30 for 30 running thread

I had very high expectations for "June 17, 1994" - every one of those expectations was met. I forgot what a landmark day that was. While people remember the OJ chase, there was so much going on that became background noise - the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup, Arnold Palmer at Oakmont ... loved the behind-the-scenes stuff, like someone putting makeup on Bob Costas during the NBA finals.

I remember listening to the radio broadcast of Robert Kardashian reading OJ's letter ... and saying to my dad, "OJ's either going to kill himself or escape to Mexico." (The Kardashian daughters owe their dad for their notoriety, btw.)

One thing that would have made this even better was the use of music from June of 1994.

 

Standing ovation. That was very well done.

I was 13 years old but I remember that night very, very well.

 

June 17, 1994 was also the date of the rehearsal dinner for my sister's wedding.

I was having lunch at a bar and watching the World Cup opener when the LAPD announced they were "actively seeking Mr. Simpson".

I watched as much of the coverage as I could that afternoon while he was at large but I didn't get to see much of the chase itself as we were at the rehearsal and then the dinner itself.

I do remember the wait staff keeping our table updated off of a tv they had going back in the kitchen.

 

I was 12 at the time and have very vivid memories of sitting in a bedroom upstairs at my grandparents' house watching the Finals game and the OJ chase unfold. I fell asleep before the standoff ended, but I remember thinking for much of the night I was about to see a guy get gunned down or kill himself on live television. Just surreal.

 

Our World Cup opening ceremony was pretty cheesy. I guess at the time I thought "We really nailed it" but looking back ... not so much a test of time. I guess it's kinda like some of the clothes we wore back then. "Hey, let's make a shirt that has a different color front and back, two different color sleeves and a completely different color collar."

As for the show, I liked it. I think it gives some real time (so to speak) perspective of the way it all went down rather than just someone doing a current interview and telling what happened.

 

I have the June 17, 1994 one Tivoed and I was pleased that ESPN actually aired it when it was supposed to. I've tried to Tivo the Reggie Miller one three times and what is recorded is never what ESPN says it's supposed to record.

 

Not only that, but you've also got Clinton's speech where he says that day presented to the world "the best America has to offer," when two times zones away people were beginning to line up along the freeway waiting (maybe hoping) for a guy in a white Bronco to blow his brains out on national television ...

 

I just remember the guy who pranked one of the networks and said he was following OJ during the chase. It was so obvious it was a prank, but CBS (I think) bit hard and the guy screamed out Ba Ba Booey at the end of the call.

 

That was a sick bomb Griffey hit that night.

 

Two things I wondered...
1. During the Royals-Mariners clips, did the OJ 2-under at the U.S Open joke go out on air?

2. How the hell did that guy get into the Game 5 presser asking Riley about whether or not OJ cut to the left?

Looking back, that day would've been one of the most historic sporting days in our generation before O.J. climbed into the Bronco. Just an amazing confluence of events.

 

It was Peter Jennings - "and a bababooey to you all!!"

I was totally expecting them to play it - I had to google it to play it for my 16 y/o and 15 year old who watched the 30-30 with me.

What they did include was going to the local station with "breaking news" that the reporter got a different cell phone that works. The eye roll by local anchor Pat Harvey was priceless. What a bunch of putzes.

Costas appeared to be the most professional of anyone.

 

Doesn't that night still stand as the all-time one-night high for pizza delivery sales?