Bette and Joan

***Bette and Joan*** is the subtitle of the first installment of Ryan Murphy's anthology drama series *Feud*, focusing on the backstage rivalry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis during the production of their 1962 Oscar-nominated film *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?*. The season was picked up by FX with a straight 8-episode-order on May 5, 2016. Murphy serves as executive producer alongside Tim Minear, Dede Gardner, Alexis Martin Woodall, and Chip Vucelich. Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon are also credited as producers. The pilot was based in part on the script *Best Actress* by Jaffe Cohen and Michael Zam, which Murphy purchased. The season officially premiered on March 5, 2017 on FX.

## Synopsis

*Related article: Bette and Joan Timeline*
***Bette and Joan*** tells the story of the legendary rivalry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis during their collaboration on the Academy Award®-nominated thriller *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?*, and well after the cameras stopped rolling. The series explores how the two women endured ageism, sexism, and misogyny while struggling to hang on to success and fame in the twilight of their careers.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford (8/8)
* Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis (8/8)
* Jackie Hoffman as Mamacita (8/8)
* Judy Davis as Hedda Hopper (7/8) (Episodes 1-6; 8)
* Alison Wright as Pauline Jameson (7/8) (Episodes 1-4; 6-8)
* Alfred Molina as Robert Aldrich (6/8) (Episodes 1-4; 6-7)
* Stanley Tucci as Jack Warner (6/8) (Episodes 1-4; 6; 8)

### Supporting Cast

#### Special Guest Stars

* Catherine Zeta-Jones as Olivia de Havilland (6/8) (Episodes 1-2; 4-5; 7-8)
* Kathy Bates as Joan Blondell (5/8) (Episodes 1-2; 4; 7-8)
* Sarah Paulson as Geraldine Page (1/8) (Episode 5)

#### Guest Stars

* Dominic Burgess as Victor Buono (6/8) (Episodes 2-4; 6-8)
* Joel Kelley Dauten as Adam (6/8) (Episodes 1-2; 4-5; 7-8)
* Kiernan Shipka as B. D. Hyman (5/8) (Episodes 1-3; 7-8)
* Chelsea Summer and Audrey Moore as Cathy Crawford (4/8) (Episodes 3-5; 8)
* Molly Price as Harriet Foster (3/8) (Episodes 2; 4; 6)
* Brooke Star as Cynthia Crawford (3/8) (Episodes 3-5)
* Reed Diamond as Peter (2/8) (Episodes 1-2)
* Ken Lerner as Marty (2/8) (Episodes 1; 4)
* John Rubinstein as George Cukor (2/8) (Episode 5; 7)
* Mark Valley as Gary Merrill (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Dylan Wittrock as Young Gay Man (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Toby Huss as Frank Sinatra (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Serinda Swan as Anne Bancroft (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Raymond J. Barry as Hal LeSueur (1/8) (Episode 6)

