Jack Schlossberg says he had “no problem” with anyone who enjoyed “Love Story,” but he did take issue with how his family was depicted.
The grandson of former President John F. Kennedy was asked about the hit Ryan Murphy show about his late uncle John F. Kennedy Jr. and wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s tumultuous romance and tragic deaths during an interview on “Next Question with Katie Couric.”
The 33-year-old, who’s currently running for Congress, reflected on his uncle’s life and legacy, saying that Kennedy Jr. “was so cool.”
“It’s not surprising that people, once they remember who he was, want to dress like him and be like him. He was awesome. He was a smart, attractive person, who cared about politics,” he said. “And tried to blend politics and media in his time, just like I’m trying to do right now with social media and politics and our campaign right now.”
In the FX series, newcomer Paul Anthony Kelly portrayed Kennedy Jr., while Sarah Pidgeon took on the role of Bessette. Schlossberg’s parents, Caroline Kennedy and Ed Schlossberg, were also portrayed by Grace Gummer and Ben Shenkman, respectively.
Jack Schlossberg issue with the fictionalized drama, he said, came amid the “serious problems facing our country,” adding that the Kennedy’s are not just celebrities or icons.
“These are public servants,” he explained. “It’s easy to remember my grandfather, my grandmother, my uncle, who were very glamorous people, as just celebrities like people today, but they were public servants. We’re not royalty. We don’t have a royal family in this country.”
He celebrated and applauded his late uncle for his political efforts but noted that the problem with the show was in fictionalizing and sensationalizing his romantic life “without giving any credence to the serious things that he did.”
The congressional candidate noted that he and his mom did not watch the show, but he did show her a “clip” of Gummer’s portrayal.
“We were laughing so hard,” he said. “The person was freaking out and we’re just laughing so hard as if that’s how my mom acts.”
He reminded people to “keep in mind, it might be entertaining, but it’s fiction.”
Jack Schlossberg also called out one particular look that actor Ben Shenkman, who portrayed his father, wore on the show.
“Oh, and my dad! They had my dad dressed up in some plaid outfit,” Jack Schlossberg said. “My dad’s the most stylish guy I’ve ever met, so it’s funny.”
When Katie Couric expressed that she didn’t think his parents were portrayed in a positive way, he replied that they are “the two nicest, most dignified, private people in the whole world who do nothing but help others.”
And while Jack Schlossberg may have called it a “stupid show,” “Love Story” did go on to become a cultural phenomenon. The drama became the most-watched limited series ever on Hulu and Disney+. On March 6, TODAY reported that the first five episodes were streamed more than 25 million hours since its Feb. 12 premiere. People would go on to re-create Bessette and JFK Jr.’s style, as well as bring teenagers and their parents together as they watched the show.
In her interview, Couric wondered if Jack Schlossberg saw the show’s success and interest among the younger generation and new voters as a win for his campaign.
“I struggle to find a universe where someone taking advantage of my family is helping me,” he said, calling it a “mixed bagged.”
“But I’m really proud of the person, the family that I come from,” he continued. “because our family’s legacy is of public servants and standing up for people who have been marginalized, and using politics to try to inspire people to believe in their country and to fight for what they believe in.”
Jack Schlossberg is an attorney, political correspondent and member of the next generation in the Kennedy family political dynasty. Here’s what you need to know.
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