"American Crime Story: Versace" to premiere January 17th

Teaser

And for good measure, Darren Criss' crafty method of promotion

Darren Criss' is hot Chris Colfer is not

New, sexy teaser

Lago Di Como, no?

Will Kevin Sorbo be featured?

Ryan Murphy should space out his chemical peels a little more.

Like Feud, it’ll be 80% bullshit.

Miss Murphy has huge puffy eyes in that pic. His jowls are sagging too.

Wait...which one is Darren dating?

Poor R10

Having sex with guys ocassionally doesn't make someone gay anymore than having salads makes somone a vegetatian.

Thanks for playing pretend R12, but if you're not gonna put me on screen or stage I'm not shagging you.

Finn Wittrock would like to be included in this narrative.

"Yes, we were all in the same bathroom last night. And that’s all I’ll ever say about that!"

How very cheeky of Finn r14.

Finn, we all know what you queens were secretly doing in the bathroom together.....

It's called coke.

Darren Criss better show ass in This! Can't say much about how good his acting will be. But the least he could do is that, right?

I was going to say there is a 100% chance. But Colton Haynes was a regular on AHS and didn't show his butt which shocked me.

Still, I'd say there is a 99% chance. Hard to imagine it not happening given what this production is and that Darren Criss is playing a rentboy.

I would expect lots of speedos, maybe even hideous thongs, in the beach scenes trying to capture that era. If it's all board shorts, you know the network is wussing out.

FX usually goes there. They obviously can't do full frontal, but it does show graphic sex and violence in shows.

Yeah if you watch AHS, you know FX is quite fine with showing butts.

The trailer is dropping sometime today

Penelope is coming for that EMMY!

I'm so ready for this show, guaranteed to be entertaining.

Ugh. It will be freezing cold and prob snowing, so I’m not looking forward to January 17th at all.

[quote]Ugh. It will be freezing cold and prob snowing, so I’m not looking forward to January 17th at all.

I'll warm you up baby

Wow penelope sounds exactly like donatella. Brava!

Penelope looks exactly like her too! Right..?

Criss's resemblence to Cunanan is frightening

Darren Criss as Cunanan is perfect casting.

Why the fuck does Cunanan have duct tape around his head in the shower? I knew he was into freaky shit like what he's doing to that old guy in the trailer but why to himself? Also will he have sex with that guy or just do weird asphyxiation crap?

Did Cunanan audition for pornos what with that lady asking how big his dick was?

I don't believe he ever did porn, though he was an escort of course, that scene might be in relation to that.

So you think that's an escort service he's at? I thought he escorted on his own.

Criss's people aren't losing any time pushing for that Emmy.

[quote]You’ve seen the neon-soaked clip of Darren Criss in his murder Speedo. You’ve seen the stills of the cast luxuriating in high fashion “Miami Medici Chic.” Now you can see the first extended look at footage from The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Everyone is serving face. Everyone is beautiful. And the way Criss says, “I know people,” should be an Emmy for Your Consideration clip on its own.

It was definitely Cruz whose performance was impressing me from the trailer, I'm still a little skeptical whether Criss has the chops for this role, but we will see.

If Criss is decently great he could get a nomination!

I could totally see Criss getting a nom just because it's such a different role for him. If he's halfway decent, I see him getting a nom. Whether he's good enough to win, that's another story. (Darren is also a great networker/schmoozer with an aggressive PR team behind him. I'd be really surprised if he's not nominated).

Criss could walk away with a G Globe regardless of his performance. HFPA gave a Globe to Lady Gaga for AHS, after all. This is a series about a foreigner and a half-filipino -- and Criss is half-filipino too. I don't doubt Murphy will lobby for as many awards as he can and Criss is teacher's pet.

I just pray that Ricky Martin gets a good showing in this. He should have been starring in movies when he was at the height of his fame and his beauty.

God help me for saying it, but I can't wait to watch this spectacle unfold.

Battle of the crime story trailers!

No one will watch.

R40 Ricky can't act though, and can basically only be himself. At best he won't make viewers cringe or take them out of the show, will have nice chemistry with Edgar, and will have enough makeup on to make any intimate scenes look good.

I'm really excited to watch this series...not as excited for all the press where Darren makes sure to "no homo" until he's blue in the face.

I'd be more excited to see any Edgar/Ricky scenes if they were both at least a decade younger. Especially since they're both daddy af and that doesn't fit who they're acting as.

[quote]Especially since they're both daddy af and that doesn't fit who they're acting as.

You understand they are playing specific real life character right....?

R9, that's so mean!

That dog is adorable. Miss Murphy is not.

Anyone know how many episodes there are and how the story is divided up? Will it follow the story as told in the book book Vulgar Favors closely?

[quote]Anyone know how many episodes there are

This series is 10 episodes.

In terms of your other questions, we haven't seen it yet.

It's supposed to follow the events In the Vulgar Favors book but who knows how closely until we see it. I just hope Darren Criss has a few bare ass shots.

This should be entertaining. Very curious to see if Darren can pull this off. Wonder what this will do for his career.

Here's hoping we get to see Darren and Ricky get naked to distract us from their inability to act.

[quote]I would expect lots of speedos, maybe even hideous thongs, in the beach scenes trying to capture that era. If it's all board shorts, you know the network is wussing out.

There were still released of Criss filming in a speedo.

Did you know DL Icon Matt Bomer is directing one of the episodes?

More from the Criss PR shop: "Sorry Penelope, but Darren Criss is the great revelation of 'ACS: Versace' -- Glamour Spain

Then we have an anonymous ONTD-er on the tryhard aspect: "Darren clearly approached this role like this is his American Psycho moment."

Penelope is a fabulous actress, no doubt she'll shine in this show.

We're pronouncing it "Ver-sase," right?

I want to see dinasours

Always surprised when I see Darren called on this:

I think Bomer directed Episode 8; which probably means there will be lots of blood.

Actually Ryan Murphy said the first 5 episodes are the body ones because those will involve the murders. Bomer's episode will be about what happened before the murders. The story is being told in reverse which I think is cute

Gory* ones

Oh, well, that’s different from the book.

Which I think is cool. Fucking autocorrect.

It will also be the different if the gays aren't treated like alien creatures, like the woman who wrote Vulgar Favors did.

