Though the series is more like four standalone documentaries instead of one cohesive unit — one of which is entirely dedicated to the “More Cowbell” sketch — it’s still filled with lots of behind-the-scenes moments:
1.
When you audition for Saturday Night Live, you only get five minutes to show them what you can do.
2.
…except for Keenan Thompson — he did over 10 minutes.
3.
Andy Samberg was so nervous at his first audition that he threw up.
4.
Often, when a performer was called back for a second audition or screen test, they were asked to come up with completely new material.
5.
A lot of the characters that the comedians auditioned as made later appearances on SNL, like Kristen Wigg’s Aunt Linda and Target Lady, and Ana Gasteyer’s NPR host.
6.
There are many stars throughout the years who auditioned for the show but weren’t cast, like Jennifer Coolidge, Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, Jordan Peele, Stephen Colbert, and Donald Glover.
7.
There’s also a long history of comedians auditioning and then being hired instead as a writer, like Bowen Yang and John Mulaney.
8.
Throughout its years, the show hired a lot of people through cast and writer recommendations. Andy Samberg was recommended by Jimmy Fallon, George Wendt called about Jason Sudeikis, and Gwyneth Paltrow raved about Maya Rudolph.
9.
When Will Ferrell joined the cast in 2000, there was a review that called him the “most annoying newcomer.” Ferrell had a placard made that he hung on his office door that read “Most Annoying Newcomer” and commented, “If you think I’m annoying now, just wait, I’m going to be so annoying.”
10.
Once you’re hired, it feels like you’re still auditioning because you have to get your sketches on air. Each week, 30 to 40 sketches are written and submitted, but only a small fraction are actually picked.
11.
On Monday before each new show, the writer’s room is given information about that week’s host, like what they can do (sing or dance) or what topics they want to stay away from. The writers then tailor their sketches to that specific host.
12.
On Wednesdays, they do their big table read, where around 40 sketches are read out loud. Later that night, at around 10 p.m., Lorne lets them know which 8 to 12 sketches have been picked.
13.
Some departments will spend hours or days on specific props, costumes, or special effects for a sketch only to find out that the sketch has been cut an hour before they’re on-air.
14.
Thursdays are for rewrites, and then, come Friday, entire sets are built and set up on the stages for each sketch.
15.
There’s a stage on set lovingly called “Shitcan Alley” and “Coffin Corner” because it’s the stage furthest away from the audience, where sketches “go to die.” Two sketches that famously made it out alive from that stage are Will Ferrell’s “More Cowbell” and “Wayne’s World.”
16.
During the dress rehearsal on Saturday, right before the actual show tapes, the writers of each sketch go and sit under the bleachers with Lorne, which is where he watches the rehearsal. Then Lorne, Steve Higgins, the host, and the producers go upstairs to Lorne’s office and they pick the final sketches for the show.
You can currently stream SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock.
The show was created in 1975 by Lorne Michaels.
The first host was George Carlin.
Eddie Murphy saved the show from cancellation in the 1980s.
The show has launched the careers of many famous comedians.
The cast and crew work incredibly long hours to put on a live show each week.
The show has faced controversy over the years for pushing boundaries.
The show has a long history of political satire.
The show has had many memorable musical performances.
The cast members often write and perform their own sketches.
The show has won numerous awards over the years.
The show has had a number of iconic recurring characters.
The show has had its fair share of behind-the-scenes drama.
The show has had many famous guest hosts over the years.
The show has had many famous celebrity cameos.
The show has had a number of spin-offs and specials.
The show has a dedicated fan base.
The show has had a number of memorable catchphrases.
The show continues to be a cultural phenomenon after 50 years on the air.
With music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing serious federal charges, the entertainment world has been flooded with exposes attempting to uncover the darkest corners of his past. The latest docuseries, ‘The Fall of Diddy,’ takes the allegations to a whole new level, going beyond rumors of extravagant parties and excess to reveal chilling testimonies from former employees, acquaintances, and alleged victims. Premiered on January 27, the series presents a disturbing portrait of Combs’ alleged behavior, featuring shocking claims that range from physical abuse to criminal threats. If you don’t have time to watch the entire documentary, here are seven of the most jaw-dropping revelations that have surfaced. A disturbing incident at Howard University A former classmate of Diddy’s from Howard University recalled a frightening altercation from the 1980s. According to the witness, Combs was seen shouting aggressively outside a dormitory, demanding that someone come downstairs. The situation escalated when he pulled off his belt and began furiously striking a building. When a woman finally stepped outside, presumably the target of his rage, the former student claimed that Combs turned the belt on her, hitting her repeatedly. Threats against a magazine editor Danyel Smith, a former editor for Vibe and Billboard, recounted a terrifying experience with Combs in 1997. During a cover shoot for the magazine, Combs was unhappy with being dressed in white feathered wings and demanded to see the final layout before publication. When Smith denied his request, citing time constraints, Combs allegedly threatened her life, saying she would be found ‘dead in a trunk ‘ if she didn’t comply. Although he later issued a written apology after Smith’s lawyer got involved, she claims that two men showed up days later, seemingly to intimidate or attack her. Explosive new details about the 1999 club shooting In one of the most damning accounts, Diddy’s former driver, Wardel Fenderson, stated that he saw Combs holding a firearm the night of the 1999 Club New York shooting, which left three people injured. Natania Reuben, one of the victims, provided an even more harrowing account. She alleged that Diddy himself pulled the trigger, aiming directly at her face. “I was certain I was going to die,” she recalled. “I didn’t think a human could lose that much blood and survive.” The Bizarre R. Kelly comment Kat Pasion, an acquaintance of Combs, described an unsettling interaction that took place in 2019, shortly after the passing of Kim Porter. While watching Lifetime’s controversial docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly”, Combs allegedly walked into the room, glanced at the TV, and made an alarming statement before exiting: “There’s a little R. Kelly in all of us.” Pasion was horrified by the remark, immediately rejecting the idea: “What? No. There is NOT a little R. Kelly in all of us.” Allegations of secretive “freak-off” weekends One of Combs’ former security guards, Roger Bonds, claimed that the rapper would book hotel rooms for entire weekends, engaging in behavior that appeared highly suspicious. “I saw a lot of questionable things, but I never knew exactly what was happening behind closed doors,” Bonds admitted. He further alleged that during these weekends, he witnessed men entering and leaving Combs’ private quarters under mysterious circumstances. These allegations mirror claims made in Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit, where she accused Combs of forcing her to participate in sexual acts with other men for his pleasure. Allegations of abuse toward Kim Porter According to Danyel Smith, Combs frequently belittled, controlled, and humiliated his former girlfriend, Kim Porter. She described one particular incident where he angrily confronted her in public, demanding that she stay home instead of going out. “He was screaming at her, telling her she shouldn’t be out,” Smith revealed. “Then he grabbed her handbag, dumped everything onto the floor in front of a crowd, and walked away.” A celebrity basketball game turned deadly One of the most tragic incidents tied to Combs occurred in 1991 at City College of New York, where he co-hosted a celebrity basketball tournament alongside rapper Heavy D. The venue became dangerously overcrowded, and as frustrated fans forced their way in, a chaotic stampede ensued, leading to the deaths of nine people. The incident remains one of the deadliest disasters in hip-hop history, raising serious questions about event management and responsibility. As more testimonies come to light, the picture painted by ‘The Fall of Diddy’ is one of unchecked power, manipulation, and alleged criminal activity. With ongoing federal investigations and a mounting list of accusations, Sean Combs’ legacy as a hip-hop mogul and cultural icon is unraveling before the public eye. While his legal fate remains uncertain, one thing is clear the stories emerging from this documentary are impossible to ignore.
