Season 4 of American Horror Story

[hammerfan]

I read online yesterday that the setting for season 4 will be a carnival.

Does anyone remember the Showtime series "Carnivale"? I loved that show. I wonder if this season of AHS will be anything like that.

[The Villain]

I wonder how they're going to incorporate the 1950's timeline and Jessica Langes German character into a carnival theme

[Elvis_Christ]

Well the 50s saw the end of sideshows so maybe they'll involve some sort of storyline of trying to keep them alive during the period? ...or even show the results of them being driven underground/held in secret?


Does anyone remember the Showtime series "Carnivale"? I loved that show. I wonder if this season of AHS will be anything like that.

Just about to watch that series again. Great stuff. I'm actually not sure how they will top it.

[hammerfan]

Just about to watch that series again. Great stuff. I'm actually not sure how they will top it.

I just bought it on Amazon. Can't wait to watch it again! It's supposed to arrive on Monday.

[neverending]

So the title is now officially AMERICAN HORROR STORY FREAK SHOW.

http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/05/14/american-horror-story-freak-show-villain-most-terrifying-yet-1423471?lt_source=external,manual,manual#!OrWw3


I just read Angela Bassett will be back.

[ChronoGrl]

Heeeee - Can't wait!

[hammerfan]

Very excited!

[Monkey Astronaut]

If it's anything like Tod Browning's Freaks and HBO's Carnivale I'll be happy.

[neverending]

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!


Let me repeat that-

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!

And Kathy Bates will be back!


http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/neil-patrick-harris-on-american-horror-story-1201265207/

[The Villain]

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!


Let me repeat that-

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!

And Kathy Bates will be back!


http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/neil-patrick-harris-on-american-horror-story-1201265207/

This season is going to be great.

[hammerfan]

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!


Let me repeat that-

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!

And Kathy Bates will be back!


http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/neil-patrick-harris-on-american-horror-story-1201265207/

I heard Angela Bassett is back, too!

[neverending]

Yep - I mentioned that in a previous post.

[hammerfan]

Yep - I mentioned that in a previous post.

Sorry, just saw the post where you mentioned Kathy Bates.

[Giganticface]

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!


Let me repeat that-

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS!

And Kathy Bates will be back!


http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/neil-patrick-harris-on-american-horror-story-1201265207/

Oh wow, as if I were not already excited enough. I wonder what kind of character he'll play, and if he'll pull any "dick moves." I have a feeling he's going to be either a really bad guy or a really creepy guy.

[ipecaccupcakes]

This was leaked on twitter. Ryan Murphy hasn't confirmed if it's real, but it looks pretty legit. CHARACTER NAMES!!! It's just for the first episode. So, if you're wondering why some cast members aren't listed, that's why.
http://i58.tinypic.com/iz52kw.jpg

[neverending]

More good news!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/american-horror-story-freak-show_n_5609827.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000024

[Giganticface]

More good news!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/american-horror-story-freak-show_n_5609827.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000024

That's great news! I'll be glad for it to go darker, like Asylum was. That's probably my favorite season of the three, but I love them all for different reasons.

When does it start??? I can't freakin wait!

[neverending]

Cast is revealed at ComicCon. It confirms the leaked cast list posted earlier.


http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/07/27/whos-who-american-horror-story-freak-show

And more details:

http://www.deadline.com/2014/07/american-horror-story-freak-show-comic-con-panel/


Minear said that there will be “a villain who will rival the rubber man and the minotaur from previous seasons. John Carroll Lynch will play him, and he will scare the shit out of you.”

I'm not sure about the "Douglas Sirk meets Zodiac" bit though.

[hammerfan]

I'm getting more and more excited for the new season!

[neverending]

Official character portraits are here, and... man....

Very enticing!

http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/American-Horror-Story-Freak-Show-Season-4-Gallery-Pictures-35770088

[hammerfan]

I've been seeing a lot of sneak peeks and teaser trailers on Facebook....I'm REALLY excited for this season! Can't wait for October 8th!

[Freak]

The previews look pretty promising. I just hope its better than Coven. I hated that season.

