TV Reviews: "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"

Great review from Variety except for one performance which they found awful :

" and without putting too harsh a point on it, John Travolta is simply awful in the role. Yes, Shapiro spoke in stiff, measured tones, but the actor’s overly mannered line readings turn the attorney into a buffoon, in sharp contrast to the more nuanced portrayals around him."

http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/the-people-v-o-j-simpson-american-crime-story-review-fx-john-travolta-cuba-gooding-jr-ryan-murphy-1201684402/

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 03:20 PM

ArtMan said: "If you believe what I read in Entertainment Weekly, Travolta needed the most convincing to sign onto the role. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go back to tv. I really like him and he couldn't have been sweeter when I met him in the late 90's, but at this stage in his career, he can't be really that choosy.

Hes loaded. He never has to work again. He can be choosy. He really should lay low and enjoy his life.

"

Kad said: "I suppose it's good Murphy is helming something that has a story arc already. "

To their credit (I suppose) Murphy/Falchuk are not writing this (though may write the already planned second season) The script was brought to them and is by the team who wrote Ed Wood and (more similar I guess) The People VS Larry Flynt. But Murphy is very involved I guess with the visuals and did all the casting (shock there.)

All the reviews I've read have said how great the acting is (except Travolta who has been reviewed as horrible to slightly capable.) But I still have zero interest in this. The article I read emphasized how absolutely based on fact it was--dialogue taking right from the televised trials, etc, etc. YAWN. I lived through that constantly being on tv when I was a teen. I was barely riveted then--I just don't see how this illuminates anything or they are even bothering. Especially for ten hours--I might be convinced to tune into a tv movie or short miniseries (maybe.)

But yes, Kad, at least I guess they'll have an actual story arc on a Murphy produced show.

Updated On: 1/28/16 at 03:45 PM

Betty, "But hes an actor and an actors gotta act". Seriously, of course he's loaded. That wasn't my point. John Travolta, as much as I like him, is not at the top of the list of starring projects in 2016 nor will he probably be ever again.

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "Did anyone watch this? I didn't think Travolta was any worse than Cuba Gooding Jr, who I found laughably bad. And ever time David Schwimmer or Selma Blair would mention a Kardashian daughter by name I'd roll my eyes. I'm also surprised the main board hasn't been creaming over the fact that Stephen Pasquale is in it.

I gave it a look for the curiosity factor, but I can't fathom wanting to continue watching it, not even to hatewatch.

"

I also didn't find Travolta any worst than the others. But I will disagree with you to say that I found this totally watchable in a trashy and fun sort of way. I actually found the whole thing to move really fast. I'll record the series and view it from playlist when there is nothing else or in the mood.

Updated On: 2/4/16 at 04:54 PM

I enjoyed it while hating myself for it because it's entertainment based on real death. An odd but similar reaction I had at the movies to "Son of Saul."


But David Schwimmer! Oh. Em. Eff. He looks as if he has been hit just between the eyes with a ball-peen three seconds before the director yells "Action!". In every scene he's in. Why is Travolta playing every SNL cast member's impersonation of Lorne Michaels? What has Cuba Gooding done to his vocal chords?

Billy's Kato Kaelin impersonation was comical.

I found it hard to believe that Kim Kardashian had posters of Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Joey Lawrence in her bedroom.

Tavolta wasn't /that/ bad. I think the reviews were especially harsh on him. I think he's making a smart move by trying to reignite his career in TV. Murphy seems up to the challenge after doing the same, more or less, with Jamie Lee Curtis on Scream Queens.

Sarah Paulson was great, I thought she really filled up her role.

Connie Britton as Faye Resnick . . . wow. I had to laugh out loud. Gooding Jr. feels miscast to me.

I'm going to keep watching because I found it entertaining, as DAME put it "in a trashy way" but it also gave me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I mean, is this something we really want to live through . . . again? Whats season two going to be? JonBenet Ramsey? Oy.

. . . making it rain silk purses.

I have not seen this yet, but the mention of Steven Pasquale, who I did not know was playing Fuhrman, made me peek at the full cast list. Jonelle Allen!! She's playing Darden's mother.

Aspects of the response to it, I'd imagine.

David Schwimmer saw a clip with him in it last night where he walks out the door and says the SUV is gone, got the biggest laugh ( saw it before the movies last night AMC ) I mean what was that, surprise, a forced reading, deadpan or just an awful actor!