Ryan Murphy already had me when he announced Kathy Bates was taking part in American Horror Story: Coven. Then he curried more favor with the addition of Gabourey Sidibe. He’s officially hooked me line and sinker with his latest casting news. In his usual fashion, Murphy made the announcement via Twitter.

“Two legends are joining the cast of American Horror Story: Coven — Oscar nominee Angela Bassett and Tony winner Patti LuPone!”

Are you kidding me? Bassett and LuPone in addition to Bates and Jessica Lange. Talk about a spellbinding cast. Definitely fitting given the third iteration of the FX series is reportedly about witches.

Bassett earned an Oscar nod for 1993′s What’s Love Got to Do With It. While she’s mostly appeared in motion films, she’s also appeared on the small screen in such shows as ER and Alias. LuPone won Tony Awards for her role as Eva Peron in 1979′s Evita and as Mama Rose in 2008′s Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Her TV credits include episodes of Army Wives, 30 Rock and Frasier. Excited about the addition of Angela and Patti? Sound off below.

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Back in 2010, Howard Stern called Gabourey Sidibe “enormous” and predicted she would never work again. Not only has the 29-year-old Oscar nominee proven him wrong, but definitively so. She continues to work on both the small and big screen. Perhaps Stern should step down from the America’s Got Talent panel. Clearly, he’s not very good as assessing star potential.

Sidibe is the latest to join the third season of Ryan Murphy’s FX hit series. Murphy made the announcement official via Twitter, his favorite way of revealing everything. I wonder if he even has a publicist at this point. Gabourey joins Jessica Lange, Taissa Farmiga, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy and Lily Rabe for Season 3. Reportedly, American Horror Story: Coven will revolve around witchcraft in New Orleans.

After Gabourey’s star-making role in Precious, she’s continued to work in film (The Heist), television (The Big C) and even a music video (Foster The People’s “Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls).” Excited to see Gabourey on AHS? Are you counting the months til American Horror Story returns? Sound off below.

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Confession time. I haven’t watched the first two installments of American Horror Story. Yes I know… I’m a bad gay. I do plan, however, on watching them. The episodes are queued up but just haven’t gotten around to them. Maybe the next time I’m sick, I’ll catch up.

Murphy revealed the upcoming season, titled American Horror Story: Coven, is all about witches. The 47-year-old director wanted to do something that was more “evil glamor.” Reportedly, shooting will take place in the New Orleans area. A perfect setting if you ask me. The creator shared it was lots of fun researching truly haunted places in America and they found “a couple doozy locales.”

Joining returning favorites Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson will be Kathy Bates. Murphy promises Bates’ character will be five times worse than her Misery one. I can’t wait. Loved her in that movie. Having a little fun with the witchy theme, Murphy tweeted a picture photoshopping these three ladies in lieu of Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy’s faces in the Hocus Pocus poster. Obviously, that film was a comedic one, but I appreciate the tongue-in-cheek effort. Check out the image below.

check out the pic after the jump

Earlier this week the Paley Center for Media bestowed its inaugural PaleyFest Icon Award to Ryan Murphy. Paley Center CEO Pat Mitchell called Murphy a “ground-breaker” and “change-maker” for his career achievements. I couldn’t agree more. Murphy has created some of my favorite shows over the years, including his debut effort Popular on the now defunct The WB. He certainly has a knack for producing watercooler television programs.

The evening kicked off with an introduction by one of Murphy’s idols- prolific writer and producer Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times). Following that, a Q&A took place where Ryan discussed his early career and spoilers for his current show. On hand to honor the 47-year-old were actors from all his television shows. It was nice to see cast reunions for Nip/Tuck and Popular. Even though, Ryan has dabbled in film (Eat Pray Love) I thought I’d limit my poll to only his television credits. For me, I love all of them but curious to know what Homorazzi.com readers feel his best work is. Sound off below.

