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American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson (FX) (1 Viewer)

ScottH

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Thought last night's ep was a big bore. An entire hour of the Bronco chase? Really? The most tedious aspect of the entire circus. A real ho-hum, imo. I did like the scene with Darden and his neighbors, though. Still looking forward to next week's though.
I thought it was okay. If they glossed over the Bronco chase people would have complained about that. Boring or not, it was probably the most remembered part of the circus. I remember exactly where I was during the Bronco chase. I have no recollection of where I was when I first heard the verdict.

And hey, at least the Bronco chase gave us the most legendary prank call of all time with Al Michaels doing the play by play. "And a Ba Ba Booey to y'all!" :lol:
 

Stan

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Thought it was great. Very well written, directed and acted. The Rolling Stone review I had read really panned Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s performance, but I thought he was fine. Unlike the others performers, I don't "see" OJ when he's on screen, but the performance is quite good nevertheless. Everyone nailed their parts. And I loved the dialogue which was fresh without being disrespectful. "10:45, OJ yells at the Salad Bar Lady." LOL.

Very well written? Did you catch the scene at the beginning of episode one where the detectives call OJ in Chicago?

"Nicole has been killed" OJs response, "She's been killed? OMG, is she dead?" Seriously? Unless that was the actual conversation, terrible writing.
 

ScottH

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Yeah the show is entertaining, but the acting and writing is definitely not it's strength. Curious what this show would be like with all unknown actors.
 

Hollywoodaholic

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Very well written? Did you catch the scene at the beginning of episode one where the detectives call OJ in Chicago?

"Nicole has been killed" OJs response, "She's been killed? OMG, is she dead?" Seriously? Unless that was the actual conversation, terrible writing.

According to Marcia Clarke, the actual beginning of that conversation was the caller telling him "Nicole is dead," and O.J. responding, "Who killed her?" Actually a very significant alteration, since telling him she's dead doesn't immediately imply she was murdered.
 

Stan

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According to Marcia Clarke, the actual beginning of that conversation was the caller telling him "Nicole is dead," and O.J. responding, "Who killed her?" Actually a very significant alteration, since telling him she's dead doesn't immediately imply she was murdered.

That is a big alteration, didn't know that. I was really just having fun with the killed=dead thing and OJ saying "She's been killed? Is she dead?".

No she's fine. She's been killed but she should heal from her wounds.
 

TravisR

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This show needs 100% less Kardashian kids. In theory, I really should like their appearances more because the show has really shown them in a truly terrible light (playing at a funeral, enjoying seeing their father on TV as he was talking about the brutal murder of a close family friend, ignoring his advice for how to act in the world) but the point has been made- the Kardashians suck and their father is spinning in his grave at how disgusting they are.

Speaking of showing the ugly side of people, TV Robert Shapiro is the reason why people hate lawyers. Everyone is entitled to a defense but for him to actively set up a smoke screen of racism when it is a real problem for other people is monstrous. Kardashian is fighting for a friend he believes to be innocent and Cochran either believes in O.J.'s innocence or is sticking it to a corrupt, racist police department. Shapiro is simply exploiting racial strife to free a rich guy. When the wife beating, alleged (wink wink) murderer disagrees with your tactics, you're pretty shitty.

Man, this show really fired me up. :)
 
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Hollywoodaholic

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It was hard to swallow back then and it' hard to swallow now, but I think the narrative is doing a good job of explaining the clusterfuck that enabled him to walk free. Cochran in real life apparently did ultimately think O.J. was guilty but that didn't stop him from exploiting the race card. I also think they're doing a good job of showing how hypocritical it was to play that card for a man who had almost completely disassociated himself from any connection to the black community.
 

Paul D G

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but I think the narrative is doing a good job of explaining the clusterfuck that enabled him to walk free.

I agree. I have to assume the show is staying true to certain motivations and if that's the case you can clearly see the bad decisions happening. Marcia Clark's attempt to take the high road and not use key witnesses because they appeared on tabloid shows, for example. I'm still in two minds on this show. The only saving grace is it's a limited series.

And the damn Kardashian kids again (every episode!!). I was ready to walk away completely when they showed up again in the opening scene but it soon became clear that they are being portrayed negatively with Robert lecturing them on being famous. It's almost like Kris required them to be in the show for her co-operation but neglected to state how they would be portrayed, and FX, not happy with this, decided to send a message.
 

Ken H

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Episode 3.

As before, enjoyable with solid performances from Sarah Paulson and Courtney B. Vance. And also as before Travolta is over the top; more Travolta = bad.

Interesting how naive Clark is portrayed as, when she reacts to being told black people think OJ is innocent by Darden.

Seeing the K Kids doesn't bother me. They are only on a very brief time, and they were directly involved. I think the negative reaction here is due to the publicity mongering they're known for and this seems like just another extension of that.

The final scene with Clark bemoaning Cochran being added to the Dream Team with the 'f' word was priceless. I didn't expect to hear that on a basic cable channel!
 
