FX's Clipped Falls Short in Honing Donald Sterling Scandal
Though it falls short of its potential, FX's six-part limited series Clipped seeks to capture the drama around Donald Sterling's racist comments. Although Laurence Fishburne, Jacki Weaver, and Ed O'Neill make a great cast, the show lacks a coherent story and mostly relies on headlines, so giving viewers a poor knowledge of the influence of the scandal.
The amazing performance by Ed O'Neill's Donald Sterling that fails to save the series
As Donald Sterling, Ed O'Neill captures his terrible demeanor and the controversy engulfating the NBA. But the show finds it difficult to explore the subtleties of the scandal, so presenting an inaccurate picture of the events that transpired.
V. Stiviano: A Murky Figure Rightfront in Focus
Sterling's enigmatic assistant V. Stiviano takes front stage in Clipped, but the show presents a perplexing and sometimes contradictory picture of her part in the scandal. Although the show tries to humanize Stiviano, it finally falls short in clearly explaining her motives and behavior.
Insufficient basketball attention compromises the series.
Although Clipped bills as a basketball-themed series, its emphasis on the drama surrounding Sterling's actions leaves the NBA and the Clippers themselves on the sidelines empty-handed. Clipped lacks a feeling of authenticity and passion for basketball unlike HBO's Winning Time, which caught the essence of the game and its players.
An Opportunity Lost for More Research
Clipped's events ten years ago give plenty of time for introspection and analysis. Still, the show chooses to rework headlines instead of investigate the wider consequences of the scandal. The lack of a gripping story and neglect to apply the advantage of hindsight lessens the impact of the show.
An Unimpressive Effort to Review a Significant Controversy
Clipped misses the emotional impact and social consequences even if it catches the shock value of the Donald Sterling affair. The series's emphasis on sensationalism above content results in a shallow knowledge of a significant and multifarious event in NBA history.
Ignored Possibility for Enhanced Research
Clipped might have offered a closer examination of the racial, power, and privilege issues that surfaced in the Donald Sterling affair. Rather, the show settles for regurgitating headlines, so giving viewers a shallow and finally unsatisfying experience.
