The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 2, 2016
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 421 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 382 out of 421
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 421
  3. Negative: 25 out of 421
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User Reviews

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  1. YorkMan
    Mar 4, 2016
    2
    I've given up after three episodes. I'm sorry, but it's just crap.

    Being an Englishman, my memories of O.J. Simpson's escapades are those revolving around the British media reporting of the time. As such it wasn't a massive 'moment' in history, nor was it really that compelling. So, for me, watching the show was going to hopefully allow me to understand some of the context    I've given up after three episodes. I'm sorry, but it's just crap.

    Being an Englishman, my memories of O.J. Simpson's escapades are those revolving around the British media reporting of the time. As such it wasn't a massive 'moment' in history, nor was it really that compelling.

    So, for me, watching the show was going to hopefully allow me to understand some of the context surrounding the massive furore that came from O.J.'s acquittal, and shed some light and offer insight into the processes of the Police, the D.A.'s office, the defence attorney etc.

    But, what I got instead was a television show which was trying to create a drama...... When everyone watching knows what happens in the end. It didn't make sense. In three episodes I didn't really understand any of the characters' motivations, but the American 'rolling news' sensibility was rammed down my throat.

    It's also hard to watch something where 5'8" tall Cuba Gooding Jr, is playing 6'1" O.J. Simpson, surely there were better choices of lead actor available??!!
    And hearing David Schwimmer, in his monotone voice, saying 'come on Juice' every 30 seconds in that opening episode had 'internet meme' written all over it!

