O.J. Simpson book, TV special canceled

[estranged4life]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15818960/

Chairman Rupert Murdoch says project was 'ill-considered'

NEW YORK - O.J. Simpson's book and TV special were canceled Monday, an astonishing end to an imaginary confession that had sickened the public as the very worst kind of tabloid sensation.

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

"If I Did It," in which Simpson was to have described how he would have killed his ex-wife, had been scheduled to air as a two-part interview Nov. 27 and Nov. 29 on Fox. The book was to have followed on Nov. 30.

HarperCollins spokeswoman Erin Crum said some copies had already been shipped to stores but would be recalled, and all copies would be destroyed.

"I think News Corp. finally stepped up, admitted they made a mistake and did the right thing," said Jonathan Polak, the lawyer for Fred Goldman, Ron's father. "This is everything we have been asking News Corp. to do for the past two weeks. We want to thank the American people for helping make this happen."

Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, told The Associated Press: "We had known for three or four days that this was a possibility."

Galanter said he did not know whether the deal between Simpson and News Corp. was contingent on a TV interview being shown or a book arriving in stores.

"There are only three possible reactions: anger, happiness or indifference. He's totally indifferent about the fact that it's been canceled," said Galanter, who added that he didn't know if Simpson was paid upfront.

Simpson told The Associated Press in a phone interview late Monday he could not comment on the situation "until I know legally where I stand."

He added, "I would like nothing better than to straighten out some things that have been mischaracterized. But I think I'm legally muzzled at this point."

Near universal revulsion
Any hopes of commercial reward were quickly overwhelmed by near universal revulsion to last week's announcement - from those who knew Goldman and Brown, from booksellers and advertisers, even from Fox News Channel personality Bill O'Reilly.

A dozen Fox network affiliates had already said they would not air the two-part sweeps month special, and numerous stores had either declined to sell the book or had promised to donate any profits to charity.

"I really don't think there would have been very many advertisers who would have been willing to participate in this show," said Brad Adgate of the ad buying firm Horizon Media.

With little advertising, Fox would miss the chance to profit from the show. If there were no advertisers, the show wouldn't even be rated by Nielsen Media Research - so the number of people watching would have done nothing to help Fox's season average, he said.

The cancellation was a stunning setback for ReganBooks - an imprint of HarperCollins - and Judith Regan, who had labeled the book and interview Simpson's "confession." She insisted that she had done it not for money, but as a victim of domestic violence anxious to face down a man she believed got away, literally, with murder.

ReganBooks is known for gossipy best-sellers such as Jose Canseco's "Juiced" and Jenna Jameson's "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star."

A new low for Fox
The Simpson interview also was a low for Fox, which has long tested viewers with risky reality programming dating back to "When Animals Attack."

O'Reilly had urged a boycott of any company that advertised on the special.

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

The TV 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."

The closest precedent for such an about-face came when CBS yanked a miniseries about Ronald Reagan from its schedule in 2003 when complaints were raised about its accuracy. It was seen on CBS' sister premium-cable channel, Showtime, instead.

One Fox affiliate station manager said he wasn't going to air the special because he was concerned that, whether or not Simpson was guilty, he'd still be profiting from murders.

"I have my own moral compass and this was easy," said Bill Lamb, general manager of WDRB in Louisville.

Numerous books have been withdrawn over the years because of possible plagiarism, most recently Kaavya Viswanathan's "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life," but removal simply for objectionable content is exceptionally rare. In the early 1990s, Simon & Schuster canceled Bret Easton Ellis' "American Pyscho," an exceptionally graphic account of a serial killer. The novel was released by Random House Inc., and later made into a feature film.

Sales for "If I Did It," had been strong, but not sensational. It cracked the top 20 of Amazon.com last weekend, but by Monday afternoon, at the time its cancellation was announced, the book had fallen to No. 51.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[irishgrl]

may it keep on falling all the way down to dollar store level. Asshole.

[BlackWidow]

may it keep on falling all the way down to dollar store level. Asshole.

