Clipped

Being a sports fan and keeping up with pop culture and past times I really like series like these and with "Hulu's" limited series "Clipped" I gave it a shot. And wow talk about crying foul how many times can those involved foul out. The series in a blunt and brash fashion takes a look at the life of ex "L. A. Clippers" owner Donald Sterling(Ed O' Neill from "MWC") and how he was banned for life from the "NBA". The series hams it up and tries to be juicy and tabloid like style as each episode showcased leaked comments that Sterling made to his former mistress V. Stiviano. Also behind the scenes with Sterling is the strained relationship with his wife and business partner Shelly(Jacki Weaver). In a good supporting turn is veteran Laurence Fishburne as Clippers head coach Doc Rivers who deals with the power struggle from within the franchise while trying to coach the team to a championship. The issues are sensitive and tough yet this series is fearless with it as it is entertaining for any sports or "NBA" fan despite the fact that it's not the Lakers or "Winning Time".

Perhaps this real life portrayal mini series has cane out a little later than it should have. The events happened in 2014 and now over 10 years later, we are having this series showing further details. This is being said simply because the interest to this story isn't nearly as high or anticipated currently as it would have had this had been several years ago.

However as a show, it does provide a lot of things in which people who were following the story at the time, are already familiar. Mainly the basics. Most of the newer knowledge dealt with the character of V. Stiviano who is a primary character as it delves into her life further and her role to everything.

The acting from the leads are definitely worthy of watching. The subject matter is definitely serious and overall was engaging in watching and remembering its events. The finale episode was rather anticlimactic and ended somewhat abruptly. Slightly disappointing.

Best episode: Episode 3.

Worst episode: Episode 4.

Ed O'Neil and Laurence Fishburne are great. The actors who play the basketball players are also good and do a good job passing who they are portraying. I'm sure it was very difficult to find a match to play Blake. Very interesting to see what things were supposedly like behind close doors for the clippers organization. Does explain why they had such a hard time finding success and keeping good players. I watched the first two episodes back to back and could have easily watched another 2. Unfortunately have to wait for the weekly release now to be able to see the new episodes. I have enjoyed it so far.

So far I'm halfway through the series with the last two episodes pending to appear in the future. What I can say so far is that while the production values are high, the underlying true story is poorly told.

Sterling's egomaniacal failure as a franchise owner would have made for a compelling story. But so far it's shaping up to be a banal referendum on his moral character and his tattletale sugar-baby lady of the night being positioned as an anti-hero by being spiteful.

I hope I'm wrong but I'm afraid that this Hulu special will be of the Netflix ilk of progressive grandstanding as if we haven't been beaten over the head with the social sensitivity agenda a million times over. It's lazy and I'm hoping that the concluding episodes of the series focuses on the personal story that us sports fans might have overlooked instead of another trite sermon about how people should be loving people or whatever.

I may be biased because I was in college for the Sterling scandal and not yet born for the showtime lakers but clipped is honestly better than season 2 of winning time.

Outside of Kirkland brand Steph Curry and yes, Blake Griffin's head being too small, the casting was excellent. I guess more nitpicky complaints would be that Silver looks a little too old and Modern family guy doesn't quite capture the loathsomeness of Donald Sterling, but otherwise this is a pretty faithful retelling of that iconic media circus.

Sad that Lob City will ultimately be remembered like the Moneyball A's, a lasting legacy but never the championship they deserved.