The nine-episode drama, based on the compelling court case, was created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan who were behind the first Monsters series about US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.
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This latest show has claimed the number one spot in the streaming services dramas since it’s release on 19 September.
But it has also courted controversy with many criticising its portrayal of the brothers.
Brothers and double murder defendants Erik (r) and Lyle Menendez (l) during a court appearance in Los Angeles (Photo: Mike Nelson/AFP/Getty)
Why is there controversy around Netflix’s Monsters?
Some viewers have expressed concerns about the treatment of the two brothers, who have consistently claimed they were the victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents.
The Netflix drama has chronicled the story from both Lyle and Erik’s perspectives but also that of their deceased parents Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Taking to social media, some viewers said they felt the brothers had become victims once again as a result of their depiction in the show.
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One wrote: “Sensitive about the Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix because the Menendez brother’s story is one of deep trauma and injustice.
“I don’t feel anyone should be telling their stories unless they’re factual and portraying them as the victims they really are.”
Sensitive about the #MonstersTheLyleAndErikMenendezStory on Netflix because the Menendez brother’s story is one of deep trauma and injustice. I don’t feel anyone should be telling their stories unless they’re factual and portraying them as the victims they really are.
There is also a suggestion made within the drama that the brothers were in an incestuous relationship, which Lyle had denied during the trial.
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A viewer criticised this online writing: “Confused why Netflix made the decision to further victimise Erik and Lyle Menendez by inventing facts
“Was hoping this was an opportunity for truth that could help not salacious fiction.”
The incest line was also debunked by Robert Rand, who wrote The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: “I don’t believe that Erik and Lyle Menendez were ever lovers.
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“I think that’s a fantasy that was in the mind of Dominick Dunne [the reporter portrayed in the series by Nathan Lane].”
Viewers have been critical of the suggestion of incest in ‘Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story’ (Photo: Miles Crist/Netflix )
Aside from viewers comments, the critics have also expressed their displeasure with the series in their reviews.
Jesse Hassenger, writing for The Guardian, said: “This is probably supposed to come across as multifaceted.
“Instead, it’s an exhausting, repetitive alternation between two overplayed notes: the brothers as victims twisted and broken by years of abuse, and the brothers as delusional, sloppy, possibly sociopathic connivers.”
Katie Rosseinsky reviewing the series for The Independent wrote: “Moments of high drama sometimes come across as inadvertently camp: one scene in the first episode, in which Sevigny brutally whips a toupee from her son’s head, leaving him bald and morose, feels destined to become a meme.
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“Sequences like this, interspersed with exposition-laden dialogue about the police investigation, mean the tone oscillates from silly to serious. “
While Varietydescribed it as a “repetitive slog” after the fifth episode.
“The show falls into the deep end.”, wrote Aramide Tinubu. “The unwieldy tone, which teeters between ominous and light camp (there’s a shocking toupee and overdone homoeroticism), implodes on itself, and the rest of the episodes are a repetitive slog.”
She concluded: “Despite the gripping subject matter and the outstanding performances, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has no idea what it wants to be.
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“Therefore, it just dissolves into a retelling of unspeakable abuses and gruesome crimes.”
What have the Menendez brothers said about Monsters?
Erik Menendez, who is currently serving a life sentence with his brother Lyle at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California, issued a statement on X via his wife Tammi Menendez the day after the Netflix series launched on Thursday 19 September.
In it he said: “I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show.
“I can only believe they were done so on purpose.
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“It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”
Erik (pictured above) and his older brother Lyle (given name Joseph) are serving life sentences without parole (Photo: Bureau of Prisons/Getty)
Making reference to the sexual abuse he and his brother said they endured during their upbringing, he added: “It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward – back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women.”
He added: “Those awful lies have been disrupted and exposed by countless brave victims over the last two decades who have broken through their personal shame and bravely spoken out.
“So now Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander.”
And he asked: “Is the truth not enough? Let the truth stand as the truth.
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“How demoralizing to know that one man with power can undermine decades of progress in shedding light on childhood trauma.”
How has Ryan Murphy responded to the criticism?
In an interview with US show Entertainment Tonight, Ryan Murphy, who created the show with Ian Brennan, responded to Erik Menendez’s comments saying he had much to say on the topic.
“I think it’s interesting that he’s issued a statement without having seen the show”, he said, “It’s really, really hard — if it’s your life — to see your life up on screen.”
He added that he felt he and the show’s creators had given the brothers a fair hearing in the drama.
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“The thing that I find interesting that he doesn’t mention in his quote, is if you watch the show, I would say 60 to 65 per cent of our show in the scripts and in the film form centre around the abuse and what they claim happened to them”, he said, “And we do it very carefully and we give them their day in court and they talk openly about it.”
