O.J. Simpson, the football hero and crossover star who was acquitted in “the trial of the century,” has died (story on Page One.) Here are some things about “Juice” and his downfall that captured America in the 1990s:
1) Live from New York – Juice was a star, hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 1978 and hitting the disco with Belushi’s samurai character and spoofing his
famous Hertz commercials.
2) Nordberg! – Simpson appeared as Leslie Nielsen’s partner and sidekick in “The Naked Gun” movies, a slapstick series based on the old “Police Squad!” show.
3) It all goes bad – In 1994 Simpson is accused of killing of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald L. Goldman.
4) “Save the Juice” – An estimated 95 million people watched Simpson’s slow-speed “getaway” from police on and empty L.A. freeway in the white Ford Bronco.
5) “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit” – Simpson’s murder trial opened in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, 1995. Judge Lance Ito, houseguest Kato Kaelin and defense attorney Johnnie Cochran all became stars