BIGTIME ASSHOLE!!!:distress:

[PsychCat]

The book was totally recalled and all copies are to be destroyed.
That's not to say there won't be a few strays but it won't sell millions now. :woohoo:

To quote the wonderful Debbie Harry.....
OJ... just go away and stay away!! :wavey:

[carrie721]

The book was totally recalled and all copies are to be destroyed.

i'm glad he won't be making any money off it, but what a pathetic waste of trees. :distress:

[BlackWidow]

i'm glad he won't be making any money off it, but what a pathetic waste of trees. :distress:

Denise Brown will discuss this today on The Today Show w/ Matt Lauer...:nod:

[carrie721]

Denise Brown will discuss this today on The Today Show w/ Matt Lauer...:nod:

i'd watch, but the today show is almost over here ...

[BlackWidow]

i'd watch, but the today show is almost over here ...

You know how they drag it out and do it toward the end usually....:shrug:

[carrie721]

You know how they drag it out and do it toward the end usually....:shrug:

yeah, you're right. i'll go check and see what's on ...

it's some dog show BS. i bet they just did it.

[JazmenFlowers]

Asshole.
exactly. the idea that he'd do this and put his children through something like this is horrific and disgusting. he is such a f*cking retard.

and then to say all the money was going to go directly to his children. what a loser.

[BlackWidow]

Oh Strandie....it would take DAYS..DAYS..to explain my views on all of this!!!

[carrie721]

exactly. the idea that he'd do this and put his children through something like this is horrific and disgusting. he is such a f*cking retard.

and then to say all the money was going to go directly to his children. what a loser.

talk about blood money. i would not want a cent of it.

[strandinthewind]

Oh Strandie....it would take DAYS..DAYS..to explain my views on all of this!!!

I deleted my post - too much drama for today :laugh:

[JazmenFlowers]

I deleted my post - too much drama for today :laugh:
you? delete a post to prevent drama? :eek:

jesusf8ckingchrist. what is the world coming to?


:lol:

[BlackWidow]

you? delete a post to prevent drama? :eek:

jesusf8ckingchrist. what is the world coming to?


:lol:

I KNOW..RIIIGHT?????:shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :lol:

[strandinthewind]

you? delete a post to prevent drama? :eek:

jesusf8ckingchrist. what is the world coming to?


:lol:

LOL - I am mellowing with old age.

But, what the hell :laugh:

I think OJ is acting in a tasteless manner even if the money really is for his kids. There is no excuse for this kind of pandering.

I also recognize the victims' families are very hurt - who wouldn't be.

But, I think the victims' families, to me, come across as going to the opening of an envelope or a Wal Mart to preach about this. I think they have said all they can say and their constant seeking to say it again, to me, smacks of perhaps a little media whoring on their part. If it had been me, I would have issued no comment on OJ's actions and certainly not gone on several late night shows to redisplay my outrage. But, that is just me.

[JazmenFlowers]

LOL - I am mellowing with old age.

But, what the hell :laugh:

I think OJ is acting in a tasteless manner even if the money really is for his kids. There is no excuse for this kind of pandering.

I also recognize the victims' families are very hurt - who wouldn't be.

But, I think the victims' families, to me, come across as going to the opening of an envelope or a Wal Mart to preach about this. I think they have said all they can say and their constant seeking to say it again, to me, smacks of perhaps a little media whoring on their part. If it had been me, I would have issued no comment on OJ's actions and certainly not gone on several late night shows to redisplay my outrage. But, that is just me.
yeah, I see where you're going. and I can kinda sorta say I agree. I think they do give that appearance, especially the Browns; but I think they, especially the Goldmans, are just adamant about making sure their daughter's/son's voice is heard every step of the way. but that's just me.

[BlackWidow]

LOL - I am mellowing with old age.

But, what the hell :laugh:

I think OJ is acting in a tasteless manner even if the money really is for his kids. There is no excuse for this kind of pandering.

I also recognize the victims' families are very hurt - who wouldn't be.

But, I think the victims' families, to me, come across as going to the opening of an envelope or a Wal Mart to preach about this. I think they have said all they can say and their constant seeking to say it again, to me, smacks of perhaps a little media whoring on their part. If it had been me, I would have issued no comment on OJ's actions and certainly not gone on several late night shows to redisplay my outrage. But, that is just me.

^^^
If he had done this..(and he did)..to my sister or brother..I would be in jail now for his murder..I am not kidding. I knew Nicole and this is a sore subject for me!

[strandinthewind]

I also think OJ ought to be able to write and release anything he wants to no matter how awful I may consider it. This is, after all, America. Everytime some group gets together to try and stop something from airing or being released, I just get my free speech/censorship dander up.

