Summary
The new FX/Hulu sports-related seriesClippedoffers a highly accurate depiction of the notorious controversy involvingformer Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. The new six-part limited series is based on the in-depth 30 for 30 podcast from ESPN titled “The Sterling Affairs”. Thecast ofClippedis led by Ed O’Neill as Sterling, Jacki Weaver as Shelly, and Cleopatra Coleman as V. Stiviano.Clippedfollows the 2013–14 NBA season during which newly acquired head coach Doc Rivers turned Sterling’s sinking franchise around.New episodes ofClippedare released on Tuesdays on Hulu.
Clippednails a lot of the available details revolving around the early feud between Shelly “Rochelle” Sterling, the overlooked former co-owner of the Clippers and Donald’s wife since 1955, and V. Stiviano, Donald’s mistress/assistant who released the tape that lost him the Clippers. Shelly and V. are depicted at the end ofClippedepisode 1butting heads at an “old woman’s” clothing store, which happened in real life. The feud only intensified as time went on as V. relentlessly tried to usurp her way into Donald’s heart and pockets. Ultimately, Shelly puts up a fight but is unable to defend Donald against himself once his racist comments become headlines across America.
Clipped Offers An Abbreviated Version Of The Real-Life Leaked Tape
Certain details and people were omitted from the dramatization
The conversation that was caught on tape by V. Stiviano leading to Donald Sterling’s demise was actually much longer than was depicted in the new FX/Hulu series. According toDeadspin, who released an extended version of the leaked tape’s transcript, not only wasNBA legend Magic Johnsonbrought into the conversation butMatt Kemp, a former Major League Baseball player, was also mentioned. V. Stivaino was using Kemp as an example of someone who she believed Sterling would “allow” her to post photos on Instagram with because he was “mixed” in regard to her complexion like she was.
The extended leaked tape transcript also contains elaborate, unhinged comments that consist of antisemitic ideas and statements that were not depicted at great length inClipped. While the rest of the leaked tape is nearly captured in its entirety in the series, the real-life Sterling had more to say about V. Stiviano being the girl that he wants her to be. “I’ll find a girl that will do what I want! Believe me. I thought you were that girl—because I tried to do what you want. But you’re not that girl.“Stiviano also mentions inClippedthat Sterling is in love with her, which was not a part of the real-life leaked tape transcript.
Clipped Has Yet To Get Into Donald Sterling’s Controversial Past
Sterling has a long history of allegations of racist behavior
Donald Sterling doesn’t necessarily come off as the most honorable person in Clipped, but Ed O’Neill’s depiction of him certainly makes him more innocent and thoughtful than he may have really been. Because of Clipped’s limited six episodes run, the series doesn’t have the opportunity to dive into Sterling’s complicated past, outside of a brief scene in which former NBA Hall of Famer and former Clippers general manager Elgin Baylor runs into Doc Rivers at a supermarket looking scarred from his experience with Sterling. Given that Sterling has so much screen time inClipped, it’d be risky to make him truly unlikable, butthe series does skim over his prior controversies.
Sterling was sued in 2006 by the US Department of Justice for housing discrimination. According toTIME, the lawsuit “included claims the Sterlings would not rent apartments to tenants that were Black, Hispanic or had children.” Additionally, Sterling was accused of racist behavior in the workplace and wassued in 2009 by Baylor for racial discrimination. This makes his scene with Doc at the supermarket so much more telling in the days before Sterling would finally be exposed through the V. Stiviano scandal.Clippedhas covered Sterling’s racist comments after two episodes, but the series has yet to dive into his overall mindset.
Clipped Overlooks The Tragic Death Of Donald & Shelly’s Son Scott
One key detail that had not been addressed in the first two episodes ofClippedwas the tragic passing of Donald and Shelly’s son, Scott, who died at the age of 32 from an accidental overdose on New Year’s Eve in 2012. It’s uncertain how Scott’s death may have affected Sterling based on his characterization in the series alone, as the focus tends to be more on V. Stiviano’s obsession with fame and the aftermath of the leaked tape controversy. In fact, none of Shelly and Donald’s children are depicted inClipped, which makes sense considering they largely stayed out of the spotlight during the real-life scandal.
Clipped
Cast
“Clipped” takes viewers inside the Los Angeles Clippers' organization during one of its most controversial periods. The series follows Coach Doc Rivers, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, as he navigates the fallout from owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks. The scandal, captured on tape and broadcast globally, sparks a fierce power struggle involving Sterling, his wife Shelly, and his ambitious assistant V. Stiviano. As Rivers works to keep his team united and focused on winning, the show explores the broader implications of Sterling’s actions and the quest for accountability and change within the sports world.
