Feud, Episode 1
I'm not going to write a standard blow-by-blow recap of this -- in short: Joan and Bette hate each other, and it's VERY HARD to age as a woman in Hollywood -- but I thought it would be fun to discuss. Although I enjoyed this premiere, I thought it moved a hair too languidly and hit a few notes more times than they needed to be hit. On the other hand, it never devolved into the kind of camp that I dislike from Ryan Murphy, and does make me think that it's possible his season two of this show -- which will focus on Prince Charles and Diana -- might not be a total fiasco. Finally: the costumes and sets are TREMENDOUSLY good. As with The People vs OJ Simpson, everything FEELS like a location (and I think a lot of them are). Also as with American Crime Story, the set and production designers and location managers have done a GREAT job at really capturing this era of interiors. I've driven past the exterior of Joan's house several times; having grown up in the LA area, I feel like I've been inside Bette's house. It's got a very specific aesthetic -- a house built in the 20s, decorated in the 50s -- that feels very familiar to me.
Feud, Episode 1
There is a sort of strange framing device in this show that I don't really think it needs: Various stars of Hollywood's golden era plopping down on a gold velvet sofa at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during the Oscars to film talking heads for a documentary about Joan and Bette. I don't believe this is a real documentary, and it sort of feels like a way to shoehorn in other big names playing other actresses -- the structure framing it provides doens't really add much. And, look, I am as happy to see Catherine Zeta Jones as anyone else, but I'm not sure if this bit works. What DOES work are these earrings.
Feud, Episode 1
And speaking of jewelry... This scene was set at the Golden Globes (Marilyn Monroe wins; Joan is gravely offended by Marilyn's very being), and as you can imagine, there is a LOT of angry drinking and smoking. Basically, this entire hour is just women angrily lighting up.
Feud, Episode 1
Ding dong! Gossip calling!
Feud, Episode 1
Obviously also everyone in LA has plastic on her furniture and a giant portrait of herself over the mantel.
Feud, Episode 1
Everyone also drives around town in a fur turban carrying her Oscar to business meetings to demand better parts. Here's part of my issue with this show: there is A LOT of yammering about how there are no parts for women and the inherent sexism of that era, and I get it. Trust me. I do get it. I get it so much. And I appreciate the meta fission that comes with the fact that these lines about how there are no good parts for women are being uttered by women who might have felt their parts were running out (before Ryan Murphy came along and cast them in everything -- with good reason; Jessica Lange is my favorite Jessica). But I also want to get into the interpersonal relationships here! Let's get this show on the road! Also, this show is utilizing a LOT of sassy pins.
Feud, Episode 1
I think I need a casual orange pants/top suit for making angry calls to my representatives, as well.
Feud, Episode 1
What a delight to see Alison Wright of The Americans popping up here, as a producer (?). Last I saw her, the KGB had shoved her on a plane to Russian and I'm VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HER. MARTHA!
Feud, Episode 1
I, too, do my landscaping in giant earrings.
Feud, Episode 1
And, obviously, this is my own personal sunbathing dream look: Orange chaise (this show has more chaises than you can shake a stick at), giant sunglasses, elegant turban, heels, tea cups full of vodka, and a fan doing some chores for you.
Feud, Episode 1
It's also worthwhile to note that television in general does not feature enough middle-aged women peering at their business rivals through lorngettes whilst wearing a fur.
Feud, Episode 1
So this is my great-grandma's living room, in many ways. She absolutely had that lamp in the corner that looks like the shade was based on a saucy skirt, and she also was fond of brasses dishes on the wall. She likewise enjoying smoking, cat-eye reading glasses, and feuding with people.
Feud, Episode 1
What did I tell you about the chaises? They're everywhere. Also everywhere: Really great vintage pajamas...
Feud, Episode 1
...and good robes, here on Stanley Tucci as Jack Warner, who is a real jerk who sexually harrasses the masseuse who comes to his offie but who also has interesting taste in wall hangings.
Feud, Episode 1
This was a fun scene, wherein these two are doing a press event and keep subtly attempting to be on the left side of each photo, so their name will be first in the caption of the picture. It was also filmed at the Wilshire Ebell, which is a location in LA that does a LOT of filming and is also where Heather had her wedding reception. Trivia!
Feud, Episode 1
In case you needed to see Kathy Bates in a caftan.
Feud, Episode 1
Have you ever seen so much toile in your life?!? (Also: a great caftan on Bette. I think Sarandon is getting the more flattering costuming here in general, in part because Bette's sassy little bob looks legitimately cute on her.)
Feud, Episode 1
This show is also full of snazzy old school beauty tricks. Here, Joan is exfoliating her elbows with lemons, which DOES work, because of the acid in the fruit. It seems like a waste of lemons -- although she likely has a tree in the backyard; lemons are not in short supply in these parts - but at least you'll smell refreshing. In a later scene, Joan fills her bathroom sink with ice, then witch hazel, and uses the mixture to splash her face, which sounds...bracing.
Feud, Episode 1
She also has a mini-bar in the bathroom, which isn't something I realized I wanted until right this moment.
Feud, Episode 1
A shoutout to Joan's amazing ceiling detailing in this scene.
Feud, Episode 1
And there is something to be said for a woman with a turban for this many occasions.
Feud, Episode 1
Having said that something, Bette certainly looks more modern here. You could literally wear that today. (Yes, that is Kiernan Shipka with her, playing her daughter BD.)
Feud, Episode 1
There is one thing I can promise you in this crazy, mixed-up world, and it's that I'm never going to pass up the opportunity to share a shot of Clueless's Miss Geist pointing doubtfully at a hideous wig.
Feud, Episode 1
What did I tell you about Hedda Hopper's headgear? You think those dark feathers are part of the floral arrangement behind her. THEY ARE ON HER HEAD.
Feud, Episode 1
But, hey. If this is the house that gossip built, GOSSIP ON.