The second episode of American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace has premiered and it looks like creator Ryan Murphy is finally paying homage to the real Versaces, something that was missing in the pilot episode.
The second episode of American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace has premiered and it looks like creator Ryan Murphy is finally paying homage to the real Versaces, something that was missing in the pilot episode.
While the show is getting strong ratings, the second episode, titled ‘Manhunt’ depicts Versace as HIV positive and seeking out treatment for it, even though no one actually says the disease’s name out-loud. He is also said be involved in promiscuous encounters with or without his partner present, a depiction that has not gone down well with the Versace family.
Having released a statement slamming the series when it first made its debut, the Versace family has now released a second statement calling the show “bogus”.
“As we have said, the Versace family has neither authorized nor had any involvement whatsoever in the forthcoming TV series about the death of Mr. Gianni Versace, which should only be considered as a work of fiction,” said the fashion house. “The company producing the series claims it is relying on a book by Maureen Orth, but the Orth book itself is full of gossip and speculation. Orth never received any information from the Versace family and she has no basis to make claims about the intimate personal life of Gianni Versace or other family members. Instead, in her effort to create a sensational story, she presents second-hand hearsay that is full of contradictions.”
In response, Random House has also released a statement, vehemently supporting Maureen Orth’s book, Vulgar Favors.
“First published almost 19 years ago, Vulgar Favors is a carefully reported and extensively-sourced work of investigative journalism by an award-winning journalist with impeccable credentials. The book has stood the test of time and is widely regarded as the definitive account of Andrew Cunanan’s chilling crime spree. Random House stands by the book and its author, Maureen Orth.”
