Tag Archives: American Horror Story

Status update #3 on your favorite new and returning shows

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Many shows that premiered in the fall are about to go on a winter hiatus soon if they haven’t already, and as the seasons change it’s a good time to take our official third look at the TV landscape.

CBS isn’t ready to let go of Code Black just yet. The Marcia Gay-Harden medical procedural has received a five-episode back order, bringing its season 1 episode count to 18. Sure, it’s not a standard Back 9, but any sort of back order these days is a major sign of confidence from a network.

NBC is head over heels for Blindspot. Previously, the big ratings performer starring Jaimie Alexander and Sullivan Stapleton was granted a full season order and was handed an extra episode maxing its season 1 episode count to 23. NBC has no plans to put the kibosh on this thing. In fact, the Peacock network has gone so far as renewing the crime drama for a second season! The net is also happy with Dick Wolf’s offerings; Chicago Fire and its spinoff Chicago P.D. will also be returning for fifth and fourth seasons, respectively, next TV season. And there’s the dramedy that just keeps chugging: The Mysteries of Laura headlined by Debra Messing has been given the greenlight to pump out three additional episodes in its second season; that ups its current season’s episode count to 16.

ABC clearly holds its comedic Wednesday night lineup in high regard. The Middle, The Goldbergs, and black-ish are all seeing episode count bumps to 24 half-hour installments. Modern Family is conspicuously missing from this list, but rest assured that it too will more than likely follow suit. Elsewhere, Tuesday night comedy Fresh off the Boat nabbed a full season order plus the two episode increase bringing its final season 2 tally to 24 eps. Following all of this good news, I’ve saved a sour one for last. The alphabet network is the first to make an official cancellation among the major nets this season and the loser is Wicked City. The incredibly low-rated serial killer drama has been pulled from the schedule after airing only three episodes.

Over at CBS’ sister network The CW, freshman Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and sophomore iZombie have been allotted an additional five episodes. This increases their episode counts to 18 and 19, respectively.

No surprises here: FX wants more American Horror Story and Fargo. The two critically acclaimed series from Ryan Murphy and Noah Hawley, respectively, are solid performers for the cable station and their anthological nature fosters exciting creative overhauls every year.

Ryan Murphy dishes ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ details: Lady Gaga is The Countess, and she’s out for blood [Update: New spooky teasers inside]

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Thanks to a new spread presented by Entertainment Weekly, we now have a clearer gaze into what the next iteration of American Horror Story with Lady Gaga is going to look like. The facts are these.

The titular hotel is named Cortez, and it was built in 1930 “by the rich and charming but deeply psychotic James March” played by AHS vet Evan Peters. EW goes on to describe the Cortez as “beautiful art-deco” and “a labyrinthine structure built to hide March’s murderous activities.”

Presently, the hotel is run by Lady Gaga’s character, The Countess, “a glamorous socialite who attends art openings and fashion shows.” She drinks blood for nourishment, but creator Ryan Murphy doesn’t want fans thinking he’s diving into the beaten-to-death world of vampirism. “I prefer the term ‘ancient blood virus,’” Murphy tells EW. “It’s not vampires. It’s really a form of hemophilia in a way. There’s no capes and fangs.” The Countess has an appetite for love and sex, and we see this manifest in a love triangle between Donovan (Matt Bomer) and Tristan (Finn Wittock). Those infected with the virus, including The Countess and her lover Donovan, crave human blood. Murphy promises answers around the halfway mark. “Around the middle of the season, we sort of explore the origins of all that and [The Countess] and where [the virus] comes from.” What we do know early on, though, is how they kill. Without fangs, the infected slice up their victims with chainmail gloves; Gaga’s sport razor-sharp nails as seen in the initial teaser.

We also have some insight about the other characters inhabiting the hotel:

Ramona Royale (Angela Bassett), an actress/former lover of The Countess’ seeking revenge; Iris (Kathy Bates), Donovan’s mother and the front desk clerk; Liz Taylor (Denis O’Hare), a cross-dresser nicknamed by The Countess; Hypodermic Sally (Sarah Paulson), a junkie and friend of The Countess; Detective John Lowe (Wes Bentley), a cop investigating a murderer named the Ten Commandments Killer; and The Addiction Demon, a creature in the vein of Rubberman or Bloodyface, who has no eyes or mouth but does wield a nasty, conical drillbit dildo.

