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2 • September 3 - 9, 2017 • Brainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media I t's taken us inside a coven, a freak show, an insane asylum and, of course, a good old-fashioned mur- der house and more. "American Horror Story" has given viewers a major case of the willies for six sea- sons, and a seventh is just around the corner. As always, details of the upcoming installment of the horror anthology have been kept to a min- imum in the lead-up to the pre- miere, and fans of the series are ea- ger to see what "Cult," as the new season is subtitled, has to offer. Don't miss the de- but of "American Hor- ror Story: Cult," when it airs Tuesday, Sept. 5, on FX. As an anthology series, "American Horror Story" explores a different theme every season. It welcomes back many of the same cast members from year to year, but, for the most part, they play different characters in a different time and setting. There has been the odd overlap, subtly connecting one season to another: Pepper (Naomi Grossman, "Fear, Inc." 2016) and Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe, "The Whispers"), for in- stance, appeared in both "Asylum" and "Freak Show," while series mainstay Sarah Paulson ("12 Years a Slave," 2013) has reprised the characters of both Billie Dean How- ard and Lana Winters in multiple seasons ("Murder House" and "Hotel," and "Asylum" and "Roa- noke," respectively), along with the stand-alone char- acters she's portrayed. While "Cult" marks the first season in which series regular Rabe will not be appearing, Paul- son once again has a leading role — as does Evan Peters ("Kick-Ass," 2010), who, like Paul- son, has been with the show from the start. Fans were quick to voice their disap- pointment last season about how little they saw of Peters, an endur- ing favorite with viewers (he played two different characters, and be- tween them, he still only appeared in four episodes). Peters fans can rest easy this season, though — creator and executive producer Ryan Murphy tweeted that in "Cult," "More Evan you will get. This is his heaviest season yet." This alone is more information than we can typically expect to get from Murphy, who is known for keeping "American Horror Story" details close to the vest prior to air time. Last season's theme, title and cast were a mystery right up until the premiere, but showrunners have been more forthcoming — if characteristically cryptic — this time around. We do know that it's set in mod- ern-day Michigan, has some con- nection to "Freak Show" and, most importantly, uses the 2016 election as a jumping-off point. This is worth taking note of, since no previous in- stallment has been particularly timely or topical — and the setting is surely very deliberate, with Mich- igan, historically a blue state, hav- ing been quite divided during the election. Murphy clarified this in an inter- view with the Hollywood Reporter, confirming that this season will be all about "highlighting people who don't have a voice in our culture — people who are ignored by the cur- rent administration and who are afraid and feel terrorized that their lives are going to be taken away." The show has been unlocking weekly hints via an interactive website , AHSCult.com, which al- lows viewers to sign up and "join" the cult, complete with their own identification number. Promo vid- eos are rife with some of the creepi- est clowns you'll ever care to see (painted in red and blue makeup, making use of subtle election imag- ery), and Murphy has hinted that "Freak Show's" Twisty (John Carroll Lynch, "The Drew Carey Show"), "AHS's" OG creepy clown, will be making an appearance this season. A number of other familiar faces appear in "Cult" as well. Adina Por- ter ("True Blood"), Emma Roberts ("Scream Queens"), Frances Con- roy ("Six Feet Under") and Chey- enne Jackson ("30 Rock") are among the cast members con- firmed to return this season, while Oscar winner Kathy Bates ("Mis- ery," 1990), who joined the cast in season 3's "Coven," and music su- perstar Lady Gaga, who appeared in the last two seasons, will official- ly not be returning this year due to scheduling conflicts. Several other "AHS" stalwarts are unconfirmed as of press time, including Denis O'Hare ("Dallas Buyers Club," 2013) and Angela Bassett ("Mal- colm X," 1992), making it unlikely that they'll have major parts this season, if they appear at all. Fortunately, "Cult" welcomes a number of fresh faces to fill the void left by the dearly departed. Ali- son Pill ("Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," 2010) joins the cast as Ivy Mayfair-Richards, the wife of Paul- son's character, and comedian Billy Eichner ("Billy on the Street") plays a character named Harrison Wilton. Past Murphy collaborators Billie Lourd ("Scream Queens") and Les- lie Grossman ("Popular") join the show this season, and "Girls" star Lena Dunham is set to appear in at least one episode. It's certainly more information that fans are used to getting before a new season of "AHS" touches down. Executive producer Alexis Martin Woodall even complied when pushed for more details at a Television Critics Association panel, divulging: "bloody tension, a well- cooked meal, an exciting trip to a grocery story. It is true to our brand, which is you are going to be in a whole new world all over again, and fall in love with these really special characters and hate your- self for watching it before you go to bed." All will be made clear — to a point — when "American Horror Story: Cult" premieres Tuesday, Sept. 5, on FX. Creepy clowns and familiar faces grace 'American Horror Story: Cult' Cover Story this week Evan Peters as seen in "American Horror Story: Hotel" Conan Vice-President Mike Pence denies he's planning to run for president in 2020. He said, "I'm pretty sure I'll be president way before then." The Mars Curiosity Rover celebrated its fifth year in space by humming "Happy Birthday" to itself. The Rover then drank a bottle of white wine and cried itself to sleep. The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon President Trump is in the middle of his 17-day trip to his New Jersey golf course, but he says it isn't a vacation. And the staff at the White House said, "For us it is." Tonight was the finale of "The Bachelorette." Millions of people tuned in to the finale to see who Rachel would spend the rest of her summer with. Jimmy Kimmel Live President Trump is currently on a 17-day vacation at his golf course in Bedminster, N.J. ... Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is also on vacation. Kind of suspicious that they're both gone at the same time. It's like when your husband and his secretary go on a work trip together. Late Night With Seth Meyers Fox News host Eric Bolling has been suspended following reports that he sent lewd photos to multiple female coworkers. Or as Fox News is reporting it: "Did Hillary frame Eric Bolling?" According to reports, officials at the Department of Agriculture told staffers to avoid the term "climate change" in their research, and to use terms like "weather extremes" instead. And instead of earthquakes, they're now called, "li'l shakeroos." Late Laughs S E A M L E S S "EXPERIENCE THE ADVANTAGE" Advantage Seamless, Inc. 218-270-2663 or 888-570-5778 WWW.ADVANTAGESEAMLESSGUTTERS.COM THE BEST DEFENSE IN GUTTER PROTECTION AMERICA'S FIRST HIGH FLOW SYSTEM™ S E A M L E S S THE BEST DEFENSE IN GUTTER PROTECTION COUPON (on total value of $2,500 or more) *** Must do entire home. Must book project by 9/30/17 *** Call 1-888-570-5778. 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