'Clipped' Episode 3: Why there is only one real victim in the Donald Sterling fracas and it isn't V Stiviano
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hulu's latest series 'Clipped' centers on Donald Sterling's 2014 scandal following his alleged affair with his young assistant.
V Stiviano, who called herself 80-year-old Sterling's "archivist" (as reported by TMZ), used to record their private conversations.
Their union ended when one of the recordings was leaked in the media and Sterling faced the brunt for his racist comments in the tape. This kick-started a full-blown scandal, dominating national headlines for days.
The world witnessed both parties spilling their versions of the stories, leaving it for the public to decide who the victim is. Amid this saga of greed and betrayal, Shelly Sterling remains the only overlooked yet pivotal figure.
Why Shelly Sterling is the only character you need to sympathize with, in Hulu's 'Clipped'?
When the scandal emerged in 2014, the media frenzy largely centered around Donald Sterling and V Stiviano, weighing both sides of the coin.
As the case gets a television adaptation, you'll realize that it is Donald Sterling's wife Shelly who emerges as the true victim amidst this maelstrom.
Shelly has endured her fair share of public humiliation and private agony. Despite being married to Shelly aka Rochelle Stein since 1955, he made a mockery of their relationship.
He wasn't only unfaithful to her but also broadcasted his affairs for the world to see.
Shelly stood by Sterling through numerous scandals and indiscretions, displaying a loyalty that, in hindsight, may not have been deserved.
When Donald Sterling's audio clip was leaked, she faced public embarrassment but decided to save him from the hole he dug for himself.
While Sterling and Stiviano played their respective games, Shelly suffered in silence.
Here's why we don't empathize with V Stiviano in Hulu's 'Clipped'
As portrayed in Hulu's 'Clipped', while V Stiviano enjoyed the benefits of her association with Donald Sterling, she showed little regard for the impact it had on Shelly.
Rather than showing empathy or respect, she began to look down upon Shelly, poking fun at her age.
"You're history. You're dust," says Stiviano (played by Cleopatra Coleman) to Shelly (Jacki Weaver) in 'Clipped'.
While Stiviano left no opportunity to milk her association with Sterling, Shelly maintained a remarkable level of dignity and composure throughout the debacle.
As the series progresses, viewers will discover why Shelly is the only one who deserves respect and empathy while people around her leave no chance to humiliate her.
How to stream 'Clipped'?
Based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcasts 'The Sterling Affairs', 'Clipped' is a miniseries created by Gina Welch for Hulu.
It features Laurence Fishburne as Doc Rivers, Ed O'Neill as Donald Sterling, Jacki Weaver as Shelly Sterling, and Cleopatra Coleman as V Stiviano.
The series made its premiere with two episodes on Hulu. Fresh episodes will drop every Tuesday.
'Clipped' trailer