Diddy’s Childhood Trauma: In the documentary, Diddy opens up about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, revealing the impact it had on his life and career.
The Truth About Biggie’s Death: Diddy reveals new details about the murder of his close friend and collaborator, The Notorious B.I.G., shedding light on the events leading up to his tragic death.
Diddy’s Struggle with Mental Health: The documentary delves into Diddy’s battle with depression and anxiety, showing a vulnerable side of the music mogul that many fans have never seen before.
Diddy’s Complicated Relationship with Faith Evans: Viewers will be shocked to learn about the ups and downs of Diddy’s relationship with fellow musician Faith Evans, including their tumultuous breakup and reconciliation.
Diddy’s Business Ventures: The documentary uncovers the truth behind Diddy’s rise to success in the music industry, showcasing his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.
Diddy’s Philanthropic Efforts: Fans will be inspired by Diddy’s philanthropic work, including his efforts to give back to communities in need and support charitable causes close to his heart.
Diddy’s Legacy: The documentary explores Diddy’s impact on the music industry and popular culture, highlighting his influence as a trailblazer and trendsetter in the world of hip-hop.
Isabella Strahan, daughter of “Good Morning America” co-anchor Michael Strahan, opens up about her cancer journey in a new first look at her upcoming documentary.
“You don’t really think the worst until you get told the worst,” the 20-year-old says in the trailer for “Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight to Beat Cancer,” which aired Wednesday on “GMA.”
The primetime special, produced by ABC News Studios and Michael Strahan’s production company SMAC Entertainment, follows Isabella Strahan’s journey following her diagnosis in October 2023 and also features Michael Strahan speaking about his daughter’s diagnosis, as well as her twin sister and mom.
“Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight to Beat Cancer,” trailer aired on “Good Morning America,” on Jan. 29, 2025.
Hulu/ABC
Isabella Strahan revealed publicly on “GMA” in January 2024 that she had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of malignant brain tumor that develops in the cerebellum, the back of the brain where movement and coordination are controlled, according to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, where she was treated.
“Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight to Beat Cancer,” trailer aired on “Good Morning America,” on Jan. 29, 2025.
Hulu/ABC
After months of treatment, Isabella Strahan shared on her YouTube channel in July 2024 that she was officially cancer-free, and the following month, she returned to the University of Southern California to resume her college career.
“Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight to Beat Cancer” will air Feb. 5 on ABC at 10 p.m. ET and the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Isabella Strahan, daughter of former NFL star Michael Strahan, has bravely shared her cancer journey in a first look at her upcoming documentary. In the emotional video, Isabella discusses her diagnosis, treatment, and the impact it has had on her life.
Through tears, Isabella opens up about the fear and uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis, but also the strength and resilience she has found within herself. She shares how her family, friends, and faith have been her pillars of support throughout this difficult time.
The documentary promises to provide an intimate look at Isabella’s experience with cancer, showcasing her courage and vulnerability as she navigates this challenging journey. It is a reminder of the importance of sharing our stories, even the ones that are painful and difficult, in order to connect with others and spread awareness.
We commend Isabella for her bravery in sharing her story, and we look forward to watching her documentary and gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of cancer on individuals and their loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with Isabella as she continues to fight this battle with grace and determination.
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Isabella Strahan, cancer journey, new documentary, Isabella Strahan documentary, cancer survivor, cancer awareness, personal journey, documentary release, Isabella Strahan interview, cancer battle, cancer story, overcoming cancer, Isabella Strahan update, inspiring documentary, cancer journey revealed
The South Shore long has been a breeding ground for folks who went on to hit it big in the world of sports.
Jim Craig played goalie at Oliver Ames High in Easton before backstopping the 1980 U.S. Olympic team’s “Miracle on Ice,” and NHL stars Charlie Coyle (Weymouth), Rod Langway (Randolph), Tony Amonte (Hingham) and Jeremy Roenick (Marshfield), to name just a few more, were local rink rats back in the day.
Ally Sentnor (Hanson) and Lilly Reale (Hingham) are following in the women’s soccer footsteps of the Mewis sisters (Sam and Kristie) from Hanson. Golfer Megan Khang (Rockland) has earned more than $6.5 million on the LPGA Tour, and Kelly Amonte Hiller (Hingham) coaches an NCAA women’s lacrosse dynasty at Northwestern.
And Brockton is famous for producing legendary boxers Rocky Marciano and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler as well as maverick NFL coach/owner Al Davis.
Buddy Teevens’ name might not ring the same bell. But an upcoming ESPN documentary on the former college football coach should give his profile a much-deserved boost.
Executive produced by Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, “The Buddy Way” will premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. on ESPN2 and then will be available to stream on ESPN+. The feature-length documentary will showcase Teevens’ impact on football — both on the field, where he coached Dartmouth (his alma mater) to five Ivy League titles, and off the field, where he advocated for female coaches and for increased awareness of player safety.
Teevens, who grew up in Pembroke and graduated from Silver Lake Regional High in 1974, died in March of 2023 at age 66, six months after being hit by a truck while riding his bicycle in Florida.
The Teevens documentary will be must-see TV around Silver Lake, where Rick Swanson has been promoting Teevens’ legacy since becoming the school’s athletic director over the summer.
“It’s amazing to me how Buddy, as influential as he was, has kind of slipped under the radar for many people,” Swanson said. “Even the approach of this documentary has come as a surprise to plenty of people in the community. And here’s somebody that really ought to be a household name, especially here at Silver Lake and in all of our towns. He’s really a giant part of our school’s athletic history. We could not ask for a better role model or a better figure to personify what our school values, what our athletic department values.
