As a fan of American Crime Story, I must admit that the idea of expanding into American Sports Story and American Love Story sounds absolutely intriguing! The richness of material for these series is undeniable, and I can only imagine the captivating stories that will unfold on our screens.
2013 marked the peak of Aaron Hernandez’s NFL career when he fatally shot Odin Lloyd. In 2015, a court convicted him of first-degree murder. Tragically, in 2017, he was found hanged in his prison cell and declared dead an hour later.
The debut season of “American Sports Story” delves into the mysterious downfall of an impressive football career, yet equally focuses on understanding the part played by massive entities like the NFL and NCAA football, and their millions of viewers, in this tragedy. According to executive producer Brad Simpson, discussed with The Hollywood Reporter, the series aims to explore our fascination with American football as a cultural phenomenon, while simultaneously narrating a story about what transpires when a complex individual encounters power structures. Essentially, it’s a unique blend of topics that elevates it beyond a mere tabloid true crime tale; it serves as a mirror for us, the American public, reflecting our consumption habits.
However, it’s not simple to shed an unfavorable light on the NFL, as pointed out by Simposon and their EP partner Nina Jacobson. Previously, they worked together under the Color Force label with Ryan Murphy on FX anthology series like American Crime Story (The People v. O. J. Simpson, The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Impeachment)). Unlike those projects, which were set some distance from the events they depicted, their sports-focused venture is currently airing its third episode out of eight on FX and FX on Hulu. In an earlier interview in September, Simpson and Jacobson discussed the challenges they faced in creating a genuine NFL story and provided updates about American Love Story.
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Did you initially intend to focus on the Aaron Hernandez story as the first project for this franchise expansion, or was it part of a competition among different sports figures where Hernandez emerged victorious?
BRAD SIMPSON The idea originated from articles by the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team and a podcast. Both had captivating elements – the thorough journalism of the articles and the audio recordings, including jailhouse tapes, for the Wondery podcast. [FX’s] John Landgraf expressed interest in creating something based on it, possibly as an ‘American Crime Story’. What drew us was its ability to reframe a case that people thought they knew everything about – the sensationalized headline, “Thuggish football player kills people and then kills himself” – and reveal the intricate story beneath. Beneath the surface, it’s a tale of a man who was not predestined to commit murder but had an extraordinary talent and potential, exploring how things spiraled out of control. His family, the system, and ultimately Aaron himself contributed to creating a situation where he ended up taking his own life in a prison cell.
One distinctive feature of American Crime Story lies in its vivid depictions of characters who seem larger than life. Figures like those involved in the O.J. Simpson trial and the Bill Clinton presidency are almost legendary in their magnitude. Tim Tebow, however, is not akin to Linda Tripp. With the exception of perhaps Bill Belichick, such towering personalities are less common [in this context]. Was this a cause for concern?
SIMPSON It seems to vary based on one’s point of view. Nina is far more passionate about sports than I am, but many people might consider Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer extremely well-known figures. To my mind, the true focal point of fame lies in the teams themselves: The New England Patriots, the Florida Gators. These entities are enormous institutions that attract huge followings. It’s intriguing to ponder what occurs when imperfect individuals intersect with these vast systems of power and influence. In the O.J. Simpson case, those lawyers were ordinary people who unexpectedly became household names in America.
Nina Jacobson expressed that we had a substantial amount of human drama, even if the individuals involved weren’t widely recognized. However, we also experienced a great deal of pressure, understanding the expectations of sports enthusiasts and their regard for certain legendary figures. The challenge was either to portray these iconic characters accurately or not to attempt it at all. If there wasn’t a compelling narrative featuring a character like Tom Brady, we wouldn’t introduce one just for the sake of including some Tom Brady.
Hey Brad, when you described the NFL and NCAA as huge and potent, it wasn’t entirely positive. Can you share some challenges you faced in overcoming such a negative depiction?
JACOBSON It turns out no one was eager to let us use their pro football stadium for filming (laughs). There wasn’t exactly a line of people saying, “Here you go!” Instead, we filmed at a professional stadium in Orlando that was constructed with the hope of attracting a team, but hasn’t managed to do so yet.
SIMPSON We didn’t feel pressured for product placements. You see, these teams and educational institutions are known for guarding their brand and reputation. As our story was based on real events, we weren’t concerned about copyright issues. However, we had to think deeply about the fate of these students who are thrust into a profit-making venture when they go to college. They have no boundaries or guidelines. They’re rescued when they make mistakes and quickly propelled into the heart of American society. The question arises: what responsibility do we have to modify the game as the impacts become increasingly severe, particularly to the head? We aim to express that it’s possible to admire football while also questioning its aspects. There is a price to pay for loving this sport. But, no, we didn’t receive much support from the professional sports world during our production process.
This is a pretty damning peg, but we are speaking less than 24 hours after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got a concussion, the third of his career, live on Thursday Night Football.
SIMPSON (PARAPHRASED) There are measures we could implement to safeguard players more effectively, but there’s a general preference for making the game tougher, more challenging, and quicker. Back in 2017, there was a great deal of discussion about CTE [Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy], but it seems that conversation has subsided. People seem to have adopted an attitude of, “Well, we pay these athletes generously to allow us to play roughly with them.” I believe it’s possible to enjoy the sport and simultaneously ensure better player safety.