    I guess the appreciation of the show is heavily dependent on whether you're an American or not. Whether you're used to television shows like this, and understand that nation's obsession with fallen 'heroes'.
    If you're just someone, like me, looking at this from an outsider's perspective..... It's just terrible television.    … Expand
  2. high90
    Feb 7, 2016
    1
    I watched the premier of this and thought to myself, this couldnt be the show everyone is raving about, its just a terrible soap opera but the critics say its good so it must be good. Well its not good its crap, Gooding jr as Simpson is a horrible casting choice, he is a midget in comparison and everyone dwarfs him in every scene. The acting is totally unrealistic again it reminded me ofI watched the premier of this and thought to myself, this couldnt be the show everyone is raving about, its just a terrible soap opera but the critics say its good so it must be good. Well its not good its crap, Gooding jr as Simpson is a horrible casting choice, he is a midget in comparison and everyone dwarfs him in every scene. The acting is totally unrealistic again it reminded me of old episodes of Dallas without the talent of Larry Hagman. The constant references to the kardashians is incredibly heavy handed. The casting of Travolta and Ross from friends pulled me out of every scene, I was waiting for Monica and the monkey to show up at one point. I'd rather watch the Sopranos for the fifth time than this melodramatic garbage.… Expand
  3. billiebardwell
    Feb 14, 2016
    1
    This show is pure pulp fiction for entertainment purposes only, and should not be viewed as representing anything pretending to be the truth. It appears geared only to reinforce negative stereotypes that have nothing to do with the reality or the truth that took place in this matter. Sworn officers of the court have violated their oaths by acting under the color of authority to suppress,This show is pure pulp fiction for entertainment purposes only, and should not be viewed as representing anything pretending to be the truth. It appears geared only to reinforce negative stereotypes that have nothing to do with the reality or the truth that took place in this matter. Sworn officers of the court have violated their oaths by acting under the color of authority to suppress, and conceal, the truth by the hand of one unknown judge, John H. Reid, at the behest of the LA DA in office at the time Gil Garcetti. Those who know this have attempted to advise the executive producers of this show but to no avail. Eventually, that truth uncovered by groups like OMIG, Stephen Singular, Joseph Bosco, T.H. Johnson, Dr. Henry Johnson, Deputy D.A. Lucienne Coleman and Deputy D.A. Lea P. D'Agostino is going to come forth and we will be facing the biggest scandal based upon the greatest fraud in our lifetime. These people most who do not know one another, know based upon their own due diligence in investigating this matter that OJ Simpson was framed. It's like cotton candy, it may be titillatingly tasty but it does your mind or body little good, you'd learn more by reading something like PURSUIT OF EXHIBIT 35 or LEGACY OF DECEPTION.… Expand
  4. 77DarkHorse7
    Mar 4, 2016
    2
    This would be an excellent story: If we didn't know how it ended, who the people were and if it wasn't about O.J. Simpson. Because we now have to reconcile everything we know about OJ in real life with this skewed laughable portrayal of a poor innocent diminutive basketcase. It's not based in fact, it's us sitting inside Simpson's head watching his self made hammed up propaganda film ofThis would be an excellent story: If we didn't know how it ended, who the people were and if it wasn't about O.J. Simpson. Because we now have to reconcile everything we know about OJ in real life with this skewed laughable portrayal of a poor innocent diminutive basketcase. It's not based in fact, it's us sitting inside Simpson's head watching his self made hammed up propaganda film of how HE wants everyone to perceive him. The only way he'd ever act this way is if he were innocent. And we know that's not the case. His DNA was all over everything. HIS gloves were at both scenes covered in HIS and Nicole's blood. His shoeprints were there, from HIS "ugly ass" shoes that they caught him lying about. HIS car was there near the murder time WITH HIM INSIDE IT. The blood was so well preserved that they could even tell he'd been to McDonald's recently because they found a preservative used in McDonald's Big Mac Special sauce that had come off of his hands and mixed into the blood while he was killing his victims. The worst thing about it is that OJ isn't portrayed in this. Where's OJ. It's been 22 years. After everything that has happened during that time, OJ's real personality is in sharp focus. He is a cool, calm, collected, strategic, manipulator. He cares only about himself. He would never consider killing himself, period. When his world doesn't conform to his will he strikes back swiftly and precisely with no remorse. Time and time again he himself has demonstrated this to be true. However, here they have him as a hot-headed peabrained basket case who readily winds himself up and then breaks down and wants to die. It's like they put Michael Richards in The body of someone who almost passes for OJ. This is not the way to tell America's most influential prosecution story.… Expand
  5. tdub
    Mar 1, 2016
    0
    Horrible, just horrible. I have NEVER seen so many great actors act so horribly. Overacting in every way. I can't stand to watch it any longer. whiney Cuba Gooding JR. weirdly acting John Travolta. We all know what happened anyway.. there isn't any inside information, so the acting should have been amazing.
  6. ldi
    Mar 30, 2016
    1
    There is no excuse for this show to have such high ratings. The acting is completely terrible. Cuba Gooding Jr. is like a shrill mini mike tyson, nothing close to OJ and over acting like mad. Schwimmer is a bumbling mess who can hardly act his way out of a paper bag. Travolta is on some crazy campy acting trip. Just awful mess of a show. Oh did I mention, its totally BORING? Well thats theThere is no excuse for this show to have such high ratings. The acting is completely terrible. Cuba Gooding Jr. is like a shrill mini mike tyson, nothing close to OJ and over acting like mad. Schwimmer is a bumbling mess who can hardly act his way out of a paper bag. Travolta is on some crazy campy acting trip. Just awful mess of a show. Oh did I mention, its totally BORING? Well thats the icing on the cake. It is just one boring scene after another, really not worth anyone's time. Im sure editing it was a burden.… Expand
  7. DakotaFred
    Feb 15, 2016
    0
    Just wow. I mean really, a 90 rating?! Come on. While the true to life events that have taken place surrounding this case indeed are quite amusing, this particular portrayal falls flat with its all too common racist overtones of American society. Over-privileged urban people of color whining about how bad they have it... enough already. There is a reason why its called "Hollyweird" andJust wow. I mean really, a 90 rating?! Come on. While the true to life events that have taken place surrounding this case indeed are quite amusing, this particular portrayal falls flat with its all too common racist overtones of American society. Over-privileged urban people of color whining about how bad they have it... enough already. There is a reason why its called "Hollyweird" and this is a pretty good example of that.… Expand
  8. SIPPIO
    Oct 13, 2017
    0
    DISGUSTING! I was 20 year sold and like 90% of 20 year olds= it was boring.
    Ironic I'm obsessed BuffaloBills diehard!
    **KARDASHIAN** guilt/shame is the BIGGEST LIE IN THIS SHOW! FACT! Proof of Kardashian Lie= Would that family allow anything negative about him? NOT A CHANCE, They are too powerful in Hollywood.. ***This bothers me soo much about the jury.. They portrayed them as bum    DISGUSTING! I was 20 year sold and like 90% of 20 year olds= it was boring.
    Ironic I'm obsessed BuffaloBills diehard!
    **KARDASHIAN** guilt/shame is the BIGGEST LIE IN THIS SHOW!
    FACT! Proof of Kardashian Lie= Would that family allow anything negative about him?
    NOT A CHANCE, They are too powerful in Hollywood..
    ***This bothers me soo much about the jury..
    They portrayed them as bum bling IDIOTS!!
    **JUDGE LANCE ITO (SP) IS A DISGRACE...
    He allowed Johny Cochran to dominate him and turn it into a race issue.
    ***I wonder how then innocent OJ is doing today in 2017..
    *i'll never forgive/forget all the villains in this event..
    #1 villain is this show!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best TV Season of 2016
15
#15 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
7
#7 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. TVLine
    Reviewed by: Kimberly Roots
    Apr 6, 2016
    83
    The People v. O.J. Simpson‘s true feat is its ability to build real suspense using moments burned into our national consciousness.
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  2. Colorado Springs Gazette
    Reviewed by: Terry Terrones
    Apr 6, 2016
    100
    A stellar cast, deft storytelling and the drama of a trial that polarized America make for compelling television 21 years later.
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Feb 2, 2016
    100
    If there is just one thing that The People v. O.J. Simpson is, it’s maddening. Fascinating and involved and nuanced and sympathetic, too.
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