Via Lady Gaga’s Twitter stream comes word that she’ll apparently appear in a substantive role in the upcoming fifth season of FX's anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORY.
The announcement includes what I believe is the reveal of the new season’s subtitle: HOTEL. I don’t think we’ve been made aware of this subtitle until now - apologies if I’m in error on this one.
No word yet on what part she’ll play or how substantive it’ll be, but Deadline refers to her as ‘joining the show,’ so….
I’ve always felt Gaga was a tremendously…perhaps even stunningly…capable performer whose talent was often overshadowed/eclipsed by distracting theatrics. Her amazing performance on the Oscars this year weekend, I believe, helps demonstrate her abilities more fully - as well as her vast potential.
I thought the third wave of AHS (COVEN) was a wreck in numerous regards; damn near nothing about that season seemed to work as fully as its makers had undoubtedly intended. Season Four - FREAKSHOW - was much more consistent and paid off on many more levels, although the final destiny of Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange) felt a tad ‘out of left field’ and unearned (in a WTF? sorta way) to me. Hopefully the recovery/upward swing from COVEN will continue into Season Five?
Given AHS’ propensity to integrate music into its fabric in unpredictable or fun ways, it’ll be interesting to see exactly how Gaga is used here. We’ll find out when HOTEL premieres this October.
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Glen Oliver
“Merrick”
