These are the 10 best Ryan Murphy shows, ranked

Ryan Murphy He is complex. He’s the one who created such powerful, critically acclaimed television programs that focused on stories about marginalized peoples from history. He is also the man who gave us Matthew Morrison Perform “Toxic” with a group of teens Glee.

He is both a writer and a producer of many different shades. This makes it difficult to consider his entire body of work without getting into a multilayered discussion. His shows show us both the best and the worst aspects of his brand, sometimes in the one season. (The high and the low of his brand) Coven Witches of American Horror Story Instant glamazons meet the low of Gabourey Sidibe Simulating sex on a Minotaur. Sometimes you never know what you’re going to get.

Below, EW attempts to rank the top 10 best series Murphy’s ever brought to the screen — with the exception of AHSSincerely, that is its own thingFor the purposes of this mission,

10. <em>Hollywood</em> (Netflix)

Okay, full disclosure: Hollywood It’s not a great show. It’s barely even a good show. But this lavish period drama — about a diverse group of stars and Tinseltown hopefuls who band together to make a movie — is the only Ryan Murphy Netflix series besides The Watcher That’s worth your time. (Sorry, not sorry). The Politician, Ratched, HalstonAnd Dahmer.)

Ian Brennan was the co-creator.Glee), Hollywood imagines a post-war America where anyone — African-Americans, Asians, homosexuals, women — can succeed in show business. While the plotting can be clumsy, the cast is having a blast — especially Dylan McDermott Ernie, gigolo owner at Golden Tip Gas is named. Patti LuPone Avis Amberg is the impotent and neglected wife of a studio mogul. —Kristen Baldwin

9. <em>The Watcher</em> (Netflix)

Who was watching? The Watcher? All apparently. (Though, can we really trust the streaming numbers these days?Netflix is investing heavily in a series that was meant to be a small number of episodes. a season 2 renewal It doesn’t really need. It may not even need one season.

The show is inspired by a New York magazine article This article is about a married couple. Naomi Watts“Nora” Bobby CannavaleDean and Dean move into their dream house, but are terrorized by an unseen stalker. Slow-plotting and mild twist ending The semi-whodunit bogs The Watcher Down, but Jennifer Coolidge Could just stand there for eight seconds and speak one word. People would love it. (Oh wait!) —Nick Romano

8. <em>Feud: Bette and Joan</em> (FX)

Oscar Winners Jessica Lange Susan Sarandon Go head-to–head with Oscar winners Joan Crawford Bette Davis — is there a more Ryan Murphy sentence in the English language?

This drama, consisting of eight episodes, explores the long-standing rivalry between Crawford & Davis when they joined forces to make film. What Happened To Baby Jane? — and why that animosity continued to rage on Even after the film became a big hit, As EW’s Jeff Jensen wrote, Feud It is “a showcase of two brilliant actresses, Jessica Lange, and a slick and sad scolding about Hollywood’s treatment women.” Hulu is streaming the entire season. —K.B.

7. <em>Scream Queens</em> (Fox)

Scream Queens Murphy multiverse, doesn’t get enough credit. GIFs of the camp factor have been replenishing gay men’s electrolytes ever since 2015. Emma Roberts“Acerbic takedowns and Lea Michele In a neck brace. Now, it seems like TikTokers are being fed content by the “Chanels”, social media challenge.

Two seasons of running Scream Queens We were taken to Wallace University where we saw the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority girl, Kappa Kappa Tau, being attacked by a serial killer wearing a red devil costume. It was gratuitous and outrageous in all the right way. It left us with Glen Powell in a shirtless state before the Top Gun Football scene. And, hello! Keke Palmer. Even though the show was sometimes not as innovative or smart as it claimed (maybe that’s why there were only 2 seasons), it still managed to be entertaining. Nope star proved she could do anything with whatever material you give her — and was more iconic in this role than the Ariana Grande The star turn of the ponytail —N.R.

6. <em>Pose</em> (FX)

When Pose The drama from Ryan Murphy & Steven Canals was announced for the first time in 2017. Its history-making cast made headlines when it was first revealed. featured the most trans series regulars ever American TV shows. But what is the real deal? Pose special is its beautifully rendered — and wickedly funny — stories about the importance of chosen family. EW declared this when they named the family. Pose one of the best shows of 2018The series is “a touching tale about a mother and her children.” Blanca, an HIV-positive transwoman named Blanca is the mother.Michaela Jaé RodriguezWhile ) and her kids are lonely LGBTQ outcasts with no support, their struggles are the exact same. Avoid drugs. Use safe sex. Know your worth.