At points, it was like she was Jane Goodall and we were the chimps.

The book was published in 1999, not 2017. Being gay is a ton more normalized now.

What specifically are examples of how she wrote about gay guys? How did she write about Cunanan's prostitution?

But she was a writer for Vanity Fair, wasn't she? I assume she'd met a gay person or two.

I wonder if Cunanan actually fucked guys for money or just fucked with them in weird ways. In the promo it just looks like he's messing with that guys breathing. I understand it's just a snippet, but I bet that won't turn into a sex scene.

I am glad they changed the focus of the Katrina season to Five Days at Memorial.

Another trailer. Criss hasn't shed the community theater line readings, has he.

Both their readings of the lines are kind of similar. All you bitches complaining about Criss can shut the fuck up. I'm really excited about this show.

I'm very excited about this show, but I have to agree with r72, those snippets don't give me tons of confidence in Criss' performance.

It is not hating on Criss, I want him to be great, I want this show to be great.

How about we wait to see an episode or two to judge a performance? These are just little snippets and that promo most likely isn't even in an episode and was just filmed for promo.

Criss is not tragic, and his resemblance to Cunanan will play a lot in his favor regardless of how well he ends up doing.

The show seems to be lavishly shot and I am here for it. That doesn't mean I can't bitch about stuff I find bitchworthy -- ON DL of all places.

It's fine, bitch all you want. I just think he'll actually do a good job! Completely off topic, just cause I think he's hot I hope Darren has at least one sex scene!

R77, nice 180 from "all you bitches shut the fuck up".

Sometimes I randomly like telling people to shut the fuck up. Sue me.

I don't doubt there'll be bare butt shots. Criss didn't drop trou on that thirst-trap instaram for nothing.

I mean, we're talking about Darren "Always look for the camera" Criss here.

Criss looks like Cunanon.

Weird article about the murder.

An actor named Cody Fern is playing David Madsen. He gave an interview saying he's in it though he wont reveal his character and he's the guy asking Cunanan about lying in the trailer.

Why is anyone even pretending that Criss will give an acvomplished performance? It will be merely competent at best and not embarrassing if we’re lucky. But he does have a hot ass so there’s that.

OJ was the least interesting part of the last outing, and that turned out okay.

I'm wondering if Donatella is going to have a bigger role in the story than I think, because otherwise there aren't a lot of women involved. I guess the same is true of OJ, but Marcia Clark's presence was so outsized that you didn't notice.

For some reason the link I posted about that guy playing Madsen isn't working.

So is Criss gay or gay for pay?

You buy, I'm sexual.

Wonder if there'll be a sex scene between Madson and Cunanan in the show. I'm assuming they'll show part of their relationship before they broke up.

Wonder if they are going to show the meth use.

They'll definitely show drug use and him selling drugs.

R82 will Criss recreate that photo?

Sorry no penis on FX

Ricky Martin shows off in a speedo

^ I'm glad the make-up staff will be covering up Ricky's ghastly skin-stains.

Half the budget probably went to covering up all his tattoos.

Also Ricky has a nice bulge. Shame about the tragedy that is his lack of ass. Hope he isn't a bottom.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

When he stands up it looks like he barely has an ass. And there was some video with his side butt and it didn't look very impressive.

Ryan Murphy is so my type.

R99 which type is that?

Rich successful,psychopath?

What next "Gacy"? A remake of "Cruising"?

Murphy has issues.

I feel like this project was just an excuse for Ryan Murphy to watch all of his Darren Criss fantasies play out without getting charged with harassment.

Maybe. I bet Criss has multiple sex scenes and shows his ass at least 2 or 3 times. Bet Murphy got off on it.

R103 Duh. Like AHS, he put a bunch of guys he thinks are hot around him under the guise of working. It's not coincidence that Darren and Ricky are probably gonna be naked or almost naked in it. I think Ricky confirmed a sex scene so Murphy probably got to enjoy that.

I'd like to think that gay filmmakers have too much integrity for that.

Ryan Murphy? Integrity? BAHAHAHAHAHA.

The man is allergic to the words continuity and logic.

I want to see this, will it be about Versace or Cunanan?

It's about both Versace and Cunanan.

The FIRST Assassination of Versace? Was there a second one?

Who wouldn't want to be in the middle of this threesome?

Some press from the first episode screening yesterday

Thought this was interesting

[quote]Don’t expect a simple linear storyline in “Versace’s” nine episodes. “We’re telling the story backwards. The first and second episodes are about the assassination [of Versace] and the manhunt, and then we go back in time. In episode eight you meet Andrew Cunanan as a child. The final episode deals with his eventual demise,” Murphy said.

Are TV shows now copying THIS IS US with the flashback timelines? RAY DONOVAN did the same thing this year.

"This Is Us" did not invent the flashback. Even CW's "Arrow" was doing that form of storytelling before they were.

R111 Putting them side by side just makes it so obvious that Murphy wants to bang them all lol

Apparently in at least the first episode Darren Criss has a brief nude shot according to a dailybeast article from the writer who went to the premiere.

Since r116 did not include a link, here ya go.

Kevin Fallon seems to fall short of giving Criss a full endorsement.

[quote]With just the first hour to judge by, Criss is extremely watchable in a complicated and potentially off-putting role

He described Penelope's performance as perfect by comparison. He did love the pilot though which is nice.

So what are the chances of this being good? Murphy is more involved with this season compared to the first one, and Darren and Ricky aren't particularly good actors.

All the Darren shilling in articles makes me think he was okay at best but they're still shooting for an Emmy so they have to shape public perception beforehand.

It's too early to really know. But it's getting a lot of praise from many people including a couple critic writers. Let's wait and see.

The first episode has been getting early praise at least.

We all know the Murphy production cliche of starting strong but being unable to maintain quality.

R120 I didn't know that.

He didn't write the show at least and he's only directing 2 episodes I think. A guy named Tom Rob Smith wrote the whole season.

I'm curious if the relative quality of the season to the source material. The Run of His Life and Five Days at Memorial, which is being used for the Katrina season, are both quite good. Vulgar Favors is less so, especially because it seemed like Maureen Orth had never met a gay person before.

Why, Darren Criss only posted that thirst-trap picture because he wanted to reclaim his speedo pictures away from the paps. Such an upstanding gentleman....

