The 65th Emmy Award Nominations are a Snooze, while Drama Pushes the Envelope with more Game of Thrones, and Netflix Series House of Cards, the Comedy line-up looks and feels Stale than my Bagel this Morning

No Julianna Marguilles for The Good Wife?  Jane Lynch is back for her barely there performances in Glee?  Downton Abbey beats out fresh series like The Americans, and The Newsroom?  Arrested Development, basically snubbed across the board?  To quote Steel Magnolias, "Are you high?"

With those questions posed and my rant over (for the time being) the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Nominations, had some good, House of Cards scored 9 nominations, including drama series, but leaving Corey Stoll out of Supporting Actor is baffling.  I am happy to see Kerry Washington in the mix for Scandal, and with seven nomination in Drama Lead Actress there is proof that there are so many great dramatic roles for women its hard to narrow down.  With that said I love Connie Britton, and Nashville is fun, but her getting in over Marguilles is a joke.

On the other hand there are signs voters paid attention, just a little, Jonathan Banks, Emilia Clarke, more writing nominations for Breaking Bad, no writing or directing nominations for Mad Men.  I know Down makes it in because older voters are gaga for this show, but it was not that great this past season, and I am a fan.

Now to the Comedy nominees (and I took it easy on drama).  First and foremost props to upping the ante for shows like Louie and Veep, that's the best thing you Academy did in the comedy categories this year.  Louie and Veep received comedy series nominations along with a few acting nominations, the only surprise is that Veep was once again shut out of writing and directing, when that is the shows bread and butter.

Hey Academy, have you heard of this show called New Girl?  It received several major nominations last year, and it you dropped it faster than a clingy partner.  New Girl had it's best season, and you did not even nominate any of its actors, one of the biggest mistakes.

When Jason Bateman's name was announced, my excitement was peaked.  Then comedy series was announced, and no Arrested Development, I shrugged it off assuming there would be a Jessica Walter or Will Arnett nomination to help ease the pain,  but no dice.  I understand this wasn't everything people wanted, but the show was still good, and these performances still were funny, this makes no sense.

Going into the the night American Horror Story: Asylum has 17 nominations (but will lose to Behind the Candelabra), Game of Thrones has 16 nominations, the most for a drama series, 30 Rock leads the Comedy  nominees with 13 nominations, and Modern Family close behind with 12 nominations.  Louis C.K. also set a record for 9 Emmy nominations for one performer.

This set of nominations is a mixed bag, some great things happened like Netflix doing well with House of Cards, Kerry Washington getting in, Veep, and Louie doing well, and some things were just plain lazy, like Glee nominations, and other shows which were just check marked for the name.  I am going to stick with the Television Critics Awards (TCA) nominations and winners from now on if the Emmy Awards remain lazy.

Best Drama
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men

Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Hugh Bonnevile-Downton Abbey
Bryan Cranston-Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels-The Newsroom
Jon Hamm-Mad Men
Damien Lewis-Homeland
Kevin Spacey-House of Cards

Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Connie Britton-Nashville
Claire Daines-Homeland
Michelle Dockery-Downton Abbey
Vera Farmiga-Bate's Motel
Elisbaeth Moss-Mad Men
Kerry Washington-Scandal
Robin Wright-House of Cards

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks-Breaking Bad
Bobby Cannavale-Boardwalk Empire
Jim Carter-Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage-Game of Thrones
Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad
Mandy Patinkin-Homeland

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Morena Baccarin-Homeland
Christina Baranski-The Good Wife
Emilia Clarke-Game of Thrones
Anna Gunn-Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks-Mad Men
Maggie Smith-Downton Abbey

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Dan Bucatinsky-Scandal
Michael J. Fox-The Good Wife
Rupert Friend-Homeland
Nathan Lane-The Good Wife
Robert Morse-Mad Men
Harry Hamlin-Mad Men

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Linda Cardellini-Mad Men
Joan Cusack-Shaneless
Jane Fonda-The Newsroom
Margo Martindale-The Americans
Carrie Preston-The Good Wife
Diana Rigg-Game of Thrones

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Breaking Bad-Dead Freight
Breaking Bad-Say My Name
Downton Abbey-Episode 4
Game of Thrones-The Rains of Castamere
Homeland-Q&A

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire-Margate Sands-
Breaking Bad-Gliding Over All
Downton Abbey-Episode 4
Homeland-Q&A-
House of Cards-Chapter One