“I’m thrilled that this documentary is going to bring him to a wider audience. I think it’s going to be very clear that here’s a person who devoted his whole life not only to athletics but to making a profound impact in the lives of student-athletes and improving the world in lots of different ways.”
For years, Teevens was an integral part of the famed Manning Passing Academy, run by former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and his more-famous QB sons, Peyton, Eli and Cooper (dad of current University of Texas QB Arch Manning). That’s how Peyton Manning came to be involved with the documentary.
“We are honored to share Buddy’s story and preserve his legacy,” Peyton Manning said in a statement announcing the release of the film. “Buddy’s motto as a coach and leader was ‘adjust and improvise.’ But it was more than a motto; Buddy was a true football innovator. He hired female coaches in the college ranks before anybody else, and he emphasized smarter and safer tackling long before the practice was adopted across the sport. Buddy was a terrific coach, but the legacy Buddy leaves behind extends well beyond his success on the field.”
At Silver Lake, Teevens starred in football, ice hockey and baseball and was a no-brainer pick for inclusion in the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Teevens, a lifelong friend of Silver Lake classmate Tim Murphy, who coached Harvard football from 1994-2023, went on to play both football and hockey at Dartmouth. He eventually spent 32 seasons as a college football head coach, including two stints at Dartmouth, where he went a combined 117-101-2 and won three Ivy League titles over his last seven seasons.
While with the Big Green, Teevens hired at least two female coaches who went on to coach in the NFL — Callie Brownson (Browns) and Jennifer King (Commanders, Bears). He also went against the grain by eliminating full-contact practices to save wear and tear on his players, famously telling Congress during a hearing on concussions in youth sports in 2016: “I love football. But I love my players more.” Eventually, he collaborated with Dartmouth’s engineering school on a robotic tackling dummy, known as the “Mobile Virtual Player” (MVP), that became used by other colleges and NFL teams.
Swanson highlighted Teevens’ accomplishments in his addresses to Silver Lake’s fall and winter athletes. This fall the Silver Lake football players wore helmet stickers with Teevens’ initials; the boys hockey team and baseball team are planning similar tributes.
“It’s very important” to remember him, said Silver Lake football coach Mark Killinger. “One of the values we talk about within our own program is the importance of family — how even when seniors graduate they’re still part of the culture that we’re building. So to look at someone (like Teevens) who played at Sirrico Field and wore that jersey and wore that helmet (and then went on to make such an impact), that will resonate with our kids.”
Swanson also told the Silver Lake athletes about a 2023 guest column in the Dartmouth alumni magazine titled “Dear Coach” in which Dartmouth long snapper Josh Greene tried to articulate the many ways that Teevens impacted the lives of his players. It includes the line, “Nobody made it less about themself than you.”
“He was like a real-life Ted Lasso combined with the coach from ‘Friday Night Lights,’” Swanson said of Teevens. “He was like a real-life Hollywood or television version of what a great coach looks like and acts like and the impact they can have on their players. We’re just so proud at Silver Lake to have been part of his journey.”
The Silver Lake community is buzzing with excitement as they eagerly anticipate the release of ESPN’s upcoming documentary on Buddy Teevens, the beloved football coach who has made a lasting impact on the town.
Teevens, who has been coaching at the local high school for over 20 years, is not only known for his impressive record on the field, but also for his dedication to his players and the community as a whole. His coaching philosophy, which emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and respect, has helped shape countless young athletes into confident and successful individuals.
The documentary promises to provide an intimate look into Teevens’ life, his coaching style, and the profound influence he has had on the Silver Lake community. Residents are eagerly counting down the days until its release, eager to celebrate their beloved coach and the positive impact he has had on their lives.
Stay tuned for updates on the documentary’s release date and be sure to tune in to witness the inspiring story of Buddy Teevens and the Silver Lake community.
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Silver Lake community, ESPN, Buddy Teevens, documentary, football, Dartmouth College, community pride, sports history, inspirational story
Musical performances have been part of Saturday Night Live since its very first episode in October 1975, and it’s time to dive deep into the SNL archives in a new documentary, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music.
How to Watch
Watch Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music on Monday, January 27 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Co-directed by Questlove and Oz Rodriguez, 50 Years of SNL Music features interviews with Musical Guests including Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, Elvis Costello, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, just to name a few.
It also features members of SNL‘s creative team from over the years, including Lorne Michaels, Eddie Murphy, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, and many more.
Questlove told Jimmy Fallon that he watched every single episode of SNL, in order to include all of the show’s greatest — and occasionally controversial — musical moments into the special.
“In the beginning, I think I was just going to compile like maybe the 50 best performances on the show, but around ’87, I realized there was way more iconic comedic moments musically on the show, like surpassing just the legendary performances. Music plays a major part on that show,” the Tonight Show bandleader and Academy Award-winning filmmaker told Fallon.
“And most of the iconic sketches that people remember, be it King Tut or anything Eddie Murphy’s done… The Lonely Island stuff, like it’s all music related,” Questlove added.
The three-hour special broadcast event includes a look back at the show’s 900-plus Musical Guests, and promises “untold stories behind the culture-defining, groundbreaking and news-making musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.”
Leading up to the documentary’s premiere, Questlove posted the opening minutes of Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music to his Instagram on January 26, writing in the caption about his lifelong love for SNL.
“Doing this project was a NO BRAINER because I know this show like the back of my hand,” he wrote. “So every second of this doc is a love letter of sorts.”
All of the celebrities featured in SNL‘s music documentary, Ladies & Gentlemen
Check out the performers and celebrities you’ll see on Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music below:
Musicians:
Miley Cyrus
Bad Bunny
Paul Simon
Mick Jagger
Tom Morello
Kacey Musgraves
Jack White
DJ Breakout
Elvis Costello
Billie Eilish & Finneas
Dave Grohl
Debbie Harry & Chris Stein
Dua Lipa
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels
Olivia Rodrigo
MC Sha-Rack
Chris Stapleton
Justin Timberlake
Lee Ving
Current and former SNL cast and more creatives:
Lorne Michaels
Fred Armisen
Conan O’Brien
Eli Brueggemann
Jane Curtin
Jimmy Fallon
Al Franken
Josiah Gluck
Bill Hader
Steve Higgins
Marci Klein
Melanie Malone
Tom Malone
Mary Ellen Matthews
Eddie Murphy
Ego Nwodim
Liz Patrick
Leon Pendarvis
Lenny Pickett
Joe Piscopo
Andy Samberg
Brian Siedlecki
Akiva Schaffer
Paul Shaffer
Sarah Sherman
Howard Shore
Robert Smigel
Jorma Taccone
Kenan Thompson
Maya Rudolph
Hal Willner
Bowen Yang
Where and how to watch and stream Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music
Watch the three-hour event Monday, January 27, on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music will be streaming next-day on Peacock.
Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple in American television for the past 50 years, and one of the most memorable aspects of the show has always been its musical performances. From iconic performances by legendary artists to surprise guest appearances, the music on SNL has always been a major draw for fans.
To celebrate 50 years of SNL music, a new documentary has been released that takes a deep dive into the show’s musical history. The documentary features interviews with past hosts, musical guests, and SNL cast members, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and performances.
Some of the celebrity guests featured in the documentary include Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, and many more. The documentary also explores the impact that SNL has had on the music industry and how it has helped launch the careers of many artists.
If you’re a fan of SNL and its music, this documentary is a must-watch. You can catch it on streaming platforms such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC’s website. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy 50 years of SNL music history in this star-studded documentary.
Tags:
SNL Music, SNL Documentary, SNL Celebrity Guests, SNL 50 Years, SNL Music Special, SNL Anniversary, How to Watch SNL Music Documentary, SNL Music Guests, Saturday Night Live Music Special, SNL Music History, SNL Music Legends, SNL Music Performance
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A double murder. The white Ford Bronco. Bloody gloves. And former NFL player O.J. Simpson at the front and center of the country’s most high profile case.
Thirty years ago this week, millions of people started tuning in what came to be known as the trial of the century, seeing evidence to determine if Simpson slaughtered his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
Days after the two were found dead in a double murder in June 1994, viewers around the world tuned in to watch police pursue Simpson in car chase across the highways of Los Angeles.
And yet when Simpson was acquitted after his eight-month long trial in 2005, the saga sparked debate and controversy that reverberated for years.
The new four-part Netflix docuseries American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, which begins streaming on January 29, reexamines it. The series features new interviews with major players and witnesses from the time of the murders, as it breaks down the case, considers implications of dismissed evidence, and the role of the public spectacle.
OJ Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson (Netflix)
Director Floyd Russ, who also directed American Manhunt: Boston Marathon Bombing and Untold: Malice at the Palace, said he sought to bring Simpson’s story to a new generation, offering a new lens on the historic trial.
“Our interview subjects have a power to reflect in a new way with the passage of 30 years,” he told Netflix’s Tudum. “This is a story that has so many faces and so many elements that when you contextualize it historically it takes on a new form every few years.”
The series features new interviews with many of the key figures from the investigation and trial, including former LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman, as well as witness Kato Kaelin, who was the “last person to see OJ before the murders,” Kaelin says in the doc.
Ron Goldman’s sister Kim Goldman also speaks in the doc, taking viewers through her grief as she recalls the night her brother was killed and the aftermath of the murders.
“My brother was returning Nicole’s glasses,” she says on the doc, breaking down in tears before continuing, “and was slaughtered to death.”
Attorneys for the defense and prosecution, Carl Douglas and Christopher Darden, are also interviewed.
“Their emotions have evolved, and the way they’re able to talk about it is different than they ever have before,” Russ said of the interviews.
A double murder and OJ’s arrest
On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found brutally murdered outside Nicole’s home in Los Angeles.
When police went to her ex husband’s estate the next day, they discovered blood on his white Ford Bronco and a bloody glove that matched one found near Goldman’s body.
Meanwhile, Simpson had left town the night before. Once he was informed about the deaths he returned to Los Angeles where he was questioned for hours.
With a search warrant in hand the police search Simpson’s mansion to find even more traces of blood, and the football players was quickly identified as the prime suspect in the double homicide.
When police went to Simpson’s estate after the murders, they discovered blood on his white Ford Bronco and a bloody glove that matched one found near Ron Goldman’s body (Netflix)
The Simpsons had married in February 1985 and had two children, Sydney Simpson and Justin Simpson. They divorced in 1993, just a year before the murders.
When Simpson was asked to take a lie detector test, he turned to his friend at the time, Ron Shipp, a retired LAPD officer.
Shipp recalled the conversation in the new docuseries. Simpson said police wanted him to take a lie detector test.
“He told me he didn’t want to take it. And I asked, ‘Why?’ and he said because he had dreams of killing her.”
Simpson was not actually driving the vehicle – his friend Al “AC” Cowlings was behind the wheel – but he sat in the back seat holding a gun to his temple, seemingly close to ending his life.
Watch OJ Simpson police chase as infamous video resurfaces following his death aged 76
“I’ve had a great life, great friends,” he said in what many believed was a suicide note written just before he set out in the Bronco. “Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person.”
The chase ended roughly an hour after it started and Simpson turned himself in to the authorities.
The ‘Trial of the Century’
Simpson’s monthslong televised trial ended up eclipsing his fame as one of the most gifted running backs in football history, the Associated Press reported.
The trial, which touched on fame and wealth, domestic violence and racism, was one of the first ever in the states to run on television. And America couldn’t get enough.
Prosecutors painted a picture of Simpson as a jealous ex-husband and a cold-blooded killer. They pleaded with jurors not to be intimidated by his “dream team” of highly paid defense attorneys, his charisma as an actor, or his status as a football star.
Prosecutors painted a picture of Simpson as a jealous ex-husband and a cold-blooded killer (Netflix)
Evidence found at the murder scene seemed overwhelmingly against Simpson: Bloody footprints in his size were there, as were blood drops seeming to match his DNA and a glove identical in style to one bought by his slain ex-wife and worn by him at televised football games. Another glove, smeared with his blood and blood of the two victims, was found at his home.
But the science of DNA analysis was in its infancy, and there were mistakes by police and forensic technicians in handling evidence. When Simpson tried on the gloves in court, he couldn’t get them onto his large hands, leading to the famous line his attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. later delivered to jurors: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Defense attorneys say he was framed, they said, pointing to former Los Angeles police Detective Mark Fuhrman, who denied making anti-Black racial slurs but recanted after a recording was played in court. He later pleaded guilty to perjury.
Evidence found at the murder scene seemed overwhelmingly against Simpson, including a glove identical in style to one bought by his slain ex-wife and worn by him at televised football games. Another glove, smeared with his blood and blood of the two victims, was found at his home (Netflix)
It was Fuhrman who found the bloody glove at Simpson’s home — or planted it, as some claimed — and it was Fuhrman who could not be trusted, defense attorneys said. Jurors apparently agreed, saying Fuhrman’s past weighed heavily on their minds.
