NEW YORK (AP) – The story of O. J. Simpson's life was cinematic in nature – a story that began as fodder for a triumphant sports biopic, directed by Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson's fall from fame to infamy following his murder suddenly became darker and more complex.
Hence Simpson's life divided into many chapters – his football career, his foray into acting, his murder trial, his acquittal, his civil liability judgment, his sports memorabilia robbery conviction, and finally his death on Wednesday. It's no wonder that — has spawned an entire media ecosystem.
From the widely criticized horror movie in which Brown Simpson was killed by a serial killer to Simpson's own fictional confessional book If I Did It, many of them are firmly rooted in questionable territory of the macabre and sensational. There is. The Simpson case has also permeated popular culture, being directly depicted on countless TV shows such as “The Simpsons” (no relation), and even mentioned by name on Jay-Z's “The Story of O.J.” checks, and a direct throughline to the Kardashian family. Reality TV and a business empire. Pulitzer Prize winner Norman Mailer, who was convicted of stabbing his own wife, adapted the incident into a television movie, “An American Tragedy.''
None found on this list. Instead, The Associated Press has assembled 10 documentaries, television shows, books and podcasts that explore Simpson's life and influence with important insights.
“OJ: Made in America”
This list is in no particular order, but if you only want to read one piece of media, set aside about 8 hours for this definitive documentary. Her five-part project, directed by ESPN Films' Ezra Edelman and broadcast on ABC and ESPN, covers the so-called trial of the century in explicit detail, but to get there, she requires a three-part structure. “O.J.: Made in America” is his 2017 Best Documentary winner and Oscar-winning longest-running film that contextualizes Simpson's life, career and notoriety with race relations in the United States. became. Edelman dedicated the statuette to Brown Simpson, Goldman, and his family. and victims of police violence.
“OJ: Made in America” is streaming on ESPN+ and available for purchase on other online platforms.
“June 17, 1994”
Another installment of ESPN Films' “30 for 30,” director Brett Morgen's 2010 documentary is much shorter at less than an hour. The documentary's title is taken from the date of the Ford Bronco low-speed chase, but it's not meant to be a rehash of it. Instead, “June 17, 1994” views the day through the lens of other sporting events that occurred that day, including Arnold Palmer's final round of the U.S. Open and the opening of the World Cup. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the show as the best “30 for 30'' of 2014, calling it “a great example of how viewers process television and how the media tries to make sense of events with no clear outcome.'' “It shows that people are having a hard time,” he said.
“June 17, 1994” is available on ESPN+.
“O.J. Simpson: Juice on the Loose”
Directed by George Romero — yes, the director of Night of the Living Dead and the godfather of zombie movies — this 1974 documentary follows the up-and-coming Buffalo Bills running back. I'm following Simpson. As the only work on this list that was produced before Simpson's descent into notoriety, this film provides an unblemished glimpse into Simpson's childhood and his early fame.
“OJ Simpson: Juice on the Loose” is not available to stream on traditional platforms, but can be viewed on the Internet Archive.
“The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”
The FX miniseries, the first installment of Ryan Murphy's “American Crime Story” anthology series, aired the same year as “OJ: Made in America,” and 2016 saw renewed conversation about the case. It was a perfect year for the main characters to regain their fame. The 10-episode show focuses on the trial itself and stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as Simpson, Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, and Robert Kardashian as Robert Kardashian. David Schwimmer was cast in the role.
“The People vs. O.J. Simpson” is now available on Hulu.
“The History of His Life: The People vs. O.J. Simpson”
FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson is based on Jeffrey Toobin's 1996 book about the trial. Toobin, an attorney, was a staff writer for The New Yorker and covered the trial extensively, making him one of the most prominent legal analysts. The New York Times bestseller is often hailed as the most comprehensive book on the Simpson trial.
More information about The Run of His Life: The People v. OJ Simpson locations can be found on the Penguin Random House site.
“Without a doubt”
It's as if almost everyone directly involved in the Simpson trial published a book about it at some point. The quality varies, but one worth checking out is that of the case's lead prosecutor, Marcia Clark, who drew criticism for her performance and quit her practice after the trial. She was paid $4 million for her 2016 memoir and has since pivoted to writing her novels and even co-produced a TV show.
More information on where to get “Without A Doubt,” co-written with Teresa Carpenter, can be found on Clark's site.
“His Name is Ron: Our Quest for Justice”
The book, written by the Goldman family with William and Marilyn Hoffer, was originally published in 1997. The Goldmans have continued to argue in the decades since Simpson's acquittal that they made the wrong decision, and his lawyer said Thursday that Simpson “died without remorse.” ” The description begins: “This book is not about his O.J. Simpson or his 'dream team.' This book is not a rehash of “The Trial of the Century.” ” Instead, it is the story of the Goldman family.
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For more information on where to find His Name Is Ron, visit the Penguin Random House site.
“It's not my city, it's another city.”
The only novel on this list is by journalist and crime writer Dominic Dunne. Of course it's fiction, but as the subtitle suggests, it's also a “novel in the form of a memoir.” Dunn covered the Simpson trial for Vanity Fair, and in his book he used his own imaginary characters, such as reporter Gus Bailey, who appeared in previous books, as well as the Goldman family and Harvey. – Mix in real-life characters such as Levin and journalists such as Linda Deutsch of the Associated Press. Though thin on fiction, the 1997 novel not only recounts the details of the trial, but also offers a dim examination of the alienated glamor and squalor of Los Angeles at the time.
You can find out more about the 'Another City Not Mine' location on the Penguin Random House site.
“Confrontation: O.J. Simpson”
Over 10 episodes, Kim Goldman reflects on her brother's murder, talks with attorneys, investigators, witnesses, and jurors, and finds “answers to questions that have haunted me since the trial,” according to the podcast's description. It is said to get. Our 2019 podcast covers everything from civil litigation to domestic violence to the ever-present specter of grief. “Confronting” is an anthology, with the second season focusing on the Columbine school shooting.
“Showdown: O.J. Simpson” is produced by Wonderly.
“You're wrong.”
Perhaps the most frustrating entry on this list, as the Simpson series remains unfinished, “You're Wrong About” is a podcast dedicated to subverting traditional narratives, and episodes about the Simpson case I spent hours creating it. If you're looking for details to dispel common myths about this case, this is a good listen. Simpson episodes were hosted by Sarah Marshall and Michael Hobbs, although the latter has since left the show.
“You're Wrong About” is available on most podcast platforms.
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