Why Is It Airing Now?

According to the executive producer, Terry Wrong, Fox dug up this interview to satisfy the huge demand for more O.J.-related television. The former network executive Preston Beckman — known on Twitter as “the Masked Scheduler” — noted in a blog post that Fox probably intentionally showed it on Sunday night to counterprogram ABC’s premiere of the revived “American Idol.” (“They probably don’t want egg on their face if ‘AI’ returns with an impressive number,” he said.)

In interviews leading up to the broadcast, both Ms. O’Brien and Mr. Wrong stressed that Mr. Simpson didn’t get a dime for this special. He was reportedly paid $800,000 for the book “If I Did It” in 2006, but got no money for the interview then, according to Fox. Fox, on the other hand, definitely stands to benefit — which was one of the complaints levied before the broadcast was scrapped the first time.

Fox, Ms. Regan, Ms. O’Brien and Mr. Darden have all insisted that “The Lost Confession” is a vital document in the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp. The special was framed as a look inside the mind of a domestic abuser, and perhaps a warning to any woman who might be in a relationship with someone who talks the way Mr. Simpson does in the interview. Mr. Wrong also made sure to point out that unlike in 2006, the Brown and Goldman families gave their blessing to show this footage, ostensibly because they believe it makes Mr. Simpson look guilty.

Does O.J. Come Clean?

It certainly seemed that way. Bear in mind that this interview has been edited down from about four hours (according to Ms. Regan, in promos Fox sent to TV critics), and that throughout Mr. Simpson is referring to the “hypothetical” confession in the book “If I Did It.” In the six minutes in which he talks about the murders, he describes being on the scene with a friend named Charlie — whom the panel believes was just a voice inside his head. It’s all very odd.

That said, when Mr. Simpson describes grabbing a knife (“I do remember that part,” he says), and recalls seeing copious amounts of blood, it doesn’t sound all that hypothetical. The interview goes on to cover the aftermath of the crime — including the infamous Bronco chase — and Ms. Regan’s questioning about what was going through Mr. Simpson’s mind at that time keeps steering him toward explaining his feelings of anger, frustration, depression and yes, guilt.

[ALSO READ: The O.J. Simpson Murder Trial, as Covered by the Times]

“The Lost Confession” also offers a glimpse into its subject’s character. It’s fascinating to see Mr. Simpson blasting the media, all while frequently reminding Ms. Regan of his past reputation as a successful and popular guy. He seems to cling to every half-truth about his relationship with Ms. Brown that makes him look like he’s the real victim.