As a die-hard fan who’s followed Blake Griffin‘s career since his days at Oklahoma University, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the actor portraying him in FX’s Clipped. Now, let me tell you, I’ve seen my fair share of lookalikes, but Austin Scott is not one of them. He might be able to dye his hair red and wear a size 23 sneaker, but the resemblance stops there.
Balancing a role in a sports biopic or any dramatization of actual events can be quite complex. Producers strive to find an actor who resembles the real person yet embodies their character traits. The creators of FX’s Clipped encountered this challenge while casting Donald Sterling, former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and other team members. Throughout the series, audience reactions to the cast were varied. Now, NBA veteran Blake Griffin has expressed his opinion about the actor portraying him on the show, and he was quite straightforward with it.
In the basketball-themed series, Austin Scott portrayed Blake Griffin. Scott has acted in productions like “Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie” and “A Jazzman’s Blues”. Recently, both Griffin and Josh Allen participated in a Barstool-hosted conversation (some of which can be found on X). During their discussion, the topic of ‘Clipped’ came up, and Griffin admitted he hadn’t watched the series, as it is available for streaming with a Hulu subscription. Expressing his thoughts, Griffin stated that he didn’t need to watch it because “he had lived it”. When Allen commented that it was “amazing” someone played Griffin in the show, the former basketball player expressed some less than positive sentiments about the portrayal.
After meeting him, you might think, “No way, that’s not impressive.” … I didn’t collaborate with the actor. However, I believe he submitted a video audition, and the producers thought, “Maybe we could change his hair color instead?”
It’s accurate to point out that in terms of physical attributes, Austin Scott varies significantly from Blake Griffin in several significant aspects. To begin with, unlike the six-time NBA All Star who towers at 6’9″, Austin Scott is relatively shorter, standing at 6’4″. Although this is close in comparison, it’s still a notable difference. Furthermore, while Griffin sports red hair, Scott has black locks, which were dyed for his role on the show. In essence, these two gentlemen don’t bear much resemblance to each other.
As a movie buff and someone with a keen eye for detail, I believe that while physical resemblance between actors and the real-life figures they portray can be appealing, it is by no means the most important factor in casting. In fact, I’ve seen numerous biopics where the lead actor didn’t bear much resemblance to their character but still delivered a captivating performance that brought the person to life on screen. It’s the ability to embody the personality and energy of the role that truly matters.
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As an enthusiast, I haven’t come across the first sports drama series that didn’t need to enlist actors to depict real-life NBA personalities. A few years back, the creative minds behind HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” (available with a Max subscription) were in a tricky spot when it came to bringing figures like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. Jerry Buss to life on screen. Quincy Isaiah, an up-and-coming talent, did an impressive job embodying Magic Johnson, even addressing criticisms from the real Magic about the show as a whole. John C. Reilly bravely took on the role of Dr. Buss, and even Jeanie Buss, the late team owner’s daughter and current Lakers owner, offered him praise.
In addition, I’d agree that the FX series, focusing on the Clippers, made some thoughtful casting decisions. The selection of Laurence Fishburne as coach Doc Rivers seems appropriate, and Jacki Weaver was a suitable choice for Shelly Sterling. However, Ed O’Neill truly shines in his portrayal of the controversial former team owner Donald Sterling. The actors playing various basketball players also add value to the production. Regarding Austin Scott, Blake Griffin might have valid reasons for feeling as he does about the casting choice. And undoubtedly, there are viewers who appreciate the idea of Scott being selected for the role of the former NBA Rookie of the Year.
1. Take a look at Austin Scott’s acting, along with his fellow cast members, by streaming all six episodes of the show “Clipped” on Hulu. Additionally, don’t forget to check out the 2024 TV lineup for more upcoming shows airing on television soon.
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2024-08-05 16:07