Summary
- The Vince Staples Show cleverly pays homage to real-life events, like the O.J. Simpson trial, through its character Uncle James.
- From the USC sweater to the Ford Bronco, each detail in Uncle James’ character ties back to O.J. Simpson’s infamous history.
- The Reddit theory on Uncle James representing O.J. Simpson is backed by strong evidence and adds an intriguing layer to the show.
One of the best new TV shows of 2024, Netflix’sThe Vince Staples Show premiered on the platform on Feb. 15 and instantly became a fan favorite. The semi-autobiographical series follows Vince Staples, a locally famous rapper and ambitious artist navigating his personal and professional ups and downs in Long Beach, California. Apart from the absurd, slightly surreal comedic situations that Staples finds himself in, the show makes hilarious references to other movies and pop-cultural characters in overt and covert ways. From Dead Presidentsto Pulp Fiction, there’s no shortage of memorable homages in the show.
According to a convincing Reddit fan theory by CalinCalout-Esq, one of the references made in The Vince Staples Show relates to Vince’s Uncle James (Beau Billingslea). The theory suggests that Uncle James is a thinly veiled reference to infamous celebrity O.J. Simpson, with plenty of solid support to back up the claims. Several other Redditors pitched in and cited more evidence supporting the theory, and when all of it is collated and examined thoroughly, it’s hard to argue against the proof presented. As such, it’s time to analyze the Reddit theory that Uncle James represents O.J. Simpson on The Vince Staples Show.
Who Is Uncle James in The Vince Staples Show?
Introduced in Episode 3, “Brown Family,” Uncle James first appears on the acclaimed Netflix original series during Vince Staples’ 25th family reunion cookout in Long Beach. Before James appears, Anita (Vanessa Bell Calloway) tells Vince, “You just make sure to keep Deja away from Uncle James. You know she’s white.” According to the Reddit theory, the scathing joke is a verbal reference to the death of O.J. Simpson’s Caucasian ex-wife Nicole Brown, whom he was accused of murdering in 1994 before being acquitted. O.J. Simpson’s full name is Orenthal James Simpson, further supporting the theory that Uncle James represents the former football star turned actor turned disgraced celebrity.
Before meeting J.J. at the reunion, Vince visits two other family members who want nothing to do with Uncle James. Vince asks what’s wrong with Uncle James and is met with the response that he “Ain’t been the same since he caught that case in ’94.” According to the Reddit theory, the criminal case in ’94 alludes to the notoriously public O.J. Simpson murder trial that played out on television in front of America.
When Vince meets Uncle James face to face at the reunion, James is seen grilling food on the barbecue. According to the Reddit fan theory, the biggest piece of evidence relates to the single glove worn by Uncle James in the scene. As CalinCalout-Esq puts it:
“When Vince talks to him (Uncle James) he’s grilling while wearing an attention-grabbing black glove, a singular black glove, like that which became a focal point of the criminal case in 94. The Genesis of the famous phrase, ‘if the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.'”
In the 1994 murder trial, Simpson’s legal defender, Johnny Cochran, uttered the famous phrase after the gloves allegedly worn by Simpson during the murder of Brown and Ron Goldman did not fit the accuser’s hands in court. It was the vital piece of evidence that led to Simpson’s acquittal.
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During the BBQ exchange between Uncle James and Vince, Uncle James sports a USC sweatshirt. USC was the school O.J. Simpson famously attended and became a college football star. Uncle James’ sweater is another piece of evidence supporting the Reddit theory. Also, during the BBQ scene, Vince makes mention of needing money and Uncle James states, “I’m not a bank, I’m J.J.” This is a direct reference to O.J. Simpson’s famous quote regarding race and celebrity around the time of the murder trial, in which he stated, “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.”
More Evidence Proving Uncle James Represents O.J. Simpson
Another piece of evidence submitted by Calin-Calout-Esq relates to Uncle James’ vehicle parked at the family reunion. The Redditor states:
“When Vince goes to his (Uncle James’) car, we can see memorabilia from the USC Trojans, which was the team OJ played for in college. We also see golf gear and OJ is an avid golfer.”
While convincing enough, another Redditor dropped the biggest bombshell of all, adding that “Uncle James’ car is also a Ford Bronco.” O.J. Simpson infamously eluded police officers during a lengthy car chase in Southern California in 1994 that was televised across the nation. Simpson drove a white Ford Bronco during his escape attempt, the same exact vehicle owned by Uncle James in the anticipated 2024 TV show.
Inside the Ford Bronco on the show, football memorabilia including USC Trojan jerseys can be spotted. Less visible is a Buffalo Bills flag dangling from the dashboard. O.J. Simpson played for The Buffalo Bills after his college football days at USC were over. At this point, all signs seem to support the Reddit theory that Uncle James stands in for O.J. Simpson.
At the end of the episode, Vince reads a note written by Uncle James that begins: “Hey Nephew, it’s me, yours truly…” According to the Reddit theory, the message is another parallel to O.J. Simpson, who often begins his social media posts by stating, “Yours Truly.” It’s a subtle reference that may go unnoticed but adds another piece of evidence supporting the central postulation.
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Meanwhile, the episode concludes with the song “Family Reunion” by The O’Jays, a musical clue that ties the whole theory together. Moments after the song begins, the camera flashes on Uncle James leaning on his white Ford Bronco in his USC sweater. In the final shot of “Brown Family,” which could be a reference to Nicole Brown, Uncle James sits alone in his Bronco reminiscing about past glory.
Given the amount of circumstantial evidence, it appears that the Reddit theory holds more weight than many half-cocked internet conspiracies. Between the name Brown and James, the white Ford Bronco, singular black glove, USC and Buffalo Bills paraphernalia, social media salutation, and the “Family Reunion” song by The O’Jays at the end, a lot went into making Uncle James represent O.J. Simpson in The Vince Staples Show. Stream on Netflix.
