Weekend Poll Top Three: Fans Want Betty Buckley to Scare the Sh*t Out of Them on American Horror Story
Last week, Ryan Murphy's horror anthology American Horror Story wrapped up its third installment with the conclusion of its "Coven" storyline. The show, which debuted in 2011, has always played by its own rules and each year seems to find a new way to one-up itself in shock value. This season, Murphy upped the ante by stacking the cast with some new scene-stealing and scenery-chewing thespians including Patti LuPone, Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett. We polled readers for their pick of which Broadway leading lady should appear on AHS next season. Read on for the results!
1. Betty Buckley — 71%
Betty. F**king. Buckley. The Tony winner and Emmy, Grammy and Olivier nominee is the definition of a "legend." From her iconic roles on Broadway in 1776 and Cats to the films Carrie and Tender Mercies, Buckley would be a perfect fit for the gloriously shocking series. It takes a special performer to face off against American Horror Story's linchpin—the one and only Jessica Lange—but we're positive that Buckley would make a truly unforgettable rival or accomplice to the series' star. Dear Ryan Murphy, please please please heed our advice and make Betty Buckley the next television Supreme.
2. Angela Lansbury — 7%
Five-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury is best known as intrepid murder mystery writer and sleuth Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote, but after a gap of 40 years, she's returning to London to appear in Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit. It’s hard to believe Lansbury is nearly 90—she's in terrific shape and full of energy—and we'd love to see her go toe-to-toe with some of the younger AHS mainstays. The truth is, the newly ennobled Dame knows how to get things done. That rumored Murder, She Wrote reboot? Yeah, Lansbury shut that down real quick. You don't wanna mess with her.
3. Marin Mazzie — 4%
Three-time Tony nominee Marin Mazzie is about to play an aging diva in the Broadway musical adaptation of Woody Allen's crime caper Bullets Over Broadway, but that doesn't mean she couldn't take a break to film a deliciously mischievous guest spot on the next season of American Horror Story. Mazzie is an undisputed wiz at playing sly and crafty characters (see: Clara in Passion; Lilli Vanessi/Katharine in Kiss Me, Kate; Lalume in Kismet), so she'd be perfect as one of the series' quick and vicious villains. Marin Mazzie terrifying the crap out of Sarah Paulson? You know you'd love that.
