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Home , Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson

PaleyFest 2015: ‘: Freak Show’ Passes the Torch

03.16.2015

In a development that wouldn't surprise any fans of American Horror Story: Freak Show, PaleyFest 2015's closing panel was as crazy as the show itself. It was also emotional, with saying goodbye and dedicating the panel to the memory of actor Ben Woolf, who died tragically in February.

After a screening of Freak Show's third episode, "Edward Mordrake: Part 1," writer Tim Stack promised "surprises," and attempted to corral Executive Producer Tim Minear and stars Jessica Lange, , Evan Peters, , , Denis O'Hare, and Finn Wittrock into a meaningful discussion.

Lange, predictably, stole the show. She got the loudest ovation of all, one that would've made the cast of Teen Wolf blush. It was a rowdy crowd, and thanks to a bar backstage, a rowdy group of panelists, as they talked about Freak Show, the past four seasons and the upcoming fifth season Hotel.

The idea for Freak Show was inspired, in part, by Lange herself, who had always been enthralled with traveling carnival troupes. According to Bates, the cast and crew resembled a troupe by season's end. When Michael Chiklis arrived on set, O'Hare commented that he had "no idea what he was in for." That turned out to be true when Chiklis found out he had to kill Ma Petite, the smallest woman in the world. When he read the script, he responded, "Oh *^@! really?" Chiklis thinks his daughter is still mad at him, and called shooting the scene "one of the most uncomfortable experiences ever." While he was "inconsolable," actress Jyoti Amge kept trying to reassure him.

While fans wouldn't forgive Chiklis, they were more than happy to shower fellow newcomer Finn Wittrock with cheers, even though he killed "so many people." Chiklis commented, "How sick is that?"

Chiklis urged the crowd not to make Angela Bassett's "tri-boob a thing," but he was fighting a losing battle. Paulson joked, "the more the merrier," a concept she's familiar with, having played conjoined twins Bette and Dot. She admitted it was challenging, especially from a technical standpoint. Paulson had to point to the right head whenever filming with Lange.

With , you never know what you're in for, but there are no negotiations. If it's on the page, "you do it," O'Hare said. Unless you're Jessica Lange: "Or you can just refuse."

Lange, Peters and Paulson all sang this season, but apparently Bates performed a Courtney Love song that was cut from an episode. Thankfully, it will appear on the forthcoming DVD/Blu-Ray.

Lange is departing with good memories, saying Elsa Mars was the favorite character she played on AHS, and hailed Freak Show as "the most special season we did." She called it a blessing to work with people she wouldn't have normally, expressing widespread love and appreciation of the "freaks" of season four.

When asked if perhaps she would change her mind and return for season five, Lange told a story. She said she was walking around , and two guys on a stoop saw her and said, "Holy $#*! balls, that's the Supreme!" In a career that's spanned forty years, Lange confessed, "It's never getting any better. Yes, I'm done." It sounds like Lange is talking with Ryan Murphy about working on something else, but was cut off before saying anything concrete. Asked later if the casting of in Hotel would sway her, Lange's response says it all: "What does that mean?"

That means AHS is getting some new blood in the form of (Normal Heart) and 30 Rock's Cheyenne Jackson. Bomer had the time of his life appearing on Freak Show, and now he's "ready to go to the deep end, baby." Bomer couldn't give specifics about his character in season five, "but there may be a romantic relationship" between his character and Lady Gaga's. Based on the crowd's enthusiastic response, it appears that AHS is in good hands with Bomer, Jackson and Gaga.

Image of Sarah Paulson, Denis O'Hare and Finn Wittrock courtesy of Rob Latour, Paley Center for Media.