By: kmiddleton

kmiddleton — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:48:08 +0000

Since you mention the function of anthologies (which isn't nearly as fun as the batshit/bullshit distinction you note), you might enjoy the LA Review of Books's take on AHS, which tries to historicize it in some curious ways:
"The direct forebears to American Horror Story are, of course, the classic anthology dramas of the 1950s and 1960s, descended, often directly, from radio anthologies that had been popular in earlier decades. Dick Powell’s Four Star Playhouse, The Philco Television Playhouse, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and many others — many of these series were inordinately popular and functioned in similar ways…While American Horror Story is clearly influenced by these series, especially the macabre world of Hitchcock and Twilight, there is a key difference. That is, rather than anthologizing episodes, American Horror Story aims to anthologize seasons. This is more rare in the history of the anthology show. Indeed, one of the few major examples in this particular corner of the genealogy is Masterpiece Theatre, which has been running since 1971…"

Less Mad Men, more Twilight Zone, do you think? Or is the LARB off its collective rocker? Here's the piece in its entirety, in case you're interested:
http://lareviewofbooks.org/article.php?id=1010&fulltext=1

Comments on: AMERICAN HORROR STORY 2X01: "WELCOME TO BRIARCLIFF"

By: kmiddleton