#### Co-Stars

* Billy Meade as Bill Aldrich (2/8) (Episodes 1; 4)
* Sonya Leigh English as Adell Aldrich (2/8) (Episodes 3-4)
* Earlene Davis as Agnes Moorehead (2/8) (Episodes 6-7)
* Matthew Glave as Joseph Cotten (2/8) (Episodes 6-7)
* Raleigh Adams as Second Reporter (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Robert Arce as Burned Out Executive (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Kris Black as Cliff Robertson (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Twink Caplan as Hairstylist (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Lizz Carter as Margaret Leighton (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Robert Catrini as Older Reporter (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Collin Christopher as Bookstore Clerk (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Thomas Crawford as Minister (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Jim Deangelo as Dave (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Kevin Fabian as Broadway Stage Manager (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Paul Haitkin as Muscular Leading Man (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Justin Hobson as Young Reporter (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Doug Hurley as Photographer (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Radek Wallace Lord as Young Delivery Man (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Jason Lott as Young Studio Executive (1/8) (Episode 1)
* James McCoy as Another Photographer (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Frank Noon as Clapper (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Donna Pieroni as Nonah (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Jake Robards as Patrick O'Neal (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Tony Rossi as Makeup Artist (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Giuseppe Russo as DP Contini (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Alisha Soper as Marilyn Monroe (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Joe Souza as Studio Executive (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Jon Morgan Woodward as Al Steele (1/8) (Episode 1)
* Tom Berklund as Fred MacMurray (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Kenzie Dalton as Blonde Actress (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Veronica Mannion as Sylvia the Reporter (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Sarah Molasky as Veda (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Jeffrey Alan Rector as Heart Attack Man (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Kerry Stein as Louis B. Mayer (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Scott Vance as Michael Curtiz (1/8) (Episode 2)
* Alan Brooks as Administrator (1/8) (Episode 3)
* John Ross Clark as DP Ernie (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Seth Coltan as Assistant Director (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Kate Fuglei as Dowdy Supervisor (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Stephen Halasz as Sound Man (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Scott Michael Morgan as Desk Sergeant (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Rainey Spurlock as Margot Merrill (1/8) (Episode 3)
* Brian Dare as Buzz Gimple (1/8) (Episode 4)
* John Ducey as Jack Paar (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Gildart Jackson as Maitre (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Mark Beltzman as Projectionist (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Sean Bolger as 4 for Texas Assistant Director (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Owen Conway as Junior Agent (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Cameron Cowperthwaite as Michael Parks (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Chris Dotson as Audience Member (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Beth Geiger as Movie Goer (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Daniel Hagen as Mike the Film Editor (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Jim Hanna as TV Director (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Dustin Lewis as Agent (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Tom Lommel as Perry Mason Assistant Director (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Sebastian Naranjo as Keith Aldrich (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Jessica Richards as Ticket Booth Girl (1/8) (Episode 4)
* Curtis Andersen as Stagehand (1/8) (Episode 5)
* James Babbin as Newsreel Reporter (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Cash Black as Rip Torn (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Bryant Boon as Gregory Peck (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Philip Boyd as Maximillian Schell (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Eric Callero as Jack Lord (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Taylor Coffman as Lee Remick (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Anthony Crivello as David Lean (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Lou George as Newsreel Press Agent (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Dan Gilvezan as Bette's Agent (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Lindsay Hanzl as Eve Marie Saint (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Eric Harthen as Newsreel Narrator (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Stephen Holland as Oscar Producer (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Polly Humphreys as Anne's Dresser (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Louis B. Jack as Ed Begley (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Josh Plasse as Tyler (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Anthony Tyler Quinn as Wendell Corey (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Lena Raff as Press Girl (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Meredith Thomas as Red Carpet Reporter (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Juliet Tondowski as Joan's Makeup Artist (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Paris Verra as Patty Duke (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Larry Weissman as Bette's Make-Up Artist (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Helen Wilson as Bette's Makeup Artist (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Greg Winter as Bob Stack (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Apollo Garza as Oscar Attendee (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Crystal Rivers as Veronica Peck (1/8) (Episode 5)
* Jayne Entwistle as Franny (1/8) (Episode 6)
* Brian Kimmet as Dennis (1/8) (Episode 6)
* James Morosini as Bart (1/8) (Episode 6)
* Mark L. Taylor as Ray (1/8) (Episode 7)
* J. Paul Boehmer as Leonard (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Charlie Schlatter as Monte Westmore (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Jason Alan Smith as Studio Doctor (1/8) (Episode 7)
* David Abed as Process Server (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Matt Austin as Henrik (1/8) (Episode 7)
* David Foy Bauer as Jeremy Hyman (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Mindee de Lacey as Joan's Stand-In (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Charlie Dell as Minister (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Van Epperson as Propmaster (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Roger Hewlett as Limo Driver (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Kaleina Cordova as Dog Sitter (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Ingrid Coree as Florist (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Laura Lee as Hairstylist (1/8) (Episode 7)
* Andy DiMino (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Cameron Dye (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Charlie Bodin (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Molly Hagan as Bette's Doctor (1/8) (Episode 8)
* TIm Conlon as Stan (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Gigi Edgley as Joyce Haber (1/8) (Episode 8)
* David A. Kimball as Freddie Francis (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Audrey Moore as Cathy Crawford (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Salvator Xuereb (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Julian Brandon Bereny as Casey (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Robert John Brewer as Security Guard (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Liam Cronin as Oscars PA (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Mario Diaz as A Gay (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Alex Egan as Bookstore Manager (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Melanie Ehrlich as Brenda (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Mendel Fogelman as Assistant (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Cheryl Francis Harrington as Nurse (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Tina Green as Margot (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Brenton Jones as Bartender (1/8) (Episode 8)
* George Thomas Mansel as Bernard Kay (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Darren Keefe as Anthony Harvey (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Jay Renshaw as Teddy (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Ashley Silverman as Carly (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Marissa Skell as Female Reporter (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Jennifer Vincent as Makeup Artist (1/8) (Episode 8)
* Mike Mekash as Trog / Joe Cornelius (1/8) (Episode 8)