[quote]We’re shooting a scene on the beach and it’s Miami. It’s fair game, we’re out in the open so there are photos of me in a scene with Max Greenfield and I’m in this red speedo and I look kind of ridiculous. We’re all kind of giggling about this on set, like, ‘Oh my god, this is getting picked up.’ And I kind of wanted to take it back for myself,” Darren said. “At the end of that day, I was completely sunburned and was essentially the same color as the speedo and so I’m looking at myself in the mirror thinking this is too funny. So after those photos went out, I was like, ‘I have a better photo.’ So that was that,” Darren added.

At least one nude scene confirmed. Hopefully he also has at least one "sex" scene.

Yeah we know Criss has a "brief nude" scene in the pilot whatever that means.

I want the camera to make love to Darren's ass goddammit.

Briefly nude would mean a shot of his bare ass. Otherwise he's not really nude, right?

Just saw the "first look" promo for this. I found it ironic that this scene could sum up Darren Criss himself:

Guy : You tell gay people you're gay and straight people you're straight.

Cunanan: I tell people what they need to hear

Am I the only one who doesn't find Darren Criss attractive?

His face is disgusting, he can't act, and he seems like an attention whore.

I've only been attracted to him as 'Blaine' on GLEE. That look and persona really suits him.

He's not classically handsome, but for some reason I find him incredibly sexy.

I think he's hot, even more so in person.

What gay man didn't fall in love with Darren Criss the first time they saw the Teenage Dream performance?

We were forced to be into him dammit.

I am ready for GAY

r112 Assassinated? To paraphrase Chris Rock, that bitch got shot.

r123 in fairness, it is a seedy story in a lot of ways regardless of the orientation of those involved. Meth, BDSM, and prostitution aren't the normal subject for a 1% elitist NYC journalist type. Boozy literary parties and whispered socialite coke habits would be more her speed.

I read the book when it came out, so I could just be forgetting the shades of homophobia, but I could see both angles.

Featurette on the show

This looks really good. Darren Criss looks creepy as fuck and oddly sexy, which is a weird combination.

Criss will be saved by the production values and editing, and most of all by the convenient license to pass off his stage mugging, vacuity and gay affectations as a serial killer's aberrant persona.

The advertising posters are up at Church and Castro stations.

Already proclaimed as Murphy's masterpiece. Murphy compared to Versace and called a "genius".

^ I wonder how much they had to pay for that opinion.

This will probably get crappy ratings The OJ case was huge news this was just a blip.

That's probably why he cast a couple latinos instead of other guys he finds hot, so that population would be more inclined to watch it. Cause it's not like Ricky is a good actor.

The OJ series was generally great. But casting Cuba as OJ was fail.

I agree with you r129. I find him a non-entity of an actor. However, I am excited about this show so maybe he'll pull himself together and do an okay job.

Looks pretty good. Criss is getting amazing reviews already and you all are just some jealous bitches.

Grow up r147.

148, people have said far worse stuff on this site and that's what gets you offended.

R147 Criss' PR people are working hard on those reviews

Gotta get that Emmy

Can Darren Cross not play straight? Why is he always a gay guy?

I mean Andrew Cunanan was gay, that is the character. And given his half-filipino looks this was the obvious match for Darren.

Ryan Murphy is great in a limited series format. He will great with this one as he did with OJ Simpson and Feud. That man is talented with a tendency to spread himself too thin.

My understanding is that Murphy actually had little hands on involvement in the first season of this show.

Ryan Murphy also has this problem where his shows get worse the longer they go on. I'm hoping Versace being moved to 2nd season made it get better.

He didn't write any of the episodes and so far he's only directing the first episode.

I am looking forward to this and think Darren will be great as Cunanan. I am surprised, however, that he seems to be getting a free pass for yet again playing a LGBTQ role. I've seen one post on this thread and one tweet referring to it, but that's it. When Matt Bomer was cast as in a transgender role people freaked out. I don't know if the general public just assumes Criss is actually gay and that's why no one reacts or what?

[quote]Matt Bomer was cast as in a transgender role people freaked out

Because trans people are organized against being represented by "cis people", gay people just lay down and take straight people representing us.

Darren is gay.

People still think his girlfriend of like 7 or 8 years is a beard? That's a long time to cover stuff up.

Ricky Martin "dated" Rebecca de Alba for about that long.

And I doubt most of the general public even knows about the girlfriend. If Versace makes Darren more mainstream, his personal life will be more common knowledge.

The point about Darren taking gay roles is interesting, because even if he is closeted, he has said he is straight. So he is a straight man taking gay role after gay role and there seems to be a blind spot in regards to him doing so.

I mean he is tied to Ryan Murphy. And almost all Murphy's shows have a gay factor to it.

Why do I think Ryan Murphy's obsession for crime and horror is a cry for help. What is that man hiding?

R163 Only delusional fangirls who want to date him actually believe Criss is straight. There is no outrage because everybody knows he's a closet case.

R166 hasn't heard of this thing called opportunism.

As for his delusional fangirls, they've concocted all kinds of pizzagate conspiracies about his alleged bearding, the main villain being - wait for it - Ryan Murphy. Apparently the dears think Fox and Murphy have forced the naive (ha!) and too good for this world (haha!) Mr. Criss into signing some super secret bearding contract. The hilarity that ensues from the thought of Murphy forcing someone into closeting and then casting him in gay role after gay role is endless.

[quote]And given his half-filipino looks this was the obvious match for Darren.

It may come as a surprise but there are other half Filipino actors out there.

I'm a half-Filipino actor/escort/entrepreneur.

I've always gotten a bi, open relationship vibe from Darren and his girlfriend. They do whatever and whoever they want and present the image he wants for the red carpet. So not exactly bearding, but serves the same purpose.

The gay rumors started because of his gay role in Glee, as they always do with actors who break out in a gay role. Like clockwork.

Before that he played a third banana straight love interest in some short lived network show. Nobody and I mean NOBODY thought he was gay, to the extent that anyone outside his friends and the Harry Potter Musical fangirls paid any attention to him at all.

He's the sort of attention whore who'd come out just for the extra publicity, inspiration "awards", and long-winded pseudo-intellectual rambling in hipster think-pieces. But he exceeded all such expectations by pronouncing he "have to come out as straight" to empower the gays. Quote, "I think it's more empowering to everybody, including myself, if I'm articulate about identifying myself as a straight male playing a gay character. Ultimately, that's more powerful for both communities."

