For the past couple of days I have been doing my best to dodge any form of spoilers for the new FX show “American Horror Story”. You see, I thought it was a great idea to re-live my 13 year old glory days so I spent the past 3 nights sweating and watching Youth of Today, Descendents, and Danzig do Misfits/Samhain songs until the wee hours of doomsday. Cool in hindsight, however, all I really wanted to do was curl up on my couch and get lost in what the TV keeps drilling in my head as the “hot new horror show”. Nonetheless, the “hot new horror show” by two of the creators of the popular, yet for me painfully unwatchable show, Glee. Today was the special day I got to hit Play on my DVR, and I have to say ” I wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating crackers”.
If I had to classify an “American Horror Story”, I’d say it starts off one part “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, heads into “Amityville Horror”/”The Shining” territory, and ends somewhere on the doorsteps of “Rosemary’s Baby”. I must admit, there were some points during this hour episode that I felt like I was watching more of a movie rather than a TV show. It was entertaining, dark, charming, had great well-rounded characters, and possessed many qualities I’m just not really used to seeing on mainstream TV. It was kind of a breath of fresh air.
On the down side, as good as this show could be, it’s still not quite fully developed yet. Most stuff that happens in the first episode comes off a little forced, kind of like they were just going through a basic check list. In my opinion, it feels a little cliche. Kind of like Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk spent a night studying some of the popular plot points in America’s favorite horror films of the decades and then tried to cram them all into one episode. There’s a ton of different aspects they throw at you in the span of 60 minutes, and at times it feels just a bit over glamorized for the sake of just being shiny and distracting, but with out building up the type of suspense that I personally really crave.
Will I continue to watch? Of course! I’m really rooting for this show, and I’m hoping that some of the kinks will be ironed out as the season progresses and plots develop a little more. Deep down, I have a feeling “American Horror Story” will turn into the charming show I know it can be, but for now I’m going to give it a solid B.
Now while I’m cooking, I must know…what did all you lovelies think of the pilot episode of “American Horror Story”?
Welcome to the Neighborhood: An “American Horror Salad”
What’s more red, white, and blue than an over the top welcome to the neighborhood bowl of what resembles some form of a salad? Well, I guess a bald eagle, Bandanas, and Ted Nugent would kind of dominate that category. Regardless, this is a quick and easy salad that packs a ton of Italian-Esq flavors that I guarantee you will not get a door slammed in your face.
Ingredients:
-2 Packages Plum Tomatoes, cut in half
-2 Packages of mini Mozzarella balls, cut in half (I prefer the ones also marinated in oil and red pepper fakes)
-5 Basil leaves, chopped
-1 Teaspoon minced Garlic
-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
-2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
-Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Dice up the tomatoes and mozzarella and put them in a medium bowl. Add chopped up basil and mix. In a small bowl mix all other ingredients except salt and pepper. Pour liquid mixture over everything in the medium sized bowl and mix to evenly coat. Add salt and pepper to your liking and serve
Shannons website
