With the death of Ryan Jenkins — accused of murdering his ex-wife and found over the weekend an apparent suicide — a question arises.
Should his new, as-yet-unaired TV project be shown? Jenkins, who appeared on VH1’s Megan Wants A Millionaire, was also a participant in the upcoming VH1 reality show I Love Money 3.
An Associated Press report says that VH1 has of now “made no decision” whether it will air Money 3 in the wake of the murder of Jasmine Fiore and Jenkins’ alleged suicide.
As I wrote on the Watching TV blog over the weekend, reality shows cast volatile personalities all the time; it’s one way to stoke drama on these kinds of shows.
But do you think VH1 should air I Love Money 3? Will this just serve to make an accused murderer more famous? Or do you think, as the saying goes, the show must go on?
UPDATE: In a shocking display of decency, VH1 has caved.
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Neither should air. They were sick to begin with, but to air them now would be disgusting. Hopefully, this event will help VH-1 re-examine the programming they’re putting on the air. But I doubt that. Too much money to be made pandering to base human reactions to trash.
I completely agree. The only way to get rid of this trash is to stop reporting on it. Let it go so we can forget about them sooner rather than later.
I think your going a little too dramatic, buddy. He didn’t kill her on the tv show. You don’t know how someone is until they decide to show themselves. The shows is solely for entertainment purposes if your getting that offended I suggest you don’t want watch the news they show true life events. Its life I want to see what happens in I love money 3 and megan. He wasn’t the lead factor in either show. The show must go on. P.s. We all hide something from the outside world. Its not like when he auditioned he said I beat and murder women I’m a perfect pick for megan.
“Show must go on?” “Entertainment only?”
I can only guess what the rest of your own life is like, but trust me, most of us don’t live this way. There is no way those shows should be shown, it’s demeaning at the least to the family of the slain victim.
Try to pull yourself up the evolutionary ladder a bit, ok?
I like what you said i agree
I agree with Kurt and I hope this is the end of programs of this nature.
What he did has nothing to do with the programs. This comment is not related to whether or not VH1 should air them. BTW, they still show OJ movies.
You do realize that if VH1 listens to you then they might have to actually play music or something on that channel instead of trashy reality shows.
Air them both. PLEASE
I don’t care about the love 3 show but I DID want to know who Megan got?!
Ugh – no brainer here – of course -DO NOT AIR the show – but Kurt is totally right – VH1 will find some sick slant to put both shows on the air – and it will happen as soon as next month – mark these words – VH1 and all networks that love these so called “reality based shows” are whoring for money…
Clearly the people saying don’t air the shows never watched them in the first place. Fans of vh1 are going to want to see these shows air and vh1 knows it. Everyone will want to see this guy wether they admit it or not. I hope they do show both of the shows.
Taylor, clearly you are wrong. I have watched most of these VH1 “reality love” shows since their inception. Sure, they are usually dumb and silly, but they can fun and entertaining as well. However, as far as a dead murder suspect being a “current” lead contender – I think that enough is enough. I am glad VH1 knew when the scandal had gone too far.
You have to think they have spent a lot money on these shows. Its not about making money, its about losing money.
Carole,
What are you 5 years old?? There is no need to call people names! You are truly closed minded. Remember that with a closed mind – nothing gets in nor out! To each their own
It’s hard for me to say. I would feel better if the show were able to go on – so to say – if I felt confident that VH1 could do it classfully and tastefully, without somehow glorifying the man – which I do not. I would say cancel it completely because so many of those shows are so trashy anyway… but because I realize that so many other people’s livelihoods and paychecks come from working on this show (my friend-an editor), I have a hard time punishing them because of this man’s unfortunate and selfish behavior. So all that to say, I just don’t know.
How about get his money to pay for the show since he was rich ? right they are going to show it for ratings they just want everyone to wait … to get high rating think about it
Why Kelly – were you on them and need the royalty money to live on… SICKO
I agree, show both shows. Even though everyone already knows sex toy Dave won Megan’s show thanks to FB. Hey Kurt, if you think these shows are so terrible what are you doing commenting on here anyway. Go read about North Korea or something.
sounds like your the one that knows so much more about the show than others… maybe you should take your own advice!
Tim isn’t afraid to admit the watching the show. He’s not sitting there hunched in his bedroom, deleting all remnants of it off of his DVR. Samantha, don’t forget to delete Real Chance while you’re at it. LMFAO
I think they should be aired. its not fair for the people who put there hard work into creating the show and the other people in the show. My question is, is how much longer is he in the show before he gets the boot??
