When Real Life Meets TV Drama: Ryan Murphy's Controversial Choices

Ryan Murphy, a big name in TV, has a knack for turning real-life events into gripping shows. But this approach often leads to trouble with the people involved in those events. His shows, like "American Crime Story" and "Monster, " have faced criticism for how they portray real people and events. The first season of "Monster" focused on Jeffrey Dahmer, a notorious serial killer. The families of Dahmer's victims were upset because they weren't asked about the show. They felt it was painful to relive their loved ones' deaths. Murphy said he tried to reach out to the families but didn't get a response. He also said he wanted to show how racism and privilege played a role in Dahmer's crimes. Another show, "American Crime Story: The People v. O. J. Simpson, " also caused controversy. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were upset because they weren't consulted. They felt the show didn't accurately represent the case. Murphy defended the show, saying it was based on a well-researched book. The "Monster" series also faced backlash for its portrayal of the Menendez brothers. The brothers said the show was inaccurate and hurtful. Murphy, however, said the show helped bring attention to their case, which led to a change in their sentencing. Before "American Love Story" even aired, the Kennedy family criticized Murphy for dramatizing the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The family felt Murphy was profiting from their tragedy. Murphy responded by saying the criticism was unfair and that he was trying to honor their legacy. In another instance, the son of Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in "Psycho, " criticized "Monster: The Ed Gein Story. " He felt the show took too many creative liberties and didn't respect the real pain of the people involved.