Throughout the anthological series, Murphy has planted clues that help connect the disparate seasons together. With Hotel, he aims to make the most overt connection yet. “We do go to the Murder House for one episode,” he teases. Murder House, of course, was where spooky acts of terror took place in show’s debut season. In addition to that, a character from season 1 is making her way to Hotel. Marcy the realtor (Christine Estabrook), who sold the Murder House to the Harmons, returns as a real estate agent to show off the Cortez to Cheyenne Jackson’s character Will Drake.

And now, pictures! Lady Gaga’s Countess is on the cover of EW‘s latest issue, and inside you’ll find never-before-seen stills of other characters from AHS: Hotel including March, Donovan, and Tristan. Click here to view them all, and hop over here to browse more pictures from Gaga’s in-character photoshoot.

American Horror Story: Hotel premieres October 7 on FX.

Update (8/29): Murphy’s gone ahead and shared two more stills from the set: a turbaned Countess and a mystery man behind a mask.

Update 2 (8/30): Jump after the break to watch all five AHS: Hotel teasers, three of which are brand spankin’ new.

Update 3 (9/10): I’ve posted three more teasers after the break, “Spikes,” “Locked Up,” and “Hallways.” The latter is the first to include first looks at the ensemble cast!

Update 4 (9/14): Lady Gaga is the star of the latest 30-second spot for AHS: Hotel. Watch “Above & Below” directly after the break.

Update 5: (9/16): And the clips keep on comin’. This time around, however, it’s a 2-minute first look inside the new season, featuring soundbites from the cast. You know where to find it.

[Via EW 1, 2, 3] Continue reading Ryan Murphy dishes ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ details: Lady Gaga is The Countess, and she’s out for blood [Update: New spooky teasers inside] →

The first ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ teasers have arrived

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Here we go again. FX is back with new, frightening teasers to promote the upcoming season of American Horror Story. The fourth season is subtitled Hotel and it stars Lady Gaga this time around, not Jessica Lange. The video embedded above houses the two new teasers titled “Do Not Disturb” and “Beauty Rest.” It’s hard to say if any of the characters featured here will show up in Hotel, but those razor-sharp nails strangling the beautified bald man look mighty familiar if you ask me. The featured song? That’s Heidi Feek’s cover of “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Returning to the anthology drama this year: Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Evan Peters, Matt Bomer, Sarah Paulson, Chloë Sevigny, Denis O’Hare, Finn Wittrock, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, and Mare Winningham. Newcomers include Cheyenne Jackson (Glee), Max Greenfield (New Girl), Richard T. Jones (Hawaii Five-0), Naomi Campbell (Empire), and Darren Criss (Glee).

American Horror Story: Hotel debuts October 7 on FX. Stick it here for more teasers like these; if the past is any indication, this small trickle will open the floodgates to more tantalizing sneak peeks. Continue reading The first ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ teasers have arrived →

Comic Con: Lady Gaga enters ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’ with flair

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Here’s a first look at Lady Gaga in American Horror Story: Hotel. The fleeting tease titled “Front Desk” features Gaga’s hand wrapped in a silver glove with protruding razor-sharp nails. Ding goes the concierge bell and the unmistakable AHS theme music plays the clip out.

At Comic Con, creator Ryan Murphy and the rest of the AHS panel kept season 5 details under lock and key. They did, however, reveal the names of some of the new characters. Kathy Bates is Iris, Angela Bassett is Ramona, Evan Peters is Mr. March, Matt Bomer is Donovan, and Sarah Paulson is Hypodermic Sally. Got to love that last one.

Ever notice that Paulson’s character always makes it to the end of every season? This year might break that unspoken rule. “I always want to write the opposite of the season before,” said Murphy. “Someone said to me, ‘Paulson is the only one that always lives,’ and I said, ‘We’ve got to change that right away.’” If she meets her demise, Murphy added, it will be done in “a very fun way.”

Gaga’s character’s name was not disclosed at the panel, but Murphy confirmed she’s playing evil. “She’s been very collaborate and incredibly fun. When you work with somebody like her, you sign up for something that I think is larger than life. Part of her role involves fashion. You want Lady Gaga to look a certain way so the designers have been coming out of the woodwork.” This peek at Gaga’s shiny, edgy glove speaks volumes.

