Reading The Pictures: Scoring Off John And Elizabeth

The key to understanding the latest hooha over the John Edwards-Elizabeth Edwards soap opera is to recognize that the photo above -- published far-and-wide over the past few days -- came from Harpo Productions. Besides referring to one of the world's greatest comedians, that is also the name of Oprah's production company.

Trumping any ugliness taking place between this political couple is the PR jujitsu currently being perpetrated on the public with Oprah scoring with a huge pseudo-news interview exploiting this miserable story and otherwise serious media organizations (1, 2) scoring by playing this exploitation off as news.

For my purposes, I'm specifically interested in how the scene in the photo -- cleverly instigated, captured and distributed by Harpo -- plays to the worst instincts, taking advantage of a.) the Edwards daughter, b.) the inflammatory allegation (true or not) that Edwards fathered a child with his mistress, and c.) the anger-baiting hook of the cheating husband as dirt (even if he is).

First of all, how sad the Edwards daughter need be drawn into this, in an interview specifically exploiting the war between her parents and her father's affair. Second, how interesting Harpo -- milking the most salacious angle of the story -- showcased a photo of Elizabeth pointing out her daughter, as if needing to identify her own child in contrast to any other John might be responsible for.

And finally, the composition is designed to stoke the highest gender flames, the way the women are huddled in a protective scrum away from the monster and forming a protective wall between the child and John. (Forget about the fact that it's ratings-driven Oprah, smack in the middle there, currently separating the family.) And then, in the most tawdry move possible on Harpo's part (because it's a story about a guy who couldn't keep it in his pants, after all), notice how, as much as bending forward, Oprah could be seen to be bending back in the most awkward alignment with our Casanova.

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(image: AP Photo/Harpo Productions, Inc.)

Comments

[susie1776]

All this shows me is that all the grown ups in the picture are media hounds, including the so called interviewer. I am so sick of prominent people airing their dirty linen in public. That;s one reason I stopped watching Oprah (who looks HORRIBLE, by the way) and Larry King and the others of their ilk who seem to feed on these stories.

[Aylah95]

I see a family that has stayed together through an incomprehensible pain, setting aside their issues and for a moment enjoying good things in their life.

[NotMcCain]

That photo doesn't "read" to me the same way it does to you. But...I think all concerned should have left the Edwards' daughter out of it. (This one AND the Hunter-Edwards one. We all know it--including Elizabeth.)

Of course,, that would have meant the Edwards weren't trying to manipulate the "forgiveness" heartstrings of the audience--and Oprah wasn't trying to exploit emotion for ratings purposes.

In other words....never happen.

[NevaforLeadership]

Your comments at the end about the positions of Oprah and John Edwards in the photograph are over the top. Having said that, I agree with most of what you say.

Elizabeth Edwards had been badly hurt and is fighting back, making sure her husband joins her as a victim.

I have noticed a distinct disintegration in the calibre of Oprah's shows recently. A decade ago she was in the thick of the sordid, cheap bottom feeders appearing on TV talk shows -- the ones who shame America. Then she set an example by taking the high road: changing the format of her show, reaching for the highest common denominator and featuring shows that teach and uplift the spirit.

Recently she has started diverting from that high road, with the likes of Tanya Harding and Elaine Bobbit and seemingly propelled to share too many extraneous sexual topics with her audience.

I have always said I would like to see Oprah Winfrey win the Nobel Peace Prize. She has done so much for humanity all over the world -- but a Nobel Peace Prize for somone who features Elaine Bobbit on her show?

I am sadly coming to the conclusion that underneath it all, Oprah is not a very good interviewer. Perhaps that's why she never made it in news, but we have gained so much because of she didn't make it in news.

I hope she takes the high road again -- quickly, because most of us love her.

[Karen4]

Elizabeth Edwards must really miss the attention she got for years and years. This book and Oprah tour make no sense otherwise. Really did not like her calling that baby "it." John Edwards must be a man of no dignity or self-respect to allow Elizabeth to drag the family through this. If he is the father of Frances Quinn, he should be a man and acknowledge that baby and insist that his other children know and respect their sister and Elizabeth can go sit on a tack.

[SaddieMcCall]

Elizabeth was very critical of Hillary's staying with Bill. Maybe this book would be better if Elizabeth shown growth as to accepting that things are more complicated than she thought in the past, and how much she loved her husband. Yet, I've heard her say that she stayed because of her disease, and for the children. That makes her a victim again, and that she feels that had she had her health, perhaps she would have chosen differently. What if because of her disease, she came to realize how short life is, and how precious the time you spend with those you love and not to waste time being angry with them? How about growth and forgiving not only her husband, but the other woman. How about finding out if your husband has another child, and opening your heart to another member of the family? Now that would be resilence. The book was written too soon in her journey, and doesn't help others to learn how to move on, but to stew on what they don't like.

