After a day spent sorting through the facts to write stories for my job as a reporter for The Millerton News, I often enjoy the thrill of dangling between fact and fiction by turning on the latest limited series that are alleged to be “based on a true story.”
As a journalist, I believe it’s my unwavering responsibility to uphold the facts and present the truth at all costs. Maybe that’s why these “true stories” appeal to me.
They lure me in with an interesting story to bait me into clicking “Play” on my laptop; before I know it, I’m on episode three and eagerly researching the full story to compare what’s been reported versus what’s been presented.
Born in 1994, I was far too young to be aware of O.J. Simpson’s murder trial in 1995 or of fashion designer Gianni Versace’s murder in 1997. Under the execution of director Ryan Murphy (known for the anthology series “American Horror Story” as well “Glee” and “Pose”), I watched both cases unfold as presented in Murphy’s anthology series, “American Crime Story.”
Though I’ve since become well-versed in the facts surrounding both cases, I was intrigued nonetheless to watch the actors reenact crucial moments (such as the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase) as well as their interpretation of the roles in which they were cast.
Though I’ll never be certain as to whether the conversations between characters were authentic or added for compelling storytelling, I find myself fascinated by even the most detestable figures; the fact that one of the world’s most beloved fashion designers was gunned down by a man my age is nothing short of chilling.
If I enjoyed “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson” — starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Simpson, Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark and David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian — I devoured “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.” Between Darren Criss’ portrayal of Versace’s murderer, Andrew Cunanan, and the flashbacks comparing Versace’s and Cunanan’s origins, I was hooked from the opening scene.
Having waited patiently for its arrival on Hulu, I look forward to watching the series’ latest installment, “American Crime Story: Impeachment,” which promises to examine the affair that threatened Bill Clinton’s presidency.
All three “American Crime Story” seasons are currently available for viewing on Hulu.
One story that recently inspired me to binge watch (a rarity for me) was “The Dropout,” which began streaming on Hulu in early March. Starring Amanda Seyfried as the titular dropout, this series (based on the podcast of the same name) tells the story of Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford University dropout turned self-made billionaire, who founded the blood-testing startup company Theranos.
Despite the company’s claims that it could quickly diagnose diseases using small amounts of blood, the too-good-to-be-true technology being offered by Theranos was proven to be fraudulent, and Holmes’ carefully constructed coverups of the flawed technology were exposed.
After finishing the series, I can honestly say I’ve never been more enraged by a story or more engrossed by a show. The fact that Holmes was found guilty of four out of 11 charges of fraud earlier this year offers little comfort.
“The Dropout” is available to watch in full on Hulu.
For more shows based on true stories that made the headlines, Hulu is also streaming “The Girl From Plainville” (based on Michelle Carter’s “texting-suicide” case); “Candy” (based on housewife Candy Montgomery’s murder case); and “Pam & Tommy” (based on the story behind the leaked Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape).
I admit I’ve never been one to follow the latest long-running series on television; I’ve yet to finish “Breaking Bad” and “Game of Thrones.”
So being able to watch these stories in the limited series format is a definite plus for me.
I never need to worry about missing a critical plot point or a subtle point of character development because it’s all there, in just eight or 10 episodes. Above all, what intrigues me as a viewer is the nagging sensation that I’ll never know the full story. If these shows have imparted any sort of wisdom on me as a viewer, it’s that the truth is rarely told in a single account.
Meg Sher, executive director of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.L. Tomaino 
