If you've never heard of this series before, allow me to explain.
From the creators of Nip/Tuck and Glee, American Horror Story is, as the name suggests, a horror drama series that made its debut on October 5, 2011 on FX. It follows Harmon family, as they move into a so-called "murder house." It has since been widely praised by both audiences and critics, and was nominated for 17 Emmy nominations (Jessica Lange took home an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie), the most for any show (tied with Madmen). Season 1 ended as the biggest new cable series of the year.
Season 2, American Horror Story: Asylum, premiered October 17, 2012. This season is completely unrelated to the previous, featuring brand new characters and setting. Set back in 1964, it follows the presently-abandoned Briarcliff Manor Sanitarium, and showing its sinister and corrupt happenings.
I highly recommend the series. It is scary and dramatic and thrilling; It is brilliantly written and acted; The plot(s) is superb. Season 1 is out on DVD, Season 2 is airing now!