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."

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=778932&pid=778931&uts=1308255968

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolpopeater,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

All Things Oooooopraaaaaah

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)

FR36811 AP

Heidi and Spencer Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt leave the Alexa Chung Show at the MTV Studios in Mid Town Manhattan, where the promotional pair share a kiss... again. NON-EXCLUSIVE November 16, 2009 Job: 91117Z1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

DISCIULLO/bauergriffinonline.com

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Heidi Montag (L) and Spencer Pratt promote "How to be Famous" at Borders Books & Music, Columbus Circle on November 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Heidi Montag;Spencer Pratt

Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt promote "How to be Famous" at Borders Books & Music, Columbus Circle on November 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Heidi Montag;Spencer Pratt

Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 16: Spencer Pratt promotes "How to be Famous" at Borders Books & Music, Columbus Circle on November 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Spencer Pratt

Getty Images

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 Tripp

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

OJ has lied so much he does not even believe he murdered two innocent people. I have had little trust in our judicial system since I saw OJ get away with murder. I hope he rots in jail.

By sandy

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I sincerely admire Oprah, and generally think she has a very clear-sighted, intuitive perspective. But this is just silly: She says she only wants the interview if OJ is "ready;" well, if he's "ready," what's the big deal about the confession? He knows about ratings' stunts, and he is the king of game players; he would be well aware that his confession would be the hot ticket for OWN, and somehow, some way I imagine he would turn it in his favor. I am surprised that Oprah does not see the farce in all of this: Big media build-up to a "confession?" Gotta love the American way.

By ke

the ego on her that she thinks he would just confess to her prior to sitting down...unfortunately, what's done is done, and why make his chilren suffer anymore than they have too.

By jvirgieschild

Dang, Oprah you looking bad in this pic. Jehovah will deal with O. J. and you too. You will do just about anything to save your OWN. Sad.....shouldna been so......greedy.

By thedrbob321

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

When are you simpletons gonna realize that OJ didn't kill no body? The male victim owed money to local drug dealers. They followed him to her house and killed her for lookinbg out her door. No one that plans a murder down to the minute and is prepared to kill a woman is going to go through with the plan when a second rather large person enters the picture. But if you're prepatred to kill a man and a woman shows up, its a no brainer.
Everybody knew for a fact that Micheal Jackson molested those kids too. Then after his death the kids admitted it was all a lie for the money. Even the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the OJ civil suite said he didn't do it, but that they would get a judgement be cause of popular opinion. Don't you worry Oprah isn't saying this crap for the money....NOT!!!

By hcedeee

Oj's son killed her. He said, Dad can I use the bronco? His Dad (O.J.) responded, Son you'll have to axe your Mom.

By johnjfoote

Just more "O" B.S.

By ava

Vote down Vote up Report this

Intresting watching Hollyweired stars fake like they are oprah's best friends..She believes it!!

Saturday 18 June

By mhsden

mabe if he admits to murder she will admmit to being a fruad :/

By Wilma Mustaffa

We all know he did it.Whats the big deal

By CaseyFavorsProgress

There is no chance that you owe up to your screen name; supporting an evil murderer and denouncing Oprah Winfrey- take out the "l" in your screen name and that is you, akong with sad and pathetic.

Lemmings

By Favorprogress

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Confession or not, O.J. Simpson is known by almost everyone as an evil, sick, pathetic murderer and will receive the ultimate justice by the ultimate judge for eternity.

By amused

So now "The Great One" is going to start a "Closed Case File"?

By les

I was hoping that when she had her last show we had seen the last of her. What HAPPENED!!!!!!

By Mitch

Hey Juan, You may just want to go back and do some reading as to who actually "Killed" Jesus.

By WOODY

IF OPRAH GETS O.J. TO CONFESS, HE KILLED NICOLE BROWN & RON GOLDMAN, IT WOULD BE LIKE TELLING US, TONIGHT, IT WILL BE DARK OUTSIDE.....WE ALREADY KNOW IT !!!

By lolo

OJ might not have done it you know- I think his son Jason fromm his first marriage did it(he was 24 at the time)- he had several different stories for an alibi, since he was a chef, he carried knives with him everywhere, he was obsessed with nicole,had arguments with her before, had attacked other people with knives (no joke), suffered from "rages" where he heard voices, - its possible/likely OJ tried to help him cover it up

By bobby

lolo I have always believed his son did it,they argued about money he wanted for a apartment, he hated nicole, because OJ always did what she wanted to do. believe it or not I still have the tapes from that trial I watched it and taped at the same time but you are so right the son did it, I believed it then and i still believe it now

Page 5 of 23