The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story – FX Networks

With a 20th anniversary in 2015, there’s been no shortage of re-examinations of O.J. Simpson’s 1995 murder trial. “The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” has been among the most addictive. Based on the book, “The Run of His Life: The People V. O.J. Simpson” by Jeffrey Toobin, this miniseries stands out from the pack in its depiction of one of the most dramatic episodes in American legal history. Employing crisp camerawork and riveting dialogue, the series from executive producers Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski and Brad Palchuk captures the trial’s behind-the-scenes chaos and deft courtroom maneuvering in equal measure. Nominated for 22 Emmys, its seven episodes drew more than 20 million viewers and scored a 97% percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Strong performances by Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J., Sarah Paulson as prosecutor Marcia Clark, and Courtney B. Vance as defense attorney Johnnie Cochran lead the solid cast. After two decades, we know how it all ends, but this FX Networks series reminds us how a shrewd defense, overconfident prosecution and history of police bias—not to mention an ill-fitting glove—could lead to an acquittal in one of the nation’s most riveting real-life court dramas.