FX To Marathon ‘The People v. OJ Simpson’ Saturday

Just days after the finale, FX will air all 10 episodes of ‘The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story’ in one block this weekend.

FX is giving The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story an immediate encore.

On Wednesday the network announced plans to re-air the entire miniseries in a marathon this Saturday, Apr. 9. Starting at 2 p.m. ET/PT, viewers will be able to watch the series from start to finish. Additionally, the first episode “From the Ashes of Tragedy” will be presented commercial-free, though the other nine will not.

The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story aired its finale on Tuesday, after ratings success and critical praise. FX hailed its first episode as the most-watched series premiere in network history, which is saying something on a channel that has also brought us The Shield, Sons of Anarchy, Justified and The Americans.

With that in mind it’s not surprising that this is actually the second marathon of the show that FX has put on its schedule. After the airing of episode five, “The Race Card,” the network lined up a first-half refresher that ran from 10 p.m. to 2:10 a.m. that weekend. Interestingly, that “catch-up” marathon was commercial-free in its entirety, while this one is not.

Along with announcing Saturday’s programming, the network has also put up several behind the scenes featurettes on the show’s YouTube channel discussing the making of the series. Here’s one focusing on Cuba Gooding Jr.’s transformation into OJ Simpson:

Given all the renewed buzz about the real-life Simpson trial – buzz that The People v. OJ Simpson admittedly started – in the air, it’s also no big shock that FX wants to keep the show out there as long as it can. Esquire Network aired its own twelve-hour block of The Real OJ Simpson Trial this past weekend, and Investigation Discovery just ordered another Simpson documentary to be produced and narrated by Martin Sheen.

Meanwhile, star and producer John Travolta has said that he’d be interested in returning to American Crime Story for its second season, which is reported to center on Hurricane Katrina. No official announcements about casting or storyline have been revealed yet but it’ll have to be pretty big both on and off camera to replicate the success of The People v. OJ Simpson.

In case you missed it, below are FX’s official descriptions and credits for all ten episodes:

Chapter 2 – “The Run of His Life” – With O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) missing in the white Bronco, Robert Shapiro (John Travolta) and Robert Kardashian (David Schwimmer) deal with the fallout, as the D.A.’s office and LAPD scramble to save face and find him. Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski; directed by Ryan Murphy.

Chapter 3 – “The Dream Team” – Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) announces that O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) has been charged. Robert Shapiro (John Travolta) seeks advice from F. Lee Bailey (Nathan Lane) and comes up with a provocative strategy. As Shapiro starts putting together “The Dream Team”, he must convince O.J. to hire Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance). Written by D.V. DeVincentis; directed by Anthony Hemingway.

Chapter 4 – “100% Not Guilty” – Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance) brings an energy that transforms the case. As jury selection gets underway, the prosecution and defense seek out the assistance of jury research experts, who come back with some surprising results. Meanwhile, Faye Resnick (Connie Britton) publishes a tell-all book, complicating the court proceedings. Written by Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky and Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski; directed by Anthony Hemingway.

Chapter 5 – “The Race Card” – As the trial begins, Christopher Darden (Sterling K. Brown) and Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance) face off in court. Chris has doubts about Mark Fuhrman (Steven Pasquale) as a witness. The jury visits the crime scene. Written by Joe Robert Cole; directed by John Singleton.

Chapter 6 – “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” – As Marcia Clark (Sarah Paulson) juggles her home and work obligations, she starts to feel the public scrutiny of her appearance. Written by D.V. DeVincentis; directed by Ryan Murphy.

Chapter 7 – “Conspiracy Theories” – Conspiracy theories start to arise around the case. The prosecution debates whether they should have O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) try on the gloves in court. Written by D.V. DeVincentis; directed by Anthony Hemingway.

Chapter 8 – “A Jury In Jail” – Months into the trial, cut off from their families, society and the media, the jurors grow stir crazy and start becoming unlikely targets for the prosecution and the defense. Meanwhile, the country gets an introduction to the science of DNA evidence. Directed by Anthony Hemingway.

Chapter 9 – “Manna From Heaven” – Johnnie Cochran (Courtney B. Vance) and F. Lee Bailey (Nathan Lane) head across the country to get their hands on the Mark Fuhrman tapes. Judge Ito (Kenneth Choi) must decide whether the tapes, and the racial epithets they contain, are admissible. Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski; directed by Anthony Hemingway.

Chapter 10 – “The Verdict” – The prosecution and defense make their closing statements, the jurors deliberate, and the verdict comes down. Written by Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski; directed by Ryan Murphy.

FX’s The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story marathon begins Apr. 2 at 2/1c. Will you be watching?