Clipped is a newly released FX’s limited series that explores the racism scandal involving Donald Sterling, the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Back in 2014, recordings leaked of Sterling making racist comments to his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, who was Black and Mexican.
The tapes revealed Sterling admonishing her for associating with Black people, which was problematic for someone profiting from a league with mostly Black players.
The limited series, Clipped, touches on the various relationships and perspectives surrounding the scandal. It depicts Sterling’s girlfriend V. Stiviano who recorded the conversations, his wife Shelly who enabled his behavior, coach Doc Rivers who had to decide whether to leave or stay, and the players who debated boycotting in protest.
A central focus is the moral compromises made by those around Sterling who were aware of his troubling past of housing discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuits but chose to overlook it. The series delves into the nuances of racism within the NBA structure itself, where Black athletes generate immense wealth for team owners.
Starring Ed O’Neill as the unrepentant Sterling and Laurence Fishburne as the conflicted Rivers, “Clipped” examines an unsavory incident that shed light on deeper issues around race, power dynamics, and the ethical failures surrounding the basketball business. While not sensationalized, it provides an honest look at how racism was allowed to fester behind the scenes.
You can catch all the released episodes of Clipped exclusively on Hulu. The trailer can also be watched below.