The Menendez family releases statement slamming Monsters, and more news

The Menendez brothers’ extended family has spoken out against Ryan Murphy and Netflix, claiming Monsters spreads “outright falsehoods.” They suggest the show’s “gross” portrayal of Erik and Lyle might reveal more about its creator than the infamous siblings themselves.

In a heartfelt statement penned by Joan Vandermolen, the brothers’ maternal aunt, and shared by Erik’s wife Tammi Menendez, the family expressed feeling “victimized” by the series. The show has faced criticism for its controversial retelling of the shocking 1989 murders of the Menendez parents.

“We are virtually the entire extended family of Erik and Lyle Menendez. We are 24 strong and today we want the world to know we support Erik and Lyle. We individually and collectively pray for their release after being imprisoned for 35 years. We know them, love them, and want them home with us,” the statement began, reflecting the family’s unwavering support.

The family didn’t mince words about Murphy’s creation: Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a phobic, gross, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare that is not only riddled with mistruths and outright falsehoods but ignores the most recent exculpatory revelations. Our family has been victimized by this grotesque shockadrama.”

They even suggested that the series might be more about Murphy himself than the brothers, stating, “Perhaps, after all, Monsters is all about Ryan Murphy.”

QUICKIES

Hoda Kotb, longtime anchor at TODAY, announced on the show that she will be leaving the anchor desk after 26 years at NBC News. “I realized it was time for me to turn the page.” [NBC News]
Our national nightmare is finally over! Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have finally settled their divorce. [TMZ]
Ryan Murphy has cast MAGA actor Matthew Noszka as Kim Kardashian‘s rumored love interest in All Is Fair. [Just Jared]
Marysol Patton has finally married Steve McNamara – for real. [Page Six]
Sean Combs‘s lawyer suggests that he bought baby oil in bulk at Costco because that’s the American way. [Us Weekly]
Costco denies selling baby oil. [TMZ]
Artem Chignivtsev has broken his silence on his domestic violence arrest and divorce from Nikki Garcia. [E! Online]
Kyle Richards reveals that she’s the mystery Real Housewife working with Reese Witherspoon on a project. [Deadline]

TWITTER QUICKIE

The RHONY tag lines have been revealed.

Get an exclusive first look at @BravoTV #RHONY’s new taglines! pic.twitter.com/AEMV5NJQZ3
— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) September 26, 2024

LINK LOVE

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro were the cutest couple at Wimbledon. [Celebitchy]
Rachel Brosnahan bet it all on black in London [Go Fug Yourself]
Suicide Is Painless: A review of Riot Act starring David Mills. [Boy Culture]
Maggie Q is more than a worthy successor to Harry Bosch in Amazon Prime’s Ballard. [Pajiba]
Matteo Berrettini wasted no time taking off his whites. [Kenneth in the 212]