## Development

### Conception

The Ryan Murphy series was picked up by FX on May 5, 2016. As a long time fan of Bette Davis, Murphy was always yearning to create a project based on her life, and he was fortunate enough to score an interview with her before her untimely passing in 1989. The agreed-upon 20-minute interview lasted four hours, and inspired his characterization of Davis in *Feud*. He said, "When I would ask her about Joan Crawford .. She would just go on about how much she hated her. But then she would sort of say ... 'She was a professional. And I admired that'."

Murphy was also inspired to create the series by looking at the lack of women in Hollywood, after several reports pointed to the startling few number of women and minorities positioned behind the camera. Since then, Murphy made a real commitment to diversity in his company, forming his Half Foundation and hiring 50 percent women and minorities, and from that, he saw an opportunity to do something meaningful. "What came out of that for me was a lot of very moving sentiments from women, and from that I decided to jump off into *Feud*," Murphy told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour on January 12, 2017.

"I wasn't interested in doing anything that was quote unquote campy. I was interested in something deeper and more emotional. What happened to them was painful," Murphy said, referring to the way women were often unwillingly pitted against one another by a male-run system that had no regard for women once they'd aged. "I think there's something much more delicate and moving, and for me, what I love about the show is the issues in the show are modern and women are still going through this sort of stuff today. Nothing has really changed. We really wanted to lean into that aspect of the show."

Executive producer Dede Gardner agreed with Murphy's sentiment about *Feud'*s relevancy in 2017: "I think the show is deeply modern. I think it's delicious in its celebration of a town that was less crowded, but I don't think it romanticizes it. I think it's called it out for its truisms, but it was brutal. These women were treated brutally and made to treat one another brutally," she said. "I think we could stand to improve a great bit."

## Production

### Casting

On May 5, 2016, Lange and Sarandon were announced to star as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Alfred Molina, Stanley Tucci, Judy Davis, and Dominic Burgess also joined the cast, in the roles of Robert Aldrich, Jack Warner, Hedda Hopper, and Victor Buono, respectively. In August 2016, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sarah Paulson joined the cast playing Olivia de Havilland and Geraldine Page. In September 2016, it was reported that *American Horror Story* executive producer Tim Minear would be co-running the series with Murphy. Jackie Hoffman also joined the cast as Mamacita, Crawford's housekeeper. In November 2016, Molly Price, Kathy Bates, and Alison Wright joined the cast of the season, in the roles of Harriet Foster, Joan Blondell, and Pauline Jameson. In January 2017, it was announced Kiernan Shipka was cast in the season as Davis's daughter, B. D. Hyman.

### Filming

Filming for the first season of *Feud* began in September 2016 in Hollywood, California, and officially ended on February 4, 2017. Filming locations included 900 N Gower St, Hollywood, CA 90038, at the original entrance to the famous Paramount Studios, and Rossmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004, which can be seen in the "Hollywood Drive" teaser. Additionally, Ryan Murphy was spotted on the set of *Feud* at 356 S Rimpau Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020.

## Marketing

Murphy gave numerous interviews about the show during the 2017 Winter TCA Press Tour. The show's first teaser trailer, "Invitation", was released on January 19, 2017, and the second, "Hollywood Drive", on the following day. That same week, Lange and Sarandon appeared on the cover of *Entertainment Weekly* as Crawford and Davis. Two commercials for the show also aired during Super Bowl LI, titled "Fight" and "Stars". A first look of the official title sequence for *Bette and Joan* was released on February 8, 2017, with the fifth teaser "Wheels" coming out the next day, and the sixth called "Strut" releasing shortly thereafter on February 10. Several billboards and advertisements were spotted in California that same week, in addition to sets of posters placed around New York.

