‘Scream Queens’ might not scare you to death, but it’ll make you die laughing
By Hannah Twery, staff writer
Almost every person I’ve talked to about “Scream Queens,” Fox’s new show brought to you by the creators of “American Horror Story” and “Glee,” has either shot the show down or said it was just “meh.” Well, idiot hookers, the show isn’t perfect, but it’s hysterical.
Going into the show, I was aware that it was a parody and not supposed to be terrifying and disturbing like “American Horror Story” or cookie-cutter and kind of kid-friendly like “Glee.” It’s not the happiest medium between the two drastically different shows, but it’s for sure a good start. The cheeky nods to horror movies past and silly gore of the show are clearly a kitschy take on the horror references and extravagant, gratuitous sex and violence that take place in “American Horror Story.” The dialogue, while sharp in both shows, varies drastically, which is to be expected. The characters in “Scream Queens” feel less developed than those of “AHS,” even though the rate of their introductions are about the same.
Besides the mise-en-scene mishaps, if Jamie Lee Curtis is in anything I’m down to watch it, even “Freaky Friday.” Her “Scream Queens” character, Dean Munch, is a possible sex addict, corrupt dean and an avid lover of colonial nightgowns. The over-the-top performance she gives is superb as she pokes fun at the horror genre and herself. The only thing missing here is Curtis’ signature cup of Activia. Of all the people I’ve spoken to about the show the most commonly favored character is Dean Munch, even above “AHS” alum Emma Roberts’ brutal Chanel, feathered vests and all.
The dialogue on “Scream Queens,” including Curtis’, is scathingly unrealistic, yet quite familiar. The language the writers utilize in the show is seemingly taken straight out of Tumblr’s bowels of erudite name-calling and off-the-cuff, nonsensical humor. Maybe I’m just underestimating your average sorority girl, but when was the last time you heard a Kappa Kappa whatever utter a remark as quick-witted and sharp-tongued as Chanel, the HBIC of “Scream Queens.” Actually, when was the last time you heard anyone fire off a remark like any of the one-liners any of these characters verbally vomit? Sometimes the pacing of the dialogue moves far too quickly. I’m all for quick-timed remarks, but the rate at which some of the lines are thrown at you seems far too premeditated and unnatural. Duh, this is a scripted TV show, but when these lines come about it seems like the actors have been punched in the stomach and forced to say these overly calculated jokes.
Unlike “American Horror Story, “Scream Queens” didn’t start out by introducing 21 different plotlines and making a half-hearted attempt to tie in the less important storylines with the more major ones. There’s two clear plotlines here, figuring out who the Red Devil is (at this point there seems like there might be more than one) and who the tub baby might be. However, we’re four episodes deep at this point and (SPOILER ALERT) we still don’t know how or why Nick Jonas’ character is still alive after he tore off his fake neck-slice scab after being pulled out of a morgue drawer. Seriously, three hour-long episodes after the premiere and the writers can’t even hint at what the hell is going on with that situation? But it’s the same way with “AHS,” and no one’s really complaining too much about that aspect of the show even after four full seasons. Shouldn’t we give “Scream Queens” the same benefit of the doubt?
