Trump Timeout for OJ

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The cable news networks (yes, I use that term loosely) will take a timeout from their non-stop Trump coverage to focus on non stop OJ Simpson coverage. 

The former NFL star goes before a parole board in Nevada today and the media will be out in force covering the story. 

Yes, it's normally not news when a guy convicted for robbery has a parole hearing, but this is OJ Simpson. 

Simpson either killed or did not kill his ex-wife and her friend Ron Goldman and they got away with it or was found innocent of the murders. 

Before cable news went way overboard with coverage of Donald Trump, there was the Simpson trial. 

Up until that trial, no one had ever heard of Greta Van Susteren or Dan Abrams. The Simpson trial launched their careers. 

Today, cable news and many others in the media will cover this story like it was US President colluding with Russia. 

On June 12th of 1994, I was at 875 South Bundy and seeing the most blood I have ever seen. It was the blood of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman running down the walkway of her Brentwood condo. 

I was also there when Simpson was on trial for the murders. The media was set up outside the LA courthouse in what was dubbed Camp OJ. In fact somewhere, I still have a "camp OJ" T-shirt laying around. 

Today the media will be back for another act in the circus. 

Simpson is expected to make parole and will be released in October (which will be another huge story). 

The Simpson saga is the moment that the straight news media turned into tabloid TV. In fact many point to the Simpson trial as the point when TV news started losing their way. 

You can bet CNN would have never done the missing plane coverage if it wasn't for OJ Simpson. It was his case that kept viewers tuned in. It was when cable news threw out real news coverage and went all in on OJ. 

It was the start of the downfall of cable news and Today viewers will be reminded of that again. 

As for me, I'll dig up my Camp OJ shirt, slip it on and sit back and watch the coverage from start to finish.

I'm kidding, I'll be watching the British Open. 

Here's a Fox News promo hyping their coverage for Today.