It appears that many enthusiasts favor these safeguards, yet they’ve been subconsciously trained not to contemplate this. Conducting the fantasy football draft at the beginning of the season might create an illusion that it’s similar to playing a video game.
JONES The podcast produced by Wondery was named Gladiator. It’s distinctively situated within the realm of sports, where we gather and support our champions while opposing our adversaries. Our desire is for conflict. Not all sports share this trait. However, Stu Zicherman, the creator of the show, immediately expressed during our conversation, “I’m a football fanatic.” He’s deeply passionate about football. Thus, it’s more about shedding light on the price we pay for this American faith.
In what manner did you discuss maintaining a lighter tone throughout the narrative, given that it’s a rather somber tale? It appears that both seasons of American Crime Story delve into weighty topics, yet they seem to allow for more moments of humor or lightness.
JACOBSON We aimed for the event not to be overly challenging, but rather an enjoyable experience. To ensure things didn’t take a turn for the worse, we wanted to maintain an air of fulfilling dreams and excitement. Our goal was to share some of the thrill of the journey he took and the unique perspective behind the scenes. We filled our team with writers who had firsthand experience in professional play, being in those locker rooms, and competing at the highest level. Nobody wants to witness something that doesn’t draw them in and keep them engaged until the story concludes.
Regarding the incident at the stadium in Orlando, it wasn’t part of the plan for you to use a gun in Florida. How significantly did this unexpected event disrupt the entire process?
SIMPSON Initially, we intended to film in New Jersey, with a stadium from that state as our location. However, our proposals were turned down by Rutgers University and every other potential venue. It seemed like many people had connections to those in charge, but it was crucial for us to make the football scenes appear genuine – particularly for the Patriots. Consequently, our team discovered a stadium in Orlando that’s as big as a professional one, but now only hosts monster truck shows. Essentially, it’s an abandoned Field of Dreams. At the end of production, we traveled to humid Orlando and collaborated with a group known as Game Changers for two weeks. They employ retired professional athletes to create authentic sports scenes for television and film. We were replicating specific plays, and even brought in some individuals who shoot NFL games to enhance our camera crew. By the way, Orlando is an extremely unpleasant place. (Laughs)
In your question, you’re essentially asking why the creators decided to launch a new series titled “American Sports Story” instead of continuing with the theme under “American Crime Story.” Here’s one way to rephrase it:
JACOBSON The stories we’re telling, which are centered around America, serve to reflect our culture back to us in a profound way. Initially, these tales could have been categorized as an “American Crime Story,” but the abundance of intriguing material led us to explore the concept of an “American Sports Story.” Future seasons may not focus on crimes, and instead, we’re also working on an “American Love Story.” We have compelling scripts for the first two episodes about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette that reflect our collective cultural fascinations and imperfections. Not all reflections are always flattering.
Have you already discussed possible future installments and who they might focus on?
SIMPSON It’s our hope that viewers will find this interesting. If they do, there are several projects in the works for us. We usually prefer not to disclose these plans. From our experience with Ryan Murphy productions, once you mention something, it becomes a recurring topic of conversation. For instance, Ryan once hinted at a Studio 54 season for American Crime Story, and we’ve been fielding questions about it for a decade. We often gauge what’s popular and adjust accordingly. The cultural landscape changes, so we strive to stay current with the times.
Let me ask you this: It struck me as interesting when you mentioned having two drafts of American Love Story. Are you planning on finalizing the cast and starting production anytime soon?
US (PARAPHRASING) We’re eagerly anticipating the project. However, we can’t confirm the exact timeline yet. It’s intriguing to observe the renewed admiration and fascination towards Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, not just as a fashion icon but also as a significant cultural figure. Her untold, tragic tale is compelling indeed. Fingers crossed, it might make its debut on television or streaming platforms soon.
It seems there’s a recurring phase where we take a step back to reconsider our perspectives, and currently, it feels as if we’re all doing just that regarding the two of them, and more so her.
Earlier this year, O.J. Simpson passed away. Known for his contentious persona throughout our times, the portrayal of his murder trial turned out to be one of your career’s most significant endeavors. How did you cope with his death, given it signified the conclusion of a historical episode in American history that significantly contributed to your professional journey?
SIMPSON It’s astounding to witness the ongoing interest and coverage surrounding this story about O.J., a man who embodied a singular blend of celebrity, race, sports, and criminality. More profoundly, as depicted in Ezra Edelman’s documentary [O.J.: Made in America], our show only scratched the surface. However, I am convinced that O.J. Simpson was responsible for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. At the heart of this tale is a profound tragedy that is often overshadowed. Yet, it’s the continued fascination with what O.J. symbolized that truly stands out to me.
For your upcoming work at FX, you’ll be adapting Patrick Radden Keefe’s book “Say Nothing.” This novel poses a challenge due to its central theme being a single crime, while also encompassing the comprehensive history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Could you share your strategy for handling this project?
SIMPSON This tale is deeply moving and heartfelt. Josh Zetumer, the producer, skillfully crafted a highly personal and emotional narrative while maintaining the story’s integrity. It spans from the 1960s to the 2000s, and he expertly wove it all together. I have a feeling that this production will be a surprise hit, taking viewers by storm, and I hope we’ve done an accurate representation of Patrick’s book.
American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez releases new episodes Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX and Hulu.
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2024-09-26 01:25