No question about it. I am transfixed by this series.

Boy, they really are amazing. I wasn't so sure about Susan at first, even though she is one of my favorite actresses, but now I'm convinced that both Susan and Jessica are great for their roles. Two great actresses playing another two great actresses.

That scene at the end of the pilot. OMG! Daughter BD: "Mom, you really aren't going to look like that?" Bette: "Just watch." And you hear the click of her heels walking on set. The spot hits. You don't see her yet, the tension building, we see the reaction shot of Bob and Joan. Then ... we see her, slow motion, in all her grotesque glory. She bows to the dumbstruck crew. Bette: "Hello daddy." OMFG

@SkyPowers said:

That scene at the end of the pilot. OMG! Daughter BD: "Mom, you really aren't going to look like that?" Bette: "Just watch." And you hear the click of her heels walking on set. The spot hits. You don't see her yet, the tension building, we see the reaction shot of Bob and Joan. Then ... we see her, slow motion, in all her grotesque glory. She bows to the dumbstruck crew. Bette: "Hello daddy." OMFG

I was in awe at Susan's likeliness to Bette's Baby Jane. Even the walk was spot on. Also, the second episode Susan really gives a strong performance as her insecurities surface after her weaknesses are attacked by her daughter and Joan.

Yes. FYI Jessica Lange was on Colbert last night talking about the feud. Then sadly, she got all political which was a mistake. But she and Sarandon are radical left loonies living in an isolated bubble. Having worked in marketing for major studios, you always want to reach the widest possible audience and getting soap box with the country's polarized divide is simply not smart business. Ironic that is exactly what Crawford did, hurting her own profit share when she campaigned against Bette getting her Oscar out of sheer spite and petty envy.

@SkyPowers said:

when she campaigned against Bette getting her Oscar out of sheer spite and petty envy.

Sorry. What are you talking about?

I worked for MGM from '87 to '90 and promoted most of all Bette and Joan's films on video. (MGM owned the rights at the time to the Turner WB library.) I actually wrote the back of the video package synopsis for MIldred Pierce. This will undoubtedly come out in the last episode about Crawford's campaign to ruin Bette's chances for her third Academy Award. It was a shocker she didn't win. The critics predicted it. It was arguably the best performance of that year. Bette was so confident she invited her family to the Santa Monica Civic auditorium in 1963 so they could see her win. I can only imagine how Sarandon will play her closeup when Anne Bancroft is announced for Miracle Worker. Bancroft was magnificent, true. But many believed Davis deserved it more.

@SkyPowers said:

I worked for MGM from '87 to '90 and promoted most of all Bette and Joan's films on video. (MGM owned the rights at the time to the Turner WB library.) I actually wrote the back of the video package synopsis for MIldred Pierce. This will undoubtedly come out in the last episode about Crawford's campaign to ruin Bette's chances for her third Academy Award. It was a shocker she didn't win. The critics predicted it. It was arguably the best performance of that year. Bette was so confident she invited her family to the Santa Monica Civic auditorium in 1963 so they could see her win. I can only imagine how Sarandon will play her closeup when Anne Bancroft is announced for Miracle Worker. Bancroft was magnificent, true. But many believed Davis deserved it more.

Well it's a rare feat for an actor to win a Best award for being in a horror film which is what What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is. Especially back then. For some reason award judges look down upon the horror genre. The oerformance has to be perfect. I was surprised when Anthony Hopkins and Kathy Bates won for their performances in a horror movie. And I agree that Bette did give the best performance. I remember watching What Ever Happened to Baby Jane as a child and being terrified of Jane! Lol

I already knew of Bette Davis at that age. But I had never heard of Joan Crawford. Joan's performance in that movie is what kindled my fascination with her. She was just so incredibly feminine. Interestingly enough, completely unlike some of her later roles where she plays a tough gal. I would also like to add that Jane isn't as scary when you remove the totally convincing Joan Crawford as the helpless damsel -in- distress Blanche. It just wouldn't have worked so if Bette deserved Best Actress than surely Joan deserved Best Supporting because without Joan, Jane is just a caricature lunatic.