[strandinthewind]

^^^
If he had done this..(and he did)..to my sister or brother..I would be in jail now for his murder..I am not kidding. I knew Nicole and this is a sore subject for me!

I know you knew here. But, that still does not make their actions less tacky to me. To me, they come across as desperate and media seeking.

[BlackWidow]

This decision has actually restored my faith in decency in America!

[strandinthewind]

yeah, I see where you're going. and I can kinda sorta say I agree. I think they do give that appearance, especially the Browns; but I think they, especially the Goldmans, are just adamant about making sure their daughter's/son's voice is heard every step of the way. but that's just me.

I see that too and I think that is a good thing. Maybe it is the way he comes across while doing it.

In the end, it likely is not what I would do because I think it gives OJ even more notoriety, which I think is what he is seeking along with the $$$ that comes with it. But, that is just me.

[strandinthewind]

This decision has actually restored my faith in decency in America!

But, do you think it should be censored? I mean everyone was all up in arms when the Clinton thing and the Regean thing were going to be censored by the right and left wings. I was and am all for letting anything air as long as it does not cause a riot or endanger the public in any way. I do not think groups of people should control free speech. I get that in this particular case, I think the speech is tasteless, but when you get to individual line drawing, I think you get into trouble. So, I say let it air and those sick people who want to see it will. I would not.

[chiffon head]

This decision has actually restored my faith in decency in America!

A small glimmer of hope:)


Renee

[JazmenFlowers]

In the end, it likely is not what I would do because I think it gives OJ even more notoriety, which I think is what he is seeking along with the $$$ that comes with it. But, that is just me.
ITA with respect to what I'd do. I'm like you, I would just say "no comment" -

[DavidMn]

God there is justice somewhere that this piece of **** didnt get to make ANY MONEY off this. May he burn in hell.

[DrummerDeanna]

I stated this in the other OJ thread - it applies here though...

I think it's great that it was cancelled...but I also find it sad and disturbing that the book made it to #20 in Amazon pre-sales. This decision does nothing to restore my faith in the American public...:(

[DavidMn]

I stated this in the other OJ thread - it applies here though...

I think it's great that it was cancelled...but I also find it sad and disturbing that the book made it to #20 in Amazon pre-sales. This decision does nothing to restore my faith in the American public...:(Hey, not to make light of a bad situation, but what does OJ have to do with a member of Fleetwood Mac?

[strandinthewind]

I stated this in the other OJ thread - it applies here though...

I think it's great that it was cancelled...but I also find it sad and disturbing that the book made it to #20 in Amazon pre-sales. This decision does nothing to restore my faith in the American public...:(

But, do you support the idea that a group of people can get together and get something banned from print. I mean the chips fell your way this time, but that may not always be the case.

[DavidMn]

But, do you support the idea that a group of people can get together and get something banned from print. I mean the chips fell your way this time, but that may not always be the case.

No you have a point, it sure would be nice if we all had the common sense to know what's right and what isnt.:nod:

[carrie721]

But, do you support the idea that a group of people can get together and get something banned from print. I mean the chips fell your way this time, but that may not always be the case.

while i am relieved he won't be making any money off of this, and i'm sickened by the idea of it, i do agree with you ... i don't like the idea of drawing lines in the sand about what is appropriate for print and what is not. many people think my lifestyle is an abomination but thankfully i am still free to live as i wish ... in most states anyway. :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

No you have a point, it sure would be nice if we all had the common sense to know what's right and what isnt.:nod:

To the vast majority of America, common sense indicates homosexuality is a sin and gay people deserve no "special rights."

[strandinthewind]

. . in most states anyway. :laugh:

I thought they lifted that restaining order on you in Rhode Island :eek: :wavey:

[DavidMn]

To the vast majority of America, common sense indicates homosexuality is a sin and gay people deserve no "special rights."But do you get what I'm saying? I mean sometimes things seem so clear as to whats right and whats wrong, but then the fringe elements get their hands on it and F**K it all up.:distress:

[carrie721]

I thought they lifted that restaining order on you in Rhode Island :eek: :wavey:

they never actually caught me doing anything lascivious with that lobster. :shrug:

[strandinthewind]

they never actually caught me doing anything lascivious with that lobster. :shrug:

Well, it was how and where you were making it pinch you - I mean that stretched the definition of a broach to say the least :woohoo: :woohoo:

[strandinthewind]

But do you get what I'm saying? I mean sometimes things seem so clear as to whats right and whats wrong, but then the fringe elements get their hands on it and F**K it all up.:distress:

I think that book and interview were horrid and inappropriate. But, I will all day long defend his right to do them - and I would never watch it.

