Monday, January 30, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Oprah Bloodies Frey
Oprah may as well as had a hammer yesterday during her verbal bashing of author James Frey. She bloodied him, humiliated him on live TV!
Now everyone is happy.
The New York Times, which dogged his book when it came out in 2003, ran a front page story. The Great Oprah vindicated NYT and its columnists, who have been critical of Oprah's original move to support Frey. The NYT needn't look any further than its own staff if it wants to throw stones.
One thing that I know for sure is that Oprah has proved that she is, indeed, a brand -- she has become the arbiter of everything that's moral and right.
I've been a fan of hers for years but she has become too powerful. I am disappointed by her actions yesterday. The fact that she can build someone up and rip them down makes me sick. She could've exercised some humility yesterday but she was too embarrassed for herself.
What's worse is the publishing industry. It has glommed on to Oprah because it hasn't figured out how to sell books yet. The industry is pathetic. Last year, a bunch of well-known writers begged her to start her book club again. How about a little ingenuity on behalf of the industry? It seems to me the industry is so behind the times in terms of modern publicity and promotion.
Oprah.com has a link to what some journalists have to say about the book. Ha! As if they are the arbiters of truth. I bet the Smoking Gun could take each and every one of them and dig up dirt. Dirt should be dug when it means something. Frankly, the whole mess reminds me of the short story The Lottery.
Now everyone is happy.
The New York Times, which dogged his book when it came out in 2003, ran a front page story. The Great Oprah vindicated NYT and its columnists, who have been critical of Oprah's original move to support Frey. The NYT needn't look any further than its own staff if it wants to throw stones.
One thing that I know for sure is that Oprah has proved that she is, indeed, a brand -- she has become the arbiter of everything that's moral and right.
I've been a fan of hers for years but she has become too powerful. I am disappointed by her actions yesterday. The fact that she can build someone up and rip them down makes me sick. She could've exercised some humility yesterday but she was too embarrassed for herself.
What's worse is the publishing industry. It has glommed on to Oprah because it hasn't figured out how to sell books yet. The industry is pathetic. Last year, a bunch of well-known writers begged her to start her book club again. How about a little ingenuity on behalf of the industry? It seems to me the industry is so behind the times in terms of modern publicity and promotion.
Oprah.com has a link to what some journalists have to say about the book. Ha! As if they are the arbiters of truth. I bet the Smoking Gun could take each and every one of them and dig up dirt. Dirt should be dug when it means something. Frankly, the whole mess reminds me of the short story The Lottery.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
NYT Weighs in on Frey
The New York Times covered The Smoking Gun's story about James Frey's book A Million Little Pieces. Geez, what's the big deal. Frey's books are terrific.
He will be on Larry King tomorrow talking about his book.
He will be on Larry King tomorrow talking about his book.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Smoking Gun vs. James Frey
How do you get a million readers to your web site? Do a major investigation of a best selling author whose made millions on his book, A Million Little Pieces, a story about redemption and recovery from drug addiction. Then tie the investigation to Oprah and call the piece "The Man Who Conned Oprah."
It was an interesting read but little is revealed and most of it is petty. It doesn't do anything to discredit James Frey's books. They're his books. He can write them any way he wants. People who dislike Frey seem to be mostly attacking his apparent wealthy upbringing.
James responds on his blog.
In other James Frey news, Mark Romanek has been hired to direct the movie, A Million Little Pieces.
Romanek did the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Can't Stop" music video, one of the best ever.
While we're at it, Chili Pepper guitarist and solo artistJohn Frusciante is my all-time favorite musician. In 2004, John released six albums in six months. Here is a thank you note that he wrote to Mark.
It's posted on Romanek's Web site.
It was an interesting read but little is revealed and most of it is petty. It doesn't do anything to discredit James Frey's books. They're his books. He can write them any way he wants. People who dislike Frey seem to be mostly attacking his apparent wealthy upbringing.
James responds on his blog.
In other James Frey news, Mark Romanek has been hired to direct the movie, A Million Little Pieces.
Romanek did the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Can't Stop" music video, one of the best ever.
While we're at it, Chili Pepper guitarist and solo artistJohn Frusciante is my all-time favorite musician. In 2004, John released six albums in six months. Here is a thank you note that he wrote to Mark.
It's posted on Romanek's Web site.
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