Dueling Docs and TV Tidbits
Ashley looks at which Murdaugh Murder doc is the best, figures out if Australia is real and shares some other TV tidbits
Hey TV Club! Sorry for not sending you TV tidbits last week, but if you listened to the pod then you didn’t miss out (which…you should’ve…we had Katie Lowes AND Guillermo Diaz from Scandal!) Also, if you’ve been following me on my 52 First Dates project, you know I was a bit…distracted.
Not now, though! I am back and ready to discuss so much TV I’ve been watching. And to make it up to you, I’m starting with a FREE Dueling Docs feature. Yes, usually this feature is just for subscribers, but not this week! Enjoy!
Dueling Docs: Multiple Murdaugh Murder Movies
There’s no way you haven’t heard about the Murdaugh family and their mountain of murder, mayhem and scandal. As soon as this story took over the news, people called the many scripted versions that would inevitably pop up (that’ll be on Hulu). Documentary-wise, though, we’ve only just started getting detailed documentaries with firsthand accounts. You don’t need to watch all these documentaries to get the details, but each one does, surprisingly, offer a different perspective.
Discovery+ was first to the races with Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty. If you want the facts and a look at the media response to this case, this is your best bet. This was made before those involved started speaking, but journalists covering the case sit down to talk about it. A few of the lawyers involved also speak on the case. Because of this, it comes off as the most “impartial.” Obviously, Alex Murdaugh is absolutely guilty and no one is trying to make him look great. There’s just an attempt to do the “innocent until proven guilty” thing here and present both sides. Basically, it’s boring, but if you want a brief overview, go with this one!
Netflix and HBO Max take more personal and cathartic approaches. HBO Max’s Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty has Paul Murdaugh’s guy friends at the center. Most notably, Mallory Beach’s boyfriend drives the narrative by recounting his attempts to forgive Paul after his actions kill his girlfriend. HBO Max also spends more time digging into the theories and conspiracies around the Murdaugh family. Everything shared isn’t proven, but this is the most in-depth look at the Murdaugh victims outside of Mallory.
Low Country leaves out a lot of details to prioritize cliffhangers. In that way, it follows a pattern that makes for excitement rather than clear narrative. Mallory’s boyfriend may have things to say, but it’s clear it’s too soon for him to talk clearly about what occurred or how he feels. It’s about the spectacle of his emotion rather than the details of Paul’s character or the Murdaugh family’s power.
Netflix’s Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal focuses on the crimes the Paul and Alex Murdaugh actually faced in court. That means there’s very little talk about the Murdaugh Nanny or Buster’s supposed homosexuality. Paul’s friends address these topics but look at them as mere rumors. A Southern Scandal is able to have a more narrow focus because it has the most firsthand witnesses. It’s interesting, because you can usually tell who signed agreements with which network. Most of Paul’s friends agreed to be in the HBO Max documentary. Mallory’s friends step forward in A Southern Scandal.
You might think you know everything about this story, but A Southern Scandal does manage to share new information. Mallory’s friends detail how physically and emotionally abusive Paul was to his girlfriend. Much has been made of the night all the teens were taken to the hospital, but Netflix is the first platform to feature interviews from the parents and kids involved. We knew Alex and his father tried to bribe the families into silence. We know they tried to get Paul’s friend Connor to say he was driving the boat. Now, we hear directly from them on the events of that night.
These are just additional details to a story that reached its conclusion. Paul can’t be held any more accountable. Alex has now been sentenced. There’s no need to further dig into this story, but we already know a flock of “Part II” documentaries are probably in the works. A scripted series is coming to Hulu. This story will continue to attract people. The best we can hope is that those harmed by the Murdaugh family get the chance to highlight their stories. Mallory and Paul’s deaths have dominated headlines, but Gloria Satterfield, Stephen Smith and the many families who had their money stolen through Alex’s law firm are also examples of the Murdaugh machine.
The Winner:
HBO Max and Netflix come out in a tie! They do complement each other and manage to fill in the blanks in the other doc.
Who’s On The Pod This Week??
This week we had the boys from Aunty Donna join TV I Say! You might remember that I recently dated a flatearther who tried tried to convince me Australia isn’t real. Well, I brought in Australia’s best silly boys to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Also did you know Aunty Donna has an insane knowledge of Glee? Like, they’ve seen all of Glee. It’s wild.
Is Australia real? Find out.
Like TV, I Say? Make sure to rate and review on Apple Podcasts!
TV Tidbits
What are we watching this weekend?
We’ve transition from Love After Lockup to Life After Lockup season and I’m happy with that. I’m sad Brittany and Marcel aren’t on the show anymore. Monique, leave Derek NOW.
I am LOVING the Party Down reunion just like everyone else. It feels like the exact same show.
…That last episode of Poker Face was intense. Probably the hottest cast of any episode also. I was sad to see Mortimer go.
I like Not Dead Yet!!! It’s cute and fun! The dynamic between the roommate and whatsherface is great. I still want Home Economics back. It’s been great with Abbott Elementary though.
Grand Crew is back TONIGHT!
American Auto is killing this second season. PLEASE watch it!
Woody Harrelson was on SNL last weekend. That’s all I have to say about that.
Capt. Lee is back on Below Deck and it’s kind of really sad. I hope this new stew brings some drama because I’m getting tired.
The Traitors reunion was EVERYTHING! Kate is a queen.
I’m enjoying Night Court! It’s a clever lil’ multicam.
That girl on The Last of Us needs to learn how to BE QUIET!
Last Week Tonight is back and John is back to bobbin’ that head of his. I think he was mad about drugs or something last weekend.
Ghosts continues to be an enjoyable fun watch that is making its own lane outside of the source material.
Apple TV has quite the lineup in Shrinking, Hello Tomorrow and Dear Edward. I love this little trio of shows. Do you watch Dear Edward? Are you part of Cry Club? Damn that show is sad. I don’t know where Hello, Tomorrow is going but I like the aesthetic.
Extreme Sisters…our Perth Twins tried to get the same job and nearly collapsed from the confusion. They managed to separately serve water though. They’re growing.
Darcey and Stacey is…struggling this season. Bringing Georgi back? Desperate for drama.
90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way - This season is so good and I have a deep dive for you next week!