Best Comedy Series
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
Veep

Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Alec Baldwin-30 Rock

Jason Bateman-Arrested Development

Louis C.K.-Louie

Don Cheedle-House of Lies 

Matt LeBlanc-Episodes 

Jim Parsons-The Big Bang Theory 

Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Laura Dern-Enlightened 

Lena Dunham-Girls 

Edie Falco-Nurse Jackie 

Tina Fey-30 Rock 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus-Veep

Amy Poehler-Parks and Recreation

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell-Modern Family
Jessie Tyler Fergeuson-Modern Family
Adam Driver-Girls
Tony Hale-Veep
Bill Hader-Saturday Night Live
Ed O'Neil-Modern Family

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Mayim Bialik-The Big Bang Theory

Julie Bowen-Modern Family

Anna Chlumsky-Veep

Jane Krakowski-30 Rock

Jane Lynch-Glee 

Sofia Vergara-Modern Family

Merritt Wever-Nurse Jackie

Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Bobby Cannavale-Nurse Jackie
Louis C.K.-Saturday Night Live
Will Forte-30 Rock
Bob Newhart-The Big Bang Theory
Nathan Lane-Modern Family
Justin Timberlake-Saturday Night Live

Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Dot-Marie Jones-Glee
Melissa Leo-Louie
Melissa McCarthy-Saturday Night Live 

Molly Shannon-Enlightened
Elaine Stritch-30 Rock
Kristin Wiig-Saturday Night Live

Directing in a Comedy Series
Girls-On All Fours-Lena Dunham
Glee-Diva-Paris Barclay
Louie-New Year's Eve-Louis C.K.
Modern Family-Arrested-Gail Mancuso
30 Rock-Hogcock/Last Lunch-Beth McCarthy Miller

Writing in a Comedy Series
Episodes-Episdoe 209-David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik
Louie-Daddy's Girlfriend (Part One)-Louis C.K.
The Office-Finale-Greg Daniels
30 Rock-Hogcock-Robert Carlock and Jack Burditt
30 Rock-Last Lunch-Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield

Best Mini-Series/Movie

American Horror Story: Asylum

Behind the Candelabra 

The Bible

Phil Spector

Political Animals

Top of the Lake 

Lead Actor in a Mini Series/Movie 

Benedict Cumberbatch

Matt Damon-Behind the Candelabra

Douglas-Behind the Candelabra

Tobey Jones-The Girl

Al Pacino-Phil Spector 

Lead Actress in a Mini-Series/Movie

Jessica Lange-American Horror Story: Asylum

Laura Linney-The Big C: Hereafter

Helen Mirren-Phil Spector 

Elisabeth Moss-Top of the Lake 

Sigourney Weaver-Political Animals

Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series/Movie
Scot Bakula-Behind the Cadelabra
James Cromwell-American Horror Story: Asylum
John Benjamin Hickey-The Big C: Hereafter
Zachary Quinto-American Horror Story: Asylum
Tom Mullen-Top of the Lake

Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series/Movie
Ellen Burstyn-Political Animals
Sarah Paulson-American Horror Story: Asylum
Charlotte Rampling-Restless
Imelda Staunton-The Girl
Alfre Woodard-Steel Magnolias

Reality Series 

The Amazing Race 

Dancing with the Stars 

Project Runway

So You Think You Can Dance

Top Chef

The Voice 

 Reality Show Host

Tom Bergeron-Danicing with the Stars

Anthony Bourdain-The Taste 

Cat Deely-So You Think You Can Dance 

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn-Project Runway

Ryan Seacrest-American Idol

Betty White-Off Their Rockers

Best Variety Series

The Colbert Report

The Daily Show 

Late Show with Jimmy Kimmel

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Real Time with Bill Maher

Saturday Night Live 

The Big Bang Theory, Horror Story, Parks and Rec, Good Wife, Game of Thrones and The Americans Lead 2012-2103 TV Critics Nominations

Interesting nominees this morning with former favorites Modern Family, Community (last years winner) and Mad Men all shut out of most of the races.  With each show only receiveing one nomination.  Modern Family is hitting a plateau creatively, Mad Men's drug induced episodes and angry Don are sliding out from under their feet, and Community star Danny Puddi saved this season.

Good news for Comedies The Big Bang Theory and Parks and Recreation!  Bang received 6 nominations, the show is consistently good, and one of the only Chuck Lorre shows I can stomach, namely because of the acting.  I think it should win Outstanding Comedy Series at some point at the Emmy Awards.  Parks and Recreation came in at a close second with 5 nominations, and has maintained its favorite status with critics even longer than The Office did!  The rest of the Best Comedy Series nominees were Louie (4 nominations), The Middle (2 nominations), New Girl (4 nominations), and Veep (2 nominations).  Interestingly enough Girls was snubbed from this category, I am guessing the second half of the second season through off the critics.  