Why is this called an "assassination"? Cunanan was a murderer, not an assassin. Assassinations are based either on terrorism, targeting people holding political office (e.g. JFK's assassination), or on a contractual 'for-hire' agreement to murder.

Same with Jack the Ripper, Gacy, etc. They didn't "assassinate" their victims. It was serial murder.

Two ass.

Ah, so it's an intentional pun!

And here I thought it was just one of Murphy's PR tricks: 'assassination' sounds way more edgy and notable than boring old 'murder'.

Ryan Murphy wants all the ass he can get.

if matt bomer or finn wittrock aint in it

will be less xcited to view...

Ricky Martin reaaaaaallly can't act.

Glad Leah Michelle is not in it.

R176 I'm hoping his role is smaller than anticipated because I was not happy when it was revealed Darren's shitty acting is gonna take up a massive chunk of the season.

On the bright side Penelope has had some decent roles before and her accent won't be out of place, and Edgar is a good actor.

Finn Wittrock is in it as Jeff Trail

agreed. darren criss bad pick.

evan peters would have rocked it.

People would have flipped out at Evan Peters lilly white ass playing a half-asian character.

Darren Criss was the obvious choice for this character, I can't even imagine who else they would have picked.

The PR is off the charts.

Edgar Ramirez is the best actor on this series. His makeup alone should win him an emmy.

Criss will be a presenter at the upcoming Golden Globes. HFPA is in the bag, he'll get a GG next year. After all, we have a GG winner Lady Gaga for AHS.

Totally looking forward to this.

I think the whole cast of Versace is presenting together. at the Globes.

R182 If Criss doesn't win an Emmy I wish I could be a fly on one of his walls, because he'd surely be absolutely furious.

During his Glee days, when he talked about a guest star or a person he met, Darren Criss would make sure to mention any big award they had won. It was part of his humblebrag routine, like, I'm not worthy - but I am. So maybe R187 is onto something.

Everyone building up Darren to win awards will definitely backfire if he ends up being nominated and not winning. I've heard good things about Taylor Kitch in Waco, and he'd be in the same category as Criss. Darren may play the aw shucks humble guy a lot, but he's very ambitious. I think he'd throw a fit if he doesn't win, which is silly, because especially for him, getting a nomination for his acting would be a pretty big win itself.

You can't compare Darren Criss to Edgar Ramirez who is by far the most talented member of that cast.

R188 And in his mind he needs an Emmy or at least a nom to finally get other big roles that aren't in a Ryan Murphy show. He bombed on Broadway a couple years ago and the only other big role he's done recently was the villain on CW's Flash/Supergirl crossover.

Darren did have the most magic of any Glee cast member. Lea Michelle had talent but no star quality. Blake Jenner could be a movie star if he developed some more personality and took his acting seriously. Supposedly he had the biggest cock on the show.

I hope this will give Ramirez the attention that has evaded him so far. Very talented actor.

I'd voucher the "naked desperation to impress people" is just Criss being himself. No acting attempts necessary.

When one pre-review called him watchable, I think that's what it had in mind.

So there's an ass shot.

Even though it was obvious it would happen, still nice to have confirmation we will see Darren's ass.

Maybe his ass will win the Emmy since that will probably be the best part of his performance?

Where are people getting these? What do they say about Edgar Ramirez’s performance?

Most of them come from twitter. They are various entertainment reporters and writers that get the episodes early. I've seen many that are mainly giving praise to Darren Criss and Penelope Cruz. Not much on Edgar's performance.

Murphy has the vibe of someone who got away with murder in his youth.

I honestly believe Darren is going to surprise a lot of people by being really great in this. The only thing I wonder is what that will do for his career. Will he get his own tv show. Do movies? Or will he just end up on Murphy's permanent roster like Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters? I think Criss is pretty likeable and if he actually proves he has the goods acting wise, he might do pretty well for himself.

I want to marry Edgar. That is all.

not a fan of Criss, disappointed that role not go to one more talented...

he more suited to the light weight Glee.

I can't stand that queeny head bobbing gay dancing Priss from Glee. He looks miscast and terrible in a preview I saw at the movies.

I can't wait to watch Ricky and Edgar together.

yea edgar is awesome actor

ricky fun too.

would evan peters been better than criss? yea prob. who else could have done the role justice?

ricky promoting his tush.

Poor Ricky, he will not stand for the gays only caring about seeing Criss's butt.

Ricky barely even has an ass and he knows it too.

Darren has really nice legs too.

Ricky's phat ass is the first time i masturbated thinking as a top. So there. Also Darrin is a better actor than Glee allowed. Plus he looks just like the real killer cunt.

I saw Criss in Hedwig and he was spectacular. He really has a star power. Curious what Ricky can do with this role.

Really excited to see Darren Criss portray Andrew, after watching this preview. Based on early screener reviews on Twitter, his performance is the standout.

Cruz absolutely NAILED Donatella in that clip upthread. She and Ramirez (terrific casting) are the only reasons why I would watch this.

Ramirez plays an elf in Bright. The plot of the story is Edgar's character searching for a magic wand. I believe Edgar has been quite successful in his search for wands, both on screen and off.

Is Edgar gay?

There's been speculation but he hasn't come out if that's what you're asking.

[quote]Also Darrin is a better actor than Glee allowed

At best he's among the vast acting masses who are only as good as the material.

It was said before by someone else -playing a serial killer isn't hard. You can be as over the top or vacant - or both - and it will be accepted as "characterization".

There is "speculation" about Criss' sexuality.

Edgar likes men, whether he admits that or not.

I follow Edgar on Instagram. Can never figure him out. Very enigmatic. One thing surprised me - he's big pals with McBongo's wife the Brazilian bombshell.

Technically Edgar is the best actor on the show. Some of those advance viewers say it's much more of a Cunanan show, so come awards time they may relegate Edgar to supporting so that he doesn't spoil Murphy's boy's chances, whatever they may be.

I'm intrigued by the scene with Edgar and Darren. They seem quite close - were there rumors they were ever together intimately? I know Gianni and his partner had an open door bedroom policy. Fingers crossed for a three way. The casting in this show is pretty amazing.

