Oprah's Dream Interview: A Confessing O.J. Simpson

By Marc Schneider Posted Jun 16th 2011 04:14PM

Oprah Winfrey is admitting that her OWN channel has gotten off to a bumpy start, but if she lands her desired interview things may start to look up by next year. Winfrey told a cable industry trade show audience in Chicago on Thursday that her "dream" is to take on O.J. Simpson and get the ultimate scoop on her upcoming chat show, 'Oprah's Next Chapter.'

"I have a dream of O.J. Simpson confessing to me," said Winfrey to cheers, according to a Hollywood Reporter report. "And I am going to make that happen people."

Winfrey, letting it be known she thinks Simpson murdered wife Nicole Brown, said she would have a big condition for sitting down with the NFL great.

"I don't just want the interview," she told interviewer Paula Zahn. "I want the interview on the condition that you are ready, Mr. Simpson."

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Oprah Winfrey right, talks with Paula Zahn left, during the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's Cable Show 2011 at McCormick Place on Thursday, June 16, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

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This bold goal may sound outlandish, but Simpson has confessed before, in a twisted way, to former HarperCollins publisher Judith Regan for a book and FOX television special. 'If I Did It' was billed as Simpson's "hypothetical" description of the 1994 murder of his wife and her friend Ronald Goldman.

He was acquitted in a circus-like murder trial in 2005 but was later convicted in a civil case that awarded the families of the victims $33.5 million.

One teensy setback for realizing Oprah's dream is the fact Simpson is currently serving hard time in a kidnapping and armed robbery case. He currently lives at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada and will be eligible for parole in about 6 years.

Obviously a televised O.J. confession would potentially the biggest TV event in recent history, save for Super Bowls and balloon boy coverage (kidding), and a ratings bonanza would be just what Winfrey's network could use.

She told Zahn the "bumps along the way" have been surprising to her, namely the sub-par ratings and issues with the network's direction. One top executive departed last month. She said that it's partly her fault because she had to deal with the monumental task of closing out her talk show. But now she's putting it all in for OWN.

"I now have the time to be committed to the nurturing of this network," Winfrey said. "The vacation I thought I was going to have is kind of over ... at least for the time being."

On the lower-than-expected ratings, she said "I let other people worry about ratings ... For me, it is always about service to the viewers. I have committed everything I have to this cable venture. I wouldn't bet against me."

Oprah will star in several shows on the network, including 'Oprah's Next Chapter,' 'Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes,' Oprah Presents Master Class' and 'Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star.'

Tags: OJ Simpson, Oprah Winfrey, OWN

Comments

(450)

Friday 17 June

By lov2rknrol

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

There is no statue of limitations on murder but there is "double jeopardy" which does not allow you to be tried again for the same offense. He was already acquitted of the crime so he can say anything he wants as long as it does not lead to confessing to another crime. A confession could also ruin any chance of parole since the "double jeopardy" statute doesn't apply to sentencing review and parole.

Thursday 16 June

By mp

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Your screen name says it all. Hate on someone who is not going around doing good for others. Oh, how about yourself!? Oh, but that's already being done. Self-hate is a dangerous occupation. Okay, well, how about loving yourself. Yes! That's a better idea. How about spending 30 days loving yourself and accepting yourself and forgiving yourself and you will see that life is a little smoother.

By Ohmeibalzich

If this were to occur, count me as one of the few, who will not watch it. I think 17 years later, he is still guilty. Like one of the posters above said, he will not confess to these murders, when he is eligible for parole in 6 years. If he were to have it after is parole, and admitted to doing it, nothing we happen to him anyway.

By ddan8719

Thanks in part to a jury of his peers whom also were avid fans..he walked..karma now has him on lockdown..his murder karma has yet to arrive..but when it does..will not be pretty..and it will..

By papaknuck1942

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@ddan: I agree with Thomas...you guess. You apply some type of mathematical equality to right and wrong. I don't see it working that way. Stuff happens...period.

By Janeyre

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So does that also apply to Robert Blake?

By thomas

you guess!!

By barb

IF she paid him, whatever that amount was it would go to Goldman's family to help pay part of the millions they were awarded in a judgment against him...he'd never see a penny of it.

By Johnson

Martin Luther King ,Jr had a dream too! Those hillbillies in the Las Vegas judicial system railroaded him! Opray should be trying to get this hillbilly lynching straightened out first then request an interview!

Railroaded him? Please...he's as much as admitted his guilt in this and is trying to move on. He got caught up in a bad situation. He's a grown man...he should have known better. He made a bad choice.

So I guess, Robert Blake is next...

By Claud Pipkin

I thought she was gone................Go away!

By N_In_O_Town

Good luck with that one. Karma isn't finished with him yet.

By thudula

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

ANYONE who tries to get an AQUITTED MAN to admit to murder is TRASH

Really? You're gonna' play the Jewish/Jesus card? You religious zealots crack me up.

By lovepuddin98

Sit down somewhere and play with your money in peace. Stop
exploiting people lady.

No need for racial slures sir. thanks