On the Drama side there is a four way tie between The Americans, Breaking Bad, The Good Wife, and Game of Thrones, which each had 4 nominations a piece.  I need to get back into The Americans, I gave up on it, but maybe I missed something.  The other three shows deserve this credit, Wife is beyond underrated, and Game of Thrones is knocking it out of the park, and Breaking Bad is well, Breaking Bad.  The rest of the nominees were Downton Abbey, which had its weakest season (1 nomination), and Homeland (3 nominations, how they snubbed Mandy Patinking is beyond me.

Some surprise/fun nominees this morning were Sutton Foster for Bunheads, Jeremy Sisto for Suburgatory, Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black, and Abigail Spencer for Rectify.

In the movie/mini-series category American Horror Story: Asylum cleaned up with its massive cast tieing The Big Bang Theory as the most nominated with 6 nominations.  Other nominees are Behind the Candelabra (3 nominations), The Crimson Petal and the White (1 nomination), The Hour (3 nominations), Political Animals (4 nominations), and Top of the Lake (5 nominations).

BEST COMEDY SERIES

The Big Bang Theory
Louie
The Middle
New Girl
Parks and Recreation
Veep

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Don Cheadle (House of Lies)
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Jake Johnson (New Girl)
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation)
Jeremy Sisto (Suburgatory)

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Laura Dern (Enlightened)
Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)
Lena Dunham (Girls)
Sutton Foster (Bunheads)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Max Greenfield (New Girl)
Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory)
Alex Karpovsky (Girls)
Adam Pally (Happy Endings)
Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation)
Danny Pudi (Community)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory)
Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory)
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family)
Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)
Eden Sher (The Middle)
Casey Wilson (Happy Endings)

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A COMEDY SERIES
Melissa Leo (Louie)
David Lynch (Louie)
Bob Newhart (The Big Bang Theory)
Patton Oswalt (Parks and Recreation)
Molly Shannon (Enlightened)
Patrick Wilson (Girls)

BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Americans 
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Homeland

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Damian Lewis (Homeland)
Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead)
Timothy Olyphant (Justified)
Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes (Homeland)
Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel)
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Keri Russell (The Americans)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad)
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones)
Michael Cudlitz (Southland)
Noah Emmerich (The Americans)
Walton Goggins (Justified)
Corey Stoll (House of Cards)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter)
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad)
Regina King (Southland)
Monica Potter (Parenthood)
Abigail Spencer (Rectify)

BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jim Beaver (Justified)
Jane Fonda (The Newsroom)
Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife)
Carrie Preston (The Good Wife)
Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones)
Jimmy Smits (Sons of Anarchy)

BEST MOVIE OR MINISERIES
American Horror Story: Asylum
Behind the Candelabra
The Crimson Petal and the White
The Hour
Political Animals
Top of the Lake

BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Benedict Cumberbatch (Parade’s End)
Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra)
Michael Douglas (Behind the Candelabra)
Toby Jones (The Girl)
Al Pacino (Phil Spector)
Dominic West (The Hour)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Angela Bassett (Betty & Coretta)
Romola Garai (The Hour)
Rebecca Hall (Parade’s End)
Jessica Lange (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Elisabeth Moss (Top of the Lake)
Sigourney Weaver (Political Animals)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
James Cromwell (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake)
Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Sebastian Stan (Political Animals)
David Wenham (Top of the Lake)
Thomas M. Wright (Top of the Lake)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Ellen Burstyn (Political Animals)
Sienna Miller (The Girl)
Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Lily Rabe (American Horror Story: Asylum)
Imelda Staunton (The Girl)
Alfre Woodard (Steel Magnolias)

BEST REALITY SERIES
Duck Dynasty 
The Moment 
Pawn Stars
Push Girls
Small Town Security 
Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan 

BEST REALITY SERIES – COMPETITION
Chopped
Face Off 
Shark Tank 
So You Think You Can Dance 
Survivor 
The Voice

BEST REALITY HOST
Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars)
Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance)
Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen/Masterchef)
RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Kurt Warner (The Moment)

BEST TALK SHOW
Conan 
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 
The Ellen DeGeneres Show 
Jimmy Kimmel Live! 
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Marie

BEST ANIMATED SERIES
Adventure Time 
Archer
Phineas and Ferb 
Regular Show 
The Simpsons 
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

2012 Entertainer(s) of the Year

Although we are only in the last week of November, this year's entertainers of the year would be hard to topple.  Here is my list of entertainers of the year (2012): 

1-The Avengers

The biggest box office hit of the year, was the product of numerous contingencies, including Disney, Marvel, the cast, the crew behind the scenes, and of course the ensemble.  Let’s start with the master behind the marketing, Disney.  Disney did an amazing job making sure that everyone of these films connected at the end, and the story tied together to make sure this built up to one large scale event, and the event will continue. 

