American Horror Story: Murder House

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American Horror Story Season 1
File:American.horror.story.jpg
Promotional image of the series.
No. of episodes12
Release
Original networkFX
Original releaseOctober 5 (2011-10-05) –
December 21, 2011 (2011-12-21)[1]
Season chronology
Next →
Season 2
List of episodes

The first season of the FX television series American Horror Story premiered on October 5, 2011 and is scheduled to conclude on December 21, 2011.[1] The series was created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The series centers on the Harmon family: Ben, Vivien and their daughter Violet, who move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien has a stillbirth and Ben has an affair. They move into a restored mansion, unaware that the home is haunted by its former inhabitants.

Plot

Main article: List of American Horror Story episodes

American Horror Story follows the Harmon family: Ben (Dylan McDermott), Vivien (Connie Britton) and Violet (Taissa Farmiga), who move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien gives birth to a stillborn baby and Ben has an affair with one of his students. The family moves to a restored mansion, unaware that the house is haunted. Ben and Vivien try to rekindle their relationship as Violet, suffering from depression, finds comfort with Tate (Evan Peters). Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) and Larry Harvey (Denis O'Hare) routinely and frequently affect the Harmons' lives.

Cast

Main article: List of American Horror Story characters

Main cast

Recurring and minor characters

Episodes

See also: List of American Horror Story episodes
№ # Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code 		U.S. viewers
(million)
11"Pilot"Ryan MurphyRyan Murphy & Brad FalchukOctober 5, 2011 (2011-10-05)1ATS793.18[2]
22"Home Invasion"Alfonso Gomez-RejonRyan Murphy & Brad FalchukOctober 12, 2011 (2011-10-12)1ATS012.46[3]
33"Murder House"Bradley BueckerJennifer SaltOctober 19, 2011 (2011-10-19)1ATS022.58[4]
44"Halloween (Part 1)"David SemelJames WongOctober 26, 2011 (2011-10-26)1ATS032.96[5]
55"Halloween (Part 2)"David SemelTim MinearNovember 2, 2011 (2011-11-02)1ATS042.74[6]
66"Piggy Piggy"Michael UppendahlJessica SharzerNovember 9, 2011 (2011-11-09)1ATS052.83[7]
77"Open House"Tim HunterBrad FalchukNovember 16, 2011 (2011-11-16)1ATS063.06[8]
88"Rubber Man"Miguel ArtetaRyan MurphyNovember 23, 2011 (2011-11-23)1ATS072.81[9]
99"Spooky Little Girl"John ScottJennifer SaltNovember 30, 2011 (2011-11-30)1ATS082.85[10]
1010"Smoldering Children"Michael LehmannJames WongDecember 7, 2011 (2011-12-07)1ATS092.54[11]
1111"Birth"[1]UnknownUnknownDecember 14, 2011 (2011-12-14)[1]TBATBA
1212"Afterbirth"[1]UnknownUnknownDecember 21, 2011 (2011-12-21)[1]TBATBA

Production

Conception

Creators Murphy and Falchuk began working on American Horror Story before their Fox series Glee began production.[12] Murphy wanted to do the opposite of what he’d done previously and thus began his work on the series. He stated "So we’re doing some squeaky clean, sweet, optimistic, non-cynical piece, I wanted to do something that sorta tapped into the different side of my personality."[13][14] Falchuk was intrigued by the idea of putting a different angle on the horror genre, stating that their main goal in creating the series was to scare viewers. "You want people to be a little bit off balance afterwards", he said.[15]

The dark tone of the series is mirrored after the ABC soap opera Dark Shadows, which Murphy’s grandmother forced him to watch when he was younger to toughen him up.[16] In addition, the series draws inspiration from classic horror films such as Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby and Stanley Kubrick's The Shining.[17]

Development history

In February 2011, FX officially announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, with both Murphy and Falchuk writing and Murphy directing. Dante Di Loreto was announced as executive producer. Production on the series began in April 2011.[18] On July 18, 2011, FX officially announced the project had been picked up to series.[19] On August 3, 2011, it was announced that Tim Minear, Jennifer Salt, James Wong and Jessica Sharzer had joined the series as writers.[20]

