We forget that the world was a different place in the ‘90s.  Back in 1996, the idea of men being sexually assaulted or raped was impossible for most people to imagine.  More than one pundit claimed that if Erik and Lyle Menendez had been the Menendez Sisters, they’d be free today (the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard springs to mind).  After watching the Netflix and ABC News documentaries, it became clear the issue wasn’t about sexual abuse.  After all, the boys were both over 18 and could have moved away from home at any time.  They had to convince the jury that they felt they would be pursued and killed if they even tried to leave.  In fact, Erik claims that when he was 12, he tried to run away.  His father said, “If you ever run away…I will find you and I will kill you.”  It didn’t help that the judge didn’t allow any of the sexual abuse charges or the family testimony to be admitted in the second trial.  Also, the second trial only allowed the jurors to rule on the charge of first-degree murder (the first trial also had second-degree murder and manslaughter as options).  DA Gil Garcetti needed a win, and fewer options meant more chance of a conviction.  Now that the suppressed evidence has been reviewed – along with newly discovered corroborating documents – the Los Angeles District Attorney is reviewing the case by today’s standards.  Numerous reports seem to indicate that the boys could get a new trial – or perhaps simply be freed.

We’ve extensively reviewed Ryan Murphy’s colorful “adaptation” of the Menendez story.  My “admiration” for Cooper Koch as Erik has been duly noted.  But it’s interesting – the more I see him interviewed, the less taken I am.  Nothing against him, but he’s no Erik – I like my men with a body count!  But there’s one story he wants swallowed (which is the name of one of his previous flicks).  You’ll recall the shower scene in the docudrama between Erik and a fellow inmate.  In previous reports, it was stated that Cooper was sporting a “prosthetic penis”.  However, during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live last week, Koch made a startling revelation.  “Also just to say, mine was not a prosthetic,” said Cooper.  “That was going to be my next question!  Congratulations to you, Cooper.  You’re very blessed, aren’t you?” said Andy Cohen, who happily gobbled it up.  While I’m inclined to believe Koch, my follow-up question would have been, “And did you fluff yourself or did someone give you a hand?”  Because the penis in question was most certainly at half mast – as you’ll see on our website.