Darren Criss seems close with everybody he meets. He's the type that craves to be liked.

Here he is with his ladyfriend and longtime friends from Starkid, ushering in the new year. Make your own conclusions as to how gay he is.

Anyone who says playing a sociopathic serial killer is easy is deluding themselves. Mads Mikkelson’s genius portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is not as simple vacant stares or over-the-top reactions. Give the role some credit.

R224 I really don't care about his personal life. But for someone who hates him and his acting so much, your previous posting history reads a little obsessive over him. The level of detail is a bit frightening.

R226, next time you wanna skip asking about hookups with Edgar before professing that you don't care about his personal life.

Or skip DL if the recycled gossip from the old Glee threads is too much for your tender soul.

R227 Um...I was asking about a Gianni/Andrew hookup? Reading comprehension much? You know...the point of this thread is about ACS? Not a haven for some disgruntled Glee stan. And these are new facts you're dealing apparently - not from the old Glee threads. They haven't been active in ages. Yikes.

If they portray that Versace and Cunanan hooked up in the show I don't think it would honor Gianni Versaces legacy like the show is trying to do apparently. I'm still skeptical if Darren Criss will have a sex scene. Will they go there to sexualize a killer that much? Lots of people wouldnt like that.

^^ Good point. Even if there was a rumor, it would really disrespect the Versace's official position on whether Gianni knew Andrew at all. Any sex scene would likely be more violent than anything.

R228 / R226 / R223 doth protest a little too much.

Person who is posting random-ass day-old IG posts then trying to pass them off as "old gossip" should direct that comment at herself.

Anyway, here's a new Ricky clip.

R232, the "old gossip" wasn't about a day old IG. That much should be obvious.

[quote]I'm still skeptical if Darren Criss will have a sex scene. Will they go there to sexualize a killer that much? Lots of people wouldnt like that.

Mary! Since when it is "bold" to give killers a sex scene?! You are posting from like 1950s.

Not what I expected but he is not bad.

You've seen the show already? [R235]

Sorry, I was referring to [R232].

Hollywood Reporter review. They make one thing clear

[quote]Multiple episodes include either no Versace or a couple brief flashbacks, but if you're FX you can't push The Assassination of Gianni Versace by boasting that Aussie actor Codie Fern, solidly playing Cunanan victim David Madson, has more dialogue than Ramirez or that M*A*S*H veteran Mike Farrell, as Chicago real estate developer Lee Miglin, is nearly as important as Cruz. The Assassination of Gianni Versace is mostly Andrew Cunanan's story

Overall they are positive, but they make it clear they didn't like it as much as the OJ Simpson season.

And yet, that Ryan Murphy magic is at it again for the 2018 installment of American Crime Story, and this time it’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace. While Edgar Ramirez is great as Versace and Penelope Cruz as Donatella will spur gifs wide across the internet, it’s Darren Criss who will send shivers up and down and back up your spine throughout the entire series. He’s creepy, he’s precise, and he’s absolutely impossible to take your eyes off of. As spree-killer Andrew Cunanan, he is giving a provocative performance that will have people talking and showering him with awards. Go ahead, just carve the Emmy for him now. It’s going to be hard for any other male actor to come close to what Criss is bringing this year.

Oh, and that’s not just because it’s fantastic. It’s also startling because we’ve never seen anything like this from him. What happened to that kid from Glee who sang his heart out on “Teenage Dream”? Criss brought his charm to the Kristen Wiig rom-com Girl Most Likely in 2012 but has never quite achieved the recognition he’s deserved for the acting, singing, and general musical theater skills he’s bringing to the game. All of that changes with The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

It’s unlikely you thought to yourself, “2018 is the year I want to be supremely creeped the eff out by Darren Criss,” but that wish is about to come true for you anyway. His performance in the FX drama will give you a delightful and exciting whiplash in the way it switches from frantic to controlled, emotional to subtle, and straight up scary to intriguing. Criss will be catapulted to a household name, and one that we’re kind of freaked out by, but mostly in a good way, right?

That article sounds like it was written by Darren's PR team r239, it isn't even a review of the show, just sucking his dick.

Why did Murphy cast a no-name actor to play David Madson? Did he spend all his money on Penelope?

Maybe the guy auditioned and did good? Not every part can go to a well known actor.

Only 2 more weeks til we can see for ourselves - I’m betting it will be another Ryan Murphy triumph. Like him or not, his shows have been consistently popular and award winning.

So here's Ricky's butt since we'll be seeing it again more up close and personal in the upcoming weeks.

Thoughts, opinions, concerns?

[quote]he is giving a provocative performance that will have people talking and showering him

Pics please.

‘American Crime Story’ On Gianni Versace’s Death Is Fiction, Family Says

watchin it for finn witrock

hope he has a juicy part

luv him

e ramirez is awfully good also....

criss does nuthin 4 me. NUTHIN

[quote]That article sounds like it was written by Darren's PR team [R239], it isn't even a review of the show, just sucking his dick.

This author sounds and looks like one of his tumblr fangirls.

The dead source?

^^Apologies, wrong thread about crime.

[quote]It will also be the different if the gays aren't treated like alien creatures, like the woman who wrote Vulgar Favors did. At points, it was like she was Jane Goodall and we were the chimps.

I'm making my way through "Vulgar Favors" in anticipation of the show, and you are right. Many times the author makes me cringe the way she talks about gay people and "gay culture". Yikes, I try to remind myself she was writing this in the 90s, but it definitely comes off as homophobic to the modern ear.

More reviews are out. This seems to be a common refrain

[quote]American Crime Story: Versace Review: Season 2 Is OK, But It's No O.J.

Ryan Murphy's curse strikes again

Versace family is so pissed off at this show, though they were pissed off at Maureen's book as well

Versace Family: It's "Sad & Reprehensible" The Assassination of Gianni Versace Uses Maureen Orth's Source Material

Heh, look up one post r255.

I am most excited for Judith Light as Marilyn Miglin.

Edgar Ramirez is so ugly

You crazy r258.

Given the chance you'd sleep with him in a heartbeat.

