Grading Fall Television’s Hits And Misses

Photo Credit: NBC

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders — C-

Dick Wolf has been a known hitmaker but Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders is the first big swing and a miss for the massive producer. Without the appeal of Mariska Hargitay as a lead, the show doesn’t have the appeal. Unlike the O.J. Simpson murders, the Menendez case isn’t nearly as intriguing because the boys are generally known to be guilty.

Two wealthy kids who murdered their parents aren’t exactly sympathetic protagonists either, considering their stories of abuse were widely rebuked by neighbors and friends. By now, it also seems like the true crime mania has died down a little too late for the show to capitalize on it.

Truthfully, it’s hard to turn a live-action crime story into a compelling drama. Not everyone lucks out like Making A Murderer or The Jinx. Edie Falco does a good enough job to try and it’s the show’s only saving grace. Since Law & Order True Crime isn’t planning on revealing any new information about the Menendez brothers is there even a reason to tune in?

Ratings have been steadily dropping and Dick Wolf is going to test how far NBC is willing to go based on their strong business relationship. It’s a big misstep for the network but considering Wolf has given them all of the Chicago series and Law & Order, they can afford to give him one clunker for a season.