Networks Reject Oj Simpson 'murder' Interview

Public outrage in America over OJ Simpson's "hypothetical" description of how he could have killed his ex-wife and her friend has prompted affiliates of the Fox TV network to refuse to screen the interview on the grounds of bad taste.

Simpson has secured a $3.5m deal with Rupert Murdoch's broadcasting and publishing companies companies which includes a Fox TV special during which he talks about how he would have carried out the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman "if he were the one responsible".

The two-part programme was due for broadcast on November 27 and 29. But last night it emerged that nine affiliates - local TV stations showing Fox programmes - had opted out of the screening.

Jay Zollar, general manager of WLUK-TV, said: "After careful consideration regarding the nature of the show, as well as the feedback we received from viewers, we determined that this programming was not serving the local public interest." WLUK is owned by Lin Broadcasting, which also has stations in Alabama, Ohio, New Mexico and Rhode Island. Another company that takes Fox programmes, Pappas Broadcasting, said it was not interested in helping Simpson profit from the project.

There are about 200 Fox affiliates across the US. Scott Grogin, a Fox spokesman, said yesterday the network had no comment about the decision by its affiliates.

The interview is intended to be a promotion for a book called If I Did It, to be published on November 30.

Simpson became notorious in 1994 after the bodies of Brown and Goldman were found on her blood-drenched Los Angeles driveway. Simpson was pursued by police after he heard he was the prime suspect and 93 million people watched events unfold live on television. Police cars tailed him and 90 minutes later he surrendered outside his mansion.

Simpson was cleared of the murders after a sensational criminal trial. But a subsequent civil trial found him responsible for both killings and ordered him to pay $33.5m. To date Simpson has not handed over any money. He has been out of work because any income would go towards the court award, but he receives a pension from his sporting career which is protected from court action.

Even Simpson's lawyer is angry about the deal. The latest issue of Newsweek quotes Yale Galanter saying he's "pissed" with his client. He said: "I definitely would not have approved this ... I would not have done it for a gazillion dollars."

A lawyer for the Goldman family said he would explore legal action should Simpson profit from the new venture.