Caroline Kennedy reacted with humor to her dramatized portrayal in the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, according to her son, Jack Schlossberg, who said the family found at least one scene unintentionally funny—even as broader criticism of the show continues to mount.
Speaking on Next Question with Katie Couric on April 15, Schlossberg, 33, described watching a clip of actress Grace Gummer portraying his mother, Caroline Kennedy. “We were laughing so hard,” he said, recalling a moment where the on-screen version appeared to be “freaking out”—a characterization he suggested was far from reality.
Despite the lighthearted reaction, Schlossberg dismissed the series as “fiction” and ultimately labeled it “stupid,” reinforcing his ongoing criticism of the production.
The FX series, created by Ryan Murphy, dramatizes the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. It has drawn scrutiny from individuals depicted in the storyline, many of whom argue that the show blurs the line between dramatization and factual representation.
Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep, has defended her approach, emphasizing that her goal was not imitation but capturing an “essence” of Kennedy. In interviews, she said she conducted extensive research, including reading and speaking with people familiar with the former U.S. ambassador to Japan.
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“I have so much admiration and respect for Caroline,” Gummer said in a recent interview, adding that she hoped her portrayal would do justice to the real figure.
Schlossberg, however, has been among the most vocal critics. In a prior interview with CBS News, he described the series as a “grotesque display” and accused Murphy of profiting from a story he claims the creator does not fully understand. He also suggested that proceeds from the project could have supported causes tied to the Kennedy legacy, including institutions like the John F. Kennedy Library.
The backlash extends beyond the Kennedy family. Actress Daryl Hannah, who dated Kennedy Jr. before his marriage, publicly condemned her depiction in the series. In a sharply worded essay in The New York Times, she called the portrayal “categorically false” and warned that dramatizations presented as reality can have real-world consequences, including harassment from viewers who accept them as fact.
Still, Schlossberg struck a more measured tone regarding audiences, saying he has “no problem” with viewers who enjoy the show. He acknowledged renewed public fascination with his uncle, describing Kennedy Jr. as “smart, attractive” and deeply engaged in politics and media—qualities Schlossberg says he aims to emulate in his own political ambitions.
The debate underscores a familiar tension in modern television: the commercial appeal of dramatized real-life stories versus the objections of those who lived them.