Casting

Casting announcements began in March 2011, with Connie Britton first to be cast, portaying female lead Vivien Harmon.[21] Denis O’Hare joined the cast in late March as Larry Harvey.[22] Jessica Lange joined the cast in April as Constance, marking her first regular role on television.[23] Dylan McDermott was cast as the lead Ben Harmon in late April. His character was initially described as "a handsome and masculine but sensitive therapist who loves his family but has hurt his wife."[24] In May, Taissa Farmiga and Evan Peters were the last actors to be cast, portraying Violet Harmon and Tate Langdon, respectively.[25]

Filming

The pilot episode was shot on location in a house in Country Club Park, Los Angeles, California, which serves as the haunted house and crime scene in the series. Designed and built around 1908 by Alfred Rosenheim, the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Tudor or Collegiate Gothic-style single family home was previously used as a convent.[26][27]

The series is filmed on sets that are an exact replica of the house.[28] Details such as Lewis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows, and hammered bronze light fixtures, were re-created to preserve the look of the house.[26]

Due to a "very aggressive" production schedule and the series' pilot shoot having to wait for co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk's other show, Glee, to wrap its second season production, it was announced that the show's first season finale would be thirty minutes shorter than planned. An option was given to Murphy by the network to drop the thirteenth episode altogether and air an hour-long finale, but Murphy came up with a plan for a ninety-minute one.[29]

Reception

Critical reception

American Horror Story has received generally positive reviews from critics. The first episode scored 61 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 29 reviews.[30] Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly awarded the pilot episode a B+, stating "AHS is pretty much all scare, all the time: a whole lotta screams, sex, jolts, mashed faces, psychotic behavior, and dead babies."[31]

Chuck Barney of the San Jose Mercury News said "Most TV shows, after all, quickly fade from memory. This one will haunt your dreams."[32] Hank Stuever from The Washington Post said in his review that "Overdoing things is one of Murphy's trademark flaws, but this show has a captivating style and giddy gross-outs."[33]

The New York Times' Mike Hale calls the show "a more classically minded chiller," taking into mind the success of HBO's True Blood and AMC's The Walking Dead.[34]

Not all reviews were favorable: Alan Sepinwall of HitFix gave the series a D−, saying, "It is so far over the top that the top is a microscopic speck in its rearview mirror, and so full of strange sounds, sights and characters that you likely won't forget it - even though many of you will wish you could."[35]

The Los Angeles Times' Mary McNamara gave it a mixed review, stating that it "...collapses into camp...upon more than one occasion" but also noting that it is "...hard to look away."[36]

Ratings

The pilot episode gained a 1.6 ratings share among adults aged 18–49 and garnered 3.2 million viewers,[37] and totalled 5.2 million between two airings.[38] Ratings increased as the series progressed, with the fourth episode receiving a 1.7 ratings share among adults 18-49, a tenth of a point higher than the pilot episode.[39] The seventh episode had a viewership of 3.06 million, receiving a 1.8 ratings share in the 18-49 demographic; a series high.[40][41]

