'People vs. O.J. Simpson' a great comeback showcase for its stars

Besides being terrific, addictive television, the new series American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson gives a handful of actors, some of whom appeared to be long past their prime, an opportunity to shine and be rehabilitated.

Movie stars finding new life on television is nothing new. For instance, few people remember that Kiefer Sutherland was once one of Hollywood's hottest commodities, he is now forever imprinted in people's memories for his role on 24.

But great television roles have often jumpstarted film careers and in the case of others made some actors viable again.

I think the case could be made that after all is said and done, a lot of viewers of this show will look at the film careers of John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Courtney B. Vance in a whole new way.

Travolta has been getting mixed reviews for his performance on the show, but I think he does great work as Robert Shapiro. He disappears into his role the least, but Travolta can't help but be distinct. He plays a tough role, Shapiro is both shrewd and pompous, quick-witted but also in over his head. Travolta modulates his character's mood swings well and after watching him in this I realized how much I miss seeing him in leading man roles.

I honestly can't remember the last Travolta performance I saw on the big screen. He had a terrific run in the late '70s and early '80s, then was redeemed by his comeback role in 1994's Pulp Fiction. But then, after a nice, likable turn in Get Shorty, there were a lot stumbles. In fact, the last good Travolta performance I can remember seeing was in 1998's Primary Colors. (I never saw his well-liked turn in 2007's Hairspray).

If he could just ditch the silly toupes I think he could continue to be a fascinating screen presence.

Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Courtney B. Vance in American Crime Story

Cuba Gooding Jr. has also been reborn on this show. After 1991's Boyz N the Hood, he was one of Hollywood's most promising young black actors. But after he won the Oscar for Jerry Maguire he made a serious of choices that ranged from bad to embarrassing.

He became synonymous for movies like Boat Trip and Snow Dogs. And although he had a very strong albeit small showing in American Gangster (as real life drug dealer Nicky Barnes), audiences had ceased to take him seriously -- until now.

Gooding Jr. has to do a lot of very intense physical acting as O.J. Simpson. Although he doesn't resemble him, Gooding gets his unhinged, self-absorbed nature. He is both proud and petulant, totally lacking in self-awareness. Most importantly, there is nothing funny about the role. It's a chilling performance that makes you take a second look at an actor who had begun to appear too silly in films.

As for Courtney B. Vance, his career was in no particular peril prior to this project, but he's someone who has gone critically under-utilized in mainstream movies. His performance may be American Crime Story's best. He takes a man who could have been a caricature -- Johnnie Cochran -- and really fleshes him out to make him complex, if not entirely sympathetic.

His delivery and presence are riveting and he deserves Emmy love for his work here. But the film industry has to take notice too. This is a man who deserves a meaty major movie role. Let's make that happen, please.