‘AHS: Delicate’ Drags ‘The View’ In Latest Episode: “Died 20 Years Before Barbara Walters”

Shots fired! American Horror Story: Delicate has pinpointed its next target: ABC’s long-running daytime talk show The View, created by Barbara Walters in 1997.

The latest episode of the hit anthology series, “Vanishing Twin,” follows Anna Victoria Alcott (Emma Roberts) as she works with her snappy publicist Siobhan Corbyn (Kim Kardashian) to rehabilitate her image after throwing up an icky black goo while accepting a Gotham Award for her work in the fictional movie The Auteur.

Siobhan enlists the help of crisis public relations gurus Ashley and Ashleigh, giving way to a highly-anticipated guest spot from two of Ryan Murphy‘s frequent collaborators, Billie Lourd and Leslie Grossman.

Keeping things interesting, the introduction of the two characters involves a rehashing of a few lesser-voiced entertainment opinions, and no celebrity was left unscratched.

The most brutal blow came at the cost of The View, a talk show currently hosted by Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin.

“The Ashleys” are tasked with helping Anna nab a Golden Globe Award and they work to convince her to make a “personal viral feminist anthem” in the form of an Instagram reel.

“These ladies have repped Demi Lovato, Louis C.K., Will and Jada, Alec and Hilaria, Paula Deen, Vanessa Lachey, and Meryl Streep,” Siobhan tells Anna.

“What did Meryl do?” Anna asks, to which one of the Ashleys answers ominiously, “Exactly.”

“So, what? I go on The View and tell some story about…” Anna trails off as the Ashleys laugh at her suggestion. “Sorry, I don’t mean that to be rude. But The View? The View died 20 years before Barbara Walters, let’s be honest,”

Wait a second — what now? Are they allowed to say that? It’s a bit soon, no? Walters died just last year, on December 30, 2022 at age 93. She created and co-hosted The View until 2014 and remained an executive producer until her death.

Anna doesn’t fight back against the harsh words, and instead, the four begin to argue over making the reel. “Siobhan, I told you, I’m getting off Instagram for my mental health,” Anna shared. The Ashleys taunt her, “Oh, what’s worse for your mental health: a harmless app or the death of your dream?”

Siobhan appears unimpressed with Anna and tells her, “These ladies can turn a shit sandwich into a Faberge egg.”

Anna asks, “Can I think about it?” And as expected, all three ladies have a snappy comeback. “You can think about anything you want,” Ashley answers, before Ashleigh chimes in, “You could think about hanging yourself — that could do wonders for your image.”

“If you want to be known as Anna Victoria Vom-Cott for the rest of your life, no one’s stopping you,” says Ashley. “But if you want to be known as a once-in-a-lifetime artist and innovator of cultural weathervane and the definition of a moment, you know where to find us,” the other adds.

Eventually, Anna makes the reel, and it is a shitshow — but she ends up getting the award nomination, so the Ashleys might be onto something. However, whether it was Anna’s performance in The Auteur that got her the recognition or the bit in her “personal viral feminist anthem” video where she twirls a bloody tampon is anybody’s guess!

In this week’s episode, the Ashley’s taught us what the real “American Horror Story” is… it’s whatever their entire interaction with Anna was. And their feelings towards The View.

American Horror Story: Delicate Part 1 airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. on FX, and streams next-day on Hulu.