Norman Mailer

(Mini-series, CBS, Sun. Nov. 12 Wed, November 15th 9:00 p.m.)
Shot in Los Angeles by Lawrence Schiller Prods. in association with Fox Television Studios. Executive producers, Barry Levinson, Lawrence Schiller, Tom Fontana, the producer, Lynn Raynor, Schiller, Director, Schiller, writer Norman Mailer, based on the book by Schiller, James Willwerth, director of photography, Bruce Surtees, designer production, Michael Baugh, Editor in Chief, Peter Zinner, Katina Zinner, music, Bill Conti, casting, Judith Holstra. 4:00.
Johnnie Cochran .... Ving Rhames
Bob Shapiro .... Ron Silver
Barry Scheck .... Bruno Kirby
Carl Douglas .... Darryl Alan Reed
Gerry Uelman .... Nicolas Pryor
Bob Kardashian .... Robert LuPone
Chris Darden .... Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Marcia Clark .... Diana LaMar
Shawn Chapman .... Sandra Prosper
Judge Ito .... Clyde Kusatsu
F. Lee Bailey .... Plummer
Alan Dershowitz .... Richard Cox
Harris ... Jeanette. Sandra Thigpen
Ellan Dimitrius Jo-.... Cordelia Richards
Bill Hodgman .... Francis Guinan
Bill ... Pavelic. Jeff Kober
Blasia Bill .... Peter Mackenzie
With: Raymond Forchion, Jim Lau, Barry Sigismondi, Charmaine Cruz, Larry Car-roll, Leah Sanders, Jean-Paul Vignon, Meeghan Holaway, Davenia McFadden, Bee-be Smith, Amanda Rogers, Mary Grady, Judith Montgomery, David Margolick, Kate McNeil, Rick Shuman, Andre Rosey Brown, James Burke, Betsy C. Spear, Seth C. Abero, Robert Pike Daniel, Jennifer Echols, Cheryl Francis Harrington, Cee-Cee Harshaw, Jean-Carlos Felix, Mike
Walker, Ian Patrick Williams, James S. Sylvia.

first rule in court dramas, most coaches would say writing is to avoid scenes courtroom. They tend to make the static limit and the drama that can be best explained through re-enactments and flashbacks that re-late to the testimony. But this mini CBS is in the hands of skillful writer Lawrence Schiller and Norman Mailer who manage to craft this story with an impeccable eye for detail and a flair for nuanced drama. Greatly
reinforced by Emmy worthy turn by Christopher Plummer as F. Lee Bailey, "American Tragedy" is about as good as television began with a story where all the public already knows the ins, outs and the results.

To some extent, the OJ Simpson trial has rewritten the book on how to define a compelling drama in the halls of justice in its wake were a series of well received shows and movies based on patience found and the pos-Assembly, an understanding of the law. Court dramas, especially the television series "Law & Order" and "The Practice" and the films "The Insider," "Erin Brockovich" and "A civil ac-tion" is a tone very different from those of their
predecessors. "American Tragedy" follows a story arc not unlike that of "civil action."
Subtext of this tragedy is the battle of wits and ego as attorneys Johnnie Cochran (Ving Rhames) and Robert Shapiro (Ron Silver) are moving in advertising grandstanders thirsty, hungry for power positions in the social and Legal cir-cles. Shapiro starts strong and fades to the background as the story of the planning to execution; Cochran develops from an innocent AW-pods in a media-savvy bully, suggesting Shapiro gave a step to becoming a star.

Schiller is the only one as director of scenarios based on his books, his latest saga is JonBenet Ramsey "Murder perfect, perfect city." In "American Tragedy", he takes part to dissect the legal strategy of preventive first telephone call placed to Shapiro's tour of the Simpson jurors Brentwood es Tate. The second part begins with Detective Mark Fuhrman LA police taking the stand and ends with the real mouth Simpson
"Thank you" to jury.