Ep 17. Sarah Paulson On 'American Crime Story' and 'American Horror Story'

In season 9 episode 17 of "Popcorn with Peter Travers," host Peter Travers sits down with actress Sarah Paulson to discuss her roles in the hit television shows "American Crime Story" and "American Horror Story."

Travers begins by asking Paulson about her multiple roles in "American Horror Story," which she has been a part of since the first season. Paulson discusses the challenges of playing different characters each season, from a psychic in "Murder House" to conjoined twins in "Freak Show." She explains how each character requires a different approach and how important it is to find the humanity in even the most monstrous of characters.

Travers then moves on to Paulson's role as prosecutor Marcia Clark in "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson." Paulson says that playing Clark was a daunting task, given that the case was such a widely-covered media event. She talks about the research she did to prepare for the role, including reading Clark's book and watching footage of the trial. Paulson also discusses the unexpected backlash she faced for portraying Clark, with some people criticizing her for not being sympathetic enough to the real-life figure.

The conversation then turns to the second season of "American Crime Story," which focuses on the murder of Gianni Versace. Paulson plays Nancy Glass, a real-life journalist who covered the case. Paulson talks about the challenge of playing a living person and the pressure to get the portrayal right. She also discusses the themes of the season, including homophobia and the societal pressures faced by gay men in the 1990s.

Travers also asks Paulson about her work with Ryan Murphy, who created both "American Crime Story" and "American Horror Story." Paulson praises Murphy's ability to create complex, interesting female characters and talks about the collaborative relationship they have built over the years.

Throughout the interview, Paulson is animated and engaging, sharing stories about the challenges and joys of her work. Travers is an adept interviewer, guiding the conversation smoothly and drawing out interesting insights from his guest.

Fans of "American Crime Story" and "American Horror Story" will no doubt enjoy this episode, as it provides a fascinating look into the making of both shows. But even viewers who are unfamiliar with Paulson's work will find plenty to enjoy here, as the conversation touches on broader themes like the importance of representation in media and the ways in which art can help us understand difficult topics.