Oprah Makes Safe Pick After Frey Affair

While we often find the Oprah's Book Club phenomenon to be akin to the American Idol business model in that it bumps book sales to unimaginable heights just at her mere choosing (that kind of power is a little creepy, no?), we were pleased to learn that this time around, Oprah has chosen an author unquestionably deserving.

In what seems to be a pointed attempt to banish all memory of the Frey affair, Oprah has selected Sidney Poitier’s The Measure of a Man as her first book selection since the messy Frey debacle. Smart choice. No matter what you think of Oprah, you cannot question the merits of Poitier. It is simply unimaginable. We believe this to be her new strategy.

The Measure of a Man includes Poitier’s look back on his celebrated life and career, including his role in making cinematic history through films like A Raisin in the Sun. While Poitier didn’t appear on Oprah’s show to thank her, Winfrey will be hosting a dinner for Poitier and select members of her book club. No word on when that dinner will be held, but we’re guessing Poitier won’t have the same reaction to being selected by Oprah as the ever-fascinating Jonathan Franzen.

We're pretty sure Poitier's book doesn't need any help from LAist in bumping sales. The Measure of a Man, published in 2000, lingered at an Amazon ranking of 288,958 pre-Oprah pick. Now? Top five. Our work here is done.