What else? Despite Gaga being a singer/songwriter superstar, Hotel will not take advantage of her pipes; Murphy is looking to subvert expectations here. Also, “I felt I got that out of my system,” he said, most definitely referring to Glee and AHS: Freak Show.

Need further proof that all of the AHS seasons are connected? Murphy confirmed, “It’s part of a very connected universe with a very cool thesis statement at the end of the run.” Expect lots of familiar faces from previous seasons to check into Hotel when it premieres on FX in October.

Update: Gaga posted to Instagram a bloodied script revealing the name of the first Hotel hour: “Checking In.”

[Via THR; TVLine]

Jessica Lange confirms ‘American Horror Story’ exit, ‘AHS: Hotel’ cast additions announced

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Jessica Lange has left the building. After servicing Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series American Horror Story for four memorable seasons, the Emmy award-winning actress is ready to call it quits. She made it official earlier this month in Los Angeles at PaleyFest.

“Yes, I’m done,” said Lange. “We’ve had a great run here. I have absolutely loved doing these four characters that I’ve had the opportunity to play. In all the madness, I’ve loved the writers, my actors, Ryan and the whole, I mean, insanity of it, shooting here, shooting in New Orleans, the stories, everything.”

Lange, who played Constance Langdon in Murder House, Sister Jude Martin in Asylum, Fiona Goode in Coven, and Elsa Mars in Freak Show will be greatly missed by AHS fans everywhere. In a sense she was the show up to this point, portraying distinctly powerful and emotional characters in each iteration.

Though nobody can fill those shoes, the show must go on. Murphy previously enlisted Lady Gaga to star in the upcoming American Horror Story: Hotel, and since that exciting announcement even more cast additions have been made. Matt Bomer, Wes Bentley, Chloë Sevigny, and Cheyenne Jackson are checking into season 5 as well. The former three are no strangers to AHS; Bomer appeared in last season’s Freak Show as Michael Chiklis’ boy toy Andy, Bentley also popped up under the tent as the hypnotizing Edward Mordrake, and Sevigny was nymphomaniac Shelley in season 2’s Asylum. Jackson has worked with Murphy before on Glee as Vocal Adrenaline coach Dustin Goolsby.

Tight-lipped as ever, Murphy and cast did not spill Hotel details at PaleyFest. The prolific showrunner did, however, briefly touched upon a season 5 clue hidden inside Freak Show. This image of a top hat on a coffee cup “was not only an homage to the 1935 film Top Hat, but also a wink that season 5 would be set in a hotel like that film,” reports Deadline. Guess I’ll be watching that movie before Halloween rolls around.

American Horror Story: Hotel premieres this October on FX.

[Via Deadline; EW]

Lady Gaga joins ‘American Horror Story’ in season 5 lead role

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American Horror Story has found its star for season five and it’s Mother Monster.

Lady Gaga, hot off her Sound of Music tribute performance at the Oscars, is confirmed to be the lead in the next installment of FX’s American Horror Story. Like every season before it, the plot, as well as Gaga’s role in it, are being kept tightly under wraps. In a surprising move, however, in addition to revealing this exciting cast addition, series creator Ryan Murphy also deemed it time to announce the installment’s name: American Horror Story: Hotel. Murphy dropped numerous clues in last season’s Freak Show pertaining to Hotel; did you catch any? By my count, there were myriad references to space, but Murphy quickly shut that theory down since the show is tied down to taking place solely on American soil.

This marks Gaga’s first major acting gig. Following a small uncredited role in The Sopranos in 2001, she most recently made cameos on the big screen in Machete Kills and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. Even still, we all know the artist can hypnotize with sexy, captivating performances via music videos.

With Gaga locked in as lead, you must be thinking: what does this mean for franchise star Jessica Lange? Prior to Freak Show‘s debut, Lange announced that it would be her final run with the show. Since then, however, she has made whispers about a potential comeback. So then, her commitment remains up in the air until further notice. My guess: she’ll at least make her mark with a memorable cameo.

Watch Lady Gaga’s AHS: Hotel announcement video embedded above; and don’t worry, Ryan Murphy retweeted it to confirm its authenticity.

