Saunders: Fox 'Juices' up sweeps mix

Published November 16, 2006 at midnight

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This could go down as the tackiest sweeps event ever: On Nov. 27 and 29 Fox will air the two-part special O.J. Simpson: If I Did it, Here's How It Happened.

The special (8 p.m. both days) is a two-night interview with O.J. Simpson by author/publisher Judith Regan, which "coincidentally" segues into the book, In His Own Words, which goes on sale Nov. 30 from ReganBooks.

Variety, which first reported details of the reality special, says the interview allows Simpson to describe how he could have killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of both murders Oct. 3, 1995, after a California jury trial, but was later found liable for the deaths in a civil suit.

Variety reports that while Simpson will not be paid directly by Fox, he presumably will receive money from ReganBooks, part of Harper Collins Publishing, which is owned by Fox's parent company.

The project's executive producer is Mike Darnell, the "grandfather" of the reality TV genre. In the late '90s Darnell, then Fox's executive vice president of alternative programming, introduced such specials as When Animals Attack and World's Scariest Police Chases.

Years ago Darnell told me, with tongue only partially in his cheek, that he'd like to do a TV special titled "The World's Most Embarrassing Throw-Ups." He added that he didn't think his Fox bosses would approve.

Darnell did have an outline for a reality special showing an unoccupied commercial airliner crashing in the California desert. Darnell reasoned viewers would be interested in seeing, firsthand, the results of a disastrous crash.

Regarding the Simpson special, Darnell told Variety: "This is the definitive last chapter of the trial of the century."

Fox's return to such programming is the direct result of mediocre ratings for the network's new fall series, Major League Baseball playoffs and the World Series.

House and, to a lesser degree, Prison Break and Bones, are the only drama series drawing respectable Nielsen numbers.

Until the Fox announcement, the networks' November sweeps stunts seemed to be free of controversial events designed to bring eyeballs to the set. A debate was starting to boil regarding NBC's Wednesday airing of Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live From London, a filmed, two-hour concert special. The first-ever broadcast network performance by the pop superstar contained a controversial crucifixion number.

Numerous conservative and religious groups had started bashing NBC about the crucifixion segment. After weeks of negotiating, Madonna and the network agreed to cut the number. But we'll still have two hours of Simpson explaining how to commit the murders he says he didn't commit.

This is entertainment? Will the public watch? Will Fox rerun his car-rental commercials?

PLANNING AHEAD: The Hallmark Channel will air the Academy Award-winning documentary March of the Penguins at 7 p.m. Nov. 25.

The cable outlet also is launching a national education campaign designed to generate awareness about penguins and how to keep them from becoming extinct.

Big Day, an ABC comedy series originally scheduled to premiere in September, will debut Nov. 28. The plot centers on events (some disastrous) surrounding the wedding of a young couple.

This week's tsunami warning in Japan reminds that HBO will air Tsunami: The Aftermath, a two- part drama Dec. 10 and 17.

Inspired by true accounts, the project will focus on the harrowing aftermath of the tsunami that devastated Thailand in December 2004. An international cast is featured in the story, which deals with fictional characters.

TODAY'S NOSTALGIA: On Nov. 16, 1957, NBC aired a live variety special, Holiday in Las Vegas, featuring Sammy Davis Jr. Jayne Mansfield, Tony Randall and Vic Damone.

Dusty Saunders is the broadcasting critic. saunders@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5137

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