Anyone watching The People vs O.J. Simpson?

Didn't like the look of it when I first saw it on iPlayer, the thought of Cuba Gooding Jr playing OJ didn't sit right and some of the other cast members were a bit questionable as well.

I gave it a go anyway, and when I saw John Travolta playing Robert Shapiro complete with comedy eyebrows and overblown Jewish mannerisms, I nearly turned it off. I'm glad I persevered.

I'm on episode 8 now and this show turned out to be one of the best things I've watched in years, it's absolutely fascinating. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that it's a true account of what happened, and how much of a circus that whole thing was at the time.

It also turns out that Travolta absolutely nailed his portrayal of the real life Shapiro.

I was a teenager at the time of the trial and it wasn't really on my radar so finding out exactly what happened before and during that trial has been a revelation.

I could go on but just give it a few episodes if you haven't already, it's compelling stuff.

I'm watching it and enjoying it too, as you say it wasn't up to much at the start but well worth watching now

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Didn't like the look of it when I first saw it on iPlayer, the thought of Cuba Gooding Jr playing OJ didn't sit right and some of the other cast members were a bit questionable as well.

I gave it a go anyway, and when I saw John Travolta playing Robert Shapiro complete with comedy eyebrows and overblown Jewish mannerisms, I nearly turned it off. I'm glad I persevered.

I'm on episode 8 now and this show turned out to be one of the best things I've watched in years, it's absolutely fascinating. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that it's a true account of what happened, and how much of a circus that whole thing was at the time.

It also turns out that Travolta absolutely nailed his portrayal of the real life Shapiro.

I was a teenager at the time of the trial and it wasn't really on my radar so finding out exactly what happened before and during that trial has been a revelation.

I could go on but just give it a few episodes if you haven't already, it's compelling stuff.

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Thought the same so gave it a miss. Will try and give it a watch now.

Travolta's doing a Mr Blobby impression

I think he's guilty

I watched the original trial on TV in the USA and some here in the UK broadcast on Sky. The dramatisation is superb and it's great to see the characters develop. Had no idea that Marcia Clark was going throughsuch turmoil in her private life while the trial was going on. The only weak link is Travolta who looks as though he has had a lot of bad plastic surgery.

What channel is it on? I watched quite a bit of the original trial too, it was fascinating at the time, can't remember much about it now mind.

what ****ing programmes have you been in you ****

questioning famous actors and that

ill ruin the end for you , he's found not guilty

nob

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Originally Posted by Mrs Steve R

What channel is it on? I watched quite a bit of the original trial too, it was fascinating at the time, can't remember much about it now mind.

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It's on the iPlayer now, well worth a looksie, especially if you have more than a passing interest in the case.

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Originally Posted by bluesinceuwer2m8

what ****ing programmes have you been in you ****

questioning famous actors and that

ill ruin the end for you , he's found not guilty

nob

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OH MY GOD! REALLY! :hehe:

Huge spoiler that, one of the most famous "Not Guilty" verdicts in history, bet nobody had a clue until you showed up with your worldly knowledge

I've been watching it, it's been really good so far, the treatment of Marcia Clark was appalling

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

It's on the iPlayer now, well worth a looksie, especially if you have more than a passing interest in the case.

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I only noticed you said on the iplayer after I posted it :homer: (still missing)

I will give it a go then, the big question is do I wait until Steve is home in the hope that he will get in to it or enjoy it on my own without him moaning and just watch it when he's at work? :hehe:

This American Life had a story of OJ's "prank" career including where he tried to sell white cars of the same make that he was in as he had his breakdown and played clips of OJ talking to the police.

I would be interested in finding out more about what happened and the series looks, based on my glimpse thus far, to be decent.

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Originally Posted by City123

OH MY GOD! REALLY! :hehe:

Huge spoiler that, one of the most famous "Not Guilty" verdicts in history, bet nobody had a clue until you showed up with your worldly knowledge

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woosh you spastic

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Originally Posted by Mrs Steve R

I only noticed you said on the iplayer after I posted it :homer: (still missing)

I will give it a go then, the big question is do I wait until Steve is home in the hope that he will get in to it or enjoy it on my own without him moaning and just watch it when he's at work? :hehe:

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Originally Posted by bluesinceuwer2m8

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:shrug: We playing hangman?

if you like

d_ldo

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Didn't like the look of it when I first saw it on iPlayer, the thought of Cuba Gooding Jr playing OJ didn't sit right and some of the other cast members were a bit questionable as well.

I gave it a go anyway, and when I saw John Travolta playing Robert Shapiro complete with comedy eyebrows and overblown Jewish mannerisms, I nearly turned it off. I'm glad I persevered.