[ISpitonyourPodcast]

Naomi Grossman plays "PEPPER" on AHS... we interviewed her!!! Check it out


http://ispitonyourpodcast.podomatic.com/entry/2014-04-30T18_10_01-07_00

::mad::::smile:::halloween:

[Giganticface]

Two days away!

[120DaysofSodom]

Ive never even seen an episode.

[horcrux2007]

Ive never even seen an episode.

Seasons 1 and 2 are excellent. Some people don't like season 3 because it's a bit more tongue-in-cheek, but I personally liked it. I actually started with season 3, so maybe that's why I didn't mind it.

[120DaysofSodom]

Seasons 1 and 2 are excellent. Some people don't like season 3 because it's a bit more tongue-in-cheek, but I personally liked it. I actually started with season 3, so maybe that's why I didn't mind it.

When does it air? I know a friend of mine that is a bartender at a bar I frequent used to watch this down there a couple years ago. He was obsessed. I just never payed much attention.

[horcrux2007]

When does it air? I know a friend of mine that is a bartender at a bar I frequent used to watch this down there a couple years ago. He was obsessed. I just never payed much attention.

Season 4 starts on Wednesday.

[Giganticface]

Happy Season 4 Premiere Day!

[Monkey Astronaut]

"Monsters Among Us" wasn't a great but it had its moments.

SPOILERS

The CGI used on Sarah Paulson's two heads was actually pretty good. I like the contrast in the scene where Twisty the Clown first shows up and the special effects makeup used for his face is really disturbing. The scene with the housewives was absolutely ridiculous, I couldn't help but laugh. I liked the Bowie musical number but it sort of felt out of place in the time period. The preview for the rest of the season looks interesting.

[Geordie9]

I thought it was a good start to series 4

[Giganticface]

I liked it too. I thought it was the least scary/intense of all four season premieres, but definitely a great start, and I'll be looking forward to each week's episode. I like the exploitative nature of having real "freaks," and also thought the killer clown dude is pretty messed up. I want to understand what's up with his face.

[ChronoGrl]

Caught up with the first episode last night (fell asleep too soon on Wednesday ::embarrassment::), and, boy... I'm currently listening to this while I type...

3YKRnElsHHc


What follows may be SPOILERS, so be warned...



The Good

Geez. The costumes, the makeup, the direction - Not too surprising there. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous and we have that classic dizzying direction that tips and turns.
The opening theme song and visuals - So creepy and overtly SEXUAL. Part of me was aghast that they got away with that on cable! I know that sounds very Old Lady of me but I love it when art can shock me like that.
Jessica Lange. Jessica Lange. Jessica Lange. Good golly. PLEASE tell me that this isn't ACTUALLY her last season.
Twisty the Clown - Wow. The scene with he and the couple in the field legitimately creeped me out - The hubby started to mutter about how our clown-fearing friend would hate this and I shushed him immediately.
The cast. I love how it stars both actors and "actual freaks" (for lack of a better term) - Jyoti Amge as the Smallest Woman is simply lovely and, man, not gonna lie - I think I might have a crush on Matt Fraser (the guy with the small arms) (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/10/07/american-horror-story-freak-show-actor-matt-fraser-introduces-himself/). Also - Evan Peters. Ohhhhh, Evan Peters... ::love:: Do I need to mention Kathy Bates? Naw - Everyone knows how great she is. And she's pretty damn great here (hopefully she won't be wasted like she was in Coven).
I loved our spectators - Can't wait to see where their creepy, odd story goes
I really like the duality of Bette & Dot
And the musical number - I wasn't sold at first but I've watched it a couple of times today and I LOVE IT. I thought that maybe my initial love was not only because I love David Bowie but I LOVE "Life on Mars" so the combination of my favorite actress in my favorite show singing my favorite song by my favorite singer - Well, that made my head explode a little bit.
I've already mentioned Twisty the Clown but I really do love his introduction and can't wait to see what they do with him this season.
As for the rest of the freakshow I'm excited in terms of who we met but am really wary - Last season they had too many characters they tried to focus on and most of them didn't have much of a journey - I hope that doesn't happen again.
Lange's legs - Our final view of her. So sad and beautiful (like the musical number)



The Nit-Picky (not bad but stuff that bugged me a little)

