Who watched American Horror Story?

Who caught last night’s premiere of the new FX show, American Horror Story?

Anyone who knows me can tell you I am a huge cynic when it comes to most horror movies and television shows from the last 20 years. It is by far my favorite genre, and I loathe seeing a trailer that looks promising, only to find the actual film is aimed at 12-year-olds who think the manufactured haunted houses that creep up every year at this time are “really super scary” (said in an exaggerated Valley Girl voice).

I want more than a Paris Hilton “shiny girl” in an ultra-short skirt slowly opening up a door to oppressively obnoxious, crescendo-building music, waiting for the “Boo!” factor. And honestly, how many real-life psychopathic homeless killers turn out to look like the cover of GQ, with perfect teeth and a six-pack abdomen?

(Feeling himself heading toward a rant, Fred breathes deep and once again finds his “happy place.”)

So, this cynic did not hold out much hope for American Horror Story, and I was pleasantly surprised. Eschewing much of the style and ridiculous writing/casting combo most horror movies suffer from anymore (Snoop Dogg’s Hood of Horror, anyone? How about ANYthing from Rob Zombie? …shudder (and not in the good way)), this show seems to give a firm nod to some of the classics of the 70s. Part Amityville Horror and part Carrie, with a little Shining thrown in, this pilot episode of what hints to be a really good show focused on character development and atmosphere, as opposed to 45 minutes of Justin Bieber in a mask chasing the Kardashians.

Not that the visuals weren’t…disturbing and, well, somehow just off. In fact, a few of the scenes just made you feel….”skeevy,” the sign of a truly good gothic tale.

In a nutshell, a family in ruins (played by Dylan McDermott, a fantastic Connie Britton, and Taissa Farmiga) move into a vastly underpriced mansion (red flag, anyone?). While you are never completely sure just what lurks in the house, the opening scene is enough to tell you romping kittens and bake sales are most likely things of the past.

The series takes place in Los Angeles, which makes the fact that the cast consists of “The Beautiful People” a little easier to swallow. And Jessica Lange and Francis Conroy (the mom from Six Feet Under) impressed me with their ability to be both unlikable and intriguing.

Setting up multiple storylines arcs involving perverse sexuality, mental illness, adultery (with a ghost, no less), and one family member smart enough to see the train wreck a’comin (the wife, of course), this series is off to a great start. I hope it continues to gather steam.

Of course, that is how Heroes started out, too.

American Horror Story airs on Wednesdays.