R259 I was surprised to learn in that movie CARLOS that Edgar Ramirez is circumcised. He's from Venezuela where that is rare. Not that I'm complaining,

This is the same complaint the TVline review said, the relentless focus on Cunanan becomes overkill

[quote]This isn’t a narrative about the mechanics of a trial, or even much about Versace himself, despite “American Crime Story’s” successful pedigree and this season’s subtitle. Rather, it takes the absence of details about Cunanan’s motivations and interprets a character from Orth’s framework. The bulk of interpreting that character falls to writer Tom Rob Smith and actor Darren Criss, with mixed results. It’s hard to fault Criss for what is the most committed and impressive performance of his career, or Smith for assembling the facts about Cunanan into a narrative about the particular anxieties of gay identity in the ’90s. (Criss is practically born for this role: The actor, like Cunanan, is half Filipino.) It’s more that a murderer — particularly a murderer devoid of suspense, because we see him kill his most famous victim in the first scene — is a hard subject to extract eight hours of material from. That a creepy man will continue to be creepy — or that a scary man will continue to be scary — has a chilling effect for an audience investing in story. By the second time that Cunanan kills — which is, chronologically, the fourth time he kills — his presence in the home of Lee Miglin (Mike Farrell) has the heightened-strings suspense of a horror flick, complete with some of that genre’s fear-inducing editing. Criss may be doing the very best job he is capable of, but it’s hard to take the narrative of a budding murderer as anything more than suspense played for shock value when his sudden presence in a doorway, accompanied by sliding chords, has all the nuance of a jump scare.

What overkill? The whole thing revolves around him and what he did. Of course he's in it a ton.

R262, the point is that the show is titled after Versace, not Cunanan, and yet by all accounts Versace is relegated to tertiary presence.

Sometimes titles don't match the shows completely. It happens.

Versace was murdered, not assassinated. Or if you want to redefine words, then doesn’t it follow all of Cunanan’s other victims also assassinated?

I suppose "Assassination" because Murphy likes his social impact statements. In this case, about societal homophobia.

[quote]"We're trying to talk about a crime within a social idea," Murphy told reporters on the Fox lot. "Versace, who was [Andrew Cunanan's] last victim, did not have to die. One of the reasons he was able to make his way across the country and pick off these victims, many of whom were gay, was because of homophobia at the time."

R266 I don’t buy it. He wasn’t the first, nor last serial killer to not be immediately identified as such.

My point being making inaccurate statements draws a cloud of suspicion over facts. And in this case asking for the incident to be viewed as homophobic indifference, when that reference should be reserved for when needed and not watered down by someone advertising his most recent sensationalistic effort.

You seem unfamiliar with the case. That Cunanan was able to run free because he was gay is not Murphy's idea, it has been talked about with the Cunanan manhunt since the 1990s. It is one of the main ideas Maureen put forth in her book on this case.

Familiar enough. Clearly remember the day we heard announcements of Versace’s murder. Besides initial reports the news coverage was extensive (for the time, nightly news and CNN).

Ms. Orth’s book is slanted. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but this took place as Dominick Dunne was the competitive golden ring to capture. His writings of crime were extremely slanted and a bit of a genre unto themselves. Can’t blame him considering his loss of Dominique. Also not saying his work was a bad thing.

There will always be your side, my side, and what actually happened. My point is still to choose carefully what you want to throw out in the forefront when you want to highlight an issue.

Should probably throw in I was in my thirties when this transpired.

BAM, bitch! *This* is how you steal the show at a fucking Versace premiere.

Do [italic]you[/italic] have my blotting paper, kind civilian?

No neck ugly bitch!

Meanwhile, Darren's girlfriend decided to tie some curtains around her waist and call it a day.

Yikes r273!

It is Darren's big night and that is how she shows up looking on his arm? Come the fuck on.

Darren is looking like sex, and she looks like a mess.

R274 is triggered! Clearly fangurls don't get it that if the celeb had any problems with attire of questionable taste, his gf will be told to wear something else pronto. It's time to face the fact that your wet dream likes less than polished companions.

It's more concerning that Penelope Cruz decided to wear a Stella McCarthney abomination. I guess the House of Versace has nixed any clothes lending to the premiere.

.....What the fuck r275? What a bizarre and offbase response to my post.

Pene

R277 you do realize that 'pene' means 'penis' in Spanish?

Bomer is directing one episode.

Eyes - Bomer or Criss?

From reading that I did not get the impression the NYTimes reporter particularly liked or was impressed by Darren Criss.

A quick google showed me other people felt that way, Vulture did a whole piece on it.

Or it's just a clickbait...

If I felt it was clickbait I wouldn't have linked it, I did so because I agreed with the author. NYTimes reporters can be notoriously condescending, and that undercurrent towards Darren was felt written into that profile.

Please, "Darren" provides enough material himself.

"Mr. Criss revealed an anguished expression out of “Guernica." -- It's not like he's not been said to overact before (but who knows, could turn less of an impediment in this role).

"He’s a rare breed: theater geek filtered through California bro" -- It's so right on the money.

“This is the first time I’ve been No. 1 on the call sheet, so you’re kind of the quarterback,” he said. “You set a tone. I take my work very seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously at all.” -- The Darren Criss special, Humblebragging 101.

I'm more impressed that Darren made sure his NYT piece mentioned that he was straight. I've never seen any other actor/celeb mention their heterosexuality more than Criss, except maybe Ricky Martin back in the day...

Yeah it is pretty ridiculous.

I think he feels like he has to because between Glee, Hedwig and now Versace he is so heavily associated with the gay.

Yeah, because he wrote this article... Give him a break.

It's more the writers/editors keep bringing it up exactly because of his roles. They don't even have to ask him, just look up older articles and copy/paste.

Ricky's foot foot fetish is quite fun.

[quote]But there’s something flimsy in the foundation. I’m a fan of Criss, who ranks high in our Sacred Council of Darrens (right behind Aronofsky and the First One From Bewitched). But the structure renders Cunanan a bogeyman, and it’s only later in the season that he gets to shade him with real depth. And the portrait of the Versace family feels respectful to the point of hagiography. Ramírez is trapped in a conventional great-man biopic, while Penélope Cruz as sister Donatella mouths fashion-industry bromides like “For a woman, a dress is a weapon.” I love the show’s willingness to explore everyone orbiting Cunanan’s murder spree, but the central characters feel held at a worshipful remove. Oddly, Versace is best when it leaves Versace behind.

