The Cynthia Nixon Mothership that’s based on Bernie Goetz? The current-season SVU that’s a take-off on Jussie Smollett? Or maybe you’re one of the four other people that liked Criminal Intent. What’s your favorite L&O-franchise episode based on a real crime?
(I love that this is the only kind of episode the These Are Their Stories… podcast does, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve guested on it a couple of times.)
I (weirdly) love the L&O version of Robert Durst. I know the first time I saw it, I had no idea who Robert Durst was, I loved it mostly because it was from my favorite era (Briscoe and Green) and Maria from Seasame Street was in it. And then I saw the Jinx and my enjoyment of this episode only increased. My one regret is that they couldn't work in the Wegman's sandwich.
My fave is also from the Briscoe and Green era, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" which is based on the San Francisco dog mauling death of Diane Whipple (a fascinating case). Features future Oscar winner Melissa Leo!
I have too many favorites to name (and I don’t even know the “ripped from the headlines” true crimes many of them are based on), but one that stands out in my mind is Original Recipe season 5 episode 5: White Rabbit. That one is based on a couple of different 70’s-era radical activists who went into hiding and were captured decades later, as well as some good old Weather Underground shenanigans.
It is so weird to watch ones from the last few years of the show because I was old enough to remember the real-life cases. Like that guy who tried to sue his dry cleaner for losing his pants (great L&O episode). And given the hellscape we live in now, I just think “we were ever so young?”.
I'll also note that my dad and I ended up watching this week's new SVU together, which was made less awkward by 1) our realizing at the same moment that it was partly based on Theranos and 2) how inadvertently funny it was. - SDB
The one about the fertility doctor that was using his own sperm for IVF procedures was on Sundance last night! It is still so creepy! And it happened in my home state!
I (weirdly) love the L&O version of Robert Durst. I know the first time I saw it, I had no idea who Robert Durst was, I loved it mostly because it was from my favorite era (Briscoe and Green) and Maria from Seasame Street was in it. And then I saw the Jinx and my enjoyment of this episode only increased. My one regret is that they couldn't work in the Wegman's sandwich.
My fave is also from the Briscoe and Green era, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" which is based on the San Francisco dog mauling death of Diane Whipple (a fascinating case). Features future Oscar winner Melissa Leo!
I have too many favorites to name (and I don’t even know the “ripped from the headlines” true crimes many of them are based on), but one that stands out in my mind is Original Recipe season 5 episode 5: White Rabbit. That one is based on a couple of different 70’s-era radical activists who went into hiding and were captured decades later, as well as some good old Weather Underground shenanigans.
(I am so sorry that I forgot to hat-tip Miz Eve for coming up with this topic!) - SDB
I have a terrible memory for specific episodes but i always love that moment when I realize “hey, it’s THAT case...”
It is so weird to watch ones from the last few years of the show because I was old enough to remember the real-life cases. Like that guy who tried to sue his dry cleaner for losing his pants (great L&O episode). And given the hellscape we live in now, I just think “we were ever so young?”.
I'll also note that my dad and I ended up watching this week's new SVU together, which was made less awkward by 1) our realizing at the same moment that it was partly based on Theranos and 2) how inadvertently funny it was. - SDB
The one about the fertility doctor that was using his own sperm for IVF procedures was on Sundance last night! It is still so creepy! And it happened in my home state!