American Crime Story is always about a real crime that made headlines, but it is also about broader social issues. In the first season, the show covered the OJ Simpson trial, but also American race relations. Season two, The Assassination of Gianni Versace tells the story of the 1997 murder of Versace and is based on the book Vulgar Favors by Maureen Orth. In the second season Ryan Murphy delves into the homophobia of the 1990s and how it interfered with law enforcement solving the crime.
We are only on episode three, which I have paused because I need a break. I’m beginning to wonder if despite all of the incredible acting if the whole thing isn’t a bit much for me. Darren Criss is spectacular as the serial killer Andrew Cunanan. He’s a bit too good in fact. I may have nightmares watching this so late at night. Note to self, wait to watch future episodes in the hard light of day. Judith Light is amazing on this episode. Ricky Martin, Penelope Cruz, and Edgar Ramirez are all giving Emmy winning performances this season in my book.
I didn’t pay much attention to the details of this crime when it happened. I think I was in graduate school and that took up most of my time. I didn’t recall that Versace’s killer was a serial killer, or that the other victims were all high achieving gay men. In episode three it is becoming clear that Andrew is a narcissist and a psychopath who can’t seem to live with the fact that he is a nobody and goes to great lengths to get into the high society crowd by any means necessary.
Sadly, the ratings were poor for the first two episodes. Only 2.22 million viewers watched the first episode and 1.42 million watched the second. RHOA ratings prior to Michael Beck tanking the series averaged twice these numbers during their peak in season seven.
Maybe it is because we can’t quite stomach reliving the HIV/AIDS fears of the 1980s and 1990s or maybe the murders of very successful closeted (and not so closeted) gay men who were highly successful in their creative fields is just so very graphic and gruesome, but for whatever reason the series is not drawing the viewership it deserves. Despite the fact I’d prefer the focus to be more on the law and order end and less on the gruesomeness of the murders, not watching means missing some really outstanding performances. Ryan Murphy sure does know how to pull the best out of his actors.
I know some of you are watching and wanted a discussion forum. Sorry it has taken so long. Let’s chat.
Saw part of the first episode and thought the actor playing Cunanan was amazing, but Penelope Cruz very miscast. The script seemed disjointed and there was something about the whole thing that made me not want to watch it anymore. I tried viewing episide two, but would rather drink Castor Oil. Why? I wondered. Because the actual story is fascinating. Something about the excessive excess and the egregious narcissism that was just too much. It gave me an allergic reaction. I will try again. Maybe with a few prednisone tablets.
Agreed about Penelope. Her accent is distracting in this role. Donatella is from Spain all of a sudden. That aside I feel that this season is much better than last. I couldn’t believe all the awards it was nominated for. And that it won any, also baffles me. Sarah Paulson and Courtney B Vance were great but that alone didn’t make the series as a whole all that good. This season I’m engrossed by the acting. It’s superb and the lead roles are played by the best choice in actors. I’m shocked that the numbers are supposedly low for this.
Wow really? I thought last season was absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t wait for the next episode. This season I am just not into it although I’m trying. The acting really is great I will definitely give it that.
I wonder if next season will be about Hurricane Katrina, which was supposed to be S 2.
Yeah I couldn’t take S1 seriously. The story was laughably depicted in my opinion. None of it was realistic even though we all know it was based on real events. Cuba never sold the image of OJ to me. John Travolta turned his character into a weird caricature. David schwimmer very much looked the part but the dialogue, again was laughable. It made me laugh though I’m assuming it wasn’t supposed to. I gave it a go for two episodes or so then I stopped tuning in. I feel for these characters in S2. Knowing that it’s fake isn’t enough for me to not need a moment when Darren as Andrew goes in for his next kill. I really love the understated acting of the guy playing Versace, too.
That’s kind of how I feel about the story, too much over the top opulence. I also feel Penelope Cruz isn’t right as Donatella but I blame the makeup dept for that. Donatella is so much uglier, it’s like they didn’t even try to have her look like Donatella. Donatella also chain smokes and has for years and it’s evident in her voice. Shoot, SNL does a better makeup job when they spoof her.
Gianni lived like royalty. You should see his homes in Italy. His lifestyle was actually more opulent than they’re showing on the telly.
My cousin lived in South Beach at the time Gianni lived there. He saw the family having a picnic on the beach a few times. He said the formality was unbelievable, so over the top but Gianni was a fixture in town and well-liked.
Personally, I like watching the opulence although I find it kinda tacky. I was brought up in an old Waspy town. People had beautiful furniture, carpets etc but it would be so old and almost threadbare. God forbid you ever showed off! Everything had to be understated; my family burned that mindset in me.
I’m watching! I can’t watch it when it’s one it’s regular channel because with my cable that’s an extra channel that you have to pay for so I have to wait until the next day or two. The cable bill is high enough already. It comes on regular FX after it airs on FX+. I am enjoying it and you are right TT, all outstanding performances! Please don’t stop recapping this. It does help watching it in broad daylight lol!
