The American Horror Story Decline: A 6-Year-Old Change That Shifted the Show’s Fortunes
American Horror Story, the critically acclaimed anthology series, has been a staple of FX’s programming for over a decade. However, in recent years, the show’s ratings and critical reception have seen a significant decline. Fans and critics alike have been scratching their heads, wondering what could be the reason behind this downturn. After digging deeper, we’ve uncovered a 6-year-old change that may have contributed to the show’s decline: the departure of writer and co-creator, Dante Di Loreto.
Di Loreto was an integral part of the show’s early success, serving as an executive producer and writer for the first five seasons. His involvement brought a unique perspective to the series, infusing it with a sense of tension and unease that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. His ability to craft complex characters and storylines was a major factor in the show’s early success, earning it a loyal fan base and critical acclaim.
However, in 2016, Di Loreto left American Horror Story to pursue other projects. His departure marked a significant shift in the show’s creative direction, and it’s arguable that the series has never been the same since. Without Di Loreto’s guiding hand, the show’s writers and producers were forced to adapt to a new creative landscape, one that lacked the cohesion and focus that Di Loreto brought to the table.
The first season after Di Loreto’s departure, American Horror Story: Hotel, received mixed reviews and struggled to recapture the magic of the earlier seasons. The show’s themes, characters, and storytelling all seemed to suffer as a result of his absence. The following seasons, Roanoke and Cult, saw a slight uptick in ratings, but they were still met with a lukewarm response from critics and fans.
Fast forward to the most recent seasons, Apocalypse and 1984, and it’s clear that the show’s decline has only continued. Both seasons have received negative reviews, with many critics and fans alike panning the show’s lazy writing, poor character development, and lack of scares.
While it’s impossible to pinpoint a single reason for American Horror Story’s decline, Di Loreto’s departure is a significant factor. His absence has left a creative void that has yet to be filled, and the show’s writers and producers have struggled to recapture the magic of the earlier seasons.
In conclusion, American Horror Story’s decline can be attributed, in part, to the 6-year-old change that saw Dante Di Loreto leave the show. His creative vision and guidance were a crucial part of the series’ early success, and his departure has left a lasting impact on the show’s trajectory. While the series may still have some life left in it, it’s clear that a major piece of its puzzle is missing, and that the show will likely continue to struggle until a solution is found.