So while I was a bit gaga with Lange's musical number, there was a part of me that thought perhaps it was forced... And seeing Bette/Dot sing Fiona Apple in the preview of the season, well that concerns me - When AHS had the "Name Game" singalong, it was random but it worked - it was fantastic and one of my favorite episodes of that show. I worry that these will seem forced and shoe-horned in (while I loved Stevie Nicks as a surprise last season, her musical number did seem stuck in because they had her as a guest star, but because it actually fit)... That's more of a nagging concern than anything else. I don't want the series' trying to fit in music numbers cheapen its creepy brilliance
Lobster Boy's "second job" - Ok, it's unfair to put it here because MAN do I love that concept - It just felt random and really stuck in - I wish that we had introduced that later perhaps... I hope that we somehow come back to it - The concept of him further selling himself - The concept of housewives "embracing" this freak as it were, and, well, the awesomely freaky creepy sexual vibe - I LOVED IT. I just hope it wasn't a random throwaway scene, like so many last season.
Lange's accent was hard to get my head around at first, but that's more of a testament to how much I loved her in previous seasons.
Kathy Bates' accent bugged me; no idea where that comes from
The two-headed girl - This is going to sound bizarre but the CGI is almost too perfect - She's too pretty to be a "freak" - Another odd complaint but that's been something that bothered me from the beginning.



That's really it in terms of gripes, though...


Oh, and by the way - did you see the look alike while Lange was singing? Is she a twin or just crazy and watching/dreaming about herself? Excited to see where that goes.

All in all, I'm totally pumped to see more. Meanwhile I've binge-rewatched the first season and am working my way through the second. This is my favorite television series ever.

[ImmortalSlasher]

While watching this show I kept thinking about about how Machoman pronounced "Freakshow" when he fought against Spider-Man at 1:55.

-E0oiKjLzTc

Also, I've never been afraid of clowns. The Killer Klowns from Outer Space were freaky and kind of scary at times. But this clown in Freakshow is the scariest clown I've ever seen. Probably one of the scariest characters I've seen in horror movies or TV. He gave me shivers and an unsettling almost nauseous feeling whenever he was on screen. I don't know if it's the large teeth or the way his face is cutaway. But it's not a good feeling.

The episode itself was ok. The singing part was really good. But overall it's probably the slowest or least interesting start of the American Horror Story series. I've never liked the idea of a freakshow. It's probably because I don't like the fact that nature isn't perfect and things like this happen. I don't know if I'll watch the full season. Maybe I'll catch it when it's finished and all on demand if it turns out to be good.


Oh, and by the way - did you see the look alike while Lange was singing? Is she a twin or just crazy and watching/dreaming about herself? Excited to see where that goes.


I didn't get that at all. I thought at first that she too had a twin or something. And the twin was the singer and star. Didn't she say when she leaves the restaurant that stars don't pay?

[Elvis_Christ]

I'm enjoying this more than Coven already. I'm hoping it'll be on par with Asylum.

Speaking of nitpicky things... why the fuck would someone be singing Bowie jams in the 50s? ::big grin::

[ChronoGrl]

I didn't get that at all. I thought at first that she too had a twin or something. And the twin was the singer and star. Didn't she say when she leaves the restaurant that stars don't pay?

True; it'll be interesting to see what the reveal is - I actually originally thought that the double in black was the REAL character and she was hallucinating the whole thing.

[newb]

just caught the season opener last night.

I'm thinking I'm gonna like this season. Very stylish as usual and we already know the cast can act. Yeah....the clown is great.

got a Halloween party coming up this weekend and thinking of going as Lobster Boy......the wife thinks that's a good idea.::wink::

[horcrux2007]

The show was renewed for a 5th season :)

[Monkey Astronaut]

SPOILER

The scene where the kid finds the decapitated head was pretty cool. Nice to see Michael Chiklis show up. Twisty the Clown is easily the best thing about this season so far. John Carroll Lynch is underrated as a character actor. The musical scene was kind of funny despite one of my biggest pet peeves with period pieces being the use of music that doesn't belong in the time period.

[Manimal]

I absolutely love this series, and this season is off to a great start! Of course, Twisty the clown is a fan-favourite because of his demented face and eerie silence. But Dandy! He is kinda growing on me. I'm hoping he becomes more sinister as his character develops a bit more.