You described this show perfectly. The acting is outstanding although almost too good because I’m scared after I watch it. I’m probably your only reader old enough that I remember this happening when my daughter was entering her Senior Year of high school and was obsessed with it. I never knew his sister was such a bitch and I didn’t know how kind Versace actually was, so it makes me sad that that’s what happened to him
It makes me feel better that I’m not the only one that gets creeped out by this show. We’ve been so over saturated by horrible things that I’m kinda glad it still creeps me out. 10 years ago, it would’ve given me nightmares so I’m glad to know my “creep out factor” is still in there somewhere. I hope this series doesn’t get snubbed like The Joan and Bette Fued. It garnered some nominations but didn’t win a thing, which shocked me. The acting was riveting in that series, too!
Nope. I’m old too. I live in San Diego, so it was on the news all the time. I was fascinated. But then again, I majored in Criminal Justice…
I’ve been looking forward to this series, but haven’t been able to watch yet. Now I’m scared LOL.
The first episode isn’t so bad, Marie, but things get progressively more horrifying as things go on.
I am an old hag too— (not that you all are hags lol) I remember it happening. Very scary.
I live in Salem County NJ and was in Pennsville the night Andrew Cunan killed the light house keeper at Fort Mott. He was neither gay nor famous. Just a retired man trying to make ends meet with 4 children and a wife he left behind. While Versace was the most famous man he murdered on his spree there were other families destroyed by this serial killer.
Thank you for pointing that out. I don’t think most remember that part of the story. What happened to these other families was horrible.
This is my Wednesday night must watch. The first two episodes were a bit confusing to follow because the scenes were not chronological and you had to know the story to keep up.
I’ve lived in Miami all my life (and now in South Beach) so it is interesting to “re-experience” the murder through the show’s perspective. And I love seeing our streets, neighborhood & the mansion on tv. They were in town filming for several weeks. My close friends and I have been following the series this season, but then again we’re all gay so i’m sure that’s not shocking.
Anyway, yesterday I listened to an interview on NPR w/ the writers of the show and Terry Gross (which I highly recommend) where they discussed the fact that with ACS they try to explore the significant roles in each incident. With the OJ season, the significant players throughout the whole ordeal were the lawyers involved with the case. This is why it had a more “law & order” approach. Whereas, with the Versace murder, the significant character was Cunanan,and how his particular actions (and subsequent victims) affected how law enforcement (particularly the FBI) approached the case, which has been regarded as one of the worst-executed manhunts in their history.
Side note: they said season 2 was supposed to be about Hurricane Katrina, but by the time filming came around they didn’t think they had developed the characters enough (at least comparable to the way they developed the characters in OJ and Versace), So since the Versace story was almost done they decided to go with that one. Now season 3 of ACS will be about Hurricane Katrina, which I’m very excited about. 🙂
Thanks for the tip on the NPR interview. I have watched this half-heartedly for the same reasons as many of you: it’s damned disturbing and the acting is so incredible, it feels TOO immediate and real. I, too, was in the throes of youngish adulthood then, and don’t recall many details. I didn’t even own a TV then, either, and the internet wasn’t as massive an influence as it is today.
Recording the show, so haven’t seen part #3 yet.
The Alienist is another I think I can become obsessed with, but is also gory and frightening, but based on a novel I read years ago.
Will most definitely check out the NPR interview. Thanks for the information
I’m looking forward to season four it’s about Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton.
wonder what Hillary will say
OOoooohhhhh I cannot wait for that !
I love Terry Gross! “This is Fresssh Air” Just the sound of her voice… She’s tops.
So sad about Leonard Lopate and Jonathan Schwartz. I’ve listened to all of them for many years. Their replacements are terrible.
If I was writing about this show, it would be almost word for word what you said! Some of t I did say to my mom this morning. Darren Criss is so scarily believable. Definitely a “full light of day” show from now on. Last night was so dark and twisty.
I tried with this one after loving the OJ one but I just can’t get into it. Just deleted from my DVR recordings list. If TT recaps I will keep up but I ca’t watch it.
I have had the reverse reaction. The OJ one was unbearably bad. I watched one and a half episodes and was over it. Different strokes I suppose.
OK, when I watched the first episode I didn’t like it b/c I thought the camera moved around too much and it seemed all over the place and I said I wasn’t going to watch anymore but now I get it…the acting is very good, I’m totally creeped out while watching…I think the up-coming episodes are going to be very disturbing.
Your comment reminded me of Cunanan and how’s he moved around erratically killing. He had so much hate for the men he once thought he could become.
I followed this story when it happened.
I remember the bad jokes even today.
This was the best episode so far. Criss is amazing as Andrew. Also Judith Light was remarkable. Focusing on Lee Miglins murder was disturbing but interesting and such fantastic acting. The news made it sound like a random murder yet the show clearly infers Lee Miglins was a closeted gay man having flings with Andrew. I had heard of his wife but never saw her on HSN selling perfume. I fast forward through the awful murder scene but mesmerized by all of it.
