Hollywood legend Glenn Close has publicly responded to the overwhelmingly negative critical reception of Ryan Murphy's new legal drama, All's Fair, suggesting reviewers judged the series too hastily.
A Rocky Start and a Strong Defence
The Hulu and Disney+ series, which premiered earlier this month, was met with a torrent of terrible reviews, initially achieving a rare 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Although that score had inched up to 3% at the time of reporting, the critical mauling was severe. However, in a new interview with Variety, Close argued that the show's weakest episodes were its opening ones.
"I personally think that the first three episodes were the weakest," Close stated. "That was a tough way to start. I've seen all nine episodes, and I think it actually adds up to something." Her comments serve as a direct rebuttal to critics who panned the series after its debut.
Praise for Kim Kardashian's Professionalism
Close, who stars alongside a high-profile cast including Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson, reserved significant praise for her co-star, reality TV titan Kim Kardashian. The Fatal Attraction star expressed being impressed by Kardashian's dedication on set.
"What surprised me was Kim's seriousness of intent," Close revealed. "She always knew her lines. She never was late. She always was prepared." Close emphasised that Kardashian approached the role with humility and a willingness to learn, noting, "She had no pretensions that she was a great actress, but she was smart enough to have people around her who she could learn from."
Close went further, suggesting that the Kardashian family's polarising public image likely contributed to the show's harsh critical treatment. "The Kardashians would say this themselves, but not everybody likes them," she explained. "They have an image."
Critical Failure, Commercial Success
Despite the critical drubbing, All's Fair has proven to be a resounding hit with audiences. The show was watched by a staggering 3.2 million viewers globally within just three days of its release. This made it the most popular scripted series debut on Hulu Originals in the past three years, demonstrating a clear disconnect between critical opinion and public appetite.
Kim Kardashian herself has taken the negative reviews in her stride, using social media to poke fun at the situation. On Instagram, she shared a collection of brutal reviews with the sarcastic caption, "Have you tuned in to the most critically acclaimed show of the year!?!?!?"
Among the screenshots she posted, one viewer wrote, "Some of the worst acting I've ever seen in my life... I'm obsessed and I need 14 seasons," highlighting the show's 'so-bad-it's-good' appeal for some fans. Another posted, "All's Fair on Hulu dares to ask the question, 'Does a show need to be good?' and the answer is no, it doesn't." Kardashian also shared a meme implying that the negative criticism had ultimately driven more people to watch and enjoy the series.
This audience reaction underscores a growing trend where viewer numbers can triumph over traditional critical scores, cementing All's Fair as a major, if controversial, streaming event.