I've been reading some interesting theories online about what viewers think is going on. Is it all in Sister Jude's (Jessica Lange) head and she's still locked up in the asylum? Maybe it's all Pepper's dream, since she is the only cast member who looks the same as previous seasons?

Either way, it's a fantastic show and this season is proving to be a great one so far!

[neverending]

What most impressed me about the first episode was the sense of time and place. The production staff has done a marvelous job of recreating the past. It's set a mere four years before I was born, but every detail seems spot on - the look of buildings that were made to last, the clothing styles, and everything else.

Kathy Bates is already my favorite character. Her accent did throw me off, because it didn't come out till she was on stage, but I think they might be hinting at further developments to her character. There seems to be some ambiguity about the sexuality of her character and I hope they explore that further.

Jessica Lange is channeling Greta Garbo, plain and simple. I half expected to hear her say "I vant to be alone..." at some point. The double character is a great mystery to keep us all interested. Like others, even though I really loved the musical number, it did bother me that it was a David Bowie. It broke the illusion of the past they had so painstakingly built up- but I guess throwing those twists in is what this show is all about.

There was also some overly obvious writing that bothered me- the scene between Bates and Lange toward the end explained far too much about Lange's character. It didn't need to be said so blatantly.

I give it a 90 out of 100.

[Elvis_Christ]

The musical scene was kind of funny despite one of my biggest pet peeves with period pieces being the use of music that doesn't belong in the time period.

Yeah I'm finding it harder and harder to ignore. There's plenty of great songs from the era they could've used instead. As neverending said it's really sloppy considering they've gone out of their way to recreate the era with the rest of the show. I don't think it's a twist it's more the producers/network playing it safe with well known contemporary songs pandering to modern/younger audiences. It's flaw that really stops the show from being a truly great piece of television like Canivale.

Aside from this I think this is a great season and I'm especially enjoying the clown storyline. The comradery between the freaks is a nice touch bringing some raw emotion (the final act of episode 2) that the show hasn't really touched on before. Perhaps taking a cue from The Walking Dead?

[abcodi]

is this tv series good? how many recommend i watch this?

[hammerfan]

is this tv series good? how many recommend i watch this?

Here's your first recommendation. ::wink::

My favorite season is #2. Compared to seasons 1 and 2, 3 is pretty tame. So far, I'm enjoying season 4, they've gotten back to the scary/creepy/shocking scenes.

[ChronoGrl]

There was also some overly obvious writing that bothered me- the scene between Bates and Lange toward the end explained far too much about Lange's character. It didn't need to be said so blatantly.


Yeah, that bothered me too - I thought that it was really out of place (especially since the show is typically so good at "showing" instead of "telling").


In terms of last week's episode, "Massacres and Matinees," I was very disappointed, which had me concerned - I think that the show was struggling to find a consistent tone and the plot points seemed random and scattered (but not in a good way)...


The Strong Man and Hermaphrodite - I feel as though their entrance should have had more of an impact but it really did not for me.
Freaks going to the diner - Not really sure what the point of that scene was - Show the audience that townies look down on them? We know that already. Create tension between Lobster Boy and the Strong Man?
Twisty the Clown and the Man Child - I actually liked this storyline but ultimately when the Man Child captures Twisty's captive, I found that to be predictable based on what we had seen/heard earlier in the episode; that could have been done better.
Fiona Apple - Really? I liked David Bowie but I do not like this trend. I also found that scene to be oddly and unbelievably frenetic, with the men suddenly rushing the stage...
And then dovetailing in Mars' plot to make the girls' jealous if each other...


Oh boy. I think there was too much going on... There are too many characters and I don't think I have a handle or care about any of them yet, and that's a problem. It's the problem I had with last season and I hope it doesn't happen again.

[Rawhead Rex]

I'm not sure why people watch a show and critique the hell out of it...
Just don't watch it if it bothers you. You'll save yourself headaches.

I LOVE this show...loved every season and love this current one.
It's rolling along nicely, building a lot of plots here and there that will all come tangling together rather violently, I'm thinking.

Guesses...possible spoilers...