Enter the comic genius/director Joss Whedon.  Whedon who has written for Marvel before (Astonishing X-Men), was the perfect choice to direct this film; he loves the comic world and transformed the Marvel world’s greatest heroes into tangible well made film.  This man’s vision along with people who worked behind the scenes on the visual effects, sound, and editing constructed one power house action flick!

Once you have a great marketing strategy, an amazing director, and creative team, it’s time for the actual Avengers to Asemble!  Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man (Tony Stark), Chris Evans as Captain America (Steve Rogers), Chris Hemsworth as Thor,  new addition Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk (Bruce Baner), through is Scar Johannsen as the Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeyes, and you have one solid team.  Then bring back Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the man behind SHIELD, and Tom Hiddleston as the mischievous villain Loki, and you have one great ensemble.

Bringing all of these elements created one of the most entertaining films of the year, and brought a comic book fan’s dreams come true.

2-HBO

HBO has had some good/great years, and depending on their new programming  slate that can push them over the top.  This year HBO also had some of the best original films along with their original series putting this network miles above the rest (as usual).

Game Change, which won the Best Movie/Mini-Series at the Emmy Awards, and also took home the Lead Actress Award (Julianne Moore) and Writing, and Directing prizes.  The film centered around John McCain, and Sarah Palin’s bid for the White House in 2008, and of the all the of all the television films this one was truly the best of the year.

HBO has been focused on successful Drama’s for most of its time, and they have been the most successful for the network aside from Sex and the City, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.  This year HBO proved they can be the king/queen of comedy.  HBO had two hits with audiences, and critics, the shows Veep and Girls.  One of the best parts about these shows being solid for the network is that they are female driven, which is also rare for HBO.

Along with these two new brilliant shows, HBO still has Game of Thrones, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, and Enlightened to help make this one of the best networks on the air because of its wide array of programming.  This may be the best line-up the network has ever had!

3-Channing Tatum

 

The man was a beast at the box office this year, and had three films: 21 Jump Street made 138 million, The Vow made 125 million, and Magic Mike made 113 million.  This is a rare feet, there are no longer stars that bring people to the box office the way they did in the past (or well as many).  Having three films make over 100 million, and be based on the popularity of a star does not happen as often either.  Channing Tatum is one popular guy, with whom both the ladies and men swoon over; he is the leading man of the year.  Tatum was also voted the sexiest man alive by People Magazine, and star of the year by GQ, with all these accolades this guy is unstoppable. 

4- The Ensemble from Homeland

Homeland’s season one had strong popularity, and the ensemble worked well together.  In September Homeland won 4 key Emmy awards including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama (Damien Lewis), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama (Claire Danes), and Outstanding Writing.  While Danes and Lewis, and the creative team were singled out for their contributions the who ensemble is what makes this show tick.  Brody and Carrie would be nothing without their counterparts.  Brody’s wife (while grating sometimes) plays Jessica well, and she balances out much of the show.  Carrie finds her stability with Saul Berenson a co-worker played by Mandy Patinkin, Hollah!  These four folks along with David Harewood, keep the energy going within this show.  I have to exclude Brody’s children, as they drive me nuts!

 5- Taylor Swift

She may be never getting back together, with whoever she dated :cough Jake Gyllenhaal cough: and he single is one of the catchiest I have ever heard.  Taylor Swift may have to realize that one of these days these break-ups is about her,  but for now as long as she keeps getting dumped, that’s right dumped, she is going to be making lots and lots of money.

Taylor Swift’s album Red sold 1,280,000 copies in its first week, artists do not accomplish these anymore, there are very few who succeed as much as this young lady does on the album sales charts.  Sift has also sold 623,000 digital downloads from itunes of her single “We are Never Getting Back Together.”  These two numbers make her the most entertaining musician of the year!

6- Jennifer Lawrence

From The Hunger Games to Silver Linings Playbook this girl has it all the box office power, and the ability to act circles around everyone.  The Hunger Games was no Twilight, the film was much better, and let Lawrence turn in a great/convincing portrait as one of the most memorable characters in recent films/literature Katniss Everdeen.  After re-watching the Hunger Games again recently I was blown away even in this film that Lawrence gave a solid performance.

Yet she will be recognized for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook come award season, and rightfully.  Lawrence is funny, and heartbreaking within this film, and you feel for her as she finds companionship in a man who is lost within his life, like her.  The award season has not started but Lawrence is an early favorite to win at the Globes, and even to be a favorite in the Lead Actress category at the Oscars.  Lawrence is force to be reckoned with, and there is no stopping this woman!