Btw, cool job you had.😃

Best Supporting Actress is more of a toss up. Hard to argue against Patty Duke as Helen Keller in Miracle Worker. When she has her epiphany when she pumps the water ... "Whhhaaaaa ..... whhaaaaaa" She pounds the ground. "Yes! Ground! Mrs. Keller! Mrs. Keller! SHE KNOWS!" Helen runs to her family, then slowly turns and walks back. "Teacher. Teacher." I tear up every time. I had no idea at the time how lucky I was at that job when it was still the MGM lot. I also promoted the 50th anniversaries of Gone with the Wind and Wizard of Oz. We had a giant hot air balloon brought onto the lot and recreated many of the sets. Marlee Matlin was one of the celebrity guests and it was my assignment to give her a tour. I saw her years later and she remembered me.

@SkyPowers said:

Best Supporting Actress is more of a toss up. Hard to argue against Patty Duke as Helen Keller in Miracle Worker. When she has her epiphany when she pumps the water ... "Whhhaaaaa ..... whhaaaaaa" She pounds the ground. "Yes! Ground! Mrs. Keller! Mrs. Keller! SHE KNOWS!" Helen runs to her family, then slowly turns and walks back. "Teacher. Teacher." I tear up every time. I had no idea at the time how lucky I was at that job when it was still the MGM lot. I also promoted the 50th anniversaries of Gone with the Wind and Wizard of Oz. We had a giant hot air balloon brought onto the lot and recreated many of the sets. Marlee Matlin was one of the celebrity guests and it was my assignment to give her a tour. I saw her years later and she remembered me.

Patty Duke played the part of Helen Keller in the play for a year before playing it in the screen adaptation. She had a lot of practise with the role.

That sounds like a wonderful memory from your past. I've never met a celebrity actor before. I envy you.

Julie Andrews played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady on Broadway to rave reviews. Yet for some reason, they cast Audrey Hepburn and dubbed her singing voice. Side note. Dame Julie Andrews is directing the stage play of My Fair Lady opening this Saturday in Brisbane, Australia. Though I don't think Patty Duke should be discounted simply because she "had practice" in the stage play. Anne Bancroft also starred in the stage play. Bette Davis loved live theater, where she got her start and was at no disadvantage portraying Baby Jane Hudson. No need to envy. After you meet so many, you realize its an artificial admiration, a psychological illusion. My dad, who knew Bette Davis during the stage tour depicted in Feud, knew director Norman McCleod via my grandfather. McLeod directed Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in two of their road pictures. So when I met Bob Hope at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, I mentioned that and the old man, about 95 then, instantly locked eyes with me and shook my hand, 'thankful for the memories.'

@SkyPowers said:

Julie Andrews played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady on Broadway to rave reviews. Yet for some reason, they cast Audrey Hepburn and dubbed her singing voice. Side note. Dame Julie Andrews is directing the stage play of My Fair Lady opening this Saturday in Brisbane, Australia. Though I don't think Patty Duke should be discounted simply because she "had practice" in the stage play. Anne Bancroft also starred in the stage play. Bette Davis loved live theater, where she got her start and was at no disadvantage portraying Baby Jane Hudson. No need to envy. After you meet so many, you realize its an artificial admiration, a psychological illusion. My dad, who knew Bette Davis during the stage tour depicted in Feud, knew director Norman McCleod via my grandfather. McLeod directed Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in two of their road pictures. So when I met Bob Hope at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, I mentioned that and the old man, about 95 then, instantly locked eyes with me and shook my hand, 'thankful for the memories.'

So you're saying that someone who has played a character for a year on stage still wouldn't be able to play the role as convincingly in a screen adaptation of that role? And that wouldn't make it easier than someone who is creating a character in half that time?

It would. Provided they had film work experience. Stage acting is a whole different ball game where performers must project to the back row of the theater. Everything is loud and exaggerated. Film is the opposite. The camera right on top of you so underplaying is often more effective, to the point of a whisper ("Rosebud"). Bette Davis' stage experience was never more evident than in Baby Jane where overplaying was required for her character.

@SkyPowers said:

It would. Provided they had film work experience. Stage acting is a whole different ball game where performers must project to the back row of the theater. Everything is loud and exaggerated. Film is the opposite. The camera right on top of you so underplaying is often more effective, to the point of a whisper ("Rosebud"). Bette Davis' stage experience was never more evident than in Baby Jane where overplaying was required for her character.

You know your stuff. Still, I still think Jessica and Susan will get a nomination for this show. If not Susan, then definitely Jessica. I want both to win though but that probably will not happen.

Oh I totally agree both will get nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Mini Series or Movie. Jessica Lange won in 2012 and 2014 for this same category for American Horror Story. So I'm thinking that works in Sarandon's favor.