A couple reviewers have said this. That try to be so respectful to Gianna Versace that the render the character boring.

Which was a pointless exercise since the Versacle family denounces it regardless.

Ta da

Do you suppose he has an anus nestled in that glorious crack?

R291 I can't really enjoy that when Murphy only cast him so he could see him in a cocksock and suck his dick. Same reason why he cast Ricky. Ricky was one of the people Edgar called to tell him about getting the part and you know Murphy looked him up to see if he was as sexy in 2016 as he was in 2011/2012 when he got cast for Glee. Ricky got the part and got to have a sex scene so Murphy still thinks he's sexy.

[quote]I can't really enjoy that when Murphy only cast him so he could see him in a cocksock and suck his dick.

Darren Criss was the absurdly obvious choice for this role. He would have been the number one casting choice for anyone.

I see Darren's casting in ACS: VERSACE akin to Madonna's in EVITA. In both cases, the actors very strongly resembled their characters in many ways that it seemed like ideal casting, but in the end neither had the acting/singing chops.

... to do the roles justice (I meant to add).

Wow! Was NOT expecting his ass to be that big. Holy shit. Give me a fork, I'm going in.

Matt Bomer probably would have been in this if he hadn’t been under contract to The Last Tycoon. Instead he got to direct an episode and seemed pretty happy about that.

pene and her fake tits

Pene looking like a pene

[quote]Matt Bomer probably would have been in this if he hadn’t been under contract to The Last Tycoon.

There isn't a major character in the plot he would have been right for regardless.

He probably would've been Versace's lover instead of Ricky so Murphy could have a sex scene with Bomer and Ramirez.

R301 what about that military guy? He was very hot from what I remember.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

I like Criss. His humble affability seems genuine and I think he's underestimated because of this approachability. I can seen him pulling this role off because he'd excel at flipping the switch, quickly going from playful to dangerously vulnerable in moments.

Just came across this new interview with Darren Criss, and of course, midway through I see hd makes sure to mention he is straight r285.

[quote]I think he's underestimated because of this approachability.

Nope.

Is R305 one of Criss' PR people?

"Humble affability" lol, R305 is a hoot.

Ffw to 2:00 on that old Glee video. The cast is asked, Who has the best game? And Miss Lea without missing a beat says, Darren Criss. And explains.

Seriously? No more comments on his ass? Damn, you bitches are slipping. That's one of the best asses I've seen in my life.

Here ya go r310.

So has anyone seen it yet? It's already available On Demand if you have FX+ ADFREE.

R310 has led a sheltered life.

Edgar Ramirez will win Best Supporting actor Emmy and Golden Globe

Eh, the reviews have generally not been that impressed by his Versace r314. Though a lot of that is they think writing keep the character pretty dull.

The Globes gave an award to Lady Gaga. 'Nough said.

Ive read hes good but apparently the show makes Versace look like a saint.

Almost every review I've seen, even critical ones, have praised Darren's performance a lot.

Because they're pleasantly surprised he doesn't burst into song or make "emotive" faces every 10 minutes.

In seriousness, he does better with better quality material (Murphy isn't writing this one). He's also a dead ringer for Cunanan, and plays a dark character. All this works in his favor.

I saw the first episode from FX+, and I actually thought Darren was fantastic. Edgar looked so much like Versace, but didn't have much to do. Penelope also only had a very short amount of screen time, so I can't really judge and while I felt really bad for Ricky Martin's character of Antonio D'Amico, I didn't really think Ricky's performance was very strong. If Darren keeps up this performance for the entire series, I think a lot of people will be impressed.

[R320] What were some things that made Darren's performance so good?

How were his balls?

R318 Oh hey now, so who wasn't off target?

Jesus

So even if I have an FX subscription, I have to pay extra money for access to FX+? That's silly.

Originally there was a scene with his niece Allegra, his niece he doted on became the heir of 50% of the Versace Empire at age 11. However Donatella asked them to take her out because Allegra is so fragile.

That's the problem when families interfere with movies. For example, the SELENA movie had so much potential to become a great biopic, but with the family fully involved, it became a Disney-type movie version of her life. J.Lo gave a great performance (the only time I've been wowed by her) and got a deserved Golden Globe nod, but the movie was meh. I don't know why the F/X people listened to Donatella, since she obviously disapproved of the project.

The Versace family flipped out at the book because it outed Gianni Versace as HIV+ (something they still refuse to admit), anything based on that book was always going to dead to them.

Just had fun going through this old DL thread on Andrew Cunanan

Edgar Ramirez is a DEAD RINGER for Versace, whether he can act or not. I am curious to see Mike Farrell as Lee Miglin - that murder is the one that always intrigued me the most. I was living in Chicago at the time, and I was astonished at how much the cops and the media - TV and newspapers, just SQUASHED this story. Lee Miglin, and of course Marilyn, were big deals in Chicago, but I have never seen anything like the absolute wall that surrounded this story. I am betting that the did not duct tape Mike Farrell's entire body.

Maureen Orth, btw, is Tim Russert's widow.

I'd say Lee Miglin was definitely a closet case who had a relationship to Cunanan, but yes no one wanted to admit that at the time. Tried to pretend it was just a random killing, absurdity.

To me the big mystery is Torsten Reineck, the incredibly shady figure whose houseboat Cunanan started living on and eventually died on. And of course what was his connection to Versace, which is something the police admit was rumored. He just disappeared to Germany and never told anyone anything. And of course there has always been rumors that Versace laundered money for the mafia. Maureen makes sure to detail all these mysteries, but stopped short of trying to make any claims based on them.

But this stuff won't be covered in the show, just a big black box, Reineck was never even cast.

Given how high profile of a case this was, it is shocking how little we actually know about what happened even 20 years later.

I read one review that saw the Miglin episode, can't remember the name, that shares that the show portrays Cunanan and Miglin as having a relationship. It didn't elaborate a ton but from the wording I'm assuming they'll portray it as a sexual one. It says he is deeply closeted and disgusted by his urges, so.......

Yeah the show definitely portrays Lee Miglin as a closet case, Time Magazine actually attacked them for doing so (how toothless do you want the show to be?)

Though Lee Miglin's family still denies that and refuses to believe he had any connection to Cunanan.

