The McGreevey book tour

So former Gov. Jim McGreevey, billing himself as the nation's first openly gay governor, thinks people want to read about his lifelong struggle with his sexuality. Given that his name these days is usually linked with the word "disgraced,'' he's in for a big surprise. Most people don't care and aren't curious enough to shell out big bucks ($26.95 list, about $18 online) to see if they've underestimated him.

As popular as Oprah Winfrey's show is and as enticing as the title "The Confession'' may be, McGreevey is not a compelling enough figure to transfer the publicity about his interview with Oprah into book sales. He was never a dynamic speaker and is not much of a celebrity. His story of years of deceit is undoubtedly a sad tale, hardly a page-turner.

But he's playing the book-tour game anyway. Although Oprah's audience at the taping in Chicago Tuesday was warned not to discuss his comments, one participant broke the rules and called his appearance "underwhelming.'' That's no surprise.