He made the final 2- so a while.
To Carole and Kurt – should we cancel the news because they feature real people who have committed various crimes? What about shows like Nancy Grace who make a premium off that type of behavior? Sure, crucify VH1 for providing mindless entertainment because some sociopath kills his ex-wife AFTER the show has already wrapped. Tim makes a good point. What are you people even on this forum for?
Kara: But this is not the news. I’m not a Nancy Grace fan, so I won’t address that. You may equate Meghan finding a sugar daddy or people trying to stretch their pseudo-fame for 15 minutes as being as important as current events… Well, I don’t see it. As to being on this forum, I just answered the question.
to Kurt. really, I don’t see your answer to the question.
Hello Kara – you didn’t answer the question that started this story – it’s not about what happened after – it’s about the show – VH1 I’m sure has other shows to put in its place -
P.S – the news also does not go on and on for weeks – the news is done and over with in about 29 minutes – and it’s local – this will get nationwide exposure – have you no respect for the murdered woman’s family and friend – In regards to Nancy Grace – she needs to SHUT UP
It is silly for you to assume I have no respect for the victim’s family. My family experienced a tragedy somewhat similar (albeit, teeth and fingers were not removed). There are people on shows all the time who have engaged in criminal activity or will do it in the future. Reality television or regular television. We never cancel those shows. The Crow wasn’t yanked when Brandon Lee was shot on the set, mind you. And someone else mentioned the release of Batman post-death of Heath. Saying that people are sick because they want the show to go on, or arguing that current events are more important make for poor arguments. People have the right to watch what they want to watch. Last I checked, we live in America. This isn’t China with it’s one-child policy and censored media….I won’t argue and deny that more important things are going on in the world. Maybe some of us want to watch Megan Wants a Millionaire to escape from the crap we are forced to read about and see in the media every single day – the true stuff…the stuff that really is “reality”. Let’s get some perspective people.
Actually, if you watch Nancy Grace or any kind of crime related news castings, they air it for months on end.
Take Nancy Grace for instance, she reported on the Casey Anthony Case for like 6-7 months. She just recently started taking on other cases. So really, it is true, and I do agree with the comparison of this show to that of a Crime NEws kind of show.
VH1 can try to edit it, so that they don’t show him in a lot of situations, ie. love interests, drama, etc. Just keep it to the actual game, if we are talking about I Love Money.
Also, to bolster Kara’s argument- they still show movies that OJ Simpson is in. They still showed the Sopranos after that actor killed a cop in NYC. They should air these shows.
Kara – sorry for your family tragedy – you really have issues and need to get counseling – those others are movie stars who engaged in dangerous behavior – so what did the poor woman engage in – being married to the guy – albiet for a short time – did she hang a sign on her that said – please off me and dismember me – you are getting celebrities and reality contentants confused.
Carole you are an idiot. MJ stories are still going on. The news is never over.
why should everything have to stop cause of his crazy ass. We shouldnt let him ruin it 4 everyone i love those shows. THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Yes! Thank you!
I totally agree.
I know Megan is pissed.. hahaha… she loves herself so much, and now they won’t air her show.. hahaha
As for your earlier comments, how are people going to find escapism from real life crap on that show when one of the participants is in the “true stuff” media right now for commiting a real crime? I do believe VH1 has the right to air the show but whether they should is debatable. And you can’t compare The Crow or The Dark Knight. Both were completely fictional movies where the actors were playing characters different from themselves; they weren’t wanted alleged murderers portraying themselves on reality tv.
I came across this site, wow you women really love your trash TV? It doesn’t bother you that the guy killed his wife and then himself? You still want to see a reminder of that, of him? Wow, sure glad I am not in your low class bunch. Now off to read the sports page, Hoorah!
This show should definetely air.. Yes he was a sick individual But airing can demonstrate to many how evil can be found in anyone not just the typical criminal looking person. In most cases something similar happens and a movie is made out of it.. This is just a show ppl let god handle the rest
I love Money 3 definitely should not be aired. Kudos for VH1 for pulling Megan Wants a Millionaire as well. Think about it, both of these young folks had families, and even though Ryan was a murderer, he still has a family who was as shocked as all of us about what happened, and they have to be just devastated by these events. It obviously would not be fair to the victim Jasmine at all, or her family and friends. Ryan had issues that caused him to snap. Jasmine was a wonderful friend and even at age 28 still was her mother’s “little girl”, and none of this was her fault. Let her memory live on gracefully, and let’s put talk about Ryan to rest.