That murder was way too calculated and odd for them to not have known eachother.

Of course they deny it but I bet it would have been easy for Miglin to hide it. They had no kids at home and both had very busy careers. Im sure Mrs. Miglin didn't know all that her husband got up to.

[[333]] That's the review I was talking about.

[quote]That murder was way too calculated and odd for them to not have known eachother.

For sure. Nothing about it makes sense as a random killing to the point I struggle to see how anyone could actually believe that.

They also will have to do their take on the mystery of David. Was he there when Andrew killed Jeff? If not what was it like when he found out? How was he living in the apartment for another day or two with Andrew with Jeff's body lying on the floor? I mean people even saw them walking the dog together.

Was he complicit? Was he so terrified he became submissive to whatever Cunanan wanted? So many unknowns.

Alan Sepinwall's review. He hits some of the same notes other reviewers have said. Wonder how much that complaint could have been avoided had they not told the story in reverse.

[quote]Worse, it does the same with Cunanan himself, who remains — despite an excellent, career-redefining performance by Glee alum Criss — a maddening cipher: a sociopath and pathological liar who becomes whatever he thinks the occasion calls for, even in front of people who think they know who he really is. For a long time, it feels as if Murphy, Smith, and company don’t even know who Cunanan was. And though the eighth episode — set in Cunanan’s child and teen years, and featuring Jon Jon Briones (currently starring on Broadway in Miss Saigon) as Cunanan’s profoundly influential father Modesto — finally begins to unravel the mystery man at the center of this all, it feels too little, too late for a show that’s spent so much time in the company of a man who keeps playing one variation of the same note, again and again. But Cunanan’s just not interesting enough to support so much screen time, especially because we don’t really get to understand what makes him tick until the story’s nearly over

[quote]Almost every review I've seen, even critical ones, have praised Darren's performance a lot.

You are correct, like even this reviewer who didn't like the series much (he hated the reverse story telling decision), said this about Darren.

[quote]Cunanan is played by Darren Criss, and if there’s any takeaway from this whole endeavor it’s that Criss is a monumental talent and that will almost certainly win “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie” at the next Emmys ceremony.

It is hard to find a reviewer that seems to like the decision of telling the story backward

[quote] The backtracking narrative structure also finds the episodes frequently going in circles, as characters will describe a situation in detail that then plays out in exactly the same detail an episode later.

I've read some that like it. From all the ones I've seen it's 60/40 that liked it/had problems with it. I personally think itll be interesting to see it this way.

NY Post seemed to appreciate the structure.

The best book about Andrew Cunanan is "Three Month Fever" by the gay writer Gary Indiana.

The reviews for that one were not great, but I am thinking about checking it out r343.

Orth was just the wrong writer for this material. It was like a book on gay culture as written by your spinster aunt. For example, at one point it's clear she thinks top and bottom describe phisical positions.

^^physical

Why does the damn autocorrect on my phone change things that are right and miss obvious fuckups?

For sure r345. It was a well researched book though that really tells you everything there is to know about Cunanan and the case so I give her credit.

But yes, you have to look past her sounding like Barbara Bush when she talks about gay culture.

B score from the AV Club.

Darren really needs to stop taking LGBTQ roles. This part from a daily beast article really makes me roll my eyes at him: "“I tend to step outside my body and look at this all from the back seat. I was like that is a really, really funny joke,” he says. “Because it’s true. I’ve been really lucky to have all the privileges, all the fun things of the gay community without all the responsibilities and burdens that come with it. And I’m so aware of that.”

Sign of the times, successfully weaponizing allyship for one's career.

This was more revealing: "As a straight, cisgender WHITE guy.... " -- Wasn't he PR-ed to death as the perfect fit for being half-Filipino?

Just like how in Versace Cunanan says he tells people what they want to hear, that's what Darren does. He plays both sides of race and sexuality for his own benefit. He really gets away with a lot of shit that other actors would be dragged for.

Both sides of race? What do you mean?

R349 I know right. The thing is Criss really really wants awards and a big show all to himself. He hasn't had shit yet beyond this, Glee, and that broadway show from a couple years ago that bombed. You can tell Ryan Murphy basically made this season so his sugar baby can get his first chance at a big award, and you can tell they are working towards Darren getting male lead awards, and Edgar and Penelope getting supporting cast awards (and I guess Ricky to bring in viewers that aren't gringos?). Those are the only people they're even bothering to push.

If this role doesn't give Darren the emmy or especially the emmy nom, he'll likely come out in 2-3 years and say how hard it is to be gay in Hollywood and how all these gay roles allowed him to be his true self or some shit.

R352 I think he means Darren says white when it is advantageous and says he's flipino when it's advantageous. People were huffing when Darren was cast because Cunanan was Filipino so Darren reminded everybody that he's half Filipino.

Exactly. Now that Cunanan is done, he's started referring to himself as this "straight, cisgender white guy" everywhere. Honestly, this guy is so inauthentic its insane. I remember years ago someone on here compared him to Cunanan, and I get it, he uses charm, half-truths, and different personas to get what he wants. Also, I could seriously do without him and his team hammering home the straight thing in every article/interview. I cannot think of any other actor that this happened with except for maybe Ricky Martin and Wentworth Miller and we all know how that turned out.

[quote]People were huffing when Darren was cast because Cunanan was Filipino so Darren reminded everybody that he's half Filipino.

Cunanan was half-white half-Filipino just like Criss. That's the aspect nobody was huffing about. That said, this isn't first time Criss has referred to himself as "white" in interviews.

[quote] Also, I could seriously do without him and his team hammering home the straight thing in every article/interview. I cannot think of any other actor that this happened with except for maybe Ricky Martin and Wentworth Miller and we all know how that turned out.

When you take gay role after gay role, you're going to be asked about it ad nauseam. Ricky and Went didn't go after gay roles when they were making a name for themselves because they latched onto gay producers as their vehicle, did they.

Weird. I recorded it on the DVR, just went to watch it now and after 3 minutes, it cut out.

Wow, Donatella was a real cunt.

Although "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" did get me to play a bunch of 90s club music on Spotify.

So was this show any good, or not?

I thought it was really good. Great acting and cinematography.

Thanks, R359. I will check it out when I have some free time. I followed the real case when it was happening and remember DL discussions about it.