Frogmen (lost unaired NBC pilot featuring O.J. Simpson; 1994): Difference between revisions

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'''''Frogmen''''' is an early 1994 pilot movie intended for the NBC Network for an action series. The story, which was described as being akin to "The A-Team", concerned a crack team of Navy SEALS often on special government assignments from their headquarters in Miami. Notably, O.J. Simpson was cast as the team's leader, John "Bullfrog" Burke.
'''''Frogmen''''' is an early 1994 pilot movie intended for the NBC Network for an action series. The story, which was described as being akin to "The A-Team", concerned a crack team of Navy SEALS often on special government assignments from their headquarters in Miami. Notably, O.J. Simpson was cast as the team's leader, John "Bullfrog" Burke.


Despite the pilot being completed, plans for airing it were halted indefinitely after Simpson was arrested for allegedly murdering his ex-wife Nicole and restaurant waiter Ronald Goldman.
Despite the pilot being completed, plans for airing it was halted indefinitely after Simpson was arrested for allegedly murdering his ex-wife Nicole and restaurant waiter Ronald Goldman.


As preparations for Simpson's trial began, there was a sense of interest in utilizing the footage as evidence. Simpson's character was portrayed as an expert with knives and Simpson underwent some knife fighting training in preparation for the role. Also, during a break in filming, co-star Todd Allen accompanied Simpson to the Ross Cutlery store, where Simpson would later supposedly revisit and purchase a knife that the prosecution believes could have been the murder weapon which was never recovered.
As preparations for Simpson's trial began, there was a sense of interest in utilizing the footage as evidence. Simpson's character was portrayed as an expert with knives and Simpson underwent some knife fighting training in preparation for the role. Also, during a break in filming, co-star Todd Allen accompanied Simpson to the Ross Cutlery store, where Simpson would later supposedly revisit and purchase a knife that the prosecution believes could have been the murder weapon which was never recovered.
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Los Angeles Police had come across a 25-minute sales tape for the program in Simpson's residence while searching it. The tape in question was reportedly free of any such scenes that could be interpreted as incriminating. Although the prosecution managed to successfully argue for the right to enter the tape into evidence, it was never used. (Simpson was eventually acquitted.)
Los Angeles Police had come across a 25-minute sales tape for the program in Simpson's residence while searching it. The tape in question was reportedly free of any such scenes that could be interpreted as incriminating. Although the prosecution managed to successfully argue for the right to enter the tape into evidence, it was never used. (Simpson was eventually acquitted.)


Eventually, the rights for the pilot went back to Warner Bros, where it was then stored in a vault, never to be seen again. In 2000, a source in possession of the 25-minute presentation tape allowed reporter Brian Lowry to view it as research for an article he was writing for the Los Angeles Times, but would not allow it out of their possession. The footage remains unseen by the public to this day. <ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2000/may/08/entertainment/ca-27673 In-depth article on the footage.] Retrieved 09 Jan '14</ref>
Eventually, the rights for the pilot went back to Warner Bros, where it was then stored in a vault, never to be seen again. In 2000, a source in possession of the 25-minute presentation tape allowed reporter Brian Lowry to view it as research for an article he was writing for the Los Angeles Times, but would not allow it out of their possession. The footage remains unseen by the public to this day.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2000/may/08/entertainment/ca-27673 In-depth article on the footage.] Retrieved 09 Jan '14</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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   |description1 =Behind the scenes footage from Entertainment Tonight.
   |description1 =Behind the scenes footage from Entertainment Tonight.
}}
}}
==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Adventures in Wonderland "White Rabbits Can't Jump" (lost unaired episode of musical television series; 1993)| "White Rabbits Can't Jump", an episode of The Disney Channel TV series ''Adventures in Wonderland '' featuring O.J. that was banned for the same reason.]]
*[[Adventures in Wonderland "White Rabbits Can't Jump" (lost unaired episode of musical television series; 1993)| "White Rabbits Can't Jump", an episode of The Disney Channel TV series ''Adventures in Wonderland '' featuring O.J. that was banned for the same reason.]]

Revision as of 18:36, 7 April 2021

Frogmen Pic.png

Rare cast picture from the project.

Status: Lost

Frogmen is an early 1994 pilot movie intended for the NBC Network for an action series. The story, which was described as being akin to "The A-Team", concerned a crack team of Navy SEALS often on special government assignments from their headquarters in Miami. Notably, O.J. Simpson was cast as the team's leader, John "Bullfrog" Burke.

Despite the pilot being completed, plans for airing it was halted indefinitely after Simpson was arrested for allegedly murdering his ex-wife Nicole and restaurant waiter Ronald Goldman.

As preparations for Simpson's trial began, there was a sense of interest in utilizing the footage as evidence. Simpson's character was portrayed as an expert with knives and Simpson underwent some knife fighting training in preparation for the role. Also, during a break in filming, co-star Todd Allen accompanied Simpson to the Ross Cutlery store, where Simpson would later supposedly revisit and purchase a knife that the prosecution believes could have been the murder weapon which was never recovered.

Photo of the "knife scene" from the unaired pilot.

Los Angeles Police had come across a 25-minute sales tape for the program in Simpson's residence while searching it. The tape in question was reportedly free of any such scenes that could be interpreted as incriminating. Although the prosecution managed to successfully argue for the right to enter the tape into evidence, it was never used. (Simpson was eventually acquitted.)

Eventually, the rights for the pilot went back to Warner Bros, where it was then stored in a vault, never to be seen again. In 2000, a source in possession of the 25-minute presentation tape allowed reporter Brian Lowry to view it as research for an article he was writing for the Los Angeles Times, but would not allow it out of their possession. The footage remains unseen by the public to this day.[1]

Gallery

Behind the scenes footage from Entertainment Tonight.

See Also

Reference

  1. In-depth article on the footage. Retrieved 09 Jan '14