It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what FOX’s Scream Queens actually is. The brainchild of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan (creators of Glee), this series dips into a few different genres including horror, comedy, drama and satire. While the plot follows a group of sorority girls and their involvement in a string of murders on their college campus, the series has no problem poking fun at itself, the horror genre and even the parody genre. This season of Fall TV seems to be heavy with shows following familiar tones and storylines similar to so many things we’ve seen in the past. Because of this, Scream Queens may be one of the more refreshing new shows this year.
The Plot
Step inside the Kappa house and meet its members, old and new. President Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts) is queen bee in these parts and nobody dares cross her. Chanel rules over Kappa house and the entire campus really, with the help of her minions who she calls Chanel 2, 3 and 5. Dean Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis) is out to shut down the sorority and consequently end Chanel’s reign. At the beginning of the pilot episode, a group of unlikely outsiders (including Glee‘s Lea Michele) decide to pledge Kappa. The string of murders that occur throughout the premiere (performed by someone dressed as the school mascot, a red devil) is peculiar and its often random and out-of-story occurrences don’t always necessarily add to the show.
Meet the Cast of Scream Queens>>>
Mean Girls Meets Glee Meets Pretty Little Liars
The series definitely has some familiar tones. Being that it comes from the people who brought you Glee and American Horror Story, there is a definite sense of them both in Scream Queens. The sometimes theatrical mannerisms displayed in the show are very similar to characters in Glee, while the mystery of who’s torturing this group of girls reminds one of Pretty Little Liars. At the same time, the show has a strong Mean Girls feel which is unlike what we’ve seen on television thus far.
Jamie Lee Curtis Is the True Scream Queen
Also on the Glee spectrum, Jamie Lee Curtis’ character Dean Munsch is very similar to Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester, except perhaps a little less blunt, but definitely as manipulative. Curtis’ character is probably the best part of the series so far, at least in the two-hour series premiere. Her sexual and manipulative manner gains her control of every situation she finds herself in and you always get the sense she’s at least two steps ahead of everyone. Even if the rest of the show is too much for you, Dean Munsch is definitely worth sticking around for.
There’s really no telling whether Scream Queens will be able to stand its ground throughout the season. The pilot, while not completely captivating, was without a doubt entertaining. Just because it isn’t the greatest thing you’ve ever seen doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time. Perhaps it will take a few episodes for the series to find its chemistry among the characters and give us reason to care about their relationships, but at the very least, Jamie Lee Curtis’ performance is enough for now to bring you back for some more.
Watch the trailer for Scream Queens below:
Scream Queens premieres Tuesday, September 22 on FOX.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV
