Simpson show may become a "reality"

It appears as though O.J. Simpson, ostracized from society after his acquittal on double murder charges in 1995, will take a break from his relentless search for his wife's true killer to get in on America's reality TV craze.

Simpson, who in 1997 was found liable in a civil court for the deaths of his wife, Nicole, and her acqaintance, Ronald Goldman, still owes the victims' families a portion of the $33.5 million that a Santa Monica, Calif. court ordered the former football star and actor to pay.

Thanks to a Fort Worth, Texas-based satellite and cable channel called the Urban Television Network Corporation (which has about 70 affiliates and reaches 22 million households), Simpson may have found a way to make a quick buck. Along with Miami production company Spiderboy International, the network plans to air 13 one-hour episodes of the show using archived footage of O.J. attending various hip-hop events across the country.

Disgruntled Simpson attorney Yale Galander, however, insists that there is no contract and no money has exchanged hands. "He's not in a show," Galander told the press last Wednesday, "They can't have a reality TV show and call it the O.J. Simpson TV show without our involvement."

The thought of a prime time television lineup that includes the "Anna Nicole Show," the dreadful "Michael Essany Show" and Simpson's new program is enough to make TV addicts long for the days of NBC's "The Single Guy" and "Veronica's Closet."

Fan storms the field at White Sox game



Apparently security officials at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field (formerly Comiskey Park) have severe short-term memory loss.

Just one year after a drugged up father and son duo ran onto the field during a White Sox-Royals game and beat Kansas City first base coach Tom Gamboa into submission (Gamboa still has minor hearing loss in his right ear), a fan rushed out of the stands during Tuesday night's game against those same Royals and attempted to subdue umpire Laz Diaz.

The incident, which was settled quicky as Kansas City players Mike Sweeney and Raul Ibanez, as well as Diaz, beat the tar out of the intoxicated fan, was the fourth instance of a fan running on the field that night alone.

Bud Selig seems to enjoy putting Major League players in harm's way: He announced that the July 15 All-Star Game will be played at U.S. Cellular Field as promised. Players beware.

French soccer player cut for obscene act



French people are really getting a raw deal these days, don't you think? Well, don't ask Serdar Bilgili, president of Turkish soccer club Besiktas.

Tuesday, Bilgili cut French player Pascal Nouma after fans complained about the striker's lewd celebratory behavior during a 2-0 win over archrival Fenerbahce.

After scoring a crucial goal in the eighth minute of that game, Nouma ripped off his shirt and jammed his hand down his pants. Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, features a conservative-oriented government.

To the Frenchman's credit, Nouma apologized for his behavior. "It was not against anyone," he said, "It was just a private sign of joy. I shouldn't have done it. If it hurt Turkey, then I am sorry."

Nouma's track record, however, is a bit disturbing. In 2001, he created an uproar after urinating in public view at the club's training camp facility.

University of Miami player alleges racism



Days after junior Brock Berlin was named the starting quarterback at perennial power University of Miami for the upcoming season, backup QB Derrick Crudup Jr, who is black. expressed displeasure with the tactics of Hurricane coaches.

Crudup claims that Miami quarterback coach Dan Werner, who is white, used racially insensitive terms like "cracker" and "redneck" during spring practice.

"In those meetings, we're supposed to be talking about coverages and reading defenses," Crudup told the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel on Sunday, "Not him asking, 'Who's a redneck?'"

Texas will play in Toronto despite SARS



Despite the fact that the Canadian city of Toronto is dealing with more than 250 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which has included 21 deaths, the Texas Rangers will battle the Toronto Blue Jays north of the border this week.

"If you need me, I'll be in my room," Texas star shortstop Alex Rodriguez told the press Monday.