Live Q&As

I had not seen that! How cool.

I have to say, I think "The Hobbit" stole "The Dark Knight Rises" trailer's thunder a bit.

We are going to talk American Horror Story, but we can certainly discuss other things, too.

For the record, the Kardashians have denied the sweatshop allegations. About the slave part anyway. The ugly charge is subjective, of course.

Good question. The rules for unbanishing someone were not made clear. I guess she just decided to show up where he was or something?

Definitely an unexplained little plot hole.

I am not sure if paranormal activity is grounds for condemnation. Besides, it would totally ruin that apparently very successful haunted house tour that keeps cruising by the place.

I was wondering about that last question myself: why does she always sell the dang house? I had dismissed the notion that she was a ghost, but I am starting to wonder. She does seem forever linked to the place for some reason.

We should do a chat together. Maybe before season two starts, whenever that is.

And re: the ghost godmother question, that may be more of an Emily Post-type question. I believe there are few rules about this in the after-life.

That's a good question. 

As I mentioned in the recap today, the most obvious plotlines to address are Constance and Little Man Tate and how that plays out, and Tate trying to win back Violet.

Presumably they will introduce more characters. But it's hard to imagine how they will make it as compelling as the initial process of sussing out the mysteries of the house.

I raised the same question in today's post about Moira. We still don't know the answer to that question.

Re: who killed Ben, those were the home invaders who terrorized Vivien and Violet in episode two, then prevented them from leaving in "Open House." (I think it was "Open House.")

Well, that's just one former professor's allegation.

It wouldn't surprise me if some professors went a little easy on students like him. He's a walking marketing tool for the university. Doesn't make it right if his grades were inflated, of course, but some instructors may feel that pressure.

I still like Franco, but I think he needs to take a breath and stop overextending himself. I admire his creative and intellectual appetite but you can't do that many things and do them all well. At least not as well as you could.

Oh, that's a fun idea. The house becomes the subject of a documentary.

Or -- in a meta move -- a TV show winds up shooting there because it's vacant and no one will buy the place. A TV show, perhaps, about a haunted house?

Hey, maybe we should write season two!

Such a simple question and yet such a hard one to answer. Not sure if I can narrow it down to just one.

I am going to post something on my favorite movie moments of 2011 sometimes next week. In the meantime, I'll mention a few I liked very much: "Hugo," "Bridesmaids," "50/50," "We Bought a Zoo," "The Descendants," "The Muppets" (yeah, you heard me) and "The Artist."

That's exactly what Paul said.

Also, Violet is a variation on Winona Ryder's character, isn't she?

I believe so. At least until we figure out the deal with Moira. None of the other children who have died in the house ever aged. So that's a fair assumption.

Paul and I raised this notion early on: that the house has a hold on people almost like the island on Lost. If that's even partially true, that means the spirit of the house somehow influences people to try to procreate.

Why? Because the house is atoning for the sins of abortion performing doctor Dr. Charles Montgomery, its original owner. That's right: Murder House is pro-life.

Yes, that makes sense. Her physical body and her spiritual body are both in the same place. Which is why we see the ghost of who she was (Hot Moira) and who she is now (Ruth Fisher).

All right, we've resolved that. We've really answered everything.

That's a good guess. Reports have also said that Mirren's "Glee" guest voice will address issues related to the arts and education.

Which makes me think Sue Sylvester may hear her in her head.

Actually, Liz was/is probably a bigger Tolkien nerd than I am. Just stating that for the record.

I thought Gollum originally was a Hobbit. The LOTR Wiki defines him as "a creature of Hobbit-like origin."

That's enough for me to casually refer to him as a Hobbit, isn't it?

Last night was the season finale, so this won't be an issue again for months.

I am also taking questions on other subjects. Ask me about something else if you want to discuss something different. Am happy to do that.

I know. They threw a ski cap on him as if that would magically transform him into someone younger.

Tate doesn't change clothes too often -- he was wearing his Freddy Krueger sweater again last night.

But Violet and Vivien do. I mean, they have to look pretty as the stars of the show.

Speaking of which, Vivien looks so much hotter dead than she dead while alive and dealing with the stress of her marriage. What an inspiring makeover.

It's unclear. It's on in 2012 but I haven't heard of a definitive date yet.

I did not go. But I do plan to watch, at least for the Streep tribute.

A1: The Ramoses got out alive, too. So did Addie, at least for a while. And so did Larry. So Constance is not alone.

A2: We did see the baby. That's the Infantata, Thaddeus, the scary Nosferatu creature that lives in the basement.