If you are a basketball fan, you’ve heard about the scandal that led to Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA. FX’s new limited series, Clipped, chronicles the events of the scandal, the dysfunctional basketball organization, Sterling’s troubled marriage and impact the tape had on a team striving to win.
What is Clipped About?
In 2019, a five-part story hosted by Ramona Shelburne on the podcast ESPN 30 for 30, entitled The Sterling Affairs, discussed the scandal and comments made by L.A. Clippers owner, Donald Sterling (Ed O’Neill). Previously in 2014, Sterling was caught on tape saying racist remarks. As seen in the trailer below, Sterling’s personal assistant and mistress, V. Stiviano (Cleopatra Coleman) was the one who recorded the remarks.
In an attempt to take over the Clippers she releases the tape TMZ. Instead of getting what she wanted, she loses everything. The tape drew attention to their affair, blew up Sterling’s marriage with wife and business partner, Shelly (Jacki Weaver) of 60 years and revealed problems within the Clippers organization.
Starting with the hire of famed coach Doc Rivers (Laurence Fishburne) in 2013, the series follows the drama that followed. As a former Clippers player and Boston Celtics coach, Rivers is looking to turn around the organization with players such as Chris Paul (J. Alphonse Nicholson. However, he soon learns how dysfunctional things really are. The main problem is Sterling. He’s known for being cheap, erratic and a bully. At any rate, Rivers sees potential and begins building the franchise to win its first NBA championship.
People believed the team was cursed because it never won a championship. Being that, it becomes apparent when the tape was released to the public. Consisting primarily of African American players, the series explores the effects the tape had on the team. It’s a story of racial reckoning and a look into who really has the power in the internet age.
Besides Fishburne and O’Neill, the series stars Andy Roeser as Kelly AuCoin, Rich Sommers as the Clippers PR man Seth Burton, Corbin Bernsen as Pierce O’Donnell and Clifton Davis as NBA great Elgin Baylor.
What is Clipped Rated?
Due to the nature of the show, Clipped has a rating of TV-MA.
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How to watch Clipped?
The first two episodes will stream exclusively on Hulu beginning on June 4, 2024. After that, a new episode will debut each week until the sixth show airs on July 2nd.
Clipped Trailer
Who is Behind Clipped?
Serving as the creator, showrunner and executive producer is Gina Welch. She is best know for writing and producing Castle Rock, Feud and The Terror. Other producers include Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Zanne Devine, Ramona Shelburne and Kevin Bray. In addition to producing, Bray directed three episodes.