Ryan Murphy discusses the interconnectedness of ‘American Horror Story’

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How have you been enjoying American Horror Story latest incarnation? Only four episodes in and it’s already proven to be one of the franchise’s best seasons yet. The Halloween themed “Edward Mordrake” two parter was quite exquisite, to say the least. And I’m sure you feel the same way I do about the inclusion of little miss Pepper. It’s a shame she never got her meatloaf, but more than that she’s served as a great addition to the season’s sprawling cast. Creator Ryan Murphy said including her and effectively bridging a gap between season 2’s Asylum and the current Freak Show was a decision that was not made lightly. But now that the door is cracked open, he’s going all the way in.

It’s been reported that AHS mainstay Lilly Rabe is making an appearance later this season and she will be the second actor to reprise a character from a previous season. She’s coming to the Freak Show as her Asylum alias Sister Mary Eunice to snatch up poor Pepper and bring her to the mental institution Briarcliff Manor. In an interview with EW, Murphy waxed about Rabe’s return as well as the interconnectedness of it all.

I don’t want to say much about it but obviously she’s playing Sister Mary Eunice. The interesting thing about doing a show like this is every season is incredibly its own story and its own beginning, middle and end. Its own journey. But we have always from the very beginning in the intertwining mythologies and how things connect. This is the first year where we begin to tell you that season two is connected to season four which is connected to season one. People have started to write articles about that. A lot of their hypotheses have been completely right on. That’s the fun of the show. Hopefully by the end of the run, be it 10 years or 15 years, people will be able to stand back and be able to say, “Oh that was connected to x.”

There’s definitely a rhyme or a reason and a connectedness to all of these seasons, but in the same way, they’re standalones, which is the fun of it. But it is a puzzle. And Lily coming back and dealing with Pepper is sort of the first unveiling of that connectedness. She’s so great in that role, Lily. I understood she wanted to go off and do her own show. But I was thrilled she was able to come back and give us a couple days and show how Sister Mary Eunice and Pepper are connected and how it’s all connected. I’m glad she’s back in the habit!

So AHS fans, rejoice! The show will remain an anthology series, but going forward Murphy and co. will begin to tie at least some things together for studious fans to froth over. I, for one, cannot wait to find out how exactly this season will make a bridge to Murder House!

AHS: Freak Show airs Wednesdays at 10 on FX.

FX renews ‘American Horror Story’ for a fifth season after reporting record ratings

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FX has renewed Ryan Murphy’s fun fright fest American Horror Story for a 13-episode fifth season to debut in October 2015. This follows the news that the season premiere of the anthology series’ fourth iteration Freak Show debuted to record ratings not only for the franchise but also for the cable network. When factoring in Live+3 data (that is, viewers who tuned in on premiere day and those who watched on their DVRs the following three days after), a total of 10 million viewers got acquainted with the freaks (6.5 million of which fall into the coveted adults 18-49 demo). The episode handily surpassed the previous franchise record-holder, last year’s AHS: Coven premiere, which attracted 7.27 million viewers.

The American Horror Story anthology has had the highest growth trajectory of any show in FX history, not to mention an unprecedented track record of success in awards recognition,” said FX head John Landgraf. With Nip/Tuck, Glee, The Normal Heart, and American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy has established himself as one of the most successful and prolific producers of this generation. We expect AHS: Freak Show and the next incarnation of AHS to further his legacy.”

AHS: Freak Show airs Wednesdays at 9pm on FX. And speaking of the upcoming season five, Murphy spilled to EW in an interview that the first two episodes of Freak Show do in fact contain clues scattered throughout that pertain to the plot of his next horror story.

‘AHS: Freak Show’: Say hello to the freaks (Plus a very special scoop inside!)

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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages–no, let’s face it, American Horror Story is not for the faint of heart. Here’s your first official look at the ensemble cast of Ryan Murphy’s latest horror story, Freak Show. Watch them come alive in a new one-minute teaser embedded after the break. Look out for Sarah Paulson’s conjoined twins, Angela Bassett’s three-breasted beauty, Michael Chiklis’ strong man, and Kathy Bates is the bearded lady. AHS: Freak Show premieres October 8 on FX. Oh, and that hashtag is German and translates to “We are all freaks.”

In addition to the teaser, jump after the break to learn about a most exciting character addition. I’ll give you a hint: the scoop comes seasoned with a dash of salt and………… Continue reading ‘AHS: Freak Show’: Say hello to the freaks (Plus a very special scoop inside!) →

‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ lands early October premiere, extends two teasers [Update: new teasers inside!]