Oh so it’s okay for people like Nancy Grace to exploit these families? Or Dateline? Or 48 Hours? Or the 10 o’clock news? Please. Go protest against those shows and then come back on here and complain about airing shows that feature a man before he committed a crime. You all complain that it isn’t “reality” tv…well, now that it is you want to yank it off the air? Whatever!
Shut up, Kara! Your opinion sucks.
Kara, way to twist this issue into something it’s not. Bonus points for managing to shoehorn China in there as well. Bottom line: dude killed his wife. Cut off her fingers. Pulled out her teeth. Then killed himself. Anybody with half a brain can admit that it just isn’t appropriate to air these shows now. Don’t worry, your life will go on…some other show will fill the gaping void in your heart.
“You all complain that it isn’t “reality” tv”
No, I did not.
Kara you are WAY off base. The mans a PIG and her family deserves more respect than to have to watch him week after week gloating to the camera how “hot” he is and how he “has it in the bag” when he literally put their daughter “in a bag”
I like you Kara I agree
Lisa, very eloquently said. Kudos to you.
Thank you Ruby. I am especially touched by this story because I had a cousin who was murdered by her ex fiancé. I just don’t think airing the VH1 shows would be a good way to grant their families closure. That Kara nut obviously wants to live vicariously through the VH1 shows or else she would not take the right to air the shows so personally. Have some respect for the dead, Kara.
Ka-ching!!! It’s all about the ratings.
Why show both shows now? Doesn’t that just prove that VH1 has nothing better to do than to capitalize on the popularity of this recent crime/suicide? I agree with Kurt, they should modify their programming.
Lauren, VH1 had nothing to do with the crime that was committed. VH1 does not capitalize on crimes that have occurred. You have the wrong shows. Like I said before…Nancy Grace and people like her are around to capitalize on crimes that have been committed. They’ve made celebrities out of people like Casey Anthony who committed heinous acts. VH1 put on a show about a woman who wants a millionaire husband. Someone else invented the remote control so you don’t have to get off your butt and CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
That’s funny. That’s true if vh1 has to cancel the shows then Nancy Grace should cancel her shows
Kara – did someone really piss you off today – the question was and is show the series or not….
Your comments suck! I feel very sorry for your family, your obviously sick in the head woman!
They got together. He went on a reality show (MWaM?). They broke up. He went on another reality show (ILM3?). They got back together. He killed her. Like it or not, the reality shows seem to be an integral part of their story. Granted, Nancy Grace does sensationalize and obsess over stories, but airing the VH1 shows would just let the gawkers overanalyze his every move and say how clear it is that he was a bad guy and how VH1 should’ve caught it and blah blah blah.
Kara, I agree with all you said 100% Thank you for putting it a lot more eloquently than I ever could. Though I tend to find guilty pleasure in watching Nancy Grace on occasion, I couldn’t agree more with your assessment that she capitalizes on criminals. I mean, hello?? Of course she does! Criminals pay her bills! And it drives me nuts to hear her described as an advocate for victims. She can milk a crime to death and turn any kind of monster into a celebrity. At least the VH1 shows aren’t ABOUT that dude. Like, others have mentioned, they still show OJ movies, the Sopranos, etc. This is all a bit ridiculous. Don’t watch if you are offended (just like how I won’t watch Michael Vick games!)
I think it should air. There is no irreverance in airing and we see shows all the time where the actors/actresses died, were killed, committed suicide. Nothing new here.
I agree, just maybe they could wait and air it next year or something. Timing is everything, so they say.
Good point. I agree
I agree with Lee
Don’t you think you article also fuels the attention factor that Ryan Jenkins is getting? The reality of it all is that the guy is dead and will never reap the rewards of fame. So air the show. If the guy was alive and watching from jail then no, but Ryan isn’t even here to reap the benifits. Let me watch and let me pinpoint the manipulative slimeball personality and make sure that personality type doesn’t cross paths in my own life.
That is a good point. I think the issue is not about Ryan getting his post morten 15 minutes, but more about closure for their families. Ryan had a family that card about him too, despite what happened. It would not be fair for his former family and friends to have to hear about his behavior on the show, as I am sure the audience and media would be dissecting his every word. Plus for the victim Jasimine’s family- how cruel to see their daughter’s murderer on tv in full “player mode”. I think VH1 had shown some integrity by pulling the show so far. They have a pretty limitless supply of these types of shows. My Antonio, anyone?
(above spell check- post-mortem)
Should we not watch Batman either? The actor was on drugs!!! It’s just plain silly!!
Uh, not the same as murder, sorry.
Boycott the Naked Gun.
