American Horror Story fans stage boycott over Kim Kardashian
One way to bring back a waning fan base is probably not to cast a divisive actor and back viewers into a corner where they threaten to boycott your series. If only someone at the American Horror Story offices was listening.
While Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's anthology series started out strong, there are continued complaints its lost its way. You only have to look at the release of American Horror Story: NYC averaging 0.27 million viewers per episode compared to a high of Coven (4 million), to see we might be running out of steam.
Horror fans can find the positives in the worst AHS season (maybe not Cult). Part of its charm is the A-list cast welcoming everyone, including Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Patti LuPone, Macaulay Culkin, Angela Bassett, and more. However, not everyone loves American Horror Story Season 12's casting.
Fans hate Kim Kardashian's American Horror Story casting
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As the first details about American Horror Story Season 12 trickle in, there's the out-there casting of Kim Kardashian - yes, that Kim Kardashian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star and former Mrs. Kanye West has landed a mystery role in the series.
Kardashian will join AHS fan-favourite Emma Roberts, so at least that's a positive. Beyond that, there's no word on who else will be stepping up to the plate and whether series staples Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson will be back after sitting out Season 11.
Murphy confirmed the news to the site and explained, "Kim is among the biggest and brightest television stars in the world and we are thrilled to welcome her to the AHS family.
"Emma and I are excited about collaborating with this true force in the culture. Halley Feiffer has written a fun, stylish and ultimately terrifying role especially for Kim, and this season is ambitious and unlike anything we have ever done."
Not everyone is convinced, as one angry fan vented, "I will not support any Kardashian/Jenner business and this counts. I'm done." Another fumed, "This is how you know the show is going downhill," while a third said, "Ugh guess I'm skipping this season."
There were more rumbles of boycotting the season altogether. When TMZ asked if you'd watch with Kardashian involved, someone concluded, "Fff no! The show has seriously fallen off. I used to be a loyal fan. Hasn't been good since Hotel."
We have to trust the process
Before you declare American Horror Story as done before it has even started, remember that we've had everyone from Naomi Campbell to Adam Levine star in the series. Sure, they're not up there with Lange as lauded performances, but they've been fine.
Others have pointed out that Ariana Grande had a perfectly passable role in Scream Queens and surprised her critics. Then again, Kardashian wasn't exactly flexing her acting chops when she popped up in a single episode of CSI: NY.
Perhaps the best argument for giving this one a chance was Lady Gaga's role in American Horror Story: Hotel. Despite critiques this is when AHS jumped the shark, her performance as the Countess was widely loved and undoubtedly put her on the path to starring in A Star is Born. Your turn, Kim.