He said they had spent three years researching for the show and that there were four people’s perspectives to be included in the piece.
Javier Bardem, Cooper Koch, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Chloe Sevigny (l-r) star in the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. (Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty/Netflix)
“What about the parents?”, he continued. “We had an obligation as storytellers to also try and put in their perspective based on our research, which we did.”
Murphy said he was “very proud” of the work and of the acting in it.
A SIMPLE error on your 20p coin could mean it’s worth 300 times its usual value.
A batch of 20p coins from 2008 were mistakenly minted with no dates – and two have just sold on eBay for a whopping £107.
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Two of the rare 20ps were recently sold on eBay
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They were minted by The Royal Mint in 2008
These undated coins, known as Undated Mules, were produced in November 2008 due to a change in The Royal Mint’s manufacturing process.
Whereas coins were previously dated on the “tails” side, that year the coin-maker decided to move dates to the “heads” side.
This resulted in a mix-up where no date at all was stamped onto 20p coins that month.
The Mules were the first undated coins to be put into circulation in more than 300 years.
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Only 250,000 exist, out of 136 million 20p coins produced that month.
The eBay listing attracted five bids, before the final sale was completed on September 22.
Last month, a single one of these coins sold for more than £60 at auction, after attracting 14 bids.
The Britannia Coin Company website describes them as the “holy grail of change collecting”.
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However, it is not the only 20p that could land its lucky owner a huge profit.
Last year, a 23-year-old discovered an error coin from 1982, likely worth hundreds.
And other loose change can see coin collectors get lucky too.
If your 50p has a sports-themed etching, it might be one of the ones designed for the 2012 London Olympics.
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These vary in value from a handy few quid to thousands of pounds, with one error coin, featuring horizontal lines, selling for £1500 at auction this year.
Community Health Promoters receive commodities from Magacha Community Health Officer David Odhiambo, Suna West,
Migori County, Kenya. Photo credit Joseph Ngaruiya
Supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link. This holds particularly true for health supply chains, where any break or delay can be deadly — life is at risk when communities don’t receive medical supplies on time. At the heart of community health, Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving health outcomes—but only when they have the necessary tools, including access to medicines and supplies.
Around the world, however, CHWs often face stockouts of essential medicines and supplies, a challenge that weakens the entire health system. Recognizing this, Lwala Community Alliance and VillageReach partner with the Kenya Ministry of Health to build a resilient supply chain system that empowers CHWs (Community Health Promoters in Kenya) and ensures uninterrupted access to essential health services. Our current efforts are focused on Migori County, Kenya, and extend to the national level through collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
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Tackling Supply Chain Challenges in Migori County Our journey began with a baseline assessment of Migori County’s health supply chain in March 2023. The findings indicated a 45% stockout rate for essential medicines, including many commodities required for community health services. Such stockouts not only diminish the quality of care CHWs can provide but can also reduce morale. Additionally, the assessment found gaps in stock management, revealing the need for training and mentorship for CHWs and facility-based providers.
Lacking essential supplies makes us feel helpless. When we can’t identify health issues early, it leads to poorer health outcomes in the community. At times, we are forced to refer residents to distant health facilities for services that could have been provided locally,” says Millicent Miruka, a Lwala-supported CHW. “Since we received the CHW kits from the national government last year, we’ve addressed these challenges more effectively and enhanced the care we provide to our community.”
Building CHW Skills for Better Commodity Management Our strategy emphasizes equipping CHWs with the skills they need for effective commodity management. VillageReach and Lwala partnered to develop a training curriculum for CHWs on the supply chain. “The training comprehensively covers all aspects of commodity management from ordering and reporting to proper storage and handling,”. says Hellen Okello, Lwala’s Supply Chain Coordinator. “In addition, we are conducting training sessions within health facilities to enhance the competency of health care workers in commodity management and reporting”.
Zipporah Owino, the Nurse in charge at Magacha Health Dispensary collects medical supplies from the pharmacy. Photo credit: Joseph Ngaruiya
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With 80% of CHWs in Migori County now equipped with essential supplies and resources to provide basic health services to their communities, this training helps them manage their supply of medicines, keep accurate records, and make informed decisions on restocking. Following a successful pilot in Migori County, this training was officially integrated as a module in the recently revised National CHW Curriculum. This achievement is evidence of how a local initiative can have a positive, sustainable impact at the national level.
“From the start, it was clear that addressing these challenges required a comprehensive and an integrated strategy that encompassed workforce development, strengthening of supply chain governance structures and continuous improvement through supply chain audits” noted George Nzioka, Senior Supply Chain Manager at VillageReach.
Using Data to Improve Supply Chain Decisions At the heart of our approach is an electronic inventory management tool that simplifies inventory control and data collection. We have integrated a commodity management module into the electronic community health information system (eCHIS)—a new digital platform for CHWs developed by government and community health partners in Kenya.
