoshop. Don't tell me that actually ran like that...
Hey, I just posts 'em.
He'll fit right in.
Harpo is an idiot... First Class!!!
I'm continually astonished about how nobody in the media, with the exception of Richard Roeper, ever challenges Oprah on anything -- not her lies about the Hermes incident, not her lies about Letterman, and not even this. She really is the Teflon talk show host.
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