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We have a date! The Freaks come to town in the next iteration of Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series on October 8. The network also released a tantalizing description of the upcoming season:

American Horror Story: Freak Show begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience.

And if that wasn’t enough, there are two brand new teasers hyping the big premiere. Above, a haunting creature extends an invitation to the Freak Show. After the break, a mustached man licks a lollipop; any more detail would ruin the surprise!

As we approach AHS: FS’s October premiere date there’s bound to be more where this came from. I wonder what other Freaks we’ll be introduced to next…

Update (8/28): And just like that, two new teasers involving a three-legged acrobat and a caged woman are chilling after the break awaiting your dissection.

Update 2 (8/30): A fifth teaser surfaced today featuring a contortionist; with three legs is she the acrobat we were acquainted with before?

Update 3 (9/4): Three more! A twisted mask, a scary clown, and a sword swallower star. And no, that is not Lorde in the “Twisted Smile” clip; it’s Amanda Jenssen.

Update 4 (9/12): A new teaser titled “Big and Small” includes a giant and a little person. Continue reading ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ lands early October premiere, extends two teasers [Update: new teasers inside!] →

FX renews ‘American Horror Story’ for a fourth season

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Ryan Murphy will continue to scare up viewers with a fourth installment of FX anthology series American Horror Story. The third season Coven is the most-watched season of AHS to date averaging 7.7 million viewers.

“Put simply, Ryan Murphy is a master television producer,” said FX head John Landgraf. “Time and time again he reinvents the form. What he, co-creator Brad Falchuk and their producers Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear, Jennifer Salt, James Wong, Brad Buecker, Jessica Sharzer, Douglas Petrie, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Alexis Martin Woodall and the entire production team and cast responsible for the American Horror Story franchise have done is nothing short of extraordinary. Every year, they create a riveting and brilliant new miniseries. AHS: Coven is the best yet, and I have no doubt that the next installment will be even better.”

The 13 episode fourth season is set to debut in 2014. Though the season’s theme and stars are still being kept under wraps, Jessica Lange has publicly confirmed that she will return to the show to step into a new character’s shoes.

AHS: Coven airs Wednesdays at 10PM on FX.

TV reminder: ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ premieres tonight (10/9) at 10PM on FX [Update: record ratings]

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The third season of Ryan Murphy’s horror anthology series American Horror Story is upon us. This year is called Coven and it involves witches and voodoo and New Orleans. The cast is largely female this season featuring heavy hitters like series vet Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Taissa Farmiga, Angela Bassett, Patti Lupone, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, Jamie Brewer, Evan Peters, and Denis O’Hare. The show’s official site offers up a brief glimpse of what’s in store:

American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over three hundred years have passed since the turbulent days of Salem and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves. Wrapped up in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe, who is harboring a terrifying secret of her own. Alarmed by the recent aggression, Fiona, the long-absent Supreme, sweeps back into town, determined to protect the Coven and hell-bent on decimating anyone who gets in her way.

I was fortunate enough to screen the premiere titled “Bitchcraft” (heh) early and I can tell you without any qualms that it’s quite fun and still scary. This season Murphy is aiming for a lighter, more palatable ride. Last season’s Asylum was fantastic–don’t get me wrong–but you must admit it was, at times, difficult to watch in terms of its heavy, dark tones and overly disturbing situations. The Coven premiere starts off disturbing enough and yet it doesn’t hold back jolts of humor–a pleasant surprise. If the first ep is any indication, Coven is going to be a wild, scary, sexy, fun time.

Below, check out character portraits and posters in the galleries. (How do you like the provocative key art hanging above, hm?) After the break, watch the one minute main title sequence filled with (to put it mildly) tantalizing imagery and that score you know and love. Click here to watch the many Coven promos.

American Horror Story: Coven premieres tonight, Wednesday, October 9, at 10PM on FX.

Update (10/10): “Bitchcraft” attracted 5.54 million total viewers making it the most-watched episode of the series spanning all three seasons. The Murder House series premiere in 2011 was the previous record-holding episode which garnered 3.85 million total viewers. The Coven premiere also attracted a solid 3.87 million viewers in the coveted 18-49 demo, another new record for the anthology series.

Continue reading TV reminder: ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ premieres tonight (10/9) at 10PM on FX [Update: record ratings] →