This is the class that we say nothing...

George Lipsitz's article "The Greatest Story Ever Sold" is about the selling power of the O.J. Simpson trial. The trial, be it morbid murder trial, was something that combined multiple aspects of media commercialization into consumption for the average American citizen. Lipsitz mentioned how television is one of the big middle grounds of media, in which someone can have face time for nearly everything. The trial gave us not only ideas of consumption, but it was also popular because it felt like television show. "The athlete/actor/celebrity defendant charged with murder could have come out of Murder, She Wrote or Columbo while the details about his residence and vehicles might easily fit into segments of Dallas Dynasty, or Life Styles of the Rich and Famous" (pg. 178). Though, Lipsitz mentioned that the trial did feel more realistic, though not entirely.
Lipsitz went on to talk about how not only did the trial do a lot for television and newspapers, but they also did much for books, and even "fancy" attire just because of association with the people behind them (the leather gloves, Italian shoes, Cochran's suits, etc). It was also said that during and after the trial, O.J. copyrighted his name and known nicknames so he could produce a profit. (Doesn't this seem just slightly morbid, that is if he did do it.....)

I found that this article focused on the fact of O.J.'s fame instead of his skin color. You would also think that it would at least mention John Cochran not just because he is black, but because he was a big selling point in the trial. I mean, who ever is going to forget, "If the glove does not fit, you must acquit." Was the trial's attention in actuality a focus on the celebrity status of O.J., or is there more than meets the eye?

Thinking this trial, I could not think of any athletes that have come under fire like this. Honestly, the only thing that came to my mind was the Kobe Bryant trial, and even then I barely knew anything about that. The O.J. trial, I knew everything about. Media's marketing, or racial finger pointing?
I wanted to have a clip from Family Guy that I felt displayed this situation, but I couldn't find it. The scene shows Brian (the dog) and his black roommate looking in on the Kobe or O.J. trial (I cannot remember which). When Kobe/O.J. is not guilty, the roommate jumps up and says "yes," while Brian jumps up and complains. Then they both draw guns on each other and decide not to live with each other. Was the O.J. verdict something along the lines of this? I remember believing that he did it. Was this my racial outlook being skewed, or was it the truth. Maybe I was wrong. Well, the fact is that he was not guilty, and used his freedom to steal his Heisman back.