American Horror Story

I watch a lot of 'good' TV. You know the shows; the ones that always get brought up whenever anyone tries to compile a list of the best TV shows of all time: Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, The West Wing, Neighbours. I find it hard to watch a lot of the mainstream TV that appears to have been shot on a set built by pre-schoolers and lit with torches, so almost all sci-fi is instantly out, and shows like Arrow and Flash are essentially just Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers for adults – otherwise known as utter dross.

But in terms of pure enjoyment, Fox's American Horror Story ranks close to the top. That might not sound like a particularly bizarre statement, given the show's obviously talented cast, decent budget and long run (now into season 5 and renewed for season 6), but it's one of the trashiest, most ridiculous shows on TV.

Each season stands alone as a self-contained story (although there are links between them if you pay attention), putting a spin on tried and tested horror scenarios. The series has moved between being set in a haunted murder house, a brutal asylum, and a home for witches, to a circus freak show, and a hotel full of nightmares. A neat twist comes from the re-use of actors, many popping up in numerous seasons but playing completely different characters, lending an element of surprise as you wait for a past favourite to return.

With a cast list that includes heavyweights such as Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Chloë Sevigny, Zachary Quinto, Frances Conroy, and Wes Bentley, as well as the lesser known but excellent Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Denis O'Hare you'd be forgiven for going into American Horror Story expecting something rather serious. What you'll get is expensive schlock that frequently shocks with its depictions of violence, yet is so silly it's hard to take it at all seriously.

Over the aired seasons the show has covered a school shooting, racism, heavy drug use, patient abuse, extreme grief, and more, and can often be uncomfortable viewing. But then Lady Gaga walks on screen dressed like a Bratz doll, presumably thinking she's playing a part in a murder mystery Fifty Shades of Grey fan fiction, and you're back wondering how something so (deliberately?) awful is so watchable.

Wes Bentley, whose most recent high profile film is Nolan's Interstellar, seems to know exactly what the deal is. His character in Freak Show (a story of the desperation for fame and how uncomfortable people are with bodily differences) could have been lifted from the mind of fictional author, dreamweaver, visionary (Plus actor), Garth Marenghi. Not only is his character amazing to look at, but his appearances are signalled by an oozing green smoke – like it's a jolly Christmas pantomime for the depraved.

Bentley's performance skill is taken to the next level in Hotel, in which he has a much larger part and plenty of screentime to display his talent. If the director asked him to play Detective John Lowe as if Det. Lt. Frank Drebin was simultaneously a drunk vagrant and the star of the SAW movies, yet didn't know he was surrounded by people taking things more seriously, he's nailed it. The acting is so over the top I was convinced his first scene was in fact a clever ruse, instead being a clip of a pulpy cop show within the show itself. It wasn't.

Chloë Sevigny, who plays Lowe's wife, somehow manages to look like she's forgotten who she is and why she's there, all the time longing to be with her lost young son – a boy who has somehow managed to exist in this world despite having the kind of long blonde hair Kurt Cobain would have sported had he bathed daily in a vat of TRESemmé. Someone cut his stupid hair.

American Horror Story won't be for everyone, its themes and violent scenes likely to be too much for some, but underneath the grim exterior is a playful heart that revels in the absurd. For that reason it's one of the most interesting and inventive shows on TV.

American Horror Story seasons 1-4 are on Netflix UK. Season 5 is currently airing on FX.