On the Media What's Wrong with True Crime?
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Oct 8, 2025 John J. Lennon, a contributing editor at Esquire and author serving time at Sing Sing, dives into the dark allure of true crime. He reflects on his own experience appearing in a documentary and critiques the genre's good vs. evil narrative, arguing it fuels societal fears. Lennon discusses how immersive literary approaches differ from sensational TV, even as he shares the transformative narratives of inmates. With a focus on remorse and accountability, he challenges media portrayals and explores the emotional toll of crime on both victims and perpetrators.
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Seeing His Crime Reenacted On TV
- Lennon describes being interviewed for a CNN true-crime show and seeing dramatized reenactments of his crime later on TV.
- He felt the edits juxtaposed his vulnerable interview with sensationalized violence, which was emotionally jarring.
True Crime Shapes Public Judgment
- True crime culture reshapes public understanding of crime and punishment by replaying worst moments for entertainment.
- John J. Lennon argues this framing exploits victims and simplifies perpetrators into fixed identities.
Inside Perspective Alters The Narrative
- Lennon realized true crime 'came looking for' him and that he could offer a different narrative from inside prison.
- He aimed to complicate the genre by telling prisoners' stories beyond the crime itself.
