What's happened
Ryan Murphy's new legal drama 'All’s Fair,' starring Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, and Naomi Watts, debuted on Hulu and Disney Plus but received overwhelmingly negative reviews, including a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show centers on female divorce attorneys and airs weekly, despite critical panning.
What's behind the headline?
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
The overwhelmingly negative reviews, including a rare 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, suggest that 'All’s Fair' is failing to resonate with critics or audiences. The show’s portrayal of high-stakes legal drama, combined with Kardashian’s performance, has been described as stiff and affectless, undermining its potential.
Murphy’s defense—that the show will find its audience over time—ignores the reality that critical consensus can heavily influence viewer engagement, especially for new series. Historically, Murphy’s projects like 'The Wire' initially faced rejection but gained acclaim later, yet this comparison risks overestimating 'All’s Fair’s' potential for redemption.
The show’s release strategy, with episodes dropping weekly, aims to sustain viewer interest, but the critical backlash may hinder its long-term success. The series’ focus on female attorneys and shifting allegiances could have been compelling if executed with more authenticity and depth.
In the broader context, this controversy highlights the risks of star-studded projects that rely heavily on celebrity appeal rather than storytelling quality. The show’s poor reception may serve as a cautionary tale for streaming platforms prioritizing star power over substance, especially when critical reviews are so damning.
What the papers say
The Scotsman reports that 'All’s Fair' received a rare 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as 'fascinatingly, existentially terrible,' and criticizing Kardashian’s performance as stiff and affectless. Conversely, NY Post’s Anthony Hemingway defends the show, emphasizing that it’s entertainment and that initial reactions can change over time, citing Murphy’s previous work on 'The Wire' as an example of delayed appreciation. This contrast underscores the divide between critical consensus and creator optimism, with Hemingway asserting that the show 'takes a minute to get into gear' and may find its audience eventually.
How we got here
Created by Ryan Murphy, 'All’s Fair' was highly anticipated due to its star-studded cast and its debut on Disney Plus and Hulu. The series follows a team of women lawyers navigating high-stakes cases and personal dynamics. Critics have widely panned the show, citing poor acting and writing, with some comparing its initial reception to that of Murphy's earlier work like 'The Wire,' which also faced initial indifference.
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