The Strong Man will suddenly be able to get it up again, but it won't be for his hermaphrodite, 3 breasted wife, it'll be for young, beautiful Emma Roberts...
AND THIS will cause a lot of trouble!

Dandy can't bring himself to kill his maid, but I don't think he's too far away from begging his new buddy, Twisty, to do it...and he will!

[ChronoGrl]

I'm not sure why people watch a show and critique the hell out of it...
Just don't watch it if it bothers you. You'll save yourself headaches.


I absolutely love the series, seasons 1 & 2 potentially being two of my favorite seasons of TV ever. When I love a show, I gush about what's great about it (maybe you missed my post re the first episode?) and pick apart what's not because I want every episode to blow me away, and I don't think that's a bad thing.

Don't read my critiques about the series if they bother you. You'll save yourself headaches.

[Monkey Astronaut]

Episode 3 "Edward Mordrake (Part 1)" Nice to see Wes Bentley show up. Patti LaBelle doing a Woody Woodpecker impression made me laugh. Starting to get sick of these musical numbers.

[ChronoGrl]

Episode 3 "Edward Mordrake (Part 1)" Nice to see Wes Bentley show up. Patti LaBelle doing a Woody Woodpecker impression made me laugh. Starting to get sick of these musical numbers.

Succinct and pretty much how I felt about it. The musical number seemed really forced and shoehorned in, though I really loved the twins' shared dream.

Really appreciated the homage to Halloween with the clown costume and killer POV moment with Pattie LaBelle. Loved it.

[Manimal]

I like Wes Bentley and I like how he's been cast for the show. I personally love the musical numbers. It gives the "Freak Show" a stage-performance aspect, which I think is important to highlight how challenging that lifestyle must be. Dandy is still growing on me and quickly becoming one of my favourite characters. As soon as he gets up the nerve to kill someone, I think he will just go on a rampage from there and it will be glorious. Who do you think Mordrake will add to his collection?

[Monkey Astronaut]

SPOILERS

Episode 4 "Edward Mordrake (Part 2) The special effects makeup for under Twisty the Clown's mask is one of the most gruesome the show has done. Dandy putting on Twisty mask is the first thing he's done that wasn't annoying. The scene with the town people at the end was pretty good. What little there was of Patti LaBelle was good, sad that her character was killed off but we all saw it coming.

[ferretchucker]

I've really enjoyed this season so far, despite a few nitpicks. I think many of the characters are strong, although they're showing development perhaps a LITTLE too quickly at times e.g. Dot's wild ego.

I particularly enjoyed this last two parter - even the last Lana song, I thought that scene offered a very spooky introduction for Wes Bentley (although his British accent is rather dreadful). I don't know, I really don't mind anachronistic music when it's used well, and I think this world is JUST far enough off center for it to be fine with me.

[MILD TWISTY SPOILERS]
As for Twisty, what a backstory! I've rewatched that scene a few times, their ability to turn fear and wonder into pity is excellent, really impressive. Although I worry that with him gone and Dandy taking the reigns, they've one of the show's best assets - in the past, the antagonists have always been somewhat likeable/morally ambiguous. Jude was a bitch but became a victim and always had her good side (standing up to Arden etc.), Fiona was vein but her glamour made her so fun, Twisty was terrifying but in an exciting way. Dandy's just a bit of a creepy brat. But I'll wait until further episodes to make full judgement.

[Monkey Astronaut]

Nice to see Matt Bomer show up.

[Manimal]

Episode 5 is one of my favourites so far. I just love Dandy and he's definitely becoming the twisted character I hoped he would :D I kinda miss Zachary Quinto though..

[hammerfan]

Episode 5 is one of my favourites so far. I just love Dandy and he's definitely becoming the twisted character I hoped he would :D I kinda miss Zachary Quinto though..

Yes! He was so good in season 2!

[ferretchucker]

Really enjoyed Pink Cupcakes and how it delved into the wants and desires of each character. Was it a bit heavy handed? Yes. BUT nothing worse than not knowing your characters' motivations.

[Monkey Astronaut]

Episode 7 "Test of Strength"

SPOILERS

While the Nirvana cover was decent the use of '90s music in a '50s period piece is annoying. Satisfying seeing Dell get his ass handed to him. Penny's dad is messed up.