That murder scene of Lee Miglin was brutal ! I had to close my eyes.. I do wish that they did the murders in chronological order… that way we would have a bit of an idea on how Andrew developed from a mere liar (as seen in Episode 1 while in San Francisco), to a deranged sociopathic killer. The second and third episodes were a little bit slower than the first and idk if I like it or would rather have each episode be intense and mesmerizing..
For those who do like a more Law and Order type situation then I suggest you watch True Crime: The Menendez Brothers.. Our boy Harry Hamlin is even in it 🙂
There was a main reason or a combination and Andrew held these men (probably someone else) responsible.
They will probably tell you.
There was a main reason or a combination and Andrew held these men (probably someone else) responsible.
They will probably tell you later on.
I am watching it, I feel it is well done. Of course much of it is fabricated since nobody really knows what really happened between the killer and his victims. But I think it s better than most of the crap on TV.
I’m watching!
I watched to a point and had to bail. The murder scene with the duct tape freaked me out. I have no backbone for graphic violence and they make it seem very real!
I was bummed though because the story of it is fascinating. I had no idea Versace was killed by a serial killer. I thought it was a random deranged fan.
I’m watching this and it is magnificent.
One of my BFFs ran with Versace’s crowd in Hollywood in the 1990s and knew Andrew and the whole deal around his relationship with Versace and yes they had one.
Andrew wasn’t treated very well by that Hollywood crowd.
Ok, JoJo, spill it! Inquiring minds want to know!
I recall reading about it. I don’t want to say to much because of how the story is developing.
There was another major reason also, It was told by his friends that was what enraged him towards these men.
I had to stop watching it last night. I had thought it was 9-10, so when I saw it was 10-11 I was bummed. I have 2 toddlers who don’t sleep well and wake up early and that’s pretty late for me!
I started watching it at 10 and 20 mins in had to stop it. I’ll watch it on dvr.
This is so well done, it was gonna give me nightmares.
Gina Gershon was a better Donatella thank Penelope. Otherwise, the rest of the cast is perfect. IMHO
I have to admit that while I was looking forward to this series as I was pretty shook up when the murders occured I didn’t realize until O saw the responses from folks on Twitter this morning, that the first episodes had already aired. I gotta try to catch up somehow.
Love this! The acting is incredible and heartbreaking at the same time. I remember these killings vividly. Good to see the human aspect behind such torrid heinous crimes.
I will never forget the day when finding out it was Cunanan that killed Versace. I was shocked. I was well aware of Cunanan and him getting to Versace when the world was looking for him, was crazy.
I thought they found no connection to Lee Miglin.
I’ve been waiting for the pre-Versace events. I think it’s more unknown.
I think Ryan Murphy is doing remarkable work on this series & find his depictions of homophobia in the 90’s on point. Versace was a very humble & talented man who was loved by many . A very sad story which needs to be told.
The problem with this show is it’s name — it isn’t attracting a lot of people who would like it.
I’ll attempt to explain what I mean: I started watching it because I thought it would be focused on Versace. But the focus is on Cunanan.
I remember when Versace was killed, but had forgotten that the killer was a serial killer targeting gay men. In my mind, for some reason, I thought the killer was a ‘celebrity obsessed’ killer,like the guy who killed John Lennon.
You are right, the actor playing Cunanan is literally *scary* good — but it’s all just too damn scary for me, especially after the last episode.
This show isn’t for me — I wanted to see a show focused on Versace, his life etc and not so much the psycho who killed him. I don’t care about learning any more about Cunanan.
Meanwhile, however, there are a lot of people who would like to see a study of the psychotic Cunanan. I think the show would have done better ratings-wise if people knew that is what it is about.
As it is, it just lost one more viewer.
I’m so mad I missed the first episode. I did follow this as at the time I was batendinf downtown Minneapolis and drank and worked quite near where the first of Cunanan’s murders took place.
Hoping they replay episode one or I can find it some place.
FX on demand has episode one available Bee .
I do not believe the reason for the low ratings have to do with the subject matter – but perhaps the disjointed, non linear story telling? I don’t know the order of the killings, and would have been happy starting with him as a teen and moving on to his suicide. Could have been almost AHS style where each episode was one element – his teens, his signs of insanity, his first love/kill, his next one, his next one, then Versace, then his hiding. The obsession with Versace could have been weaved in in little ways to each one…then could have been final episode on aftermath for that brand and emergence of Donatella. I just can’t follow it, though Judith Light and the fella from MASH were pitch perfect. I am obsessed with that real life story FAR MORE than other aspects.
Side note – how does the killer actually meet these men? I would love those back stories versus just him coming in and killing.
I was too young when this happened to know anything about it but the comments here made me very interested. After watching the first 3 I’m cautiously into it. The acting is scary good. The actor the plays Andrew in incredible. But in nightmare inducing. As someone that knows nothing about it, I find myself having to research and google shit to better understand certain events. I wish things were in chronological order (I know Ryan Murphy has his reasons for not, but that would be my preference). I’d like to know how he chose his victims too. More researching for me! 🙂