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TravisR

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Seeing the K Kids doesn't bother me. They are only on a very brief time, and they were directly involved. I think the negative reaction here is due to the publicity mongering they're known for and this seems like just another extension of that.
For me, that's absolutely the case but at the same time, the only reason they've spent as many scenes with them as they have is because of who they are now. It's more like they're in the show as a joke to the audience. "Eh, eh, get it? That's Kim Kardashian as a little kid and she was awful then too. Get it? Get it? Huh, get it?" Given their proximity to the case and who they are today, I can understand having them in the show but every episode has hit the audience over the head with it. You can only have the same basic gag so many times.


The final scene with Clark bemoaning Cochran being added to the Dream Team with the 'f' word was priceless. I didn't expect to hear that on a basic cable channel!
I saw the episode On Demand but I was wondering if it had the "Motherfucker" intact on when it ran on FX.
 

Hollywoodaholic

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Talk about a great 'button' on that episode. You had to sit up and think, "Did I just hear that?"

It really plays to the competitive nature of these litigators, as well. And if she didn't really say it, she damn well should have.
 

WillG

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That is a big alteration, didn't know that. I was really just having fun with the killed=dead thing and OJ saying "She's been killed? Is she dead?".

No she's fine. She's been killed but she should heal from her wounds.

In fairness, if it was anyone other that OJ, you could chalk that up as someone not immediately "processing" shocking information.
 

WillG

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Speaking of showing the ugly side of people, TV Robert Shapiro is the reason why people hate lawyers. Everyone is entitled to a defense but for him to actively set up a smoke screen of racism when it is a real problem for other people is monstrous. Kardashian is fighting for a friend he believes to be innocent and Cochran either believes in O.J.'s innocence or is sticking it to a corrupt, racist police department. Shapiro is simply exploiting racial strife to free a rich guy. When the wife beating, alleged (wink wink) murderer disagrees with your tactics, you're pretty shitty.

Man, this show really fired me up. :)

Hard to argue about Sharpiro, but I guess if you're being paid a lot of money to be a person's defense, you have to go with what you think will work no matter how outlandish.

As for Kardahsian, he's not all that innocent either. Yes, his motivations is more that OJ is a very close friend, but the scene in episode 3 where he's arguing with Kris, I forgot exactly what was said, but I interpreted the scene as Kardashian admitting that he believes OJ probably did it.
 

Ken H

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For me, that's absolutely the case but at the same time, the only reason they've spent as many scenes with them as they have is because of who they are now. It's more like they're in the show as a joke to the audience. "Eh, eh, get it? That's Kim Kardashian as a little kid and she was awful then too. Get it? Get it? Huh, get it?" Given their proximity to the case and who they are today, I can understand having them in the show but every episode has hit the audience over the head with it. You can only have the same basic gag so many times.
Although I can definitely see what you're saying, I see it differently.

My interpretation of the K KIds being included and given as much screen time as they've gotten is for two reasons:

1) To help show the character of Robert Kardashian. Most of the scenes he was in this episode were showing him having a hard time swallowing OJ's innocence, at least until he heard about Mark Fuhrman and his track record as a racist. As a friend of someone who looks like a murderer, he sure latched on to the police conspiracy theory pretty quickly - any port in a storm, I guess.

2) The beginning of the empire. Until the murders took place, the Kardashian name was unknown to the general public. To consider where they are now all started with the murders is truly a sad commentary on American culture.
 

Walter C

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I originally was not going to watch this, but after seeing this thread and reading reviews, I decided to check it out. The Bronco chase happening around the time I graduated from high school, and me and a friend were hoping that OJ would be found guilty, as we could not stand the jocks and how they kept getting away with trouble. Personally, I think he should have been kicked out of the Hall of Fame after all that has happened.

As for this mini-series, I have seen the first 2 episodes, and definitely in for the rest of the season. Hopefully, I will get around to seeing the 3rd episode soon enough.
 

WillG

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2) The beginning of the empire. Until the murders took place, the Kardashian name was unknown to the general public. To consider where they are now all started with the murders is truly a sad commentary on American culture.

This is an excellent point and I do believe you are at least partially correct on this.
 

Hollywoodaholic

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Second episode in a row to end on an F-bomb. I have to say I didn't expect to be enjoying this series. Right now, it's one of the best things on for me. I can put aside my frustrations with the reality of what went down and revel in how well they're are nailing and revealing the characters involved and their various agendas.

We always knew Marcia Clark was perceived harshly by the public, but to see her first react to those impressions through a focus group - devastating. We really are a shallow society (as if other current news characters aren't making that clear).

Travolta playing Shapiro as a real dick is now working for me. Good casting.

Cuba still the weakest link in the chain, but Vance as Cochran is hitting it out of the park (or spiking it, to more appropriately use a football metaphor).

Even the guy playing Ito is nailing the fame-obsessed blood in the water of this whole debacle.

This one's a keeper.
 

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