True crime dramas are all over TV and seemingly getting more popular all the time. How ’bout O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton? Gianni Versace, too. American Crime Story was one of the first to jump into this genre and tackled these three crime stories and has more on the way. American Crime Story is a true crime anthology originally airing on FX and currently available on streaming and cable services (seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix and Amazon, season 3 is currently running on FX, Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. PST.) Each season is a self-contained miniseries, independent of other seasons. The first season was a huge popular sensation and received 22 Emmy nominations, winning nine, as well as two Golden Globes. The second season was also well received and won three Emmys out of its nine nominations. Season 3 will have its third episode this week and a fourth series is now under early development.
The People v. O.J. Simpson – Series One
I still haven’t watched this, mistakenly wondering if we really needed more about this saga. After watching season 2 of American Crime Story and researching this article, I’ve changed my mind. The consensus is that the 10-episode show proves that the O.J. murder case and trial are still topical, compelling, and the series actually sheds some new light on the facts. It won the Emmy for Best Limited Series, Best Actor (Courtney B. Vance as Johnny Cochran), Best Actress (Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark), and Best Supporting Actor (Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden). Other key cast members include Cuba Gooding Jr. (as O.J.), David Schwimmer (as Robert Kardashian), and John Travolta (as Robert Shapiro).
The Assassination of Gianni Versace – Series Two
While I didn’t watch this originally in 2018, I did watch the nine-episode series in 2020. The series chronicles the 1997 killing of fashion designer Gianni Versace and the manhunt for the murderer. It starts with the assassination and works backwards from there, sometimes haphazardly, but often riveting. Andrew Cunahan (Darren Criss) killed four other people on his killing spree. The reason to watch the show is Criss. From Glee to a sociopath! A remarkable acting range and mesmerizing performance. A charming, sadistic killer if you could ever imagine such a thing. Pure creepy evil. He swept the lead acting awards. Other key cast members include Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) as Donatella Versace, Edgar Ramirez (Carlos) as Gianni Versace, and Ricky Martin as Versace’s long-time partner.
Versace’s family was not involved in the series and was not happy with the portrayal, declaring that it “should only be considered as a work of fiction.” Producer Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) countered that the series was “not a work of fiction, but a work of non-fiction with docudrama elements.” In true Ryan Murphy style, the show is glossy, the architecture grand, and the fashion divine. It’s colorful (Miami pops out of the screen and sunshine) and a little over the top.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Impeachment – Series Three
The current American Crime Story focuses on the Clinton-Lewinsky sex scandal and has aired two episodes (out of 10) at the time of this post. I’m not sure yet about Clive Owen as Bill Clinton and Edie Falco’s Hillary has just peeped out once so far. But the story centers on Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart) and Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulson, is she ever not great?!) They are both outstanding and I’m cringingly excited about seeing their relationship continue to unfold over the season.
I’m going to enjoy the rest of Impeachment and also go back to 1994/95 and re-live the O.J Simpson trial. The next subject for American Crime Story is Studio 54; the Broadway theater and former disco nightclub. While at first, this subject matter doesn’t interest me as much, I’ll keep an eye on it, because the series has delivered captivating crime stories with stellar casts.
Trivia ? – Originally there was a different story announced for the second season of American Crime Story based on this 2005 event? (The storyline was canceled and they went ahead with the Gianna Versace show.)
Answer: Hurricane Katrina
Comments
2 responses to “American Crime Story: Three Worthwhile Crime Dramas with Flair”
I started watching the O.J. Simpson series shortly after it appeared on Netflix. Maybe I just didn’t hang in there long enough, but I stopped watching it before the first episode was over. I thought the acting was way over the top from Travolta and Gooding. But hey, maybe that was those characters in real-life. As they say, “truth is stranger than fiction”.
MSquared, thanks for the comment! Many people seem to agree with you. Even those with positive thoughts about the series, pointed out Travolta and Gooding, Jr. as the weak links.