The three seasons were intense (streaming now via Hulu). Pose It gave us moments to laugh (see Dominique Jackson’s). Elektra reading people for filth) and heartwarming inspiration (Blanca’s season 2 finale lip-sync still gives us chills). This is the category: Must-watch TV. —K.B.

5. <em>Popular</em> (The WB)

It only lasted for two seasons, but the legacy of this high school dramedy — created by Murphy and Gina Matthews — lives on.

Starring Leslie Bibb Carly Pope and Carly Pope are social rivals who became reluctant stepsisters Popular The genius of Leslie Grossman (as terrifyingly odd rich girl Mary Cherry); gave professional sweetheart Christopher Gorham His first television role as a leading actor (as a brainy, nice-guy Harrison); it also served to be a sort of proto-Glee. Josh (Bryce Johnson), a football star, wants to be in the school musical. Nicole (Tammy Lynn Michaels), a queen cheerleader who torments unpopular children. Mr. Grant (Chad Lowe), a dreamy faculty advisor that makes Pope Sam McPherson blush.

Popular The perfect ’90s time capsule. This show is unabashedly funny, dark, and weird about the struggle to survive high school. Is there a streamer who can save this series? (Until then, you can find bootleg episodes on YouTube. —K.B.

4. <em>Nip/Tuck</em> (FX)

To classify Nip/Tuck As a “medical drama”, it feels like calling Get Out A musical or comedy. (We’re looking at you, Golden Globes.) Yes, the entire premise revolves around two plastic surgeons, Sean McNamara and Dylan Walsh, who are both married.Julian McMahonBut the series, which aired on FX in 2003 was so hot that you forgot that these men were doctors.

This show has a complicated past. Murphy’s work is often seen as too provocative. (Remember the story arc with Famke Janssen As a transwoman that didn’t age well? You also get the gay sex fantasies of fan-fiction, a laxative-juiced woman pooping inside a hot tub and Jennifer Coolidge being the white rapper Rachel Dolezal. These absurdities are a summary of Murphy’s mental images that created the Rubber Man of. AHS Jane Lynch plays Nicki Minaj in Glee. —N.R.

3. <em>Glee</em> (Fox)

Everybody has been asking questions about the legacy of Glee Since… We don’t even have to say it. There’s a whole documentary dedicated to that subjectHowever, some of the cast members consider it trash. You have to admit that the show deserves criticism. The moment that we stopped watching the show is probably something most of us can pinpoint. You made it to the “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Turkey Lurkey Time” mash-up With RuPaul’s Drag Race Shangela star, you did an excellent job.

However, no matter your opinion on the show, it is undeniable. Glee It was a cultural moment. A group of teens from different backgrounds, feeling unplaced for some reason, join forces to create a show choir and cappella. Let’s just say that Pentatonix would not have a career if it weren’t for Pentatonix. Glee. The show was, however, at its best, extremely emotional and in tune with the current issues. Amber Riley‘s Mercedes, Chris ColferKurt of’s Kurt. Naya RiveraSantana’s influence changed lives —N.R.

2. <em>9-1-1</em> (Fox)

What happened? Angela Bassett do on 9-1-1? Um, she did the right thing. Ariana DeBose’s ear worm aside, she Really did. It’s just one of the reasons the show elevates tired procedural dramas to new heights.

Murphy’s exaggerated scenarios are another contributor. They teeter on edge of madness. A tiger shark on the freeway! The greatest escalator proposal fail Of all times! A runaway flying bouncy house! Baby in the toilet! You will find the most absurd situations. the guy who got stuck on one of the spinning brushes at a car washYou’ll be surprised at how these emergency responders got under your skin. —N.R.

1. <em>American Crime Story</em> (FX)

EW’s TV critics both agree on this star-studded collection from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk It was one of the best shows of the 2010s. Unlike far too many true crime adaptations, ACS This book doesn’t only show sensational criminal cases; it also challenges us to consider how we constructed and consumed these narratives at that time.

The three installments, streaming on Hulu, range in quality and can be prioritized so that they start with The Assassination of Gianni VersaceAndrew Cunanan’s serial killer, The Haunting Chronicle (Emmy Winner) Darren Criss), who primarily targeted gay men. Then, get settled in. The People v. O.J. Simpson, a stunning reexamination of the Trial of the Century which helped to redeem the public image of Marcia Clark (Emmy Winner). Sarah Paulson). If you still have a thirst for true crime, then try these suggestions: Impeachment, which EW described as “not emotionally resonant than the previous ACS Instalments” but still a “gripping, challenging retelling” of a presidential scandal —K.B.

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