[carrie721]

Well, it was how and where you were making it pinch you - I mean that stretched the definition of a broach to say the least :woohoo: :woohoo:

were you watching? :eek: :eek: :eek:

[DavidMn]

they never actually caught me doing anything lascivious with that lobster. :shrug:Whoaaaaaa!:lol:

[strandinthewind]

were you watching? :eek: :eek: :eek:

All I know is if your torso were shorter and its tail straighter, it could have been a bikini :angel:

[DrummerDeanna]

while i am relieved he won't be making any money off of this, and i'm sickened by the idea of it, i do agree with you ... i don't like the idea of drawing lines in the sand about what is appropriate for print and what is not. many people think my lifestyle is an abomination but thankfully i am still free to live as i wish ... in most states anyway. :laugh:

You make a good point.

Had this book gone to print - it really wouldn't have affected me...because I wouldn't be buying it.

So all in all I'm saying I do see y'alls point that this does get into the whole Freedom of Speech realm...I honestly hadn't even looked at it that way. I know there are tons of people out there who if they had their way all Harry Potter books should be destroyed...and in that case the chips would not be falling as I like...you gotta take the bad along with the good I guess...

Now I'll stop before I break into song..."you take the good you take the bad..." damn...too late.

[carrie721]

Whoaaaaaa!:lol:

it's all hideous lies. he's been pissed off at me ever since i told him i wouldn't let him cornrow braid my ass hair. :angel:

All I know is if your torso were shorter and its tail straighter, it could have been a bikini :angel:

that's the last time i ever buy a bathing suit from a guy named guido.

[strandinthewind]

it's all hideous lies. he's been pissed off at me ever since i told him i wouldn't let him cornrow braid my ass hair. :angel:

especially seeing how you had shaved the top half of it and it would have then resembled a goatee :D :D :D :D :sorry:

[carrie721]

especially seeing how you had shaved the top half of it and it would have then resembled a goatee :D :D :D :D :sorry:

see, it's your crazy boy george ideas like that that made me drop you as my anal aesthetician. :mad:

[strandinthewind]

see, it's your crazy boy george ideas like that that made me drop you as my anal aesthetician. :mad:

I TUMBLE FOR YA :blob1: :blob2: :blob1:

[carrie721]

I TUMBLE FOR YA :blob1: :blob2: :blob1:

i am looking for someone to style all my areola hair tho ... interested? :D

[strandinthewind]

i am looking for someone to style all my areola hair tho ... interested? :D

Well, will will have to use one of the 60's, aluminum, multi-tubular permanent machines to start with :eek:

[carrie721]

Well, will will have to use one of the 60's, aluminum, multi-tubular permanent machines to start with :eek:

i'll bring the cotton gin ... it's the only thing that worked last time.

[strandinthewind]

i'll bring the cotton gin ... it's the only thing that worked last time.

You had hard to extract without pain of blood husks and seeds in there :eek:

[carrie721]

You had hard to extract without pain of blood husks and seeds in there :eek:

i'm not paying you to ask questions, imelda. i'm paying you to help take care of my areola hair! :mad:

[BlackWidow]

I thought they lifted that restaining order on you in Rhode Island :eek: :wavey:

What restraining order...:eek: ????

[carrie721]

What restraining order...:eek: ????

that's what i said!

:angel:

[strandinthewind]

that's what i said!

:angel:

The one the local Hell's Angels chapter had taken out after the suction caused by your public aerobic moves severly damaged several bikes and dismembered their largest member :wavey:

[BlackWidow]

The one the local Hell's Angels chapter had taken out after the suction caused by your public aerobic moves severly damaged several bikes and dismembered their largest member :wavey:

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[carrie721]

The one the local Hell's Angels chapter had taken out after the suction caused by your public aerobic moves severly damaged several bikes and dismembered their largest member :wavey:

they deserved it ... :shrug:

don't make me fire you again, strandy. :mad:

[strandinthewind]

they deserved it ... :shrug:

don't make me fire you again, strandy. :mad:

Well, you do have that bellows.

