Latest news with #Monsters:TheLyleandErikMenendezStory
NBC News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Newsom hosts Menendez story 'Monsters' creator Ryan Murphy on podcast
With the scheduled parole date for Erik and Lyle Menendez less than a month away, California Governor Gavin Newsom, who holds the power to grant a pardon in their case, interviewed director Ryan Murphy, creator of the Netflix show 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.' Harvey Levin, executive producer of TMZ, spoke with NBC News' Gadi Schwartz to share his thoughts on the podcast discussion about the high-profile 22, 2025
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Heavy stuff': Gavin Newsom discusses Menendez brothers case ahead of parole hearing
Before the hit Netflix drama on the Menendez brothers case aired, showrunner Ryan Murphy warned Gov. Gavin Newsom over lunch that the series would likely create a stir. Newsom and Murphy discussed the lunch — and the controversial case — on the latest episode of the governor's podcast, 'This is Gavin Newsom.' 'You start talking to me about this and you all but said, 'I'm sorry,'' Newsom recalled on the 45-minute episode. He added, with a chuckle: 'I didn't fully appreciate how right you were to be sorry.' 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,' which premiered last September, put a spotlight yet again on the case of the two brothers, who were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 shotgun deaths of their parents in the family's Beverly Hills mansion. In May, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge resentenced them to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. Their parole hearing is set for Aug. 21 and 22. If the parole board recommends their release, Newsom will make the final decision on whether to grant them parole. 'That's heavy stuff,' Murphy said on the podcast episode. 'Heavy stuff,' Newsom replied. The governor said he has been tempted repeatedly to watch the series, but he has purposely avoided it because the matter could soon land on his desk. 'I don't want to be persuaded by something that's not in the files,' Newsom said. Murphy recalled that during the writing of the show, and even when he and Newsom had lunch, he was not convinced that the brothers deserved freedom, but his outlook evolved, he said, particularly after conversations with Kim Kardashian, a collaborator of Murphy's who watched the show before it was released. 'She was really obsessed with it and then went to visit them,' Murphy said. The reality TV star, who completed her law studies in May, told Murphy she believed they deserved parole, stressing that both brothers were under the age of 25 at the time of the brutal killings. Studies show the prefrontal cortex, responsible for functions like planning, decision-making and impulse control, doesn't fully develop for men until their mid- to late 20s. Murphy also cited the brothers' family support and positive behavior in prison. 'I guess it just begs the question: If not now, when?' Murphy asked. 'What benefit to society do we have by keeping them there if they can come out of prison and actually serve some good? I think that's a powerful thing.' Newsom countered with the argument he said he's heard from others: 'What good can come from sending a message that you can kill both of your parents and be released?' At the same time, Newsom said, other inmates have been granted parole for similar or worse crimes and spent less time in prison. He noted that psychiatric evaluations and risk assessments are meant to determine suitability for parole based on what he called 'well-established' criteria, such as inmates' behavior in prison. Newsom also discussed parole decisions he's made in the cases against convicted killers who were followers of cult leader Charles Manson, including Leslie Van Houten, who was released from prison on parole in 2023. Newsom had rejected her parole recommendation but was overruled by a state appeals court. 'The last rejection was overturned by the court that felt we were abusing our discretion in our parole office and they're tough,' Newsom said. 'It's a very slippery slope,' Murphy said, 'and it's a really hard road and I feel for you.' He suggested Newsom watch the show over Labor Day weekend. 'I'm going to see if I made the right decision.' Newsom replied.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First-Time Nominee Cooper Koch Is 'Devastated' Over Emmy Snubs for Two of His ‘Monsters' Co-Stars
Cooper Koch has landed his first-ever Emmy nomination for his lead role as Erik Menendez in Ryan Murphy's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, but the news is a tad bittersweet for the actor who was hoping to hear the names of his co-stars Ari Graynor and Nicholas Alexander Chavez called along with his as the nominees for the 2025 Emmys were announced Tuesday morning. 'I talked to Ari; I'm devastated that she didn't get it,' Koch tells The Hollywood Reporter. 'That's the one sort of bummer from today that she didn't get it. Same thing with Nicholas. I think both of them really deserved to be on there, so I'm super bummed that they didn't get nominated.' More from The Hollywood Reporter MomTok on Top: 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Earns First Emmy Nomination Bela Bajaria on Which Emmy Nominee She Texted First and One Giant "Disappointment" of a Snub 'The White Lotus' Checks Into the 2025 Emmy Noms With 23, Ties With 'The Studio' Chavez portrayed Lyle Menendez in the Netflix series and Graynor played Erik's lead defense attorney, Leslie Abramson. Despite the snubs for the two stars, Monsters did receive additional nods in the acting categories by way of Chloë Sevigny, who was nominated for best supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for her role as matriarch Mary Louise 'Kitty' Menendez, and Javier Bardem for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Jose Menendez. 'Chloë and I FaceTimed, and she congratulated me, and I congratulated her,' says Koch, who continued to sing the praises of his co-stars. 