James Frey gave a rare and revealing interview to Craig Ferguson last night on the Late Late Show. The author, whose 2003 memoir A Million Little Pieces brought a hailstorm of criticism for charges of inaccuracy, most notably in a 2006 TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, has apparently come to terms with his reputation. Check it out:
Due to his various addictions, “I didn’t remember [various details] so I just made it up,” was how Frey summarized his Pieces experience to Ferguson. “I’m perfectly happy to be notorious,” he said. He was put at ease by Ferguson, who has spoken openly about his own struggles with drugs and drink, and will himself publish an autobiography in September called American On Purpose.
Frey was promoting the paperback release of his novel Bright Shiny Morning. At one point, Ferguson asked whether the Morning character Amberton Parker, whom Frey described on the Late Show as “a gay movie star with children,” was modelled on Tom Cruise. Frey agreed that he “thought Tom Cruise” while writing the character. Strikingly, the studio audience laughed and clapped at this.
Frey made no reference to a deal announced this week, in which he will collaborate with another, unnamed writer on a six-book science-fiction series, the first of which, I Am Number Four, has been optioned by director Michael Bay.
For more on James Frey:
Michael Bay and DreamWorks to partner on James Frey sci-fi project
Comments (1-8) of 8 Add your comment
Mr. Tucker,
I probably shouldn’t get worked up about an article that isn’t exactly the most important news of the day, and if people watch the video it shouldn’t matter, but regarding the Tom Cruise discussion that took place last night this is very sloppily written.
In the article you make it seem like James Frey was the man who brought up Tom Cruise, when, as seen in the video, it was Craig Ferguson who kept hilariously referring to Cruise and James Frey finally agreed to this but only to be amusing. It was one of the funniest parts of the show and I’m disappointed you’d try to make something out of it instead of just stating how very funny the discussion was. Once again, not a big deal, but it’s frustrating to read something which twists something really funny into a type of controversy. So this is just a plea to write the absolute truth of matters, even in the smallest of things.
This article is very misleading and inaccurate. I just watched the video twice and I can’t find ANYWHERE where Frey said anything remotely like the following from your article: “Frey agreed that he “thought Tom Cruise” while writing the character.” Get your facts straight!
It happened exactly as described. Start at place 2:08 in the video. Ferguson says “Is it Tom Cruise?” and Frey says “I thought Tom Cruise.” This was at the beginning of the interview – Frey did not “finally agree”.
I thought he was saying “it’s not Tom Cruise.” Admittedly it’s hard to tell based solely on the audio, but based on the context it makes more sense to be “it’s not Tom Cruise.” Craig continues to egg him on to admit it’s Tom Cruise and he responds that “it’s sort of based on rumors I’ve heard about a number of people.” If he had said “I thought Tom Cruise,” I would think Craig would have reacted differently.
I am finished with the Ferguson Jerk! How dare he slander the super sharp male hunk. Tom Cruise is all man….and Ferg. should be sued for slander. Frey let me say you should’nt be swayed by a fool like Ferguson.Good luck with your book!
Ferg is a stupid fool…..trying to get a laugh at the expense of one of the world greatest, most popular and kindest men. Never happen! Tom Cruise is my hero….a generous loving hunk of a male and a great father and husband. Sue the fool, Tom
I see the scientoligist come to defend their posterboy/king…..
Frey clearly said “It’s not Tom Cruise” so stop making such a fuss. Anyway, if anyone stops watching Craig ’cause he made a joke about Tom being gay, it’s their loss. Plus, they obviously hadn’t watched him that often anyway ’cause he always makes that joke.