[politicali]

"What if because of her disease, she came to realize how short life is, and how precious the time you spend with those you love and not to waste time being angry with them?"
Why then waste her short time with her loved ones by writing and promoting a book about the ugliest chapter of her life?

[SaddieMcCall]

I agree with you. My point is that her book really doesn't show her resiliency. She hasn't gotten to a point where she has accepted the things that she can't control. If she could have gotten to the point where she isn't calling Rielle "pathetic" or her daughter "it", she would have written a better book. If indeed a book needed to be written at all.

[liberalrebuttal]

What are you talking about ? I didn't see any of that at all. I see Liz showing and intrigued Oprah some family photos while John looks on as a proud father. It made me think that there was hope for them. So, I guess it's all in the eyes of the beholder.

[Yola]

Wow! You saw all that?

[traveler501]

if this were done intentionally it could be a good move to re-invent Edwards, but it actually feels creepy as though she is punishing him with her shaming finger and the threat of her disease, double-victimhood. You gotta wonder if this guy feels used (it's not like an affair (or even divorce) is really all that rare in America ...and only such a big deal in this Puritan country) and boxed in, except for her imminent demise in 2-3 years. nothing feels right about it...creepy

[MyThought]

Something just doesn't feel right about a woman writing a book about her sadness in life - to make money.

Is this fair to the kids?

I'm so proud of my mother - she had more problems than Elizabeth Edwards could have ever imagined and she did not talk about them, look for sympathy or burgen her children.

I've just lost respect for Elizabeth Edwards and the new Tabloid Oprah show.

[jukesgrrl]

I was a strong Edwards supporter with immense respect for Elizabeth. Unfortunately I, too, am losing my positive feelings for them (AND Oprah) through this publicity storm. What can be gained by this? Some have suggested Elizabeth is trying to make money for her kids that cannot be touched by any future family John may have. But I don't think that's enough of a reason. She and John didn't need inherited wealth to be successful -- her children don't need it, either. I realize she's in pain and I hope she gets help -- but given her mother's history and her own attitude toward her marriage, this is becoming more about her than about John. And I can hardly believe I'm saying that, as I am appalled by his behavior. But hurting children (hers and "it") cannot be excused. This whole display is unseemly; I won't buy the book.

[MassInsanity]

I for one, am SO sick of hearing about this story. And I also can't stand how Elizabeth Edwards is excusing her husbands behavior, by putting most the responsibility on the mistress. Last I checked, John was the married one. This is such a classic case of a wife going to bat for her grimy husband by pointing all the fingers at the woman he had an affair with.

Did she force you to lie to the public to save your husbands failing career, Elizabeth? I'm sorry you're sick, sincerely sorry, but please, have some self respect.

[moonwatcher]

There are some monetary considerations. Hunter will go after money for her child and he does have some legal problems. While they seem to have plenty of money Elizabeth may want to make sure that money she makes goes to her children not to his mistress.

[denisew]

I think everything about the interview was distasteful, not just the photo.

Oprah was dispassionate in her questioning.

Mrs. Edwards spoke as a person who does not have long on this earth, and doesn't really care about those who have to go on after her, (her children and husband.)

[Bulbul]

I did not watch the interview. Did Oprah ever asked them about the newborn ?
What about the innocent child ?
Did she ask, about getting a paternity test done ?

[SaddieMcCall]

Elizabeth accuses Rielle Hunter as being the one who is seeking 15 minutes of fame, but if it wasn't for the John/Rielle affair - who would be interested in reading Elizabeth's book now? Elizabeth is promoting the book on all the shows as talking about the affair. How sad is it when your claim to fame is that your husband cheated on you? If Elizabeth chose to stay with John (her choice) then she should deal with the affair in private - doesn't do the healing of the marriage and security of the children to have it out there, and repeated on every show. Sounds like she wants to punish John every day that they are together still. Also, why not find out if Rielle's daughter is John's? If she is, he should be responsible for the child. She is a person too. It's not the child fault.

[Bulbul]

I would say, interesting point you raised. Another one is Roger Simon`s on Political. Sadly, besides this daughter they are showing, another one is involved in this mess. I am talking about the newborn, the inocent one in this tawdry affair ! If Elizabeth is getting everything out in the open, that child needs to be recognized by them and not cast aside.
John needs to step up and act like a human now....