James Frey: From tarnished writer to TV star?

Cayden Burroughs Thu, Jun 21, 2007 at 11:19 AM EST

An artist charges 35,000 for his unusual artwork featuring the remains of a fox and hare killed on the road...

Catherine Smith Tue, Feb 7, 2006 at 12:08 AM EST

I feel what Oprah did to James Frey was not called for. She could of handled the whole situation differently. I have never been a big fan but I liked her shows, when they really helped others. We are all here to help one another. We are not here to devasate another human being and that is exactly what Oprah did to James Frey. She knew what she was doing all she cared about was her reputation. She does nothing in secret,everything is in front of the camera. If she helps others it is always in front the camera to make herself look good. What little respect I had for her, has disapeared. She is always putting on a show. I think she is more of a fake. What drug addict remembers everything clearly? They tell their story the best they can. For James to clean up his life and try to break into a career which is very difficult he has to be applauded. For him to stand up against Oprah shows me alot.

peggy Mon, Jan 30, 2006 at 08:38 AM EST

I was disappointed in Oprah myself. I never blog so I just wanted to see what other people thought. I felt like Oprah was daring that publisher to do a second printing. Oprah, you are not the Pope. Let it alone.

pn Mon, Jan 30, 2006 at 08:06 AM EST

oprah.......go to hell

Ned Mon, Jan 30, 2006 at 12:34 AM EST

I for one would love to see Oprah or anyone else grill Bush for an hour about his lies, but the fact that somebody lied worse isn't a defense. Somebody robbing a liquor store isn't as bad as somebody killing their spouse, that doesn't absolve the person that robbed the store. James Frey knew he didn't spend three months in jail, he knew he didn't run over a cop, even he now admits that.

It is important because he claims you can overcome major addiction without support, and just by repeating "hang on" over and over again. For a college kid with a relatively very minor problem like he had, maybe that's all it takes, but the hellish world of addiction he described is something he didn't live and doesn't know the first thing about. He is encouraging people to not seek support, anybody that relapsed after being "inspired" by his lies should sue his pants off.

Bill Sun, Jan 29, 2006 at 06:17 PM EST

I think that when one writes a book and enters the public arena ,that behooves that person to be ready to be under the microscope. And, if there are any skeletons in his/her closet it would be best to just be honest and admit to it before the press gets ahold of it. As to Mr, Frey, his embellishments on his memoir,have blown up in his furry face,and now he is experiencing the effects of the discovery. This is in my opinion a cautionary tale about stretching the truth for fun and profit.

rosemary Sun, Jan 29, 2006 at 03:14 PM EST

people there are more important things going on in the lie department how about george w bush should oprah have him on her show to confront him on why he lied. its just a book and being in recovery myself we do tend not to remember exact times and dates. a day may seem like 20 when your on a 30 day high enough is enough waste of tv time

suzynj Sat, Jan 28, 2006 at 07:39 PM EST

Leave this guy alone. We can only hope he didn't run into the nearest bar and put down $40 and chug the Jack Daniels after the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the egomaniacal Miss O. Any idiot that believes everything he reads should be working for a politician. Pick one: Bush or Hilary.

katie Sat, Jan 28, 2006 at 06:49 PM EST

The guy is a recovered drug addict, regardless if he used novocain or not. The book did good for many people. Leave the guy alone!! There was no point for oprah to get on her high horse. Its not like that women isn't a walking contridiction herself.

Bev Sat, Jan 28, 2006 at 11:48 AM EST

I think Oprah used the opportunity to act like a bully and I am ashamed of her.

SAMANTHA Sarbosky Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 11:58 PM EST

TONIGHTS AFTER OPRAH SHOW SHOWS OPRAH BEING DISCREDITED AND EMBARESSED BY THE AUDIENCE REGARDING JAMES FREY YET WAS EDITIED FROM YESTERDAYS AIRING...ON OXYGEN TONIGHT I CAUGHT THE AFTER SHOW TAPING IN WHICH OPRAH WAS MOBBED BY THE AUDIEBNCE CLAIMING HER TO BE A FRAUD AND JAMES FEY A HERO..WHY WAS THIS CUT FROM ORIGINAL AIRING????
Something isn't right with my best girl OPRAH...It is on her Website under "JAMES FREY AUDIENCE REPLIES"
OPRAH IS HIGHLY SUSPECT FOR HER TACTICTS IN MY EYES NOW..I AM DISAPPOINTED!!

Ned Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 11:23 PM EST

It might be a good show, heck, you already have 87 episodes just with the jail lie alone. And remember, he said he had two root canals without novacaine, so that's two episodes. I feel sorry for the actress that gets the part of Lilly though, talk about suffering for your craft.

mike Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 10:18 PM EST

These days,unfortunely, any press is good press. All you have to do is get your name in print or on TV and somebody will want give you aanother oppotunity.

William Phenn Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 07:26 PM EST

Your Kidding right?....She (Oprah)gave this so called "Writer", more press than Any other "Real Writer" she ever had on her show. I have to agree with every other "Intelligent Human" that said, "She should never have had him back on the show". She did it with Dr. Phil and look what happened..:>) This guy will go on to make millions while "Real Writers" (like myself), struggle to pay the utility bills.
"Oprah, what were you thinking"?

Ciao!

William Phenn

Tim L Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 06:56 PM EST

Only if it is paired with Here Comes Rhonetta! I refuse to watch otherwise. I'm far too busy pinning for Jack Bauer, laughing at the cue card reading style and porno style sets of President McKenzie Allen, and wishing Alberta Watson and Peta Wilson would come back to TV. You make all my dreams come true Mike and I am so onboard with My Name Is James.

jana Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 05:47 PM EST

please, PLEASE stop with the "Here Comes Rhonetta" stuff. NOT COOL, we need to forget about her fast.

Jake Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 02:45 PM EST

Oh, and one more thing. I think James Frey should take a break for a while - unless he LIKES being publicly flogged. The public will eventually forget and forgive, but he has to go away for awhile.

Jake Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 02:39 PM EST

Future writers take note: while James Frey is hardly the first writer to have his work called into question, he is being made into an example. If he had simply attached phrases to his prose such as, "It felt like to me..." or "Even though it felt like 87 days, it was only hours in jail..." or "As best I can remember..." But that said, PLEASE don't just make stuff up, especially when you have supporting documents out there!

Tim Duffy Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 02:23 PM EST

Really psyched about the episode where he has to make a woman fall in love wiht him and slit her wrists.

POP Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 01:53 PM EST

fyi - shysty is spelled scheisty. scheistmeans sh*t in german

:o)

daisyj Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 01:50 PM EST

Now, if this was a reality show...

brandonk Fri, Jan 27, 2006 at 01:46 PM EST

Well, it's now clear why you PopWatch guys report on entertainment instead of creating it...although now that I think of it, there may be a spot open at Fox...