Friday, January 27, 2006
Oprah Loses It
The to do about Oprah's displeasure with James Frey is attracting a lot of press. Oprah is the ultimate spokesmodel — anything she endorses turns to gold. Fabulously rich, completely in control — if people could see the life she lives they would be astounded at the privileges of great wealth — she seems an emblem of all that is good in American pop culture and the realization of success in America. Which is what she clearly believes about herself. She has convinced herself that she wasn't lucky and talented, but that she was destined. No one lies to destiny's child without a price being extracted. Poor James Frey was the catcher, Oprah, the pitcher.
…The conversation would end only when Ms. Winfrey felt sure that absolution was hers to bestow. Her magnanimity was over, and this time she wasn't going to wave her wand and excuse all sins…Finally, Ms. Winfrey turned to Mr. Frey, who had stayed silent for much of the program, as if fighting tears. She pressed him, and he conceded he had been lying.
I liked the commentator on Lehrer today — he said that Oprah's behavior towards Frey made Frey the sympathetic party, and ironically, made Oprah appear a “sanctimonious bully”.