Tonight on TV: ‘American Horror Story: Coven’

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After a premiere episode focused primarily on setting up the new story, it looks like things are about to go into full-throttle, bitchy-witchy this week on “American Horror Story: Coven.” Sort of the witch version of a Godzilla movie where two colossus forces are about to collide, with death and destruction in their wake.

Or, actually, with a little life in one case. Of the resurrected, Frankenstein variety, that is. Ah c’mon, is there any girl out there who hasn’t dreamed of creating her own perfect guy by taking the best parts from a bunch of men to create her dream date? Well, except maybe that whole actually taking dead body parts and sewing them together part.

Think of it as metaphor made into reality.

And it looks like Angela Bassett is going to make her presence really known this episode, as voodoo queen Marie Laveau. You can also bet your sweet bippidy-bobbidi-boo Fiona (Jessica Lange) is going to make sure everyone knows who the Grande Dame is.

Check out this awesome trailer and some photos from the episode below. And tune in Wednesday night to FX to catch the next episode of “American Horror Story: Coven.”


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American Horror Story teasers: These boots are made for witching

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Detail of the official cast poster for “American Horror Story: Coven.”

In the wake of the recently released official first look of episode one —  cleverly named Bitchcraft — it seems the folks at “American Horror Story” have doubled their efforts in giving us more peeks at their newest season. I think I speak for everyone when I say, “Let’s get this show on the road, people!”

Not only do you see more of those insanely high heeled shoes strutting their way around “Coven’s” beautifully creepy setting, but also sitting perfectly still on a bed as the students take part in what can only be described as ‘Study Hall.’ In addition, there are also more clips of the mysterious Queen of Voodoo as she’s doing some of her beloved past times, namely sticking pins into voodoo dolls and letting a snake creep it’s way under the skirt of her dress (which at this point just appears to look like she’s half woman-half snake… not sure if that’s intentional or not).

The final and latest clip is of a young woman who is facing away from us against a wall, her hair sticking straight up in disarray, a pentagram carved into her left wrist. All I have to say is it’s a good thing October 9th isn’t far because I don’t know how much more of these small glimpses I can handle before I go batty.

And just as this blog was going up, they released yet another teaser video. Sheesh, people, let us catch up, already! And check out some new pics in the gallery below.

Hillary Welsh

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American Horror Story: Boots, pins and snakes, oh my!

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A small — but prickly — detail of one of the new “American Horror Story” posters.

“American Horror Story” released more posters Wednesday for the new season, but it would appear they’re not revealing that much.

This of course leaves us to fend for ourselves in putting the pieces together. One of the posters shows those now recognizable black heels floating over a line of desks, while another pans to a girl in a white gown, completely suspended in mid air and screaming with pins stabbed all throughout her body. Yet the posters I was drawn to more than anything were the countless nods to a repeating snake theme.

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These boots are made for casting…. spells.

One of them features another snake being swallowed while the other poster depicts the creature slithering its way under the bottom of Laveau’s skirt, her eyes hastily scratched out. In typical Christian culture, the snake is widely considered as cunning, evil, and a representation of The Devil (you’ve probably heard of that one story about Adam and Eve). However in voodoo lore and belief, the snake is seen as sacred and even worshipped, much like cats in ancient Egypt. According to the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum website, Li Grand Zombi is the original snake deity or Voodoo spirit and some may say it’s connected with Marie Laveau’s snake which was also worshipped during her rituals.

The only thing that doesn’t make sense to me is that black snakes are often used in voodoo practices, but nowhere does it really mention white snakes which is what “Coven” keeps showing us. Is it just a coincidence or is there something to this black snake vs. white snake debate? Am I totally over-analyzing themes and symbolism in the teasers?

I guess all we can do is wait for those answers. Sit tight. There’s more to come.

(And check this brand new teaser with footage of the series!)

Hillary Welsh

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American Horror Story: New teaser and photos!

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A look at some lavish costumes and creepy videos for the upcoming season of “American Horror Story.”

Even with the October premiere drawing nearer and all of the already frightening glimpses into “American Horror Story‘s” new season Coven, the creators of the hit horror-drama still manage to entice us with every new teaser. And they’ve done it again.

The most recent video teaser shows a faceless figure pulsing with forearm-length pins jabbed into its body, obviously taking note of the strong influences of voodoo in the season to come, all the while keeping with those good ‘ol chilling sound effects that always make their way into our nightmares (or mine anyway.)

In addition, they’ve delivered us two new photos. One of Kathy Bates as the cruel-sounding and (obviously) fabulous Madame Delphine DeLaurie, and one of Angela Bassett as the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Looking at the sheer intricacy of their clothing, all of the 1830s flashbacks to come are getting me all hot and bothered.

Come on, who doesn’t love a good time period story?

And from the way “AHS” has done it in the past, I’m sure taking a story as interesting as the Salem Witch Trials, throwing in some voodoo and adding Bates, Bassett, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and the slew of returning alumni, this season will make quite the delicious witch’s brew.

Hillary Welsh

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Kathy Bates in full period regalia.

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Gee, this isn’t creepy. Not at all.

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American Horror Story premieres KILLER promo

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A detail of the official poster for “American Horror Story: Coven.”

“American Horror Story” released one of their best promos yet of any season during the premiere of “Sons of Anarchy” Tuesday night. In the 30-second spot, we see a line of witch initiates in black high heels and a variation of the traditional witches hat marching up the porch. They proceed past a twisted pig man and the levitating girls to enter into the domain of the three witches.

Now these three witches are are not just standing around the house like you and I would, but are elevated on huge stilts with long flowing black dresses and masquerade masks covering their faces as the initiates march in. Then BAM! they take away the masks to reveal this season’s matriarchs of the show: Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett.

Did anyone else notice the white cat that ran across in front of them? I always love the twists those folks at “American Horror Story” put into each season theme they do. You can expect some very interesting takes on the traditional witch and voodoo priestess when the series premieres in October. And with the likes of Lange returning, along with Bassett and Bates… we’re going to have some acting diva overload this season.

And let’s not forget the young’uns that are coming back: Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe and LanaBanana… er, Sarah Paulson. Emma Roberts and Gabourey Sidibe have joined the cast this season, as well as a host of other supporting guests. The latest addition is Danny Huston this season, playing Lange’s love interest. The “Magic City” alum dropped into the cast this week as he obviously has a lot of free time on his hands with the cancellation of his show.

How much witchy goodness can these guys pack into one little 30-second promo? A helluva lot, as you’ll see.

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