Shows like American Horror Story have been doing the same cast different story thing for a number of years now. I kind of like it. I think it attracts top talent. :)

I didn't really like American Crime as much as the critics did last year, but found it compelling enough to watch the whole thing. The kind of heightened reality presentation didn't work for me, and some of the situations were confusing and seemed to be twisty for twisty's sake, rather than really about the complications of real life. I like this year, so far, much better. There's a sharper focus. There's just as much layering and complexity, but what they've shown so far is just all the different threads that make up the tapestry, rather than odd little embellishments sewn in. Much better!

With the way the characters are presented, I'm also liking it. There are ways of making people you don't like sympathetic, and they do a good job. I like that Lily Taylor's character has the iffy background, which sort of drives her almost whinyness, but she's trying her best to advocate for her child, even though she's coming from a point of helplessness. I like that Felicity Huffman's character, while being very careful to make sure that the record of how they're handling this is just right, also seems to be motivated by a certain amount of we need to do the right thing, even if the interests of the institution are weighed heavily, and she bends to those who have real power. I like that the kids, although they, like most TV kids, seem more like 27 than 17 (and probably are), don't seem to have a wide perspective, but are operating within the narrow focus of their lives, without being aware or caring about anything beyond their scopes. Regina King hasn't had as much to do yet, but I can see similar subtlety in her work so far.

I hope it continues to be as good.

Netflix?

nope ABC, wednesday night, 10p.m.

pillog, haven't watched AHS, so this is new to me....

I was trying to be informative. I apologize if it came off otherwise.

There's another version where the title remains the same but there's a different story and cast, like Fargo.

I watched the whole first series, but haven't watched this one. I thought that the acting was great, but was sometimes very confused . I know that they try to make it interesting and keep you coming back by twists and turns in the plot, but there was so much of that, that I was scratching my head some of the time. I also had a hard time trying to figure out how some of the characters intersected.

I haven't seen it yet but I was watching the people's couch and they were watching American Crime and it looked like something we would like to see. So I am going to try to remember to set it on dvr.

pllog, oh my gosh, not offensive to me at all, none taken, no worries :)

I watched the first and am watching the second. Not crazy about either but I watch when nothing else is on.

Is this the one where the teen is at a party, then photos of him circulate? If so, it's not for me. I think I watched it last season.

Yes, Socks. It's the one that starts with the pictures circulating. The questions are what do the photos mean? What do they actually show? What happened? Who did it? Was it just teens being stupid or was it a crime? Will the rich kid slide and everything land on the poor kids? Will the adults get to the truth? Cover it up? Interfere and make it worse? Will the school culture improve going forward or with it all end in catastrophe?

Last year was the murder, druggies, racists, etc.

Sprtphntc, thank goodness! And thanks!

Yes, I remember last year. There was so much tension between the divorced parents, and she had an ugly side to her, he had basically dumped the family to gamble--as I remember. Well, we are used to programs which solve a crime in 60 minutes minus commercials, and American Crime takes a whole season!

Thanks, plllog.