On October 3, 1995, after just four hours of deliberation, Simpson was acquitted of the murder charges. The decision divided public opinion, with many questioning the fairness of the trial and the role of race in the verdict.
After the verdict
Simpson attempted to live a normal life, but Goldman’s family believed Simpson was guilty and pursued their wrongful death lawsuit against him.
In a civil trial, a jury found Simpson liable for the murders and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages to the Goldmans and Nicole Brown Simpson’s family.
Hundreds of valuable possessions were seized by the court, and Simpson was forced to auction his Heisman Trophy, fetching $230,000.
In 2007 Simpson made national headlines again after he was arrested in Las Vegas after he and several other men entered a hotel room and took memorabilia items that Simpson claimed had been stolen from him. A jury convicted Simpson of armed robbery and other felonies.
OJ Simpson dies of cancer age 76
At 61 years old, Simpson was sent to prison in Nevada, where he spent the next nine years. When he was released on parole in October 2017, he said he was only trying to retrieve memorabilia and heirlooms stolen from him after his criminal trial.
He lived his final years tweeting videos of himself talking about football, golf and politics. In January 2021, during the global pandemic he shared a photo of himself receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, and encouraging others to get it when their time came.
In a February post, just weeks before his death, he sat poolside in Las Vegas, and tweeted about his health and golf.
“My health is good,” he said. “Obviously I’m dealing with some issues, but hey I think I’m just about over it and I’ll be back on that golf course hopefully in a couple of weeks.”
OJ’s death and new FBI documents
Simpson, who had been battling metastatic prostate cancer, died on April 10, 2024, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, according to a family statement. He was 76 years old.
Two months later, the FBI released 475 pages of documents largely focused on the investigation into the 1994 murders.
The documents included details about blood found at the crime scene, fiber samples, hair samples from both victims and other forensic evidence.
And just like that, the saga was back in the spotlight.
“A brutal murder, a media frenzy like no other, a chase watched by 90 million people, and a trial that uncovered things we never expected,” Russ told Rolling Stone about the new docuseries.
“Even 30 years since the murder, it’s more relevant now than ever. There simply is no case like it in the entire history of America.”
The infamous OJ Simpson case is once again in the spotlight with a new Netflix documentary shedding light on the controversial trial.
Titled “OJ: The Trial of the Century,” the documentary delves into the details of the 1994 murder trial that captivated the nation and divided public opinion. With never-before-seen footage and interviews with key players in the case, viewers are taken back to the dramatic events that unfolded over two decades ago.
The documentary explores the evidence presented in court, the media frenzy surrounding the trial, and the racial tensions that permeated the case. It also examines the legacy of the trial and its impact on the criminal justice system.
As the world continues to grapple with issues of race, privilege, and justice, the OJ Simpson case remains a poignant reminder of the complexities of the legal system and the power of celebrity. The Netflix documentary promises to reignite conversations about the case and its lasting effects on American society.
Whether you followed the trial closely or are just now learning about it, “OJ: The Trial of the Century” is sure to be a gripping and thought-provoking watch. Tune in to Netflix and revisit one of the most infamous trials in modern history.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Marlee Matlin gives an unflinchingly honest account of her experiences as a deaf actor in the funny and revelatory documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.” The film kicked off the 41st Sundance Film Festival Thursday, as the first major premiere in the Eccles Theater in Park City, Utah.
After the screening audiences in the theater, some wiping tears away, greeted Matlin with a standing ovation when she took the stage.
The film delves into all aspects of her life, personal and professional: Her childhood and how her family handled learning she had become deaf at 18 months; her experience winning the best actress Oscar for her first movie role in “Children of a Lesser God” and her allegedly abusive romantic relationship with her co-star, the late William Hurt, which he denied; and her experiences in an industry not equipped to accommodate deaf actors.
The film was directed by Shoshanna Stern, who also is deaf. Matlin specifically requested that Stern take on the project when American Masters approached her about doing a documentary.
Matlin has written about her experiences before, including her volatile relationship with Hurt and drugs, in a memoir, “I’ll Scream Later.” But before the #MeToo movement, she felt her allegations were largely dismissed or glossed over.
Interviews from the book’s press tour show journalists were more interested in the “amazing sex” she said she had with Hurt than the stories of the alleged physical and verbal abuse. One interviewer asked her why she waited “so long” to come forward with the claims.
The documentary isn’t just a portrait of Matlin, but a broader look at deaf culture and how Matlin was thrust into the spotlight at a young age as a de facto spokesperson for all deaf causes.
In addition to being the first, and until Troy Kotsur won for “CODA” in 2022, only deaf actor to win an Academy Award, she helped lobby Congress for closed captioning and delved into the Gallaudet University protest about hiring hearing people to preside over the university, which is the subject of another Sundance documentary, “Deaf President Now!”
Matlin also faced backlash when she spoke while presenting the best actor Oscar the year after she won, an experience that she said made her distance herself from deaf causes.
It features moving interviews from her longtime translator and other important figures in her life such as Henry Winkler, who met her when she was a student at age 12.
Winkler watched her perform a song during a school production after she wrote him a fan letter. Later, she stayed in his home for two years after her breakup with Hurt and had her wedding there. In the film, Matlin said she never would have pursued acting if it weren’t for Winkler, although he disagreed.
The film is closed captioned and includes verbal translations for hearing audiences. In a unique approach, the subjects were interviewed by Stern with an earpiece, allowing them to hear translations from another room.
Matlin said she has struggled occasionally to convince the industry to let her play roles that aren’t necessarily written for a deaf actor. Aaron Sorkin, who wrote a part for her in “The West Wing,” dispelled the notion it is difficult to write for deaf actors.
When “CODA” came around, the studio wanted to cast an A-list, hearing male star opposite Matlin. She threatened to walk if it weren’t a deaf actor and was gratified when Kotsur won the Oscar, hence the “not alone anymore” subtitle. Her big disappointment was not being able to say a few words on stage during the event.
Asked why this moment was the right time for a documentary, Matlin said, “It’s never really the right time. So, why not?”
Marlee Matlin, a trailblazer for deaf actors, has always been a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Now, she is opening up in a new documentary that sheds light on her groundbreaking career and personal journey.
From her breakout role in “Children of a Lesser God” to her recent work on shows like “Quantico” and “The L Word: Generation Q,” Matlin has proven time and time again that deaf actors can and should have a place in the entertainment industry.
In the documentary, Matlin discusses the challenges she has faced as a deaf actor in a hearing-dominated industry, as well as the triumphs and successes that have come along the way. She shares intimate details about her life, her struggles, and her determination to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations of deaf actors.