This integration empowers CHWs to make informed decisions for optimizing stock. We are currently in the advanced stages of piloting this module in Migori County, paving the way for its broader implementation. We have also collaborated with other community health and technology partners in Kenya to document best practices for digital CHW stock management in this technical brief.
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Hellen Okello, Supply Chain Coordinator at Lwala Community Alliance, trains CHWs alongside George Nzioka, Senior Manager of Supply Chain at VillageReach, at the Magacha Dispensary in Suna West, Migori County, Kenya. Photo credit: Joseph Ngaruiya
Driving Lasting Change in Supply Chains Our advocacy efforts are focused on integrating CHWs into the county and national supply chain tools, processes, policies and strategies. In Migori, we worked with the county government to develop the Migori County Supply Chain Strategy–the first in Migori, and the second in Kenya–which includes commodities used by CHWs. This collaborative effort seeks to transform the planning and budgeting of essential commodities, aiming to reduce stockouts and improve access to life-saving medicines.
By prioritizing the integration of community health commodities into our forecasting and planning strategies, we are ensuring Migori County can effectively meet its stock needs and enhance the delivery of critical health services.
To further strengthen supply chain operations, we provide technical support to health products and technologies units (HPTUs) at both county and sub-county levels. HPTUs were formed to ensure access to health products and technologies of assured quality, safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. We are also conducting thorough audits of supply chains to identify areas for improvement, working closely with the government to refine standard operating procedures for supply chain management at the community level in Migori County and the national level.
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A CHW checks the blood pressure of a Magacha community member. Photo credit: Joseph Ngaruiya
Stories of Success Our efforts are beginning to bear fruit. We are seeing improved access to essential medicines due to enhanced commodity management training. Introducing a mentorship framework for CHWs has improved service delivery and made health interventions more effective “In my community, I serve 80 households, visiting at least seven each day. Before heading out, I ensure I have my health education tools, equipment and supplies in my bag,” shares Millicent Miruka, a CHW supported by Lwala in Migori County. “Having these tools gives me the confidence to serve my community and deliver high-quality health care services.”
Looking Ahead We are in the early stages of implementing the Supply Chain for Primary Health Care (SC4PHC) solution in Kenya, focusing on building robust supply chain systems at both the national and county levels. Our goal is to scale up these initiatives and ensure that every community has access to essential health services.
“This effort is about more than just strengthening supply chains; it’s about building a healthier future for all Kenyans,” says Julius Mbeya, Lwala Co-CEO. “By empowering CHWs and equipping them with the resources and support they need, we can create a world where every community has access to the health services needed to thrive.”
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CHWs with commodities at Magacha Dispensary in Suna West, Migori County. Photo credit: Joseph Ngaruiya
Last December, a social media ad featured a pair of trainers against a plain white background and the caption “Now just £26 at Nike!”
But when shoppers clicked through to find the shoes, they were only available in older children’s sizes.
On Tuesday, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned the Nike advert and another from Sky which the regulator said was similar.
The ASA is cracking down on online ads like these, saying their structure misleads customers. Both companies defend the adverts.
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Nike’s ad featured an exploding head emoji and a black heart emoji, to emphasise what a great deal was on offer.
The ASA said this would lead browsers to expect a significant discount and assume the shoes must be available in a range of sizes.
In fact, the trainers were only available in sizes UK3 to UK6. And, because children’s shoes attract no VAT, the discounted price is less of a bargain.
The ASA said it was investigating the way firms used this kind of “online choice architecture” after receiving complaints.
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Brands often use strategies that prompt people to click on an ad, but hide or delay key information until later in the process, a set of tools dubbed “dark pattern” tactics.
These can include the charging of small fees added along the purchasing process known as “drip pricing” and other ways that reduce price transparency for customers.
Sometimes ads refer to limited supply or limited time on a deal, to increase the pressure to buy.
Consumer group Which? said last year that “dark patterns can leave consumers feeling manipulated or annoyed and in some cases may cause financial harm”.
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In the case of Sky, the ASA criticised the way subscription options were presented to customers signing up for streaming service Now TV, which belongs to Sky.
Customers who signed up found that free trials for its Cinema and Boost services were automatically added to their basket and would auto-renew for a fee unless cancelled at the end of the seven-day free trial period.
Although the conditions of the free trial were stated, the ASA said the information was in a smaller font and a less prominent colour.
The text was also underneath the button to proceed, making it likely that people would miss it, the ASA said.
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Sky said it believed the presentation of the ad was clear, legible and immediately visible.
It added that the concept of a seven-day free trail was so widely understood that it was not misleading.
Nike said the ad for its shoes had been created and published by The Sole Supplier, an online footwear marketplace, without any input or oversight from the sportswear giant itself.
