Amanda Knox and Lifetime: A Match Made in TV Heaven--Television Commentary

Amanda Knox and Lifetime: A Match Made in TV Heaven

Television Commentary

By our guest blogger, Emma Gray

Amanda Knox is purported to be many things: cold-blooded killer, innocent bystander, conspirator, girl-next-door and “Foxy Knoxy.” As of sometime in 2011, Lifetime movie incarnate can also be added to that list.

Amanda Knox’s sensationalized and grizzly story will fit into the Lifetime family quite nicely, right next to The Craigslist Killer. The network really seems to be on a white people “gone wrong” kick.

Considering the controversy that surrounds the Amanda Knox story, it will be interesting to see what sort of slant the TV-movie decides to take on. Knox was arrested in Italy in November 2007 for the murder of her British, study-abroad roommate, Natalie Kirchner. The murder was gruesome and Knox, along with her Italian boyfriend, was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

According to The New York Times, “Ms. Knox…does not conform to any standard profile for a murderer.” With her pretty face, light skin and mild Seattle upbringing, I believe that this is exactly why Lifetime found the story so scintillating. The network could hardly pass up a chance to recreate it.

Hayden Panettiere is set to star as Knoxy herself. Although there’s no denying that Panettiere is quite foxy, I can’t help but feel that this is a bit of step in the wrong direction for her. I don’t think that starring in a made-for-TV melodrama will earn her any sort of critical acclaim. It certainly didn’t do any favors for Jennifer Love Hewitt.