Through her candid and heartfelt interviews, Matlin invites viewers into her world and gives them a glimpse of the resilience and passion that have made her a true trailblazer in the industry.
As we celebrate Matlin’s contributions to film and television, we also honor her for the inspiration and empowerment she has provided to countless individuals in the deaf and hard of hearing community. Her story is not just one of success, but of perseverance, courage, and unwavering dedication to her craft.
“Marlee Matlin: Breaking Barriers” is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates the power of representation and the importance of diversity in media. It is a testament to Matlin’s incredible talent and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the world of entertainment.
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Marlee Matlin, deaf actress, documentary, Hollywood, representation, disability advocacy, inclusion, deaf community, groundbreaking performance, film industry, Oscar winner, inspiring story, deaf representation in media
Channel 4 has been accused of ignoring the wishes of campaign organisations representing those whose images have been digitally turned into pornography and shared online against their will.
The broadcaster’s new documentary, Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape, saw it consult groups representing survivors of online image abuse, before having its reality star presenter create and release an AI-generated explicit film of herself – despite groups saying they specifically advised it against doing so.
“I don’t think that someone that really intricately understood the effect of this abuse on someone would do this if they actually had compassion for the survivors,” said Jodie, a campaigner who was 23 when her best friend sent her Instagram photos to an “incel” forum so that they could be turned into pornographic deepfake images. She is now part of a group campaigning for a consent-based law to tackle deepfake abuse.
“Survivor organisations strongly advised against it when they were approached by producers. So it’s just in really, really poor taste that they sought out advice and then ignored it completely.”
The Guardian has seen communications between campaign groups in which they discuss telling Potato TV, the production company behind the show, that releasing a deepfake video would be harmful to their cause, only to be informed that it would nonetheless happen.
Organisations’ objections include the fear that releasing a well-publicised deepfake video would drive traffic to the exact deepfake sites that they are campaigning against – as well as being disrespectful to women who have had their images turned into pornography against their will.
“You wouldn’t go and do a documentary where you get into a physically violent and abusive relationship to experience how it feels. So why is it acceptable as a premise for a documentary to do this with online harm?” said one campaigner whose group was involved in the initial research stages of the documentary – before they realised that it would involve releasing a deepfaked pornographic video.
Channel 4 commented: “We understand that there have been varying views on this approach. In this documentary, Vicky aims to demonstrate how simple it is to create explicit deepfake content and raise awareness of how accessible this content is and how it can proliferate online. She also wanted to experience, as closely as possible, the feelings, vulnerabilities and concerns that arise when one becomes a victim of deepfake pornography.”
One of the major concerns of campaign organisations is that Channel 4’s approach fundamentally misunderstands the trauma of being subject to this imagery.
“The essence of these deepfakes is that they’re not consensual. You don’t get to choose when you publish it and then trace it around the internet,” said Madelaine, a survivor whose Image Angel software tries to stop people sharing images without permission.
“It’s about having no choice – that’s where the pain comes from. So to try to recreate that in a very measured way is just pointless. To see that someone had done it to themselves in an attempt to see how it felt was so insulting – was just so gross.”
While Channel 4 point out that its documentary includes testimony from survivors of image-based abuse, “to ensure that victim’s stories are at the forefront of the purpose of the programme”, campaigners feel that this does not excuse the release of Pattison’s video.
“If the experience of anyone who’s gone through this abuse isn’t compelling enough and isn’t getting the point across how painful and how hurtful it is,” said Madelaine, “then the interview is not asking the right questions.”
The campaign groups stress that they feel sympathetic towards Pattison, who they did not believe had the final editorial decision.
“The decision to create this video, presumably, has been made by Channel 4,” said Jodie.
“If you’re going to be in this space, just be respectful that there are real people at the heart of this issue. Because I don’t want people to then pile on to Vicky. I don’t want things to move away from the issue to being: ‘Influencer gets bashed and takes herself off Instagram,’ or whatever that story then could turn into.”
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: “Channel 4 has a long history of complex and provocative programming, and has a remit to explore difficult topics. The issue of deepfake porn is a disturbing and escalating one, and this documentary aims to bring this problem into focus, by providing explanations as to how this content spreads online, hearing from expert voices and real victims, and providing support and guidance for any viewers who may find themselves affected by the themes of the programme.”
Channel 4 has sparked outrage with the release of a pornographic deepfake video, despite warnings from abuse survivors. The documentary, titled ‘So insulting, so gross’, explores the dangers of deepfake technology and its impact on victims of sexual abuse.
The video features a fake pornographic scene depicting a well-known public figure engaging in explicit acts. The use of deepfake technology has raised concerns about the potential for further harm to individuals who may be targeted in a similar way.
Abuse survivors have spoken out against the documentary, expressing their distress at the insensitive portrayal of such a sensitive issue. Many have called for Channel 4 to remove the video and issue a public apology to those affected.
The release of this deepfake video highlights the need for greater awareness and regulation of the use of this technology. It is crucial that we take steps to protect individuals from the harmful effects of deepfake content and ensure that survivors of abuse are not further victimized.
Channel 4 must take responsibility for their actions and listen to the concerns of those who have been affected by this insensitive portrayal of deepfake technology. It is time to prioritize the safety and well-being of abuse survivors and take a stand against the harmful effects of deepfake content.
A personal reminiscence from one of Canada’s most popular and viral comedic sensations, This is the Tom Green Documentary finds the titular funnyman in a relaxed, grateful, and reflective place of peace. An examination of Green’s life straight from the man himself, this self-directed documentary doesn’t leave room for any competing voices or much in the way of constructive, outside criticism, but it’s framed in such a way that the bias doesn’t become a detriment. It’s clear early on that Green finds the idea of anyone making a documentary about him to be patently surreal and ridiculous, so he uses the opportunity to reflect with the same sort of DIY ethic that he built most of his career upon. This is the Tom Green Documentary looks in all the expected places and without too many surprises, but the gentility of it and the subject’s ability to translate his eclectic career into a brisk single volume is assured.
Starting as a stand-up comedian, rapper, and skateboarder in his teenage years spent in and around the Ottawa area, Green had a fascination not only with making people laugh, but more importantly with producing a genuine, unforced reaction to his antics. With the help of several childhood friends that would accompany him across several different shows in different locations, Green made a name for himself by perfecting a unique man-on-the-street style of improv comedy and performance art that took the medium of television to new heights, be it on public access stations or behemoth networks like MTV. Like a lot of legendary funny people, Green’s success marked a specific time and place in pop culture history that influenced the generations to come after him, most notably the entire Jackass crew and Eric Andre. Like many talents who had rockets strapped to them, he burned bright for a time, got overexposed, and life’s challenges – including a testicular cancer diagnosis at a young age – changed his trajectory. Green never went away after losing his big MTV show and his movie career faltered. Instead, he quietly innovated, adapted, and carried on doing what he enjoyed as a talk show host and entertainer.