I'm on episode 8 now and this show turned out to be one of the best things I've watched in years, it's absolutely fascinating. Sometimes you have to remind yourself that it's a true account of what happened, and how much of a circus that whole thing was at the time.

It also turns out that Travolta absolutely nailed his portrayal of the real life Shapiro.

I was a teenager at the time of the trial and it wasn't really on my radar so finding out exactly what happened before and during that trial has been a revelation.

I could go on but just give it a few episodes if you haven't already, it's compelling stuff.

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I had no idea you knew Shapiro in real life. What's he like?

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Originally Posted by surge

This American Life had a story of OJ's "prank" career including where he tried to sell white cars of the same make that he was in as he had his breakdown and played clips of OJ talking to the police.

I would be interested in finding out more about what happened and the series looks, based on my glimpse thus far, to be decent.

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I had no idea he had done a prank show so I searched around for it and found this review on IMDB. I can't tell if it's genuine or satire:

Juiced with O.J. Simpson

Juiced may have been the funniest thing I have ever seen. It's just like Punk'D, except with O.J. Simpson. Let me say this, through all the murderin and burglarizing he done in the past, it hasn't affected his funny bone none...NONE! I was wondering what kind of pranks Juice would pull off, and lemme say, he didn't hold nothing back. There's one scene where he runs after a dude with a golf club like he was gonna smack him. I nearly lost it. Another scene the due goes to some bingo joint and messes with the old peoples. The old bums don't know what hit em!

Overall, definitely a great flick. I would recommend it for any date night or family be together night.

Also found this article written by a guy who appeared with OJ in the prank show, has a few stories about what it was like to work with him (OJ was mostly drunk and has no comedic abilities)

http://www.vice.com/read/i-was-oj-si...nk-show-juiced

Wow, the prank show was absolutely terrible. Here's some "highlights".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWpx-6eWBj4

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Originally Posted by bluesinceuwer2m8

if you like

d_ldo

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I have no idea.

It was strange to see so many people towering over the person playing OJ - and the actor just didn't seem to have that poise of the murdering sportsman.

krr

Heard about this show, it's been getting good reviews in the States so I was planning on watching it.

It sounds batshit crazy...

Watching it now and really enjoying it. Only thing wrong is OJ should definitely be played by a bigger, more physically imposing actor

Surely the defence changing OJ's house to give the jury a different impression is dubious if not dodgy?

Good follow up here on the iplayer. A doc on OJ Simpson called "OJ: Made In America". Fascinating and goes earlier into the OJ / L.A / civil rights context.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...america-part-1

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Originally Posted by Vindec

I watched the original trial on TV in the USA and some here in the UK broadcast on Sky. The dramatisation is superb and it's great to see the characters develop. Had no idea that Marcia Clark was going throughsuch turmoil in her private life while the trial was going on. The only weak link is Travolta who looks as though he has had a lot of bad plastic surgery.

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Indeed. That dimple of his started life as his belly button.

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Originally Posted by Blue in the Face

Good follow up here on the iplayer. A doc on OJ Simpson called "OJ: Made In America". Fascinating and goes earlier into the OJ / L.A / civil rights context.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...america-part-1

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Can confirm this is also a very good watch, downloaded and watched them last week. If I'm not mistaken the series is by the same guys who do the brilliant ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries.

It also gives a great deal of insight into what happened after the famous trial, how the civil trial went, how the "book launch" went and how OJ was eventually brought to justice.

I understand Simpson is actually due for parole this year.

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Originally Posted by Blue in the Face

Good follow up here on the iplayer. A doc on OJ Simpson called "OJ: Made In America". Fascinating and goes earlier into the OJ / L.A / civil rights context.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...america-part-1

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Didn't this win an Oscar? I felt what this added more both before the marriage to Nicole and after the trial. Also has comments from two of the jurors and one witness who I had not heard from before.

Doesn't work now, but at the time this raised a laugh...


Knock, knock
- Who's there?
O.J.
- O.J. who?
YOU'RE on the jury!

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Can confirm this is also a very good watch, downloaded and watched them last week. If I'm not mistaken the series is by the same guys who do the brilliant ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries.

It also gives a great deal of insight into what happened after the famous trial, how the civil trial went, how the "book launch" went and how OJ was eventually brought to justice.

I understand Simpson is actually due for parole this year.

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Think you will get a lot from this doc on boxer Jack Johnson Colonel. (My favourite sports doc ever)...

Unforgiveable Blackness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBdMrC4rpjg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyGfHSX8rm4

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Originally Posted by surge

Didn't this win an Oscar? I felt what this added more both before the marriage to Nicole and after the trial. Also has comments from two of the jurors and one witness who I had not heard from before.

