| Clipped | |
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| Genre | Sports drama |
| Created by | Gina Welch |
| Based on | The Sterling Affairs byRamona Shelburne |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
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| Original release | |
| Network | FX on Hulu |
| Release | June 4 (2024-06-04) – July 2, 2024 (2024-07-02) |
Clipped is an Americansports drama televisionminiseries, created by Gina Welch and based on theESPN30 for 30 podcastThe Sterling Affairs.[1] The series premiered on June 4, 2024, onFX on Hulu.[2][3] It focuses on the downfall ofLos Angeles Clippers ownerDonald Sterling, amid the team's drive to win a championship under coachDoc Rivers.[4][5] The miniseries received generally positive reviews from critics.
In April 2022, FX gave permission to go ahead with a six-episode limited series titledThe Sterling Affairs, with Laurence Fishburne and Jacki Weaver being respectively cast as Doc Rivers and Shelly Sterling.[11] In January 2023, Harriet Samson Harris, Corbin Bernsen, Yvonna Pearson, Jock McKissic, Darryl Wesley, Rich Sommer, and Clifton Davis joined the cast.[12] The miniseries is executive produced by showrunner and creator Gina Welch, alongside Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Zanne Devine, Ramona Shelburne, and director Kevin Bray.[13]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by [14] | Original release date [15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "White Party" | Kevin Bray | Gina Welch | June 4, 2024 (2024-06-04) |
| 2 | "A Blessing and a Curse" | Kevin Bray | Gina Welch | June 4, 2024 (2024-06-04) |
| 3 | "Let the Games Began" | Francesca Gregorini | Tracey Scott Wilson | June 11, 2024 (2024-06-11) |
| 4 | "Winning Ugly" | Kevin Bray | Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm | June 18, 2024 (2024-06-18) |
| 5 | "The Best Words" | Francesca Gregorini | Gina Welch | June 25, 2024 (2024-06-25) |
| 6 | "Keep Smiling" | Michael Blieden | Rembert Browne & Gina Welch | July 2, 2024 (2024-07-02) |
The trailer ofClipped was released byHulu on April 25, 2024.[16] The miniseries premiered on Hulu on June 4, 2024.[17] The first two episodes were released, while the remaining four episodes were released on a weekly basis.[18] Internationally, the miniseries was made available to stream onDisney+.[19]
Whip Media, which tracks viewership data for the more than 25 million worldwide users of itsTV Time app, reported thatClipped was the fourth most-anticipated new series for June 2024.[20]Clipped ranked No. 14 onHulu's "Top 15 Today" list—a daily updated list of the platform's most-watched titles—on July 2.[21] According to market research company Parrot Analytics, which analyzes consumer engagement through streaming, downloads, and social media activity,Clipped experienced a notable increase in audience demand in the United States during December 2024. The show reached a demand level 8.0 times higher than the average TV series over the past 30 days, placing it among the top 8.6% of shows in the market. Ranking in the 96.7th percentile within the biography genre,Clipped also experienced high demand in international markets such as Israel, Canada, and several European countries.[22]
Thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes reported a 88% approval rating with an average rating of 7.30/10, based on 33 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Sordid and soapy as befitting the story of Donald Sterling's fall from grace,Clipped's terrific ensemble brings this memorable cast of real-life characters to vivid life."[23]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]
Alison Herman of Variety draws a comparison to HBO'sWinning Time, noting that while both shows explore the world of Los Angeles basketball,Clipped takes a more focused and contained approach. They praised the series for its quick pace and its ability to capture the chaotic, scandalous atmosphere surrounding the incident. Herman also highlighted O'Neill's performance as Sterling, describing it as both loathsome and darkly humorous, and complimented the portrayal of Doc Rivers and the Clippers players as sympathetic figures caught in a moral and professional dilemma. However, Herman pointed out that the show is less successful when it tries to expand beyond the immediate scandal to address broader social issues, sometimes feeling forced or overly didactic.[25] Shawn Laib ofDen of Geek gaveClipped a score of four out of five stars, praised O'Neill's portrayal of Sterling, describing his performance as Emmy-worthy, saying the actor captures Sterling's unsettling quirks and inappropriate behavior, making his portrayal both disturbing and ironically humorous. Laib said Coleman brings depth to V. Stiviano who, in real life, remained an enigmatic figure. Despite complimenting the artistic expression in the series, recognizing its understanding of the intricate details of the events, Laib questioned the timing of the show, suggesting that the story might be too recent to fully engage viewers, as the events are still fresh in the public's memory.[26]
Margaret Lyons ofThe New York Times acknowledgedClipped as an effective retelling of the Sterling scandal, strengthened by strong performances from Fishburne, Coleman, O'Neill, and Weaver. However, Lyons said the series' lack of nuance and originality, pointing out that while it covers the fundamentals well, it often leans on repetition and avoids subtlety. They comparedClipped to other sports docudramas and podcast-to-TV adaptations, but suggested it does not offer any fresh insights or provoke a cultural reassessment, instead simply reaffirming what was already known. Even though it does not get further into its issues, Lyons complimented the miniseries for its clarity and pace despite its shortcomings.[27] Robert Lloyd ofLos Angeles Times praised Coleman's nuanced performance as V. Stiviano, saying she balances ambition and vulnerability, making her the standout. Neill and Fishburne are also noted for their strong performances, with Fishburne's portrayal of Doc Rivers adding a more grounded, sympathetic element to the series. Despite its clever writing and notable performances, Lloyd foundClipped more diverting than compelling, questioning whether the story's characters are worth truly caring about.[28]
Laurence Fishburne was nominated forOutstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie) at the56th NAACP Image Awards.[29][30]
It was also nominated for aPeabody Award.[31][32]
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