The first season of American Crime Story has proven that the American Horror Story model can easily work within a new genre. The People V. OJ Simpson captured the attention of the world, and quickly became one of the most popular new shows in recent memory. However, as much as we loved watching the recreation of the legendary Simpson murder trial, one person close to the series seems thrilled that it has ended: Cuba Gooding Jr.
Speaking at a recent Motion Picture and Television Fund benefit (h/t The Wrap), Cuba Gooding Jr. explained that he feels a certain sense of relief now that The People V. OJ Simpson has come to an end:
I was in a dark place with it. I went to church one Sunday and the pastor asked for [me] to stay after the service. Him and his wife prayed over me because he felt there was a darkness in my spirit. It was things like that where I’m like, ‘Man, this show is really affecting people'.
Cuba Gooding Jr. may not actually have been on trial for murder, but we will be damned if he didn’t sell the character of OJ Simpson perfectly. He apparently inhabited the role so effectively that people in his day-to-day life stopped to check in on him. That’s some damn fine commitment to a role if I do say so myself.
It probably doesn’t help that the series portrays events still relatively fresh in the minds of many Americans. The real OJ Simpson remains a public figure that incites strong opinions from just about everyone who was around during the trial in the 1990s. The People V. OJ Simpson has nailed so many minute details of the murder case, that Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance has become somewhat unnerving – even if he doesn’t necessarily bare a strong physical resemblance to the acquitted Simpson.
All that being said, Cuba Gooding Jr. doesn’t seem to have much regret about taking part in the insanely popular FX series. Both himself and John Travolta have come out saying that they thoroughly enjoyed their time on the show, and feel open to returning for the second season – which will shift the drama to the events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
What are your thoughts on The People V. OJ Simpson? Did you enjoy Cuba Gooding Jr.’s performance on the series? Although the first season of American Crime Story may have come to an end, we will keep you up to date with any and all information related to the show’s upcoming second season. Stay tuned for more details!