American Horror Story premiered on November 7, 2011 across Europe and Latin America on Fox International Channels, ranking #1 or #2 among all Pay-TV in most metered markets across Latin America and Europe for its time slot. In the UK, it premiered on non-terrestrial channel FX, with 128,200 viewers. The second episode saw an increase of 27%, receiving an overall viewership of 158,700.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Shows A-Z - american horror story on fx". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  2. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 6, 2011). "Wednesday Cable: 'American Horror Story' Premiere, 'South Park' Return Top MLB Playoffs + 'Ghost Hunters,' 'Nick Swardson' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 13, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Rises; 'American Horror Story' Falls; + Brewers/Cards NLCS, 'Psych' Premiere, 'Ghost Hunters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  4. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 20, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings:'Storage Wars' Tops Night, 'American Horror Story' Rises; 'South Park' Falls + 'Psych,' 'Pretty Little Liars' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  5. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 28, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings:'American Horror Story' Series High Edges 'South Park' + 'Psych,' 'Daily Show,' 'Ultimate Fighter' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  6. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 3, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park,' 'American Horror Story' Lead + 'Psych,' 'Real World,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  7. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 10, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story,' 'South Park' Lead; 'Psych' Lower + 'Real World,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  8. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Series High + 'South Park,' 'Psych,' 'Real World,' 'Ultimate Fighter,' 'Mythbusters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  9. ^ Seidman, Robert (November 28, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Cruises to Easy Thanksgiving Eve Win". TV by the Numbers.
  10. ^ Seidman, Robert (December 1, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + Captain Kirk Boosts 'Psych'; 'Hot In Cleveland,' 'Full Throttle Saloon' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  11. ^ Gorman, Bill (December 8, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story,' 'Sons Of Guns' Top Night + 'Psych', 'Hot In Cleveland,' 'Ghost Hunters' Finale & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  12. ^ Stack, Tim (October 5, 2011). "'American Horror Story' co-creator Ryan Murphy talks premiere, his favorite scene, and identity of Rubber Man -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly.
  13. ^ Stack, Tim (October 5, 2011). "'American Horror Story' co-creator Ryan Murphy talks premiere, his favorite scene, and identity of Rubber Man -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly.
  14. ^ Nash, Steve (November 5, 2011). "American Horror Story Interview: "People Want To Be Scared"". SFX.
  15. ^ Juergens, Brian (October 3, 2011). "Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk Talk "American Horror Story": Blood, Infidelity, and Zachary Quinto". AFTERELTON.
  16. ^ Adalian, Josef (August 6, 2011). "Ryan Murphy Talks American Horror Story". Vulture.
  17. ^ Gold, Kenn (October 2, 2011). "Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk On Dark "American Horror Story"". Mediablvd.
  18. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (February 17, 2011). "FX orders 'American Horror Story' from 'Glee' pair". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  19. ^ FX Orders "American Horror Story" to Series
  20. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 3, 2011). "'American Horror Story' Adds Tim Minear, 3 More Writers (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Stransky, Tanner (March 18, 2011). "'Friday Night Lights' star Connie Britton cast in Ryan Murphy's 'American Horror Story' pilot". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 30, 2011). "Denis O'Hare Joins Ryan Murphy's FX Pilot 'American Horror Story' pilot". Deadline. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 13, 2011). "Jessica Lange To Star In Ryan Murphy/Brad Falchuk's FX Pilot 'American Horror Story'". Deadline. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  24. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 29, 2011). "Dylan McDermott To Star In Ryan Murphy's FX Pilot 'American Horror Story'". Deadline. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 5, 2011). "'American Horror Story' Casts Young Leads". Deadline. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  26. ^ a b Keeps, David A. (October 31, 2011). "Set Pieces: The haunted house of 'American Horror Story'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  27. ^ Kudler, Adrian Glick (October 4, 2011). "American Horror Story Gave Alfred Rosenheim House in Country Club Park an Early Halloween Costume". curbed.com. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  28. ^ Chaney, Jen (October 5, 2011). "Connie Britton on 'American Horror Story,' 'Friday Night Lights' and what she learned from Rob Zombie". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 18, 2011).'American Horror Story' Two-Hour Finale Will Be Trimmed To 90 Minutes, Deadline.com, November 24, 2011.
  30. ^ "American Horror Story: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  31. ^ Tucker, Ken. "American Horror Story". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  32. ^ Barney, Chuck. "Chuck Barney: Scary, sexy 'American Horror Story' gets its freak on". Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  33. ^ Stuever, Hank (September 21, 2011). "2011 TV season: Few smooth takeoffs, many bumpy arrivals". The Washington Post.
  34. ^ Hale, Mike (October 4, 2011). "They Said It Had Good Bones". The New York Times.
  35. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (October 4, 2011). "Review: FX's 'American Horror Story' an overwrought mess". HitFix.
  36. ^ McNamara, Mary (October 5, 2011). "TV review: 'American Horror Story' on FX". The Los Angeles Times.
  37. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 6, 2011). "Wednesday Cable: 'American Horror Story' Premiere, 'South Park' Return Top MLB Playoffs + 'Ghost Hunters,' 'Nick Swardson' & More". TV by the Numbers.
  38. ^ Seidman, Robert (October 6, 2011). "'American Horror Story' Scares Up 3.2 Million Viewers in Premiere Telecast". TV by the Numbers.
  39. ^ Gorman, Bill (October 28, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings:'American Horror Story' Series High Edges 'South Park' + 'Psych,' 'Daily Show,' 'Ultimate Fighter' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
  40. ^ Gorman, Bill (November 17, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings:'American Horror Story' Series High + 'South Park' + 'Psych,' 'Real World,' 'Ultimate Fighter,' 'Mythbusters,' & More". TV by the Numbers.
  41. ^ ""American Horror Story" Surges to Series Highs in Multiple Demos". The Futon Critic. November 17, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  42. ^ Gorman, Bill. "International Premiere Of 'American Horror Story' Scares Up Big Numbers On Fox International Channels". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2011.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Horror_Story:_Murder_House&oldid=464950015"