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Even though a few shows have premiered already, the official start to the 2012-2013 television season doesn’t start for a couple of weeks. I love this time of year. It’s the perfect time to relax and unwind after a hectic summer partying schedule. What better way to do so then to sit on your couch and check out all the network’s new and returning shows. That’s what we plan on doing. Check out Patrick, Tyrell, our newest writer Matt and my Top 5 list of favorite returning shows this Fall.

Donovan’s 5 Returning Show Picks

When I asked the other three writers for their respective lists, I had no idea there would be so much crossover. To mix things up, I decided to take on a different approach for my picks. Continue reading to discover the criteria I used for my selection process.

check out each of our Top 5 picks after the jump

Ryan Murphy has been known to cause a stir when it comes to the casting of his shows. For example, Gleeks everywhere were in an uproar when Murphy suggested that a few characters from his hit show Glee would possibly be leaving the show after graduation. Cue the potential uproar once again. Murphy, and the creative team behind FX’s smash hit American Horror Story have announced a huge cast shake up that will change the face of season two. Literally.

Yesterday, Murphy and FX President John Landgraf announced the changes for the show with Landgraf expanding further with TheWrap.com. The big change? A new haunted building and a fresh new cast. Both Murphy and Landgraf said that some actors may return for season two but they would be in different roles. The two wouldn’t disclose which actors would possibly return.

“The next year of the show — every season of the show — will be a different haunting,” Murphy told reporters, saying it was the plan all along. Landgraf continued, “None of the characters from season one will be regular characters in season two, nor will it take place in the same house, nor will it take place in the same state. It won’t take place in California.”

More info on AHS Season 2 after the jump.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy has a lot on his plate right now. Aside from trying to recover Glee’s constant ratings slip, he’s got his new baby, American Horror Story kicking butt and freshly renewed for a second season. So, it may cause Ryan to get a little testy with some of his employees. According to a new story in Us Weekly, Ryan’s has become a little bit of a bully on the Glee set.

Prior to this story, the cast of Glee couldn’t stop gushing about their love for the show’s creator. But now, rumor has it that privately and behind-the-scenes, Ryan’s become a little bit of a menace. “Things are really bad on set. The cast talks about how much they love Ryan, but they have grown to hate him,” a source tells Us. Another adds, “He has bad mood swings and can be really mean.”

It’s not too hard to believe that Ryan has been having some crazy flip-floppy mood swings. He’s been a little hot and cold all season with Glee. First, he told us he’d cool it on the guest stars and tribute episodes. Now, he’s booked three major latin musical guests and is planning a Michael Jackson tribute. However, one story involving Lea Michele is what has everyone talking.

Read the story involving Ryan and Lea after the jump.

There is no doubt that Dylan McDermott has some serious sex appeal. I mean look at him! And, if you’ve been watching FX’s new hit show American Horror Story, then your love for him has probably grown even bigger each episode.

For the newest issue of The Advocate, Dylan sits down with Brandon Voss to talk about his gay following and the massive homo-appeal for Steel Magnolias. What’s great about Dylan is that even at 50-years-old (he looks great hey?) he’s not afraid to show a little skin. The Advocate asked if Dylan was aware of his gay following. Here is what he had to say:

Gay or straight, the idea of fans isn’t something I normally think about, because I’m ultimately kind of shy. If I start thinking about who does or doesn’t like me, I just get uncomfortable. But I grew up in New York’s Greenwich Village in the ’70s with my dad, so I was exposed to gay people from a very young age. It was definitely eye-opening for me.

So how does Dylan feel his film Steel Magnolias being a big gay hit? To our surprise, he had no idea. Even when Brandon goes on to explain that the film sometimes is seen on loop at gay bars, Dylan is amazed! Come on, with lines like, “all gay men have track lightin’. And all gay men are named Mark, Rick, or Steve.” or “we went skinny dipping and we did things that frightened the fish,” there is bound to be homos quoting that all over the globe.

More of Dylan’s interview with The Advocate after the jump.