Audience members at the BET Awards on Sunday night were surprised when OJ Simpson was included in the In Memoriam section alongside respected figures like Willie Mays and Rudolph Islay. There was “noticeable silence” when Simpson’s face appeared on the screen at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Moments later “there was a smattering of applause, but many in the audience were a bit surprised to see his face,” per the Reporter.
Tia Mowry introduced the In Memoriam section as a tribute to “the Black excellence that we unfortunately lost this year,” USA Today reports. Simpson, who was acquitted of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994 but was found liable in a civil trial, died in April. Fred Goldman, Ron’s father, tells TMZ that the inclusion was a slap in the face to the families. “I think they shouldn’t include anyone of that caliber—a wife beater, murderer,” he says. “Can’t imagine why they would include someone like that.”
Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister Tanya tells TMZ that whoever decided to include Simpson should apologize to all domestic violence victims. “It’s inappropriate to give an abuser and murderer recognition,” she says.
simpson? why not include the capitol police dindu-murderer byrd?
A great opportunity was missed by BET. They should’ve filmed the panel discussion about OJ’s contribution and nomination.
Great ratings missed!
Too bad Norm McDonald couldn’t be there to say a few words.
“It’s inappropriate to give an abuser and murderer recognition …”
In the negro community? Get fukkin real.
If they left every abuser and murderer and person of that caliber off the list of the BET awards,that would be the shortest award show in history.
US black culture is now absolute shite, from top to bottom. These people are horrible.
…so when are the WHITE Entertainment Television awards?
Since it’s only and all about being black, what’s the fuss? He be black.
Maybe they should do a feature bio on the fabulously famous Don King, who would’ve/should’ve lived out his life in an Ohio prison serving his murder sentence. Mike Tyson might’ve been better off if King hadn’t been pardoned by the governor.
Bee Eee What?