• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, December 8, 2008

In his latest brush with the law, O.J. Simpson got some headlines -- but not the same type of ratings he pulled almost 14 years ago.

Many news networks and TV stations had extended packages about Simpson, who will get at least 15 years behind bars on robbery and kidnapping charges in Las Vegas. He could be out in eight years for parole.

The news coverage had Simpson making his final comments before being led away. Video footage and extensive interview also included the Goldmans, noting that Simpson was where he belonged now -- and where he should have been way back when for Nicole Brown Simpson's and Ronald Goldman's murders.

Simpson's last criminal trial back in 1995, the infamous one where he was declared innocent, shook up the entire country - everything seemed to come to a stop. When the October 1995 verdict was relayed in the afternoon eastern time, it played havoc with afternoon network soaps and syndicated talk shows.

All those ratings points went to the live Simpson trial verdict, with an estimated 150 million people watching the delivery of the verdict on TV.

This was Simpson's third courtroom appearance. He also lost a civil trial the Goldmans brought against him in 1997, though they are still looking for some of that $8-plus million they are owed.

Simpson has always professed his innocence in the murders. After his first criminal trial, which caused a massive derailment of his TV and film career, he said he would make a comeback. That he would "get it all back... in spades." That's what he said.

Getting anything back doesn't appear likely anytime soon -- nor getting back TV viewers' big-time interest.

We don't have the ratings yet, but we don't think Simpson's current performance will pull in the same number of viewers as in 1995. Hey, broadcast erosion is hurting everyone.

Next time around, perhaps -- in a decade or so --Simpson will get another gig, perhaps on the new reality show "Celebrity Ex-Con Halfway House." The ratings will no doubt be lower than they are today. But the positive will be, getting kicked out of the house will be a good thing .