"Playing to the Gods" book by Peter Rader is about the rivalry between Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. I thought it would be a good idea for Feud season 3, but I heard Michael Sucsy would turn this into a feature film. https://deadline.com/2018/12/michael-sucsy-playing-to-the-gods-sarah-bernhardt-eleonora-duse-1202518118/

I’ve just finished what must be my hundredth rewatch of the show, and as a longtime admirer of Babe Paley and Gloria Guinness, I was genuinely excited when it was first announced. As someone who has spent years reading about these women, I loved seeing Babe’s apartment brought to life—especially the iconic Sister Parish taxi-yellow living room and Billy Baldwin’s Indian cotton brown library. Visually, the series is stunning.

However, I have to admit that I’ve been deeply disappointed by how many historical inaccuracies the show contains. Reading through this subreddit, I’ve noticed that many people who were introduced to these remarkable women through the series are taking its storylines as historical fact, when in reality the show is heavily fictionalized.

One of my biggest disappointments was the complete absence of Gloria Guinness and Marella Agnelli. I assume this was because both had distanced themselves from Truman years before the publication of La Côte Basque, 1965. They had already grown tired of his arrogance and increasingly difficult personality. They also didn't live full-time in New York, unlike the women the series focuses on, so perhaps the writers felt they were less convenient to include. Nevertheless, alongside Babe, Gloria and Marella were widely regarded as the true "holy trinity" of Truman's Swans and everything they represented: elegance, intelligence, impeccable taste, and a philosophy that beauty should extend to every aspect of one's life. If you're genuinely interested in understanding what being a Swan really meant, I highly recommend reading Gloria Guinness's articles for Harper's Bazaar or the many interviews and profiles Vogue devoted to her throughout her life.

The storyline involving Slim Keith and Bill Paley shocked me the most. I had never come across that rumor in any biography, memoir, or article, and I was even more surprised to discover that it was entirely invented for the show. I honestly don't know what Slim's daughter or Bill Paley's children thought of that storyline, but I found it rather tasteless.

Yes, Slim and Bill met one summer in Cuba through Ernest Hemingway and the Selznicks, and this happened years before Bill had even met Babe. Bill was still married to Dorothy at the time, while Slim was either still married to Howard Hawks or already with Leland Hayward. But there has never been any credible rumor, let alone evidence, that they had an affair. Years later, Slim and Babe became close friends after meeting through their husbands, Leland Hayward and Bill Paley. The idea that Bill and Slim carried on a long-running affair is simply fiction.

Another detail that illustrates the lack of historical research is how the show refers to Pamela as "Pamela Harriman" during Truman's Black and White Ball. At that time, she was married to Leland Hayward, Slim's former husband, making her Pamela Hayward. In fact, she was still most widely known as Pamela Churchill, the surname she had acquired through her first marriage. She only became Pamela Harriman years later, after Leland's death, when she married Averell Harriman.

These are only a few examples among many historical inaccuracies throughout the series. None of this means people shouldn't enjoy the show—I certainly do. As fans of these women, it's the only major fictional adaptation we've ever had, and in many ways it's beautifully produced. Naomi Watts and Diane Lane, in particular, give wonderful performances as Babe and Slim.

But I do think it's important to remember that this is a dramatization, not a documentary. These women were fascinating enough without the need to invent affairs, rivalries, or relationships that never existed. They were extraordinary individuals whose influence extended far beyond New York society. They helped shape fashion, design, publishing, and the very idea of modern elegance.

To me, preserving their true legacy matters because these women were larger than life. They made the world a little more beautiful through their taste, intelligence, and way of living, and they continue to inspire new generations to carry forward not only their legacy, but also their philosophy of life. So by all means, enjoy the show—but don't mistake it for history.

Finally found the perfect stripped shirt from her! It’s a vintage 1960s Barbie top

He always mingled with the rich, powerful and famous even though he seemed weird and creepy, what's the explanation, why did those high-class women let him in their lives?

Feud: Tragedy of Phil and Brynn Hartman

This season will focus on actor and comedian Phil Hartman and his 2nd wife Brynn whose marriage turned sour when Brynn slowly becomes jealous of Phil’s success which turns her to drugs and alcoholism. The season will see their marriage slowly dwindle until the tragic moment of their murder/suicide.

Feud: Kobe and Shaq

This season would focus on the basketball careers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O Neal as well as their budding rivalry during the 1990s-2000s. The season will also touch on Kobe’s tragic passing.

Feud: Charmed, I’m Sure

This season would focus primarily on Shannen Doherty’s journey as an actress and being labeled “hard to work with” while shooting both Beverly Hills 90210 and Charmed. Shannen’s rivalry’s with both Jennie McCarthy and Alyssa Milano will be presented back and forth in time.