This is the Tom Green Documentary demystifies a comic whose talents sometimes defied rational explanation. It takes a special type of person to walk around the streets of Ottawa with meat taped to his head, or to lay face down on the sidewalk just to see how long it takes passerby to call for an ambulance, or to paint something ludicrously filthy on the hood of his parents’ car. The world hadn’t seen anything like Tom Green up to that point, and his persona, both on and off screen carried a mythical aura about it. In low key and humble fashion, surrounded by friends and family at his farm not far from where his parents live today, Green has no regrets, but openly questions if sometimes he seemed a bit desperate for attention. The wilder his antics got, the harder it became to do his job, necessitating his pivot from being an all around prankster into the role of a talk show host. And that pivot helped to make him one of the first notable personalities capable of tapping into the power of the internet in an age before social media, podcasts, and YouTubers became ubiquitous.
Green speaks at great length about his battle with cancer and the tough decision to air all of his fears about treatment in the open, but when it comes to other aspects of his life (his marriage, any film that wasn’t Road Trip or Freddy Got Fingered), he’s a bit cagier. And that’s his right, since he’s decided to helm his own biography. Green is beyond mining for laughs or sympathy at this point, and he has reached a point of calm acceptance and thankfulness. He owes no explanations and only seeks to offer thanks and share in his wonderment that he’s been able to have achieved this level of fame. The first part of the documentary, which sees Green pretty much getting his old “band” back together, has the intimate feel of being invited to a low key family reunion. It might not be what people are used to from Green, but now that the likes of Andre and Sacha Baron Cohen have cornered the market on this kind of prank journalism, he can just sit back, refocus, and move onto the next adventure of his life.
Could there be more depth to this and room for outside criticism? Yeah, but This is the Tom Green Documentary serves as a nice bridge for its director to cross to arrive at the next point in their career. With Green currently out and performing stand-up in clubs on a semi-regular basis these days, the film feels every bit like watching someone returning to their roots and looking back on how it all started. It’s also one of three projects Green has currently lined up for Prime Video this month, including an already released stand-up special and a four part series about his adjusting to the life of a farmer dropping next week. At some points in This is the Tom Green Documentary, the subject and star laments his over-exposure, and one might question dropping so much content in quick succession. But Green seems like the type of person who embraces trying new things wholeheartedly, and if there’s anyone who could potentially pull off such a feat and make it successful, it’s him.
This is the Tom Green Documentary streams on Prime Video starting Friday, January 24, 2025.
The Tom Green Documentary Review: A Look into the Life and Career of the Iconic Comedian
Tom Green is a name synonymous with outrageous comedy and boundary-pushing entertainment. From his early days on the Canadian public access show “The Tom Green Show” to his rise to fame in Hollywood with movies like “Freddy Got Fingered,” Green has always been a polarizing figure in the world of comedy.
The recent documentary “This is the Tom Green Show” takes a deep dive into Green’s life and career, exploring the highs and lows of his journey to stardom. The film features interviews with Green himself, as well as friends, family, and colleagues who have been along for the ride.
One of the most striking aspects of the documentary is its unflinching look at Green’s personal struggles, including his battle with cancer and the toll his career has taken on his mental health. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of a man who has spent his life making others laugh, but who has also faced his own share of challenges.
Despite the serious subject matter, the documentary is also filled with plenty of laughs and behind-the-scenes stories that will delight fans of Green’s unique brand of comedy. It’s a must-watch for anyone who has ever been a fan of the comedian, as well as those who are simply interested in the inner workings of the entertainment industry.
In the end, “This is the Tom Green Show” is a touching and insightful tribute to a comedic trailblazer who has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious to learn more about the man behind the madness, this documentary is sure to entertain and enlighten.
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Tom Green Documentary Review, Tom Green Documentary, Tom Green Review, Documentary Review, Tom Green, Film Review, Comedy Documentary, Tom Green Comedy, Tom Green Film, Tom Green Documentary Film, Tom Green Documentary Review 2021.
The sexual assault case that almost ruined Kobe Bryant‘s career is front and center in a new CNN documentary that puts the NBA great’s life under a microscope.
The woman, who was 19 at the time of the alleged 2003 attack, is featured in the film Kobe: The Making of a Legend.
She went to the police with her claims and told the film that she felt ‘scared’ as Bryant tightened his grip on her neck every time she would say ‘no’.
Bryant, who played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers, came forward after the claims were made and admitted that he cheated on his wife Vanessa, but strongly denied sexually assaulting the young woman.
It allegedly took place at The Lodge and Spa at the Cordillera, a hotel in Edward, Colorado, where Bryant checked in to undergo minor surgery.
A new CNN documentary on Kobe Bryant’s life examines unearthed 2003 police interviews with his alleged victim, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 19 years old at a hotel in Colorado
Bryant played with the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his career. He vehemently denied the claims that he had assaulted her but did admit in a press conference that he had cheated on his wife Vanessa who sat by his side
Mark Hulbert was one of the Eagle County prosecutors who brought the case to court. He said the woman had been ‘resolute’ at the start of the process but the rulings and the attacks on her character ‘wore her down’
Mark Hulbert, one of the Eagle County prosecutors who brought the case forward, said in the film that the alleged victim was a front desk employee who greeted Bryant before he pulled her aside and asked her to give him a tour.
The pair went to his room and Bryant began kissing her, which the victim was initially okay with. But when he tried to go further, he allegedly grabbed her, put his hand around her neck and sexually assaulted her.
The case was proceeding through the courts but came to a standstill and was dropped a year later after the alleged victim stated she didn’t want to cooperate.
But this decision was frustrating for the prosecution who said in the film that justice was not done and that Bryant ‘knows what he did’.
According to Colorado District Court Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke, the victim had been ‘beat up for so long’ that she had ‘reached her breaking point’.
Bakke joined the prosecution’s team on the Bryant case in 2003. She had considerable experience working on sexual assault cases.
Bryant passes through a security checkpoint as he arrives at the Eagle County Justice Center April 28, 2004, shortly before the case was dropped
The allegation came during the middle of his career. He had a wife, a baby daughter who was five months old – and he could have been jailed for at least four years if found guilty
According to Bakke, one of the ‘strongest pieces’ of evidence was that the victim told a colleague right after the incident and said she didn’t want to speak out because ‘no-one’s going to believe me’.