'I could not have done it without any of them. They were the most wonderful scene partners, and they're such gifted actors. I owe all of my work and the scenes and everything that came out to them.' As he gears up for Emmy campaigning, Koch, 28, says he's hoping for less attention on him and more on the Menendez brothers, who, as a result of renewed public interest in their case stemming from the series, were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison in May, making them now eligible for parole. 'We're still sort of living with what's happening in real time with their case. They go to the parole board on Aug. 21st and Aug. 22nd, so I'm just hoping that I can talk more about and advocate for them,' says Koch. 'I'm like, screw myself. I just want to get them out of prison.' That said, Koch is looking forward to seeing some of the talented actors he's admired from behind the screen in real life on the trail, calling out White Lotus star and fellow first-time Emmy nominee Aimee Lou Wood in particular. 'I love her, and I loved her in White Lotus. I can't wait to give her a giant hug. I feel like I already know her,' he says, also noting Only Murders in the Building and Severance as his other top shows. 'I'm a big Severance fan, and I've just been so impressed with Adam Scott and Britt Lower for both seasons of the show,' he says. 'I'm such huge fans of theirs, and I had such a great chat with Adam at The Hollywood Reporter Roundtable. He's such a wonderful guy and such an amazing talent, so I'm really, really rooting for him.' Nominations for the 77th Emmy Awards were presented by Harvey Guillén and Brenda Song at a ceremony held on Tuesday, July 15. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story received a total of 11 noms, including best limited or anthology series, along with three in the technical categories of picture editing, sound mixing and musical composition, and an additional four nods for best period or fantasy/sci-fi hairstyling and makeup (non-prosthetic), period costumes and casting for a limited or anthology series. The 77th Emmy Awards will be hosted by Nate Bargatze and broadcast live Sunday, Sept. 14, (8-11 p.m. ET/5-8 p.m. PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. See the full list of nominees here. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Cooper Koch was celebrating his Emmy nod. Then he got a call from prison
When Cooper Koch landed an Emmy nomination for his role as one half of the notorious duo in Netflix's 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,' he received a surprising call straight from prison. 'I spoke (with) Lyle today,' Koch said on an Entertainment Weekly's podcast, ' The Awardist,' on an episode released Wednesday, July 16. 'He called to send his congrats and was very, very sweet. Koch was referring, of course, to Lyle Menendez, who, like Erik, was convicted in 1996 for killing their parents. 'He was jealous that I was at Wimbledon this weekend,' added the actor, who was recently cast in ' Artificial,' the $40 million OpenAI movie to be directed by Luca Guadagnino. 'He was just so, so sweet… and they're doing really well.' Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, July 15, with Koch earning a nod for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series for his role in the nine-episode Netflix true-crime hit produced by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. The series also received nominations for outstanding limited or anthology series and supporting actor and actress for Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny, who played the Menendez parents. Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who played Lyle Menendez, was not nominated. Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their multi-million dollar Beverly Hills home. The brothers claimed the killings were in self-defense after years of sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and the trial was a media sensation that divided public opinion. In October, then-Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón, a former San Francisco D.A., recommended a resentencing of 50 years to life, a move formally approved in May by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic, making the brothers immediately eligible for parole. Then, on July 7, L.A. County Superior Court Judge William Ryan ordered prosecutors to explain why the brothers' murder convictions should not be re-examined in light of new evidence — including a letter from Erik and testimony by former Menudo member Roy Rosselló — supporting their claims of sexual abuse. The parole board hearings for Erik, 54, and Lyle, 57, are scheduled for Aug. 21-22. Koch said on the podcast he hoped 'the brothers (get) released by the end of the summer.' In September, Kock told Variety he had visited the brothers at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego with prison reform advocate Kim Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, and sister, Khloé Kardashian. When he met Erik, Koch said they 'just looked at each other, and immediately embraced. He was so kind.' On this week's podcast episode, Koch reiterated his appreciation for playing Erik. 'The best part about this whole thing was just getting the opportunity to be a part of this show and tell this story and just embody this person who I just care so deeply about,' he said. The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, is scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The awards will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Cooper Koch reveals what Lyle Menendez said after ‘Monsters' Emmy nomination