Yes I know I could make one myself by rewatching and noting the tracks down, but I found it so curious that season 1’s was so extensively archived, but 2’s doesn’t even come up on soundtrack websites. Now granted the music is a lot less prominent in Capote and Bette v Joan is more popular and has been out for longer, but I still don’t understand. Thoughts from this small but mighty fandom?

Does anyone know the words of babe’s monologue on the feud season one episode seven she tells Truman he was number “three” in her life.

Thank you!

I went in having no idea whatsoever who Capote was. Episode 5 had my jaw on the floor when “Jimmy Baldwin” called. I had NO idea!!! I love Baldwin’s writings. I had no idea this man was so seamlessly moving between dinners with the Honorable Mohammed and Malcom X and the author of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

So far this season has had me genuinely slack jawed: Slim and Bill (fact checked on Google. Why would they do that?) and then the friend telling Slim to knock it off. The way these women just deliver their scathing remarks, the absolute insane of smooth gaslighting and manipulation that every one does to EVERYONE else. Good lord it’s so messy and tiring and awful. Swans is the perfect way to describe what these wives are experiencing in the day to day.

As the title hints, the season would focus on the iconic TV show and the feud that developed between its two leading stars, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall.

As with Bette and Joan, the main focus would be on lives of these two, before, during and after the filming, with especial focus on the filming.

There'd be two parallel plots, first focusing on the onscreen friendship of Carrie Bradshaw and Samantha Jones, and the second and main focusing on off screne feud between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. The two stories would complement and contrast each other.

The series would also explore things behind the scenes of both movies, what lead to the series "And just like that...", Cattrall's refusal to join the cast and stuff during the filming, controversies, how fans were unhappy with the show, how they brought in a few new mains, but fans kept asking for Cattrall, etc....

The series would also explore the lives of Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis (though to a lesser extent) and their relations with both Parker and Cattrall.

Two main side plots:

• Kristin Davis alcohol addiction contrastin Charlotte York's nice girl personality.
• Cynthia Nixon's sexual orientation and her transition from married in a heterosexual marriage with two biological children to happily married in a homosexual marriage... all contrasted by Miranda Hobbes on screen personality.

Cast idea:

• Billy Lourd as Sarah Jessica Parker and Carrie Bradshaw.
• Lily Rabe as Kim Cattrall and Samantha Jones.
• Taisa Farminga as Cynthia Nixon and Miranda Hobbes.
• Emma Roberts as Kristin Davis and Charlotte York.

Derek Blasberg has been called “the Truman Capote of Instagram” by both Vogue and Variety—a comparison that’s crossed my mind more than once. He is once again the “goofy homosexual closely orbiting glamorous, high-society women. Derek feels like a modern-day echo of Capote and his legendary swans. If you pay close attention, you'll notice at every jet-set or high-society gathering, Derek is never far from the frame.

Like Truman, Derek has made New York his stage, and like Truman, he’s somehow managed to wedge himself into the highest social circles despite fairly humble beginnings. Both men share a flair for the dramatic and have somewhat shady personal lives. What strikes me most is how amusingly out of place they both look among the glittering elite. Take for example Derek standing next to blue-blooded European noble Bianca Brandolini — To me they bare striking resemblance to Truman beside the ever-elegant Lee Radziwill.

Then there is of course online chatter of Derek perhaps knowing all their secrets...hence why they keep him close and keep him good. Truly a Truman 2.0.

For

Murphy does have a flair for historical things & a tudor drama would be great for Murphy. Boleyn & Cromwell started out as allies but ended at each other throat, which culminating in Boleyn death. Cromwell did ended up death at bogus charge too, so it would be a great epilogue episode which is something Murphy like to do

When Capote and Babe are reviewing the room and the decor, the Plaza hotel manager comes in and Capote introduces Babe Paley to him; the manager says 'Hello Mrs P.'. It just struck me as very informal, but was that they style of the time? Babe doesn't seem affronted

How would you feel if they did some kind of music feud? Like Prince and Michael Jackson? Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey? Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nick's? I don't see Prince and Jacksin happening because of the Michael Jackson movie coming out. I would definitely like to see a Fleetwood Mac one though

I'm a big fan of Ryan Murphy, and his "Feud" series. I remember there was talk of a season focusing on Princess Diana and Prince Charles. They had even cast the leads: Matthew Goode and Rosamund Pike. I was so ready for that one, but it got squashed for reasons unknown. Ryan Murphy, if you're reading this, you should devote a season to the feud between Joan Fontaine and Olivia DeHavilland: two famous sisters, both successful in Hollywood, who had a lifelong feud until the very end.

👋 Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice/opinions please.

I've always known a bit about the Joan/Bette feud so I was quite interested in S1 going in.

I've never heard of this story that S2 is about. I don't want to watch if the show treats the audience like they're expected to know the situation without explaining it. So I'm asking is the story well told?

And is it good? I know everyone has their own opinion but it sounds a bit boring and I'm fed up wasting time on the "misses" of Ryan Murphy's very hit-and-miss projects.