Welcome to Outrage Watch, HitFix's semi-regular rundown of entertainment-related kerfuffles. Not feeling anxious enough already? Get your fix of righteous indignation below, and stay posted for outrage updates throughout the week.
“I was so angry that it was making me shake,” Sarah Paulson told Salon of shooting scenes as Marcia Clark for last night's Clark-centric episode of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. She certainly isn't alone. Viewers on Twitter have been venting their retroactive anger on Clark's behalf ever since the episode aired, with regard to the show's dramatization of the rampant sexism and outright misogyny Clark faced while serving as the head prosecutor on O.J. Simpson's murder trial (you can read Alan Sepinwall's review here).
Among the scenes that so enraged viewers is one in which Clark (Paulson) is the recipient of a wildly sexist comment by a grocery store clerk while buying tampons; another involves the humiliation she endured about being pressured into getting a perm, a move she was told would make her appear more “likable” but which only opened her up to further scorn by a vicious press.
Though all of this happened more than 20 years ago, the harrowing episode brought to light Clark's brutal, unfair treatment in the press in a way it hadn't before, and the outrage is frankly long overdue (but still welcome!). Here's a sampling of the Twitter outrage broken open by last night's episode:
It's just disgusting when you remember how everyone tortured Marcia Clark- such a brilliant woman, but she was crucified
– Mike (@mikesig2234) March 9, 2016
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Awful. Team #MarciaClark #ThePeoplevOJSimpson pic.twitter.com/duSw2dOfBP
– thatStellaGirl (@thatStellaGirl) March 9, 2016
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People were so mean to Marcia Clark. She was just doing her job and everyone attacked her appearance and personal life. So sad.
– Bailey Skinner (@BaileyAlexis321) March 9, 2016
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We all need to apologize to Marcia Clark https://t.co/oWQjYGGngt
– Dana Jacques (@dnicole80) March 9, 2016
Is it me or does the world owe #MarciaClark an apology. #PeoplevsOJSimpson
– January D. Jackson (@JanuaryDJ) March 9, 2016
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Tampon Guy almost made me smash my TV during episode 6 of PEOPLE VERSUS OJ. Can I buy Marcia Clark all the beers? pic.twitter.com/RCG7AEuK3c
– Amy Nicholson (@TheAmyNicholson) March 9, 2016
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@mirrmir2 haunt our modern society to this day. The way the men treated Marcia Clark during the trial was absolutely disgusting. And the way
– Miranda Matheny (@mirrmir2) March 9, 2016
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The things Marcia Clark had to endure just to do her job. No such focus on the men, I'm finding it infuriating! #AmericanCrimeStory
– Paula Jean McNamee (@Paula_J_Mc) March 9, 2016
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Marcia Clark was treated horrible during the OJ trial. Marcia, if you read this all I can say is I'm sorry and you didn't deserve it.
– catecfinney@TWC.com (@AwareMonkeyCate) March 9, 2016