The man, the myth, the infamous “legend” Ryan Murphy has done it again. Murphy is known for his iconic original creations like “Glee”and “American Horror Stories” that still foster a heavy fan base. Now, following his fame and glory, Murphy has moved into the producers chair, helping to fund and create recent series like “Monster” and “American Crime Story,” projects where each season follows a different storyline of real world events. From the horrific Ed Gein chronicles to Bill Clinton’s impeachment after the Monica Lewinsky scandal, these reenactments have caused controversy for Ryan Murphy, who has been known to challenge the norm on TV.
Now, Murphy tackles a new American obsession on TV — love. The limited series “Love Story,” airing on FX, caught the attention of every New York “wanna be,” every out-of-touch political activist and every girl on social media who loves the Kennedy charm. This season of “Love Story” follows the tragic story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette as the couple battles the paparazzi, the Kennedy legacy — or curse — and marriage.
Regardless of political viewpoints or thoughts on this show, the tragic plane crash took the lives of three innocent people. On a warm July day, JFK Jr., the pilot, along with his wife and sister-in-law, set out for the coast of Massachusetts. John, flying without a co-pilot, at the time had barely logged 100 hours of solo air time and had no certification to be flying in the dark and hazy conditions they were in. Kennedy’s ego and lack of skills sent the plane spiralling into the Atlantic Ocean. The death of JFK Jr. and his wife devastated the world, and there was a great loss of hope for the future of Kennedy politics. Ryan Murphy is missing that gravity of the situation, and he continues to capitalize on someone else’s loss.
Nearly three decades following the plane crash, the lives, styles and politics of JFK Jr. and Bessette are back in the limelight. It is interesting the way the public and social media is idolizing the couple, along with Bessette’s personal fashion and lifestyle. While the idea of marrying into America’s most prestigious “royal” family may seem intriguing to a young eye, the family was perfect only on the outside, with countless internal conflicts, losses and expectations that an outsider will never understand. John and Carolyn were no ideal couple, regardless of how good they look together. They struggled with numerous arguments, never ending media attention and John’s continued playboy life — and that is only the picture grasped by the media and paparazzi. Murphy and all of NYC can attempt to recreate the visible image, outward personas and lifestyle of JFK Jr. and Carolyn, but no source or “friend” will ever know what happened behind closed doors or on that final flight.
The Kennedy name and family still live on today, and to make an adaptation based on this tragedy just adds insult to injury. Jack Schlossberg, the nephew of JFK Jr., spoke out against this inaccurate and crude portrayal of his family. His parents, Caroline and Ed, are vital characters in the show’s plot. Schlossberg commented on the show when interviewed by CBS Sunday Morning.
“If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy,” Schlossberg said. “The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life.”
Murphy continues to profit from ridiculous displays of other people’s tragedies. While Murphy and his fans may believe they are keeping history alive, the memorialization of lives lost cannot be done by acting it out in a limited series.
This would be a great show if it were entirely fiction. The acting is enjoyable, the fashion is impeccable and ‘90s nostalgia always makes for a great watch, regardless of the year you were born. America loves the Kennedy family and the mission of peace and equality they stood behind, but sadly, America loves good television even more.
The show has led to a craze for the minimalist style as ladies ditch their current wardrobes for sleek black pants, well-tailored dresses and a torturous headband sold at the small NYC pharmacy, C.O. Bigelow. That company has been around since the 1830s, yet now receives more recognition for a single headband worn by Bessette than its history in New York. Men now all seem to own a bike, pleated khakis and wear their hats backwards, but if the NYC JFK Jr. lookalike contest proved anything, it is that brown hair and ‘90s fashion do not transform you into one of the most eligible bachelors of the ‘90s. Why are we so obsessed with a tragic couple that certainly did not display many ideal characteristics?
Maybe the outpouring of love for this show is America’s cry for help in a politically upset time. Maybe “Love Story” is a product of the world’s continued obsession with the past, or Ryan Murphy running out of creative ways to produce TV.
Sadly, we will never know the futures that JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette could have had. He never fulfilled his potential radical career in politics or got to follow in his father’s footsteps. After her marriage to America’s prince and People’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” the paparazzi stripped Carolyn of the dignity, privacy and amazing career in fashion she once had and labeled her JFK Jr.’s wife forever. The paper and tabloids that once crucified her now praise her for her amazing style and poise. This show does not highlight the amazing individuals they were, but rather romanticises a real-life tragedy.
Sierra O’Neil is a junior marketing major who loves long walks, overpriced coffee and overanalyzing social media ads. A Pittsburgh native, she is always looking for different places to explore and companies to hire her as their new intern. Connect with Sierra by emailing her at [email protected].
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