[strandinthewind]

LORD CHILD - here we go :eek:

___________________________________________________________

O.J. Simpson: I Knew Book Profits Would Be 'Blood Money'

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

LOS ANGELES — O.J. Simpson told The Associated Press he participated in the ill-fated "If I Did It" book and interview project for one reason — personal profit, and he acknowledged that any financial gain was "blood money."

"This was an opportunity for my kids to get their financial legacy," Simpson said in interviews this week with the AP after the book deal was abandoned by its publisher. "My kids understand. I made it clear that it's blood money, but it's no different than any of the other writers who did books on this case."

The book, said to describe how he theoretically would have committed the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, had been scheduled for release Nov. 30 following the airing of a two-part Simpson interview on Fox on Monday and Wednesday.

News Corp., owner of Fox Broadcasting and publisher HarperCollins, canceled the project after a public outcry and objections by advertisers and booksellers.

In a radio interview Wednesday, Simpson said the project was not a confession.

"I made it clear from the first day I met the writer that I wasn't involved," Simpson said on Miami's WTPS-AM. "I said, 'I have nothing to confess."'

Goldman's family, meanwhile, asked News Corp. to turn over its rights to the now-canceled book and interview, an attorney said Wednesday.

In two AP telephone interviews this week from his Florida home, Simpson declined to say how much of an advance he received for the book but said it was less than the $3.5 million that had been reported. He said the money has already been spent, including some he used to meet tax obligations.

Simpson said he was convinced the book would have been a best-seller.

"My kids would have been coming into a lot of money," he said, adding he desperately needs the cash because his retirement funds are dwindling.

Prepublication sales for "If I Did It," had been strong, but not sensational. It cracked the top 20 of Amazon.com last weekend but had fallen to No. 51 by the time the cancellation was announced.

Simpson said he deserved the harsh criticism for his role in the project, although he complained that News Corp. owner Rupert Murdoch appears to be getting off easy.

"I'm taking heat and I deserve it," Simpson said. "But Murdoch should not be taking the high road either."

Publisher Judith Regan has portrayed the book as representing "O.J.'s confession," and it reportedly contains a chapter where he explains how he could have committed the killings.

But the former football star says he didn't commit the murders. He said was disappointed by Regan's portrayal of the book, which he said was ghostwritten: "I thought, 'This lady probably thinks I did it and I didn't."'

• Raw Data: Judith Regan Statement: 'Why I Did It'

Simpson said he told a representative of the publisher that he would not allow the book's publication if it contained any graphic descriptions of "cutting or stabbing."

Asked how he felt about the effect the book would have on the victims' families, Simpson expressed bitterness toward Goldman's father, Fred, who has denounced Simpson as a liar and murderer.

Simpson was acquitted of murder in 1995 but was later found liable for the killings in a wrongful-death suit filed by the Goldman family. Simpson has failed to pay the $33.5 million judgment against him in that case, and his pensions and his Florida home cannot be seized.

He said Fred Goldman has helped drain his finances with "frivolous lawsuits," including one he brought recently attempting to deprive Simpson of the commercial rights to his own name. Although Simpson prevailed in court, he said he spent $17,000 in legal fees.

Fred Goldman's attorney, Jonathan G. Polak, said Goldman wants the rights to the material to ensure that all copies are destroyed and that News Corp. doesn't sell the rights to "some sleazy cable pay-per-view operation or video site."

A call to a News Corp. seeking comment was not returned. After Murdoch canceled the book and interview, News Corp. subsidiary HarperCollins said all copies of the book will be destroyed.

Simpson, 59, said his NFL pension pays only $1,700 a month and the private pension he amassed during the days when he was a TV pitchman and sports commentator is being halved next month because he's had to dip into the principal.

Although he knew the project would bring an avalanche of negative publicity, Simpson said he was willing to face it "if that's what it took."

Despite his financial troubles, Simpson indicated he wasn't entirely unhappy the project was abandoned.

"I feel like a man who's had the weight of the world taken off me," he said.


FOX and HarperCollins are owned by News Corp., which is the parent company of FOXNews.com.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,231381,00.html

[ontheEdgeof17]

^I hate him. More and more each day.

[strandinthewind]

^I hate him. More and more each day.

There is no doubt he is a total a$$ :nod:

[BlackWidow]

I want him to die in a fiery plane crash!