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Not sure about the Oscar Surge. Agree about what it added. Also feel like I got inside O.J.'s head and weaknesses a bit more.

I discovered this conspiratorial counter theory by a guy who's written a book on the case. He claims OJ was framed by the LAPD and gangsters. His claims are quite compelling!...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtaGAAIBwUs

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Originally Posted by Blue in the Face

Think you will get a lot from this doc on boxer Jack Johnson Colonel. (My favourite sports doc ever)...

Unforgiveable Blackness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBdMrC4rpjg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyGfHSX8rm4



Not sure about the Oscar Surge. Agree about what it added. Also feel like I got inside O.J.'s head and weaknesses a bit more.

I discovered this conspiratorial counter theory by a guy who's written a book on the case. He claims OJ was framed by the LAPD and gangsters. His claims are quite compelling!...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtaGAAIBwUs

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I checked and it won Best Documentary Feature.

Facts like 77% of white American's believing OJ guilty at the end of the trial and pretty much the reverse for black Americans, or one of the jurors raising his fist and the prosecution only then discovering he was a former black panther, or OJ eventually being sentenced for kidnapping for the quote "nobody leaves this room"

When Making a Murderer and Black Lives matter so current, why aren't people still obsessed with this case?!?

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Originally Posted by surge

I checked and it won Best Documentary Feature.

Facts like 77% of white American's believing OJ guilty at the end of the trial and pretty much the reverse for black Americans, or one of the jurors raising his fist and the prosecution only then discovering he was a former black panther, or OJ eventually being sentenced for kidnapping for the quote "nobody leaves this room"

When Making a Murderer and Black Lives matter so current, why aren't people still obsessed with this case?!?

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Definitely worthy of the Oscar. I think what makes the doc good is that while the contributing interviewees are partizan, the film gives voices to all perspectives. For the same reason I thought Making of a Murderer was a flawed piece of filmmaking. Maybe even dangerous as I thought it told you what to think. To be super cynical - was this because it gave the filmmakers the best possible story?

To answer your question about Black Lives Matter I would say that the interest would be helped by the massive funding that Co-opted it as well as in being in the year leading up to the election cycle. Feel like a lot of well intentioned people were manipulated on that one.

Back on Simpson - I guess I really am white because I'm about 77% sure he's guilty.

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Originally Posted by Blue in the Face

Definitely worthy of the Oscar. I think what makes the doc good is that while the contributing interviewees are partizan, the film gives voices to all perspectives. For the same reason I thought Making of a Murderer was a flawed piece of filmmaking. Maybe even dangerous as I thought it told you what to think. To be super cynical - was this because it gave the filmmakers the best possible story?

To answer your question about Black Lives Matter I would say that the interest would be helped by the massive funding that Co-opted it as well as in being in the year leading up to the election cycle. Feel like a lot of well intentioned people were manipulated on that one.

Back on Simpson - I guess I really am white because I'm about 77% sure he's guilty.

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Considering Simpson went on to write an autobiography, including going into detail about the part of his life where he committed double homicide, I'm thinking you could safely up that percentage to 100 now.

Here's Louis CK and Jim Norton on the Opie and Anthony show back in 2007 getting the first transcript of OJ's book and going through the juicy bits: https://youtu.be/n4Ci6CpgpGQ?t=4m

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Considering Simpson went on to write an autobiography, including going into detail about the part of his life where he committed double homicide, I'm thinking you could safely up that percentage to 100 now.

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Really?? :facepalm: **** I had no idea. Maybe he was trying to sell more books?

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Here's Louis CK and Jim Norton on the Opie and Anthony show back in 2007 getting the first transcript of OJ's book and going through the juicy bits: https://youtu.be/n4Ci6CpgpGQ?t=4m

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Gonna have to listen to this as Louis CK is the funniest man on earth. But I'm sure I'm going to feel guilty for laughing.

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Originally Posted by Colonel Cærdiffi

Here's Louis CK and Jim Norton on the Opie and Anthony show back in 2007 getting the first transcript of OJ's book and going through the juicy bits: https://youtu.be/n4Ci6CpgpGQ?t=4m

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Yup, I'm up to 100% after listening to that and finishing part three the doc last night. Dangerously funny skit there.

The OJ story is phenomenal really. If the show this thread is about were entirely fictional, I'm sure it would even be believable. I remember it happening as a young teen but was too young to capture it all and understand it at the time. A quintessential American tragedy. Simpson made it from the ghetto to be king of the world, only to fall about as far away from grace as is possible.