As a real-life impeachment process looms, what better time to look forward to a re-examination of one that already happened? We’re still a solid nine months away from the premiere of Impeachment: American Crime Story, assuming that it does premiere as scheduled in late September 2020.
That being said, it’s not too early to get excited about what Ryan Murphy’s anthology show has in store. While there have certainly been plenty of references to this scandal in pop culture through the years, this is the first show to officially tackle the subject head-on. Here are a few things that we’re hoping are brought to the table.
A Unique Take
One of the best things about this anthology series is that it feels wholly different than anything that’s come before it. While Ryan Murphy had already done an anthology series with American Horror Story, we have come to know what to expect from that series as a whole despite each season taking on a different story. There may be new shocks and surprises that come along the way, but not necessarily a game-changer in terms of themes and ideas. While we hope it’s as great as the last two seasons, we’re also hoping that Impeachment also feels completely different from what has come before.
Not Too Soapy
If ever there was a potential show that screamed daytime soap opera, it’s the Clinton-Lewinsky affair. There is built-in drama that there is no getting around, but we’re hoping that the inherent conflicts don’t feel like something that we could be produced by Days of Our Lives. So far, both seasons have had plenty of intense interpersonal conflict without steering too much in this direction. We’re hoping that Impeachment takes the lead from O.J. and Versace and keeps the drama focused.
Make Bill A Supporting Character
This may seem counter-intuitive given that Bill Clinton is indeed the individual being impeached here. However, we’ve already heard a lot from Bill Clinton himself on this process. We don’t need to look far to hear or read his own words on the scandal that arguably destroyed the legacy of his presidency.
This story can’t be told entirely without Bill Clinton, but the legal case has long since been closed, and he doesn’t need to be front and center. One of the most subversive elements of The People Vs. O.J. Simpson was that much more time was given to the lawyers surrounding O.J. than O.J. himself. We’re hoping a similar approach is taken here.
Exploration Of Linda Tripp
Monica Lewinsky became a household name overnight once the impeachment process officially got going, but how many people are aware of Linda Tripp? Not nearly as many. Listeners of Slate’s brilliant Slow Burn podcast, however, will note that Tripp was the biggest figure behind Clinton and Lewinsky in the events leading up to impeachment.
Specifically, the fifth episode of the second season of Slow Burn features a lengthy interview with Tripp detailing her experiences with Lewinsky and why she decided to blow the whistle on Clinton. Casting Sarah Paulson as Tripp was the first step in the right direction. She won an Emmy after all for her portrayal of Marcia Clarke in the eighth episode of The People Vs. O.J. Simpson. Perhaps a Tripp-centric episode is in the cards as well?
Little, If Any, Graphic Sex
Graphic sex and violence are no stranger to television anymore. In some cases, it can serve the purpose of the story well, but, in other cases, it just tends to be included for the sake of making an adult show feel “adult.” Certainly, there could be some graphic sex scenes between Clinton and Lewinsky given the nature of their relationship. We’re hoping that if this does appear in the show that it’s not simply used to titillate, but serve as a means of providing further insight into Lewinsky and Clinton’s relationship.
Don’t Treat Hillary Like A Punchline
As of the writing of this list, the role of Hillary Clinton has not been cast. It is assumed that, like Bill, Hillary will be more of a background character than one that comes to the forefront. This makes sense given that Hillary simply didn’t play a big role in how the scandal played out. That is, of course, not to say that Hillary wasn’t deeply affected by it, but Hillary is a force unto herself that doesn’t need to be inserted just because she’s Hillary. As much as we’ve enjoyed watching Kate McKinnon do her impersonation of Hillary on SNL, we’re hoping that Hillary isn’t treated lightly in this series.
Ryan Murphy Regulars
So far, only a handful of roles have been officially cast for Impeachment and only one of those has previously appeared in any other of Ryan Murphy’s shows. Sarah Paulson is always a welcome addition, and we’re excited to see what she does as Linda Tripp, but there are several other actors we wouldn’t mind popping up, even if they’re just cameos.
Maybe Jessica Lange could be a journalist covering the story? Perhaps Evan Peters could play a normal, adjusted person for once? More announcements are sure to come, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we get to see some familiar faces from other Ryan Murphy shows.
Not Too Political
There’s no getting around the politics of the Clinton impeachment. However, we do not need to turn any part of this into C-SPAN coverage. Even the most die-hard political junkies can only stand so much pomp and circumstance. We’re more interested in what’s taking place before the legislation and votes are brought to the floor. If and when the moments on the floor are used, they should be chosen judiciously. We’re hoping that if these moments are included, we are engaged, not put to sleep.
Not Just Rehashing Facts
What made The People Vs. O.J. Simpson so compelling was that it didn’t just rehash the facts that we already knew; it brought racial and social politics into play, helping us understand that the case was more than just answering the question, “Did O.J. Simpson kill his wife?” The Assassination of Gianni Versace was also not just trying to find out, how Andrew Cunanan managed to evade the police and murder Versace.
Similarly, Impeachment needs to be more than just answering the question, “Should Bill Clinton have been impeached for having an affair?” It needs to ask bigger questions that shed light on society then and now.
Monica Lewinsky’s Story
Above all, this season of American Crime Story needs to put Monica Lewinsky at the forefront. This season was almost completely canned because creator Ryan Murphy wasn’t confident he could tell the story properly, i.e. with the right voice. Murphy told The Hollywood Reporter: “I told [Monica] ‘Nobody should tell your story but you, and it’s kind of gross if they do… If you want to produce it with me, I would love that; but you should be the producer and you should make all the goddamn money.’”
We still don’t know a great deal about where the story is going to take us, but we’re hoping that since Lewinsky did come on to the project as a producer that this is indeed the story that will be told.