On February 13, 2017, three new promotional videos were released, one of which was featured on *Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda* during an interview with Susan Sarandon. Later in the day, Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Ryan Murphy made appearances at SiriusXM's Town Hall in New York to promote the show. The first official trailer for *Bette and Joan* was released on February 14, 2017, and eight more promotional teasers came out the following day. Three additional teasers were released on February 16, 2017, and another on February 24, 2017. The official first look came out on March 4, 2017, just a day before the official airing. *Bette and Joan* also had a red carpet premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on March 1, 2017.

## Multimedia

### Images

* Promotional Posters
* Character Promotionals
* Logos
* Marketing
* Promotional Events

Trailer LogoAlternate LogoSocial Media LogoTitle Sequence Logo

Billboard in HollywoodPosters in New YorkTaxicab Ad in New YorkSubway Ad in New YorkBillboard in New YorkPoster Ad in New York

Feud Panel at the Television Critic's Association Tour
### Videos

* Promotional Trailers
* Cast Interviews & Behind the Scenes

Invitation FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXFirst Teaser for Bette and JoanHollywood Drive FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXSecond Teaser for Bette and JoanFight Feud Season 1 Promo FXThird Teaser for Bette and JoanStars Feud Season 1 Promo FXFourth Teaser for Bette and JoanWheels FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXFifth Teaser for Bette and JoanStrut FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXSixth Teaser for Bette and JoanCast Spotlight FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXSeventh Teaser for Bette and JoanBeach Blonde FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXEighth Teaser for Bette and JoanBurn FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXNinth Teaser for Bette and JoanNaked Rancor FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Official Trailer FX HDFirst Official Trailer for Bette and JoanDressing Room FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXTenth Teaser for Bette and JoanSylvia FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXEleventh Teaser for Bette and JoanAmbush FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXTwelfth Teaser for Bette and JoanFaster FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXThirteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanLemon Makeup FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXFourteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanSnub FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXFifteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanWarning FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXSixteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanWin FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXSeventeenth Teaser for Bette and JoanDivan FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXEighteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanVanity FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXNineteenth Teaser for Bette and JoanDescent FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXTwentieth Teaser for Bette and JoanSpotlight FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Promo FXTwenty-first Teaser for Bette and JoanInside FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 First Look FXBette and Joan First LookFEUD Bette and Joan Still to Come FXWhat's to Come for Bette and JoanThe Other Woman Season 1 Ep. 2 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"The Other Woman" Ep. 2 TrailerCritics’ Darling FEUD Bette and Joan FXCritic's Reviews of Bette and JoanMommie Dearest Season 1 Ep. 3 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"Mommie Dearest" Ep. 3 TrailerMore, Or Less Season 1 Ep. 4 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"More, or Less" Ep. 4 TrailerAnd the Winner is… Season 1 Ep. 5 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"And the Winner is..." Ep. 5 TrailerHagsploitation Season 1 Ep. 6 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"Hagsploitation" Ep. 6 TrailerAbandoned Season 1 Ep. 7 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"Abandoned!" Ep. 7 TrailerYou Mean All This Time We Could Have Been Friends? Season 1 Ep. 8 Trailer FEUD Bette and Joan"All This Time" Ep. 8 Trailer

