Summary
- Feud could explore the controversial friendship-turned-rivalry between Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, offering an inside look at their lavish lifestyles and on-again-off-again dynamic.
- The behind-the-scenes feud between talk show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno would provide an intriguing glimpse into the world of late-night television and the tensions surrounding the competition for The Tonight Show.
- The bitter rivalry between Elton John and Madonna, filled with snarky comments and public insults, would make for a thrilling season of Feud, showcasing the clash between two iconic pop legends.
There have been several highly-publicized Hollywood controversies that would act as the perfect candidate for seasons of the anthology series Feud. With the latest season of the Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam-created series Feud, focusing on Capote vs. the Swans, and an excellent first season about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, it begs the question of what other notable conflicts should be dramatized in the series. With countless Hollywood rivalries to choose from, the concept of Feud allowed for limitless possibilities.
Feud, at its best, provided behind-the-scenes insight into controversies that viewers were already somewhat familiar with, and future seasons that focused on iconic rivalries such as the sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine would make for compelling viewing. Other famous conflicts could provide the background to the world of late-night talk shows, reality television, and even legendary pop stars. There are just so many Hollywood controversies that Ryan Murphy and the creators of Feud should explore in Season 3 and beyond.
10 Paris Hilton vs. Nicole Richie
Feud could expertly capture the mid-2000s sensation that was Paris and Nicole
The story of The Simple Life reality stars and best friends turned feuding foes Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie would make excellent fodder for Feud. The famous pair had been friends since they were two years old and already led a privileged life when they launched their careers as reality TV BBFs. However, this friendship turned sour after Paris hosted Saturday Night Life without Nicole, and they grew apart (via Mamamia). The behind-the-scenes story of their on-again-off-again friendship would make for compelling viewing, and their lavish lifestyles at the height of their fame would suit the aesthetic of Feud well.
9 David Letterman vs. Jay Leno
Feud could highlight the behind-the-scenes rivalry of late-night talk shows
The conflict between late-night talk show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno would act as an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of showbiz decisions in an season of Feud. The pair’s animosity stemmed from Letterman’s certainty that he should have been chosen over Leno to replace Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Dubbed the “Late Night War of 1992”, looking back on the controversy in a 2023 interview with Neil Brennan, Leno said, “I’m not sure what I did wrong” and the two have since managed to patch things up.
8 Elton John vs. Madonna
Feud could highlight the tell-all tale of these pop legends
The rivalry between queer music legends Elton and Madonna started in 2002 when John called Madonna’s title song for Die Another Day the “worst Bond tune ever” (via Daily Mail.) What started as a small statement grew in magnitude in 2004 when, after accepting a Q Award, John commented on her nomination in another category starting: “Madonna, best live act? F*** off. Since when has lip-syncing been live?” which Madonna’s publicist denied stating she does not lip sync or spend time “trashing other artists.” The mean-spirited nature of their rivalry would act as a thrilling season of Feud.
7 Elizabeth Taylor vs. Debbie Reynolds
Feud could showcase for viewers one of Hollywood's most notorious rivalries
A season of Feud focusing on Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds would take the series back to its origins of exploring classic Hollywood stars at odds with one another. The duo’s feud itself was as captivating as a movie (via Collider) as the pair started as friends until Taylor began an affair with Reynolds’ husband Eddie Fisher. The behind-the-scenes romance was a whirlwind scandal that ended in their reconciliation and an even stronger friendship that lasted right up until Taylor’s death in 2011.
6 Martha Stewart vs. Gwyneth Paltrow
Feud could tell the story of these wellness figures issues with one another
The conflict between television personality Martha Stewart and actress-turned-businesswoman Gwyneth Paltrow would make for thrilling viewing in a future season of Feud. As an icon of wellness, Stewart reportedly saw Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop as competition and was criticized by the Martha Stewart Foundation founder in the media who stated: “She just needs to be quiet, she’s a movie star,” (via The Sun.) Paltrow caught wind of these comments and the pair threw japs at each other relating to Paltrow’s divorce and Stewart’s stint in jail. Take all these instances together and they amount to an exciting season of Feud.
5 Olivia de Havilland vs. Joan Fontaine
Feud could showcase this story of feuding sister
As two sisters who pursued the same acting career, competed for the same awards, and had a historic rivalry with one another, the story of Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine would be the perfect candidate for a new season of Feud. With ruthless tales of going head-to-head with one another for Best Actress at the Academy Awards, vicious jealousy at the other’s achievements, and cutting remarks about the other’s husband (via Life), their story has the grandiosity and excitement of an incredible mini-series. While the sisters patched it up in later life, it would still be gripping television.
4 Sarah Jessica Parker vs. Kim Cattrall
Feud could tell the behind-the-scenes story of the Sex and the City stars
Sex and the City
Cast
Kim Cattrall
Cynthia Nixon
Sarah Jessica Parker
- Release Date
- June 6, 1998
- Seasons
- 6
A season of Feud dealing with the behind-the-scenes rivalry of the Sex and the City cast would be the stuff of dreams and the conflict between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall would be a drama to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The drama publicly kicked off in 2017 when Cattrall revealed the duo “were never friends” (via Cattrall returned for a cameo in season two.
3 Britney Spears vs. Justin Timberlake
Feud could highlight the background of one the 1990s most famuous couples
The story of 1990s teen pop sensation Britney Spears and NYSYN singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake would make for an incredible dramatization in a future season of Feud. With the opportunity to add iconic stars like Christina Aguilera and Madonna into the mix and a decent amount of betrayal, jealousy, and romance, the pair’s story fits perfectly with the concept of Feud. While Britney and Justin’s controversial relationship was publicized in the press at the time, Spears’ recent memoir The Woman In Me shone a new light on the difficulties she faced and how they played into her later life troubles.
2 Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Sylvester Stallone
Feud could tell the intense competitive rivalry between the 1980s biggest action stars
As two of the biggest action stars of the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone had an intensive rivalry as the pair would often be up against each other for the same parts. A season of Feud dealing with their conflict would make for thrilling viewing with some opportunity for some funny instances, such as when Schwarzenegger tricked Stallone into making his worst movie. If this season of Feud were to be made, it would thankfully have a happy ending, as today the two are friendly and even starred together in The Expendables 3.
1 Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift
Feud could highlight one of the biggest Hollywood conflicts in modern times
From stage crashing to secretly reported phone calls, the volatile relationship between Kanye West and Taylor Swift was full of so much drama and outrageous details that it was shocking it had not already been dramatized in a series like Feud. The conflict, which began at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when Kanye took over Swift’s acceptance speech, was intensified by Kanye’s 2016 song “Famous”, and has had a number of back-and-forth moments over the past 15 years (via People.) A behind-the-scenes look at their experiences on Feud would make for compelling viewing.
Sources: Mamamia, Neil Brennan, Daily Mail, Collider, The Sun, Life, The Independent, People
Feud
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2024-00-00
- Network
- FX
- Showrunner
- Jon Robin Baitz, Ryan Murphy, Tim Minear
Cast
Jessica Lange
Susan Sarandon
WHERE TO WATCH
Feud is a documentary drama anthology series created for FX based on famous feuds throughout celebrity history. Packed with an ensemble cast, each season of Feud follows a new celebrity, with season one covering Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and the second season centering on Truman Capote.
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator(s)
- Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, Michael Zam, Jon Robin Baitz
