Feud: Bette and Joan

Pics courtesy: FX Networks

Feud: 'a prolonged and bitter quarrel or dispute.' Sounds like a squabble that you might have with your neighbor over their unkempt lawns. Well, I am here to tell you that does not come close to describing what took place between two of Hollywood's most glamorous leading ladies. That is - if you believe "Feud: Bette and Joan."

For those of us who may not know, Joan Crawford was as big an actress as possible in the golden age of Hollywood. And Bette Davis? Well, she was no chopped liver either. Both women having Oscars (Crawford - 1, Davis 2), box office success, and unimaginable talent on-screen you would think that they would be supportive of one another. Well, as the title suggests, you would be wrong.

Susan Sarandon plays Davis, and Jessica Lange is Crawford.

Alone they are both the perfect storm of performance and poise. Together as Davis and Crawford, they are a volatile Category 5 Hurricane on screen.

Pics courtesy: FX Networks

"Feud: Bette and Joan," brings to the small screen the infamous rivalry that existed between these two women while the Titans filmed "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" In the pilot, airing Sunday night on FX, we find a past her prime Crawford clinging to the last of her box office draw. She comes across a book/script for "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and immediately Crawford enlists her rival Davis (who is doing theatre - oh no!). She convinces her that this could be their last chance. The two are not getting any younger after all and a new hot young thing by the name of Marilyn Monroe is hot on their tails. I am sure that's something no actress today can relate to right?

Soon the movie has director Robert Aldrich (played by Alfred Molina) calling the shots and studio head Jack Warner (played by Stanley Tucci) at the helm. But before filming even begins there is epic size lady positioning for who is the bigger star. Crawford wont even sign the contract until she gets what Davis is getting preventing one single frame from being shot.

The entire first episode is a how-to in manipulation from the get go, and that's just the ladies. Just wait until you at home see how the men go about it in later episodes. Man, oh man, do they give the females a run for their manipulative money. It really is a sad, but all too realistic, look at how women are forced to compete with one another. Indeed there are some instances over the first 5 episodes where there is a genuine affection and respect shown between the two leading ladies.

Side note here - you don't have to have seen the original but I HIGHLY recommend that you do. It make the TV series that more juicy and delectable.

The eight-episode season is brought to us courtesy of Ryan Murphy. The same man who brought us super sweet "Glee", "American Crime Story," and "American Horror Story". The man certainly knows drama and while this is by far one of my favs that he's done, there is one thing that I am completely over. In fact, the moment I saw it I almost said goodbye to the entire season. Don't worry, it happens in a much a later episode and I'll wait until after it airs to tell you what it was.

You will get solid performances most of the women on this show. Most notably Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kathy Bates, and Allison Wright. Kiernan Shipka also makes an appearance or two and she is all grown-up from her "Mad Men" days.

Overall, what follows is some of the most delicious, dramatic, and devilish television that I've seen in months - nah years! Mark my words, you will hear these names come the Emmys. Ladies and gents - Sunday nights have a new must see and it's brought to you courtesy of two of the loveliest ladies on the planet. Watch it live but by all means DVR as well, you will want to re watch it again and again.

9/10