Jessica Lange's connection to her Feud character Joan Crawford Entertainment Weekly RadioJessica Lange on Entertainment Weekly RadioFeud Susan Sarandon On The Challenge Of Acting With A Cigarette In Her Mouth Entertainment WeeklySusan Sarandon on Entertainment Weekly RadioHow Ryan Murphy’s Early Meeting With Bette Davis Inspired 'Feud' Entertainment WeeklyRyan Murphy on Entertainment Weekly RadioSusan Sarandon Talks About Playing Bette Davis In ‘Feud’ TODAYSusan Sarandon on TODAYSusan Sarandon Explains the Famous Feud Between Bette Davis and Joan CrawfordSusan Sarandon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonCatherine Zeta-Jones on Michael and Kirk DouglasCatherine Zeta-Jones on Jimmy Kimmel LiveReal Life Feuds w Jessica Lange, Scott Foley & Idris ElbaJessica Lange on The Late Late Show with James CordenJessica Lange Discusses Joan Crawford "FEUD"Jessica Lange on Live! with Kelly and MichaelThe Talk - Susan Sarandon Says 'I was scared to death' to Play Bette Davis in 'Feud Bette and Joan'Susan Sarandon on The TalkWorld Premiere FEUD Bette and Joan FXBette and Joan World PremiereFEUD Bette and Joan Hollywood Premiere FXBette and Joan PremiereFEUD Bette and Joan Hollywood History FXBette and Joan PremiereFEUD Bette and Joan Hollywood Fans FXBette and Joan PremiereFEUD Bette and Joan Hollywood Celebs FXBette and Joan PremiereInside FEUD Bette and Joan Season 1 Main Title Sequence FXOpening Credits Inside LookJessica Lange dishes on 'Feud Bette and Joan' live on 'GMA'Jessica Lange on Good Morning AmericaCatherine Zeta -Jones On FX Series ‘Feud’ ‘You Can’t Write This’ TODAYCatherine Zeta-Jones on TODAY'Feud' director Ryan Murphy on working with women over 40Ryan Murphy on ABC NewsJessica Lange Is Feuding With Kellyanne Conway (In Her Head)Jessica Lange on The Late Show with Stephen ColbertJessica Lange on What She Learned About Joan Crawford While Making "Feud"Jessica Lange on Live! with KellyEXCLUSIVE Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon on Playing Bitter Rivals in 'Feud Bette and Joan'Jessica and Susan on Entertainment Tonight"The View" 13 04 Susan Sarandon on 'Feud', Sexism and Ageism in Hollywood, Pres Trump & MoreSusan Sarandon on 'The View'

### Title Sequence

```

```

The main title sequence was released on the FX YouTube channel on February 8, 2017. The sequence was designed by Kyle Cooper and his team, who also worked with Murphy on FX's *American Horror Story* and Fox's *Scream Queens*. The one-minute 19-second offering covers all of the important aspects of the feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford while the two Hollywood icons were working on their one and only movie together, *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?*, as well as some of their real-life antics as they played out off-screen.

The style of the sequence was inspired by graphic designer Saul Bass and is set to music created by Mac Quayle that is in part influenced by late composer Bernard Herrmann. Cooper's graphic direction was a combination of projects including such titles as *Catch Me If You Can*, *The Man With the Golden Arm*, and *Anatomy of a Murder*, coupled with the film *Baby Jane* itself. The thing Ryan liked about *Catch Me If You Can* was the lack of details in the characters’ faces and the minimalistic details in their bodies, so that's the style Cooper went for. The entire process was a continuous back-and-forth involving Cooper slapping screenshots from *Baby Jane* onto his vision board, pitching various ideas from the film, and attempting to re-create film noir. He also wanted to make sure that there was plenty of popping brightness to contrast the darkness that was happening in the characters' lives.

As for the heart-shaped tears towards the end of the credits, the purpose was to reference the sadness of a friendship lost and all the wasted hate and frustration. The tears not only tie in with the title card logo, but they signify the friendship that could have been and remind audiences of the stakes there were for these leading ladies. There’s a sadness about the fact that if they weren’t enemies, they might have recognized the humanity of the other one, and it was important to Ryan that people come away with the idea that if circumstances were different and if they weren’t so competitive, maybe they could have even been friends.

## Reception

The first season of *Feud* has received widespread acclaim from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 88%, based on 41 reviews, with an average rating of 7.88/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "While campily and sweetly indulgent, *Feud: Bette and Joan* provides poignant understanding of humanity, sorrow, and pain while breezily feeding inquisitive gossip-starved minds." On Metacritic, the season has a score of 81 out of 100, based on 40 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Melanie McFarland of *Salon* called Murphy's writing "creatively wicked" and the series "outrageously fantastic", praising Lange and Sarandon for their spot-on performances and for "tempering their decadent rages and vengeful spats with a gutting sense of loneliness that tempers its lightness in solemnity." Sonia Saraiya of *Variety* compared *Bette and Joan* unfavorably to Murphy's *American Crime Story*, writing that *Feud* is "neither as brilliantly campy and hateful as *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* nor as contextualizing and profound as *People v. O. J. Simpson*."

