O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 11-20-2006, 05:05 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/...pson_interview

O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled

By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

6 minutes ago

NEW YORK - After a firestorm of criticism, News. Corp. said Monday that it has canceled the O.J. Simpson book and television special "If I Did It."

"I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project," said Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. chairman. "We are sorry for any pain that his has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson."

A dozen Fox affiliates had already said they would not air the two-part sweeps month special, planned for next week before the Nov. 30 publication of the book by ReganBooks. The publishing house is a HarperCollins imprint owned — like the Fox network — by News Corp.

In the projects, Simpson speaks in hypothetical terms about how he would have committed the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Goldman.

Relatives of the victims have lashed out at the now scuttled publication and broadcast plans.

"He destroyed my son and took from my family Ron's future and life. And for that I'll hate him always and find him despicable," Fred Goldman told ABC last week.

The industry trade publication Broadcasting & Cable editorialized against the show Monday, saying "Fox should cancel this evil sweeps stunt."

One of the nation's largest superstore chains, Borders Group Inc., said last week it would donate any profits on the book to charity.

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of murder in a case that became its own television drama. The former football star and announcer was later found liable for the deaths in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Goldman family.

Judith Regan, publisher of "If I Did It," said she considered the book to be Simpson's confession.

The television special was to air on two of the final three nights of the November sweeps, when ratings are watched closely to set local advertising rates. It has been a particularly tough fall for Fox, which has seen none of its new shows catch on and is waiting for the January bows of "American Idol" and "24."

Yahoo! News/AP-November 20, 2006

Cactus Jack · 11-20-2006, 05:13 PM

Good riddance.

Mr. Television · 11-20-2006, 05:24 PM

Great news

Superstar · 11-20-2006, 05:25 PM

Its ridiculous that they thought that people would watch that trash anyway.

Karen* · 11-20-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superstar

Its ridiculous that they thought that people would watch that trash anyway.

Well, the book did reach the top 20 on Amazon.

It's good that this got trashed.

friendsfan77 · 11-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Thank God. I cant believe they would think people would watch this to begin with.

theshark8777 · 11-20-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Girl Next Door

Well, the book did reach the top 20 on Amazon.

It's good that this got trashed.

The book hit #20 and hasn't even been released yet. Don't people have better stuff to read.

toomas · 11-20-2006, 05:43 PM

what a shame, the murderer can't make any money.

Dr. John Becker · 11-20-2006, 05:57 PM

Good for Fox for coming to their senses.

Brian Damage · 11-20-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

The book hit #20 and hasn't even been released yet. Don't people have better stuff to read.

Some people are still obsessed with the OJ Simpson case.

Lamont · 11-20-2006, 06:59 PM

so what happens to all the copies that are allready printed???? and what about all those who allready paid for pre-orders????

and does OJ get to keep the $3.5 million? I assume he gets the $$ anyhow, since he did his end and THEY pulled the plug???

80sTrivia · 11-20-2006, 10:05 PM

Wow... I can't believe that Fox came to their senses about this, but I certainly am glad they did...

Ireneparalegal · 11-20-2006, 11:28 PM

THANK U SWEET JESUS!

Brad Russ · 11-20-2006, 11:33 PM

I'm glad Fox made the right decision!!

Sometimes you've got to put your principles before ratings.

Nighthawk76 · 11-21-2006, 12:11 AM

This is good news. Now if someone would just throw O.J.'s sorry ass in jail where it has belonged for the last decade.

11-20-2006, 05:05 PM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061120/...pson_interview O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer 6 minutes ago NEW YORK - After a firestorm of criticism, News. Corp. said Monday that it has canceled the O.J. Simpson book and television special "If I Did It." "I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project," said Rupert Murdoch, News Corp. chairman. "We are sorry for any pain that his has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson." A dozen Fox affiliates had already said they would not air the two-part sweeps month special, planned for next week before the Nov. 30 publication of the book by ReganBooks. The publishing house is a HarperCollins imprint owned — like the Fox network — by News Corp. In the projects, Simpson speaks in hypothetical terms about how he would have committed the 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Goldman. Relatives of the victims have lashed out at the now scuttled publication and broadcast plans. "He destroyed my son and took from my family Ron's future and life. And for that I'll hate him always and find him despicable," Fred Goldman told ABC last week. The industry trade publication Broadcasting & Cable editorialized against the show Monday, saying "Fox should cancel this evil sweeps stunt." One of the nation's largest superstore chains, Borders Group Inc., said last week it would donate any profits on the book to charity. Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of murder in a case that became its own television drama. The former football star and announcer was later found liable for the deaths in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Goldman family. Judith Regan, publisher of "If I Did It," said she considered the book to be Simpson's confession. The television special was to air on two of the final three nights of the November sweeps, when ratings are watched closely to set local advertising rates. It has been a particularly tough fall for Fox, which has seen none of its new shows catch on and is waiting for the January bows of "American Idol" and "24." Yahoo! News/AP-November 20, 2006
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11-20-2006, 05:24 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Great news
	__________________ Sonny

11-20-2006, 05:57 PM	#9
Dr. John Becker A Great American Senior Member Join Date: Sep 12, 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,645	Good for Fox for coming to their senses.
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11-20-2006, 10:05 PM	#12
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Wow... I can't believe that Fox came to their senses about this, but I certainly am glad they did...
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11-20-2006, 11:28 PM	#13
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	THANK U SWEET JESUS!
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11-20-2006, 05:13 PM	#2
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	Good riddance.
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11-20-2006, 05:25 PM	#4
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	Its ridiculous that they thought that people would watch that trash anyway.

11-20-2006, 05:27 PM	#6
friendsfan77 - Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 02, 2004 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 3,165	Thank God. I cant believe they would think people would watch this to begin with.

11-20-2006, 05:43 PM	#8
toomas Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 21, 2006 Posts: 19	what a shame, the murderer can't make any money.

11-20-2006, 06:59 PM	#11
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	so what happens to all the copies that are allready printed???? and what about all those who allready paid for pre-orders???? and does OJ get to keep the $3.5 million? I assume he gets the $$ anyhow, since he did his end and THEY pulled the plug???

11-20-2006, 11:33 PM	#14
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	I'm glad Fox made the right decision!! Sometimes you've got to put your principles before ratings.
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11-21-2006, 12:11 AM	#15
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,256	This is good news. Now if someone would just throw O.J.'s sorry ass in jail where it has belonged for the last decade.