There’s a curious phenomenon in the TV industry: taste is subjective. This is a relief for creators, as they can produce content that some might hate, as long as there’s an audience. Enter Hulu’s new legal drama, All’s Fair, produced by Ryan Murphy and featuring Kim Kardashian. Despite mixed reviews, Hulu claims it has achieved its highest scripted debut in three years.
Kim Kardashian, known for her savvy self-promotion, even poked fun at the show’s critical ratings on Instagram. Initially, it had a 0 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, which later climbed to 5 percent after more critics weighed in. Many reviews labeled the series as overly stylized, with only Sarah Paulson receiving praise for her performance. Critics argue that she’s one of the few who can balance out Murphy’s penchant for the extravagant.
Despite the negative feedback, the series attracted 3.2 million views in its first three days. This raises questions about why people tuned in. Audiences may be drawn to it out of curiosity, whether they’re “hate watching” or genuinely interested. In entertainment, all views count equally during a premiere, regardless of motivation.
Historically, controversial shows often pull in large audiences. For example, reality TV has long thrived on viewers’ curiosity about outlandish plots and characters. The trend of “trainwreck” viewing has been a staple for years, allowing creators like Murphy to find success amidst criticism.
Experts suggest that in today’s media landscape, even bad reviews can evolve into marketing gold. According to a recent survey by Nielsen, 70% of viewers say they sometimes watch shows just to see if they’re really as bad as people say. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding why shows like All’s Fair can thrive despite mixed reception.
Ultimately, while the future of viewer engagement remains uncertain, it appears that All’s Fair has succeeded in generating the buzz it intended. Whether this momentum will carry through the remainder of its nine-episode season is to be seen.
