All’s Fair (Hulu) 

By: Rachel Brodeur

If the experience of gawking at a car wreck could be captured in a show, that show would be Hulu’s All’s Fair. The comedic drama about an all-female law firm contains such random cast pairings and guest stars that it sounds like a Hollywood producer’s fever dream. 

First, the show is the product of legendary show creator Ryan Murphy, the mind behind hit series like American Horror Story, Monster, and Glee. Perhaps it’s because of Ryan Murphy, that big names like Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story, American Crime Story),  Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy), and Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive, King Kong), signed on to the cast to star alongside centerpiece Kim Kardashian (Keeping Up with the Kardashians). Kardashian is not known for her range as an actress, and this role as the main character stretches her ability to emote as she attempts to channel female empowerment through compassionate leadership. Kardashian’s acting cannot hold up next to the Hollywood heavyweights, not to mention relative newcomer Teyana Taylor, who starred in One Battle After Another, which is a real contender for an Oscar for best picture this year.

With a mostly strong cast, the puzzle of the show is what exactly makes it so intolerable to watch. All’s Fair should have laid off of the melodrama and leaned into the camp value, and maybe it would have found more of its place. One highlight is the performance of Niecy Nash (Reno 911!), who is genuinely funny. However, Nash is restrained by the belabored drama of what they’re calling the plot. The lady lawyers defend women, such as guest star Jessica Simpson (Dukes of Hazzard) through their divorces, but also provide girl power support through each other’s own intense struggles. These struggles, though, are told through poorly disjointed editing that takes away any emotional weight. 

Should you watch All’s Fair? Well, no. However, if you are looking for a reason, the dialogue of All’s Fair reads like a parody of a female standup comedian from the ‘90s. On their own, they are gratuitous uses of words representing a woman’s anatomy, but delivered by serious actresses like Glenn Close, and addressing Kim Kardashian, they take on an absurdist juxtaposition that might actually provide some entertainment. 

Rachel’s Rating: 2/10

All’s Fair assembles an impressively star-studded cast under Ryan Murphy’s direction, but despite elements of humor and talent, the show fails to be more than a few awkwardly-delivered vagina jokes.