OT OJ Simpson Made in America
Haven't seen this discussed. ESPN / ABC put out this ~ 10 hr documentary this week and it got rave reviews. Its well deserved. It didn't feel like there was a wasted minute despite the epic length.
The whole thing is about OJ, but its not just the case. It gives all the context as to why the black community, especially in LA at the time, wanted him to be found not guilty, and how he was such an unworthy cause. It traces his political and civil angosticism all the way back to the 60's and essentially casts him as the antithesis to Muhammad Ali.
This is the best work ESPN has ever done imo.
After watching this I can conclude this:
Mark Fuhrman is a dick. He looks like a dick, talks like a dick, and acts like a dick.
I kinda like Marcia Clark - she seems like a cool lady.
Darden - way over your head man. You let your ego and pride really fuck up this trial.
OJ's Agent - his candor was awesome in this film.
Shapiro - surprised to see how pissed off he was at Cochran and Dershowitcz the end of this trial. He hated them.
Ron Goldman - Really feel for him and his family. He had to sit there and listen to the entire shit show that the defense put on and it was forgotten that everyone was there because it was crystal clear that OJ murdered his son and Nicole.
Ito - Really? Who the fuck thought it was good idea to appoint him the judge in this case?
Carl Douglas - not sure if he is brilliant or a total dick.
Jury - wow man! One of the men was a former Black Panther and #9 did not appear fond of white people. The prosecution really fell asleep at the wheel for the jury selection process. They were certainly not impartial.
We're watching episode two now...good to see the Rose Bowl victory!
and when the verdict came in, I was at work watching it with an older guy who grew up in South Central. I was shocked when he was found not guilty.
I remember talking to this guy and he told me he was never going to be found guilty, unless they actually had tape of him doing it. I was like but all the evidence pointed directly to him and asked him if he thought OJ did. He said yes he did it, but it doesn't matter that jury would never find him guilty.
He told me those people live there and have to go home afterwards, if they found him guilty their homes would probably be burnt down and it was all because of racial tension. The whole story is really pretty tragic, but will always remember that conversation with him.
I am just starting to watch this right now. To see the opening shot of OJ today in prison is quite startling. Its a tragic fall that he has gone through, deservedly so of course. Now he is reduced to wiping off gym equipment. He still shows flashes of his old charisma. Tragic story all the way around, for Nicole and Ron especially. And for what?