Lyle Menendez’s Dry Quip After ‘Monsters’ Emmy Nod, as Told by Cooper Koch
Yet another thrilling twist in the human soap opera arrived when actor Cooper Koch disclosed Lyle Menendez’s surprisingly sardonic reaction to the hit limited series Monsters earning its first Emmy nomination. The revelation comes fresh from a feature in Entertainment Weekly and echoes a recent mention in People Magazine, offering fans a peek behind prison walls at a moment of unintentional levity.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story debuted last fall to mixed reviews but managed to pick up steam among Emmy voters in the limited series categories. Upon learning of the nod, Menendez—still serving his sentence in prison—reportedly quipped, “I guess I should thank TV executives for finally handing me a trophy,” according to Koch, who portrays Erik in the dramatization. That dry one-liner captures a blend of gallows humor and bemusement that only someone in Menendez’s extraordinary circumstances could muster.
Cooper Koch shared the anecdote during a recent roundtable with Entertainment Weekly, where he recounted visiting Lyle at his facility shortly before award ballots were cast. “I walked in with the nomination news, half expecting a dramatic reaction,” Koch said. “Instead, he leaned back, crossed his arms, and gave me that signature smirk.” Variety noted that the exchange was emblematic of the show’s darkly ironic tone, while Deadline Hollywood highlighted how this sort of insider glimpse fuels ongoing fascination with the Menendez saga.
In context, Monsters has become one of the more unusual Emmy underdogs. Its treatment of a real-life parricide case felt edgy enough to ruffle feathers among jurors and viewers alike. Yet the show’s behind-the-scenes talent—including lead director Richard Shepard and executive producer Jared Moshe—enabled it to land in the awards conversation. Lyle Menendez’s own muted applause, as relayed by Koch, adds a layer of surreal self-awareness to the series’ critical journey.
Critics have pointed out that Monsters thrives on contrasts—between spectacle and sobriety, between televised drama and real-world tragedy. Lyle’s tongue-in-cheek remark underscores that tension. It’s not often one imagines someone in his position commenting on Hollywood honors, making this moment both ironic and, for better or worse, humanizing.
As Emmy night approaches, viewers and voters alike might recall Koch’s account and wonder whether that same smirk will grace the red carpet when nominations are announced next year. Will Monsters secure more nods? And what other unexpected responses might bubble up from its real-life inspirations? Stay tuned.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