7- James Bond

This was the 50^th anniversary of this character in film, and there was a special edition box set released, which has been flying off the shelves like gang busters.  Along with this special edition box set, there was of course the main reason this character made the list this year, and that is release of the 23^rd film, entitled Skyfall.  Skyfall, is now the highest grossing bond movie of all time, the film is incredible, and it has taken the character along with his current portrayer Daniel Craig.  During Thanksgiving weekend, Skyfall was going toe to toe with the box office powerhouse Twilight.  The quality of the film along with the strong support has brought this character back on top, metaphorically speaking.

8- Ben Affleck

This was a tough call between Steven Spielberg, and Ben Affleck.  Spielberg’s Lincoln is taking off bigger than anyone would have expected, but it’s this younger director/actor/writer who has captured audiences across the globe with his film Argo.  Affleck is one of the most talented men working today, and Argo is one the best/most entertaining films of the year.  In front of the camera Affleck gave one of the best performances of his career (too bad in this crowded category he will get lost) he was subtle, and yet unnerving with his actions as the CIA agent turned fake producer.  Behind the lens Affleck’s direction was brilliant; he was able to make a film that was thrilling, captivating, and hilarious, three hard elements to achieve within one film, bravo!

9-Jessica Lange, Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, and Even Peters

While the first edition of American Horror Story aired in 2011, and the cast was brilliant then, but Ryan Murphy brought back a few of the best from season one, proving five folks to be some of the most entertaining folks of 2012.

Together Lange, Quinto , Paulson, Rabe, and Peters and fiercely wonderful as the have taken on new personas in this second mini-series from Murphy.  These are the folks who will most likely return for part III next year, and entertain television audiences once again.  Ryan Murphy has a knack for finding good talent, and using them well amongst his ensemble, and these five actors are some of television’s hardest working folks, proving scary works even on the small screen.

10-Seth MacFarlene and Ted

Raunchy comedies do well these days, and MacFarlene who brings the raunch to television on a weekly basis with Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show is the man to fill these shoes.  MacFarlene has humor, which many would call crude, but he is one of the funniest, and most talented men working today.

MacFarlene toppled the myths that R rated films can’t do well (once again, although people keep forgetting).  Ted the talking bear himself may get more credit than MacFarlene, but the two are one in the same (obviously) and they bring the laughs all the time. 

MacFarlene also took to the stage at Studio 6H with SNL, and was season’s best host thus far; he can sing, dance, and do great impersonations.  With all of these things going for him MacFarlene was asked to be the host of the Academy Awards next year, and incredible honor.  This made me a thunder buddy for life!

Trapped on Duty Night Four: American Horror Story Asylum

With the hurricane fast approaching my fourth day on duty was action packed, somewhat.  I woke up late in the day mainly because I received one phone call at 3:30 am and one at 6:20 am, so my day started at noon.  I got to go to the gym for the first time in days, did laundry, watched lots of movies, and finished my last television show from this past week American Horror Story: Asylum.

Asylum is a new story, from creator Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk who created the original "miniseries" last year around Halloween.  This miniseries uses some of the shows favorite actors in new roles, Jessica Lange returns in a central role as a nun working at the asylum.  Other actors who have returned to the fold of the Murphy/Falchuk world are Zachary Quinto, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and a few more.  While the first miniseries was a true ghost story this second coming looks at the concept of the world of Asylums in the 60s.

During this time in American history the asylum was not just a place for the truly mentally ill, but it was also a place for nymphomaniacs, homosexuals, and those the world deemed as outcasts.  At this time religion had even more power over people, and many asylums were run by priests, and nuns.  This asylum mixes the religion with science.  The priest behind the scenes is played by Joseph Fiennes, and the scientist behind the experiments is played by James Cromwell.  The show was the perfect spooky treat to lead up to Halloween this Wednesday, but the most interesting thing in the show for me is the concept of science versus religion.

While the show is still in its early phase of examining both religion and science there is a lot that Murphy and Falchuk can do with this show, while making things go bump in the night.  This week focused on a young boy who speaks in tongues and eats the hearts of animals.  Zachary Quinto's character believes the boy needs medicine while Lange's nun feels as though an exorcism is needed.  In this world of the supernatural science and religion seem to challenge each other on a daily basis.  While in the current world in our country people tend to lean to one or the other.  Our bi polarization does not allow people to believe in both.  While I am close to defining myself as an atheist, I think for those who are religious there can be a connection between both.  I am excited to see the way this show explores the dark territories with both.