Imagine tuning into a brand-new TV series, eagerly anticipating a gripping legal drama co-created by a Hollywood heavyweight, only to discover it's being shredded by critics as potentially the worst ever made. That's the shocking reality hitting FX's All's Fair, and it's sparking debates about celebrity power in entertainment like never before. But here's where it gets controversial – is this just harsh criticism, or a wake-up call about the pitfalls of fame-driven storytelling? Keep reading to dive into the details and see why this show has critics in a frenzy.
All's Fair, a legal thriller now streaming on Hulu, has faced an onslaught of brutal reviews right after its three-episode launch on November 4. Co-produced by the acclaimed Ryan Murphy, who has dazzled audiences with hits like American Horror Story and Pose, this series centers on Kim Kardashian portraying Allura Grant, a savvy divorce lawyer and head of a women-only law firm in sunny Los Angeles. It's meant to explore the cutthroat world of high-profile breakups, where money, secrets, and betrayals collide in both courtrooms and personal lives. For beginners in TV drama analysis, think of it as a modern take on courtroom tales like The Good Wife or Suits, but with a feminist twist – empowering women to take on wealthy men and the system. Yet, critics are saying it's a far cry from that vision, calling it a trainwreck that misses the mark entirely.
And this is the part most people miss – the sheer depth of negativity pouring in from top reviewers. In a rare zero-star slam from The Times, titled 'This may be the worst TV drama ever,' critic Ben Dowell didn't hold back: 'Well done, Kim. You must have quite a healthy ego yourself to star in what may well be the worst television drama ever made. Because All’s Fair (Disney+) is so bad, it's not even enjoyably so. It thinks it's a feminist fable about spirited lawyers getting their own back on cruel rich men but is in fact a tacky and revolting monument to the same greed, vanity and avarice it supposedly targets. All scripted, it feels, by a toddler who couldn't write "bum" on a wall.' He went on to question Kardashian's portrayal, comparing her to an unlikely force in peaceful settings, and blaming the dialogue for drowning out any potential. For those new to this, it's like imagining a story that's supposed to inspire but ends up feeling childish and hypocritical, highlighting how easy it is for big ideas to flop when execution fails.
Lucy Mangan from The Guardian echoed the sentiment with another zero-star review, expressing astonishment: 'I did not know it was still possible to make television this bad. I assumed that there was some sort of baseline, some inescapable bedrock knowledge of how to do it that now prevents any entry into the art form from falling below a certain standard. But I was wrong. The new series from Ryan Murphy, All's Fair – starring Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash as the founders of an all-female law firm delivering divorce-y justice to incredibly rich but slightly unlucky women under the azure skies of California – is terrible. Fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible.' This points to a broader concern: In an era of streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, how low can quality go before audiences demand better standards? It's a fascinating paradox – shows can be so bad they're almost mesmerizing in their awfulness.
The bulk of the backlash targets the performances, particularly Kardashian's, with Ed Power of The Telegraph calling it a 'disaster zone.' He wrote: 'Amid this disaster zone of soapy plotting and reeking dialogue, it is perhaps unfair to single out Kardashian. Her participation is just one disaster among many (she is an executive producer alongside her mother and manager, Kris Jenner). Yet there is no glossing over her stilted acting, already confirmed by her guest appearance in season 12 of Murphy's American Horror Story. Even more striking than her lack of thespian chops, however, is her complete absence of screen presence. She has no aura, no unfiltered charisma. Forget an X factor, Kardashian has a Zzzzzz… quality that threatens to lull the unprepared viewer into a stupor whenever she opens her mouth.' For example, compare this to her real-life charisma in Keeping Up with the Kardashians – fans might argue her on-screen struggles stem from inexperience, while detractors say it's a mismatch that drags everyone down.
Emily Maddic from Glamour drew parallels to the Kardashian brand itself, noting: 'And after sitting through the first episode of All's Fair, if "aspirational" is what they’re aiming for, then god help us all. For it seems that Ryan Murphy, arguably one of the hottest names in TV, with countless brilliant and diverse, award-winning shows under his belt, including Glee, American Horror Story, Pose, Scream Queens and Nip Tuck, has been fully Kardashian-ified. He's drunk the Kris Jenner Kool Aid and the Murphy cinematic universe has been infected by this so-called "aspirational" lifestyle the Kardashians dictate we should all be conforming to aspire to; which, in other words, translates as "behaving like a billionaire."' This raises a controversial point: Is Ryan Murphy's genius being overshadowed by celebrity influence, turning a potential masterpiece into a vanity project? Subtly, one might wonder if this is just envy from critics who resist the blending of reality TV fame with scripted drama.
Kelly Lawler of USA Today labeled it 'the worst TV show of the year,' while Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter described it as: 'Kim Kardashian is an appropriately wooden lead for Ryan Murphy's empty, unforgivably dull Hulu drama... Kardashian’s performance, stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, is exactly what the writing, also stiff and affectless without a single authentic note, merits.' And Dustin Rowles from Pajiba added: 'It's all just painfully hard to watch. It's beneath everyone involved, even Kardashian, who mostly seems bored. She's not alone. The absurdity occasionally earns a guffaw, but it's not enough to offset the tedium.' These reviews collectively paint a picture of a show that's not just bad – it's exhausting to endure, with moments of unintended humor that can't redeem the overall slog.
To give context, the official synopsis promises: 'Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks. In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women don't just play the game—they change it.' But critics argue this ambition is buried under poor execution, making it a cautionary tale for aspiring storytellers.
Beyond Kardashian, who is reprising her collaboration with Murphy after American Horror Story season 12, the cast includes powerhouse talents like two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts (known for roles in 21 Grams and The Impossible), Emmy winner Niecy Nash (from Monster), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), Emmy winner Sarah Paulson (American Crime Story), and eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close. It's a star-studded lineup that, ironically, amplifies the disappointment for many.
With just five reviews in at press time, All's Fair has landed a dismal 0% on Rotten Tomatoes – a score that's as low as it gets. If you're into stiff performances and clichéd lines that feel like they were scribbled in a hurry, this might be your guilty pleasure. But for most, it's a nightmare to avoid, showcasing Ryan Murphy's range in a way that could tarnish his legacy.
All's Fair drops new episodes every Tuesday on Hulu and Disney+.
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Network: Hulu
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Allura Grant
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Glenn Close
Dina Standish
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Naomi Watts
Liberty Ronson
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Sarah Paulson
Carrington Lane
But here's the big question to ponder: Is this criticism overblown, or does it expose deeper issues in how celebrity culture shapes TV? Do you think Kim Kardashian and Ryan Murphy deserve a second chance, or is this a flop that proves some stars are better off on reality TV? Share your opinions in the comments – agreement or disagreement, we'd love to hear it! And what about that controversial angle of whether the show's 'feminist' angle is just a mask for promoting wealth? Let's discuss!