However, Nike argued a reasonable consumer would assume there would be a limit on availability in some way.
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The ASA also banned an ad from the food replacement firm Huel, the third of their ads to be banned in the last two months.
The ASA said the health benefit and cost savings claims made in the ad could not be substantiated.
The mega deal starts online and in stores tomorrow, Wednesday September 25.
Customers will need a Clubcard to bag the discount – which will see Cadbury Heroes, Celebrations, Cadbury Roses and Quality Street reduced from £6.00 to £3.95.
This means shoppers will be pocketing a 34 per cent discount on the sweet treats and saving £2.05.
She said: “Asda often has an alcohol offer on: buy six bottles and save 25%.
“The offer includes selected bottles with red, white and rose options, as well as prosecco. There are usually lots of popular bottles included, for example, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot, Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay Merlot and Freixenet Prosecco D.O.C.
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“Obviously, the more expensive the bottles you choose, the more you save.”
Join Facebook groups
The savvy saver also recommends that fans of Asda join Facebook groups to keep in the know about the latest bargains in-store.
Eilish said: “I recommend joining the Latest Deals Facebook Group to find out about the latest deals and new launches in store.
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“Every day, more than 250,000 deal hunters share their latest bargain finds and new releases.
“For example, recently a member shared a picture of Asda’s new Barbie range spotted in store.
“Another member shared the bargain outdoor plants she picked up, including roses for 47p, blackcurrant bushes for 14p and topiary trees for 14p.”
A SMALL family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh with nine types of mashed potato on its menu has just been announced as the winner of best restaurant in the UK for casual dining.
Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, located a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Old Town, specialises in traditional Scottish comfort food, dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties and chicken in whisky sauce.
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Makers Gourmet Mash Bar in Edinburgh has been named the number one spot for casual dining in the UKCredit: Instagram/makarsmashbar
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The restaurant, located near Edinburgh Old Town, has proven very popular since its openingCredit: Alamy
But what makes this eatery unique, is everything comes with your own choice of mashed potato.
There are nine flavours to choose from:
Classic Scottish dairy butter
Mature Scottish cheddar cheese
Mild smoked applewood cheese
Wholegrain mustard
Smoked bacon and spring onion
Scottish black pudding
Chilli smoked bean medley
Creamed horseradish
Olive oil mash
Of course, if you’re not a fan of the smooth and silky side, you can opt out of having it – purple-sprouting broccoli is served up instead.
Makars was given the accolade in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants 2024.
Tripadvisor chose its winners by looking at the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for restaurants from travellers over a 12-month period.
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Makars was described by reviewers as an “Edinburgh legend” and “local gem”.
As well as serving up delicious food in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant focuses on using local ingredients and is moving towards plant based cooking.
Alongside slow cooked lamb shank, slow cooked beef shoulder, and wild board sausage, it offers vegetarian haggis and vegetarian sausage made from skirlie (a traditional Scottish dish made from oatmeal and onion).
Makers also has dishes with lions mane mushroom on offer for its vegan and vegetarian customers, an ingredient known for being packed with potent antioxidants to fight disease, with claims it can boost brain cell production.
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You’ve been making mashed potato all wrong – stop boiling them in water if you want it extra creamy
The mushroom is described as having the taste of lobster and crab, with the look of a lion’s mane.
Typically, they’re quite expensive, but Makers has developed an advanced lions mane grow facility in Edinburgh, allowing them to offer them at a cost they think is fair – that’s dedication.
Prices at Makers range from £18 to £23, not including sides or dessert.
One customer who visited the restaurant this month described their meal as a “feast to remember”.
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They wrote in their review on Tripadvisor: “Quite simply – the best dining experience I’ve had in months! The place is buzzing, but not crowded.
“The staff were superlative, offering friendly assistance throughout the meal, without being obtrusive.
“The food was first class. Loved the black pudding mash. A feast to remember.”
Another penned: “Friendly and relaxed atmosphere for a truly gourmet experience.”
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Makers also came in the top 10 restaurants for casual dining worldwide.
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants 2024 (UK)
During my 22 years owning and running a large TV and film production company, conducting interviews for specific jobs never worked for me (“Has finding a job become harder than ever?”, Opinion, Work & Careers, September 23). Instead, I ran a pre-work “clinic”. If people interested in joining us could make it to my Chelsea office by 7.58am I would give them 45 minutes of my time, face to face, so I could learn about them and note their aspirations.
These notes I would bank along with their CVs — invaluable in building future teams to make our products.
I must have met thousands of candidates, some talented, others not so talented. But all, once trained, could become talented, so much so, that other companies would call me for recommendations.
My key question when meeting aspirants: “What do you do when you’ve nothing else to do?”
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