The People v. O.J. Simpson

[SPTO]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I wonder why that is about Cuba? I mean he's not a bad actor. I could see him in an ensemble cast. Maybe some insider Hollywood bull**** and he pissed someone off.

I agree with you, he's a pretty good actor probably more well suited for comedic or melodramatic roles. I remember when he burst onto the scene he had such a magnetic and charming personality. I bet it was some stupid Hollywood BS that hurt him somehow as well.

[Dice]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I'll just copy and paste my thoughts from the other thread since this is the official thread for the show:

Last night's ACS was OK, but nothing special.

Seeing the Chase didn't really do much for me since I had already knew what that was about and already heard the tapes of AC and OJ on the phone with Police while he was in the car.

Still can't take Cuba as OJ serious, but oh well.

How bout Malcolm Jamal Warner as AC? That one was pretty weird. I had to take a double take when they first showed him and told myself, "That's Theo from the Cosby Show". LOL!

[wwharton]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

Eh, Cuba doesn't rate as high a payroll as one would think. He's mostly been doing a lot of DTV (Direct to Video) junk these days. His star has really fallen big time. He probably hopes this is a role that will jumpstart his career and get back into "A" films.

I agree with all of this. What I'm saying is it would've been easier to get into the story if "O.J." was played by someone we didn't already know, and there are probably thousands who could do at least as good of a job as Cuba is doing for a fraction of the cost.

If you're going to put a name in a role that doesn't need one (like with John Travolta for example), that name better come with some weight behind it bc it's meant to help bring in viewers. Cuba's name just doesn't do that so he's just another guy... playing the lead role.

I wonder why that is about Cuba? I mean he's not a bad actor. I could see him in an ensemble cast. Maybe some insider Hollywood bull**** and he pissed someone off.

Cuba went south when he got out of his lane. I don't blame him for trying to take on bigger, more serious and/or lead roles. But he's failed at them time and again. He's never been cut out to play the lead, and now that his time is pretty much passed, he DEFINITELY shouldn't be playing the lead. An "ensemble cast" would be fine, but it's like once he tried to get away from that he's refused to go back. He's like a hollywood version of Tim Tebow... almost good enough to be what he wants but not quite, and refuses to take any more roles that are anything but what he wants to be.

[SPTO]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I don't see OJ as being the lead in this series. He's obviously the centerpiece to all the action but Cochran, Clark etc et al are who I would consider as the lead characters.

[KingV2k3]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

Flawed, but wildly entertaining account of a topic that I spent more than a little too much time and effort on back in the day...

[Rocky]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I agree with all of this. What I'm saying is it would've been easier to get into the story if "O.J." was played by someone we didn't already know, and there are probably thousands who could do at least as good of a job as Cuba is doing for a fraction of the cost.

If you're going to put a name in a role that doesn't need one (like with John Travolta for example), that name better come with some weight behind it bc it's meant to help bring in viewers. Cuba's name just doesn't do that so he's just another guy... playing the lead role.



Cuba went south when he got out of his lane. I don't blame him for trying to take on bigger, more serious and/or lead roles. But he's failed at them time and again. He's never been cut out to play the lead, and now that his time is pretty much passed, he DEFINITELY shouldn't be playing the lead. An "ensemble cast" would be fine, but it's like once he tried to get away from that he's refused to go back. He's like a hollywood version of Tim Tebow... almost good enough to be what he wants but not quite, and refuses to take any more roles that are anything but what he wants to be.

I thought Cuba was great in American Gangster and The Butler. But I agree, it's kinda hard to take him seriously as OJ though I think he is doing a really good job.

[HealyMonster]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I agree with all of this. What I'm saying is it would've been easier to get into the story if "O.J." was played by someone we didn't already know, and there are probably thousands who could do at least as good of a job as Cuba is doing for a fraction of the cost.

If you're going to put a name in a role that doesn't need one (like with John Travolta for example), that name better come with some weight behind it bc it's meant to help bring in viewers. Cuba's name just doesn't do that so he's just another guy... playing the lead role.



Cuba went south when he got out of his lane. I don't blame him for trying to take on bigger, more serious and/or lead roles. But he's failed at them time and again. He's never been cut out to play the lead, and now that his time is pretty much passed, he DEFINITELY shouldn't be playing the lead. An "ensemble cast" would be fine, but it's like once he tried to get away from that he's refused to go back. He's like a hollywood version of Tim Tebow... almost good enough to be what he wants but not quite, and refuses to take any more roles that are anything but what he wants to be.

Yeah, they guy that played Radio, imho, isn't pulling off playing OJ. Im not buying it, and its distracting.

Off the top of my head, the guy from the all state commercials would've been better. OJ is a big dude, with a deep voice. Cuba is a good actor, I just don't think he needed to be OJ, and I think OJ needed to be cast correctly.