Cooper Koch recently received a congratulatory phone call from incarcerated Lyle Menendez. On Tuesday, the actor, 29, earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his performance as Erik Menendez in Netflix's 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.' After the news hit, Koch's phone rang. Advertisement 9 Cooper Koch. / 'I spoke to Lyle today. He called to send his congrats and was very, very sweet,' the star shared on Entertainment Weekly's 'The Awardist' podcast on Tuesday. 'He was jealous that I was at Wimbledon this weekend. He was just so, so sweet …. and they're doing really well.' Koch also confessed that he was 'so nervous' about the nominations. Advertisement 'It's just a terrible morning,' he admitted. 'You're so anxious and you're just playing that game with yourself, 'You know what? It's OK either way. It's OK. I'm going to die one day and no one's going to remember or care if I had an Emmy nomination or not.'' Despite the jitters, Koch is just grateful to have been a part of the series, which also starred Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle. 9 Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in the Netflix show. Miles Crist/Netflix '[But the] best part about this whole thing was just getting the opportunity to be a part of this show and tell this story and just embody this person who I just care so deeply about,' Koch explained. Advertisement Javier Bardem was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and Chloe Sevigny earned a nod for Supporting Actress for taking on the boys' parents, José and Kitty Menendez. Ryan Murphy's 'Monsters' received a nod for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. 9 Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez and Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection The series premiered on Netflix in September 2024. The show told the story of Lyle and Erik, who murdered their parents in 1989. Advertisement The brothers have said that they killed their mom and dad in self-defense. Erik and Lyle claimed they suffered years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse. 'I was so moved and I believed them immediately. It was then that I found all the similarities and I became quite obsessed with the case and with their story,' Koch told GQ Australia in December 2024. 'I was taping and taping, auditioning and auditioning, for seven years. Then finally you get the one that is supposed to happen.' 9 An image from the Emmy nominated series 'Monsters.' AP This wasn't the first time the actor tried to take on the part of Erik. 'The reason why he's been with me for so long is because I auditioned to play him seven years ago for the 'Law & Order' series and for the Lifetime movie,' Koch recalled. 'I got to the final rounds in both and I ultimately didn't get it. But I felt like I had to play this part,' he shared. 'I got the audition [for Monsters] and I watched the trial videos for the first time.' 9 Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, right, and Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez in a scene from 'Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story.' AP The Menendez brothers' case has taken quite a turn since they were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. Advertisement In May, the judge reduced their sentence to 50 years to life. Now, Erik and Lyle are eligible for parole. Koch supported the brothers at their resentencing hearing. 'I'm so grateful that that happened,' he told Variety at the time. 'And so is Erik, I spoke to him yesterday and he is so excited.' 9 Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch. FilmMagic Koch detailed 'the most inspiring' thing he heard Erik say after the re-sentencing. Advertisement 'He is going to be an advocate for other people who have L.W.O.P, which is life without parole,' Koch explained, adding that the Beverly Hills native hopes to make 'a lot of change' in the prison system. 'His life is going to surround making change in the prison system, and I just think that is so beautiful.' In June, true crime expert Ana Garcia weighed in on whether 'Monsters' played a part in the brothers' new prison sentence. 9 Erik Menendez (L) and his brother Lyle during a pre-trial hearing. AFP via Getty Images 'I do believe that the show had an impact,' the journalist told The Post. 'I also believe the documentary did. I also believe that Kim Kardashian writing her essay about why she believed that we should judge them based on how we all now view the kind of sexual abuse they say that they experienced. I think there has been a groundswell of support to have their case re-examined based on how we now understand victims of crime. Meaning they were victims here.' Advertisement Although the 'True Crime News' podcast host isn't sure the resentencing is deserved. 'But as I've said before to you, if every child who was abused killed their parents, we'd have a lot of dead parents. What I ask myself over and over again – this was clearly premeditated. They had so many opportunities not to kill their parents. Yet they went through with this plan, and then it was the cover-up afterwards.' 9 The Menendez brothers' mug shot. AP Along with a strong support system from around the country, Lyle and Erik also have their family members standing by them. Joan VanderMolen, Kitty's sister, has fought for their freedom along with Terry Baralt, José's only living sister. Advertisement 'I hear the Menendez family speaking loudly and clearly to every judge who will listen to them, every prosecutor who will listen to them,' Garcia shared, 'that they believe Lyle and Erik have already served enough time. Is that enough for a murder? For some cases, it is.' Although the siblings have served over 30 years behind bars, Garcia posed the question weighing on the public's mind: 'Have they served enough time for their murders?' 9 Erik Menendez, left, and his brother Lyle, are led into the courtroom in 1990. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Lyle and Erik's parole board hearing was originally scheduled for June 13 but was pushed back to August 21 and August 22. 'One of the brothers actually said on Facebook that they thought it was a good idea,' Garcia added, 'because it gives them more time to prepare, more time for the defense, their attorneys to present because a lot is going to happen at this parole hearing.'