Despite her hesitance, the woman went to police the next day and gave a statement.
The documentary reproduces whole chunks of the interview with Eagle County Sheriff Doug Winters, who is shown asking the victim where exactly Bryant was grabbing her butt and chest.
The victim said: ‘When he took off his pants, that’s when I started to kinda back up and to try to push his hands off me and that’s when he started to choke me.
‘He wasn’t choking me enough that I couldn’t breathe, just choking me to the point I was scared.’
Detective Winters asked the woman if she said anything during the incident. She replied: ‘I was scared and I said no a few times.’
The victim confirmed that Bryant heard her and said she knew because ‘every time I said no he tightened his hold around me’.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed in a horrific helicopter crash in 2020
An Eagle County sheriff talking to young Kobe Bryant fans who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him outside of the courthouse on the second day of pre-trial hearings in 2003
‘And then he would lean his face real close to me and ask me questions (like) you’re not going to tell anybody, right?’ the woman added.
When Bryant was first called by police he denied everything and said that his wife not finding out was ‘all I care about’.
But then he admitted involvement with the woman and said he did have his hand around her neck.
Bryant told police: ‘I had my right hand like this, and my other hand like that.’
When asked how hard he was holding her, Bryant said: ‘I don’t know. My hands are strong.’
In the documentary, Hulbert describes the case as strong and said the victim had ‘the details right up front’, unlike most sexual assault victims who were too traumatized to have a clear memory.
Bryant told police during his interview that ‘all I care about’ was his wife Vanessa not finding out about the incident. He admitted that he slept with the alleged victim and did have his hand around her neck but denied it was assault
After the charges were filed, Bryant appeared at a press conference holding hands with Vanessa and saying he was ‘innocent’ but he admitted adultery and said he was ‘furious at myself’.
CNN’s new documentary Kobe: The Making of a Legend will debut on Saturday
‘I love my wife with all my heart,’ Bryant said, turning to Vanessa and saying: ‘She’s my backbone, you’re a blessing’.
Bakke says that when she saw the press conference, her view was that Bryant was ‘so scared and I’m saying this because I have to say this’.
Bryant’s life in the documentary will, according to the outlet, put a light on the ‘unseen forces’ that shaped Bryant’s life until his untimely death in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles in 2020 at the age of 41.
His 13-year-old daughter Gianna died alongside him. He was survived by Vanessa, 42, and three other daughters Natalia, 22, Bianka, eight and Capri, five.
The sexual assault allegation came during the middle of his career, he had a wife, a five month-old daughter and he could have been jailed for at least four years if found guilty.
Public opinion turned against the alleged victim and was shown when Bryant was awarded the Choice Male Athlete of the Year only 14 days after he was charged
Supporters of Lakers star Kobe Bryant passed the Eagle County Justice Center in Eagle, Colorado, in August 2003
But the mood turned against the prosecution almost immediately with the public showing support towards Bryant who was given the Choice Male Athlete of the Year award just 14 days after he was charged.
Bryant bought his wife a $4million, eight carat diamond ring which earned him some ridicule.
Bakke described how as the case got going, Bryant’s lawyers threw ‘everything’ they could at the victim to ‘break her down’.
That included Bryant’s lawyer repeatedly naming the victim during one hearing, despite an agreement not to do so.
Bryant’s lawyer even suggested that the victim could have gotten her injuries from having sex with three men over three days – even though nobody had ever suggested that.
In a devastating blow, the judge in the case ruled that the woman’s past sexual history could be brought up during the trial.
Bryant with his attorney Pamela Mackey on July 19, 2004. His lawyers repeatedly named the victim during one hearing despite an agreement not to do so, and even suggested her injuries could’ve been from having sex with three men over three days
Hulbert said the woman had been ‘resolute’ at the start of the process but the rulings and the attacks just ‘wore her down’.
Then, in September 2004, as the jury was being chosen, Hulbert got a call from the victim who said ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’.
He said: ‘She had been so beat up for so long she’d reached her breaking point and had enough.’
According to Hulbert, in the wake of the case being dropped, there was a ‘significant’ plummet in the number of women reporting sexual assaults in Eagle County.
The woman did sue Bryant in a civil case, and as part of the settlement he issued an apology.
Bryant said: ‘After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.’
The documentary reproduces whole portions of the interview with Eagle County Sheriff Doug Winters (left). Colorado Judge Ingrid Bakke said the alleged victim had been ‘beat up for so long’ that she had ‘reached her breaking point’
In the documentary Bakke dismissed the apology, saying it was ‘well crafted’.
Bakke said in the film: ‘Do I think justice prevailed? Absolutely not…he knows what he did.’
Among the other details in the film are insights into Bryant’s ‘Black Mamba’ alter ego which was inspired by a scene with a killer snake in the movie ‘Kill Bill’.
Friends reveal that Bryant used the hate that he got after the sex assault case to fuel his game, rather than letting it eat him up.
Journalist Scoop Jackson, a close pal of Bryant, said that a ‘switch was flipped and the Black Mamba was born’.
‘It got him through the darkest time of his life,’ he said.
Lakers fitness coach Gary Vitti said: ‘Nobody had rage like him, nobody, adding that Bryant was ‘like a dragon, the angrier he gets the more he’s going to douse you’.
DailyMail.com has contacted Bryant’s lawyers and representatives for comment.
The world was shocked and devastated by the tragic and untimely death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant in January 2020. As fans and loved ones mourned his loss, a new documentary has shed light on a shameful secret that haunted him throughout his life.
In the documentary, titled “Kobe: Unveiled,” close friends and family members reveal that Kobe struggled with the guilt and shame of a dark incident from his past. It is revealed that in his early years in the NBA, Kobe was accused of sexual assault by a hotel employee in Colorado.
The allegations rocked Kobe’s world and threatened to tarnish his reputation and career. Despite proclaiming his innocence and eventually settling the case out of court, the incident continued to haunt him. Kobe was plagued by guilt and shame, and the weight of the accusations followed him for the rest of his life.
The documentary delves into the emotional toll that the incident took on Kobe, as well as the impact it had on his family and his legacy. It also explores how Kobe tried to make amends for his past mistakes and find redemption in the eyes of his fans and the public.
As we continue to mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant, this revelation serves as a reminder that even the greatest of heroes can have flaws and demons to overcome. Kobe’s legacy will always be remembered for his incredible talent and dedication to the game, but this documentary sheds light on the complex and troubled man behind the legend.