## Trivia

* The concept for this season was in development - with Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon on board - for seven years before finally being given the green light.
* The pilot episode was based in part on the script *Best Actress* by Jaffe Cohen and Michael Zam, which Ryan Murphy purchased.
* Murphy originally intended to make *Feud: Bette and Joan* a film, but later turned it into a series to go beyond the actual rivalry and further depict the effects of ageism in Hollywood.
* Three Oscar winners (Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, and Catherine Zeta-Jones) portray three other Oscar winners (Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland, respectively).
* Both Sarandon and Lange researched their roles by reading books by and about Davis and Crawford, and watching and listening to TV performances and recordings.
* The season features 15 acting roles for women over 40, and half the episodes were directed by women.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/feud
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 ‘Feud’: Ryan Murphy Lands Third FX Anthology With Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange
3. ↑ How Ryan Murphy’s early meeting with Bette Davis inspired Feud
4. ↑ Feud: Bette and Joan: 6 Things to Expect From Ryan Murphy's New Series
5. ↑ Catherine Zeta-Jones To Play Hollywood Legend In Ryan Murphy’s ‘Feud’ At FX
6. ↑ Sarah Paulson Will Play Geraldine Page In Ryan Murphy’s ‘Feud’ For FX
7. ↑ Ryan Murphy FX Series ‘Feud’ Sets Tim Minear As Co-Showrunner, Adds Jackie Hoffman To Cast
8. ↑ Molly Price Joins Ryan Murphy’s FX Anthology Series ‘Feud’
9. ↑ Kathy Bates Joins Ryan Murphy's Feud as Bette Davis' BFF Joan Blondell
10. ↑ Alison Wright Joins Ryan Murphy’s FX Anthology Series ‘Feud’
11. ↑ Jessica Lange uses famed Amy Schumer sketch to explain Feud relevance to today
12. ↑ Photos: Lange, Sarandon Filming FX’s Feud
13. ↑ Lange and Sarandon Morph Into Screen Legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis on Set of Ryan Murphy's Feud
14. ↑ Susan Sarandon on Twitter: "It’s a wrap on @FeudFX."
15. ↑ FEUD: FX SERIES (2017) FILMING LOCATIONS
16. ↑ Why Feud Will Never Tackle Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry in Future Installments
17. ↑ The First Teasers for FX’s Feud: Bette and Joan | Vulture
18. ↑ This Week's Cover: Inside Ryan Murphy's Feud: Bette and Joan
19. ↑ Feud: Bette and Joan's Super Bowl Commercials Will Get You Excited for Old Hollywood Drama
20. ↑ Feud on Twitter: "Check out the killer opening titles from FEUD: Bette and Joan."
21. ↑ Susan Sarandon on roles for older women: 'There's a lack of imagination'
22. ↑ Catherine Zeta Jones, Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange pose on the carpet together to promote new drama Feud
23. ↑ *Feud* Premiere: Sexism, Ageism Talked About on Red Carpet
24. ↑ FX’s ‘Feud’ Has Respectable Ratings Start
25. ↑ Sunday's Cable Ratings: 'Feud' Slips
26. ↑ Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday March 19th
27. ↑ [ http://www.spoilertv.com/2017/03/final-adjusted-tv-ratings-for-sunday\_28.html Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday March 26th]
28. ↑ Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday April 2nd
29. ↑ Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday April 9th
30. ↑ Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday April 16th
31. ↑ Final Adjusted Ratings for Sunday April 23rd
32. ↑ 'Feud': How the Show-Stopping Opening Credits Came Together
33. ↑ Feud: Bette and Joan | Rotten Tomatoes
34. ↑ Feud: Season 1 | Metacritic
35. ↑ With “Feud: Bette and Joan,” a Hollywood rivalry for the ages becomes an epic TV experience
36. ↑ TV Review: ‘Feud’ | Variety