I think the only reason VH1 doesn’t want to air the show is the fact that Ryan Jenkins makes it all the way to the end of the show. If he was outathere in the first few episodes this wouldn’t be an issue. I betcha Megan and VH1 sure feel a bit sheepish. Things that make you go hmmmmmmm!
Give me a break. It’s one thing if a show is aired and this happens afterwards but it is truly wrong to air either show now that we know what kind of person this Jenkins guy really is. If Ms. Fiore was your daughter how would you feel about her murderer being made a tv star? The news is not a reality tv show. If you think they are the same type of programming yoo’re so wrong..in fact I know you probably feel stupid comparing the news to a tv reality show…come on admit it!
Nancy Grace isn’t “the news”. Neither is Dr. Phil or anyone else who sit there waiting for crimes to happen so they can plaster people’s pictures all over the tv screen. Reality TV isn’t the news. Agreed. But should we censor the news now? Think about what you are saying. Read what I am writing before you reply. And I wonder how Ms. Fiore feels about her daughter’s playboy pics or her “quickie wedding” as one journalist described it. *Oh yeah people! I went THERE!!!!! Bring it on!*
Wow. You’ve got issues.
Yeah, you have issues honey.
Oh common!! That guy was INNOCENT!! Why else would you KILL yourself after fleeing the country?? I guess money can’t buy you happiness!! That guy was too much of a *ussy to man up to his actions, he took the easy way out! What a SCUM!!!
well he did a horrible thing but hes dead now and there is a saying ‘respect the dead’ even thugh i could never respect him for what he did to her hes dead now he probably had nightmare of pulling out her teeth and cutting off her fingers soo lets stop takling about the dude
“He probably had nightmare of pulling out her teeth and cutting off her fingers soo lets stop takling about the dude”
Whoa. I cannot believe I just read that sentence.
Honestly, I didn’t like Ryan the first 3 episodes of Megan Wants a Millionaire and I certainly don’t like him now. I don’t think it will make him more famous, just more hated, he wasn’t a nice guy he was a douche bag even on TV. But I do think they should air at the Megan Wants a Millionaire cause it already started, I don’t think airing I Love Money would necessarilly be smart because he had apparently been calling Jasmine throughout and that’s sort of morbid.
I think the show must go on…
i 100% agree with allie
Has anyone considered that they haven’t actually determined that it was a suicide or that he actually committed the crime? Seems a little fishy to me….
excellent point Taura
You know the tall foreheads at Vh1 are furiously debating the pros and cons of airing I love Money 3.
Morbid curiosity is always a huge ratings graber, but once it’s sated (with no lengthy murder trial or extradition process to fuel the fire) the backlash will be significant.
There won’t be any backlash because no one will remember or even care. Just like no one talks about anyone else’s prior record on reality tv, like that Shannon chick who was cast on Big Brother after killing someone in a high speed car accident. She was doing 90mph? CBS didn’t cancel Big Bro….No one cared. No one talked about it. People watched the show. Big Brother went on to continue making more Big Brothers.
There is a difference between accidentally hitting someone with your car and MUTILATING a body. You must obviously work for VH1, as you are so hell bent on convincing this entire blog to air these shows. I bet if someone murdered your family member and then a network decided to air a show that the killer had previously been involved with, you would be outraged at the network’s decision. But what do you care? It’s not your relative that’s dead. Shame on you, Kara.
Is there such a thing as a Pimp n’ Ho funeral? No? Well, there should be.
As much as I love I Love Money and Megan Wants a Millionaire, VH1 should not air these shows. It would be a disgrace to the victim’s family and it would be just shocking to sit at home and watch this man laugh it up and have fun on TV, all the while knowing that he killed his wife. Ugh.
Kara is right, exploitation is constant, and the news shows do it under the umbrella of journalism. Who hasn’t seen their own local news channel within hours of some horrifying bloodbath, touting how they were “First news on the scene” blah, blah, etc. along with slick graphics. It’s all about ratings and money, if it bleeds, it leads. As for VH1, put it to a vote with the other contestants appearing on the show, go with what they say, (They’ll vote yes, of course, and VH1 will have the cover of their vote.
So because its prevalent, that makes it okay? I never watch the tv news just for that reason. Kara kept mentioning Nancy Grace, and I think her show is exploitative to the max. I refuse to watch those types of programs. I get my news online, and even that is sensationalized. Its one thing to joke and have fun watching people who go on these reality shows, but its another to constantly drag on these real life cases. Its not fair to the victims or their friends and families. I think VH1 has shown some rare integrity in pulling these shows.