Sarah Paulson has finally broken her silence regarding the overwhelmingly negative reception to Ryan Murphy’s new legal drama,All’s Fair. The series, featuring a high-profile cast alongside Kim Kardashian, has been relentlessly criticized by reviewers since its debut.
Paulson embodies the sharp-tongued divorce attorney Carrington Lane, locked in professional rivalry with Kardashian’s character, Allura Grant. The ensemble cast also includes Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Teyana Taylor as fellow legal minds, while Glenn Close portrays Dina Standish, a pivotal mentor figure in their early careers.
The initial critical response was brutal. Publications likeThe GuardianandThe Timesdelivered scathing reviews, with the latter famously declaring it “the worst TV drama ever.” The show initially landed a zero percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a figure that has only marginally improved to three percent.
Despite the harsh critiques, Paulson revealed toVarietythat her primary focus remains the sheer enjoyment she experienced during the production. She acknowledged that no performer welcomes negative reviews, but emphasized the importance of the creative process itself.
“It’s always a wild thing to put something you’ve worked on out into the world and let others assign its value,” Paulson explained, shortly after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “But for me, it’s the absolute unbridled joy and fun we had making and promoting the show that truly matters. Nothing can change that.”
Other cast members have also responded to the backlash. Kim Kardashian offered a sarcastic nod to the reviews on Instagram, playfully calling it “the most critically acclaimed show of the year.” Glenn Close took a more visual approach, posting a drawing depicting critics being cooked in a pot labeled “critic-bunny stew,” a nod to her iconic role inFatal Attraction.
Close suggested the initial episodes were the weakest, but that the series ultimately finds its footing. She also defended Kardashian, pointing to a pre-existing negative public perception that may have unfairly influenced the reviews.
Despite the critical drubbing,All’s Fairhas proven surprisingly popular with audiences, attracting 3.2 million viewers globally within its first three days. This strong viewership has led to a renewal for a second season, making it the most successful scripted debut on Hulu Originals since 2022.
The show’s success highlights a fascinating disconnect between critical opinion and audience engagement, proving that sometimes, a little bit of camp and a lot of star power can overcome even the harshest reviews.
