Why serial killers like Rodney Alcala seek the spotlight on TV — despite risk of getting caught

nypost.com:

Rodney Alcala, who was on the hit game show “The Dating Game” in 1978, amid his murder spree. His story was made into the new Netflix movie “Woman of the Hour,” directed by and starring Anna Kendrick.There’s also John Cooper, who was on the TV darts contest show “Bullseye” in 1989.

Years later, he went to jail for murder and footage from his appearance on the show was used as evidence against him.Criminal psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das told the Daily Mail on Sunday that killers have “inherent narcissistic tendencies” which prompts some of them to go on TV.“Narcissistic individuals have an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for admiration, so they might literally put themselves on TV as a platform to be adored,” said Das.“Appearing on these shows could have provided these killers with an opportunity to showcase their perceived talents, charm and intelligence – specifically, in the form of memorising cuddly toys on a conveyor belt,” Das added.

The criminal psychiatrist also noted that for people who lead “a solitary and often troubled life,” which is the case for most serial killers, “the prospect of being on television” is very “appealing” to them.That was certainly the case for Alcala, who killed at least eight people (authorities estimate that real number is more than 100) between 1971 and 1979.