I also think Travolta is over acting the Shapiro role. Could be the writing, but if Travolta subdued himself a bit, it would go a long way.

[SPTO]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

Yeah, they guy that played Radio, imho, isn't pulling off playing OJ. Im not buying it, and its distracting.

Off the top of my head, the guy from the all state commercials would've been better. OJ is a big dude, with a deep voice. Cuba is a good actor, I just don't think he needed to be OJ, and I think OJ needed to be cast correctly.

I also think Travolta is over acting the Shapiro role. Could be the writing, but if Travolta subdued himself a bit, it would go a long way.

Dennis Haysbert would be a good choice though a bit long in the tooth for the role (he's 61) but I think he can pull it off as he does look a bit younger for his age. I think it could work however I think some of the problems with OJ's portrayal has to do with the script. It's not doing anyone any favors.

I take the opposite view of Travolta though, this is a role he could easily chew the scenery to the point of distraction. He does chew it pretty well but some of the tics that come along with his acting isn't as prevalent here. Apparently Travolta did a LOT of research for the role reading 3 different books on the case (including one book written by Shapiro himself) so there's definitely a basis in truth to the portrayal.

[NINJAK2]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I'll just copy and paste my thoughts from the other thread since this is the official thread for the show:

Last night's ACS was OK, but nothing special.

Seeing the Chase didn't really do much for me since I had already knew what that was about and already heard the tapes of AC and OJ on the phone with Police while he was in the car.

Still can't take Cuba as OJ serious, but oh well.

Yeah.. I think Cuba and Travolta are the weak links in this series so far.

[fishepa]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I still can't believe he was found not guilty. Smh


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[mike24forever]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I still can't believe he was found not guilty. Smh


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I was in university when he was found not guilty. It seemed like everyone was gathered around every tv and everyone won the lottery at the same time. I remember thinking he was innocent at the time, boy was I wrong. Are there people who still think he's innocent? I don't mean "reasonable doubt", I mean "he was set up, he had NOTHING" to do with the murder.

[SPTO]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I still can't believe he was found not guilty. Smh


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I also remember being in school (high school in my case) Almost every single classroom someone had a portable radio so they could hear the verdict. I distinctly remember walking through the halls to get to my next class and everyone was screaming about how he was found innocent and generally cheering as if a sports team won a championship. It was the most eerie feeling in the world now that I look back on it.

Gotta say though, the Dream Team used every dirty trick in the book to get OJ off the hook. If Marcia Clark wasn't so principled who knows how it would've turned out though I fear if he was found guilty we'd have LA Riots Part III.

As for this episode, it started off extremely poorly. They really need to stop shoehorning the Kardashian kids into this though I felt like that scene was written as a dig at the current life of Kim and Khloe etc et all. Nathan Lane completely won me over with his larger than life portrayal of F. Lee Bailey. I can tell i'm going to be glued to the screen every time he's on. The scene of Cochran and Shapiro getting together near the end was just such a classic LA/Hollywood backslapping BS session that I actually let out a laugh over it.

Overall, fine episode after the rocky start.

[Majingir]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

For anyone who wanted more Travolta/less Cuba, this episode basically did just that. Not as good as the first 2,though this one obviously sets up bigger things to happen next.

As for this episode, it started off extremely poorly. They really need to stop shoehorning the Kardashian kids into this though I felt like that scene was written as a dig at the current life of Kim and Khloe etc et all.

I got no idea which kid is which one of them lol. Did one of them seriously have a haircut like that(the shorter haircut) lol, it's like some weird long haired bowl cut thing.

That scene was the funniest thing though. Probably a dig at them slightly. Being like "having values and being a good person is more important than being famous". lol ya, that's exactly how their life ended up.....

[SPTO]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I got no idea which kid is which one of them lol. Did one of them seriously have a haircut like that(the shorter haircut) lol, it's like some weird long haired bowl cut thing.

That scene was the funniest thing though. Probably a dig at them slightly. Being like "having values and being a good person is more important than being famous". lol ya, that's exactly how their life ended up.....

Funny you should ask, I just discovered that Kato Kaelin is doing a series or reviews of every episode for the NY Daily News (don't bother reading, it's vacuous just like Kato has always been) but the latest article has a pic of the Kardashian kids from that timeframe



Khloe and Kourtney are the first two on the left while Kim is the not so attractive young lady furthest right.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The People v. O.J. Simpson

I thought this was the best episode out of the 3 that's aired so far, especially since we get to see the stuff that hasn't really been seen or talked prior to this show coming on TV. The only 2 things that get talked about whenever this case is brought is either the chase or where people were when the verdict was announced.

The fact that his team played the race card in a double murder trial and got it to work still amazes me to this day.

Oh and if I see the Kids get more than 5 mins of TV time for the rest of the series, then I'll be convinced that the family slid FX some money under the table to have the kids get this much exposure.