Scream Queens...

 & How the Slasher Hasn't Quite Died Yet

Being a fan of “Harper’s Island”, I did wonder who might attempt to try again with a slasher television series. I always felt that there was a chance with the right brains involved to make it work. I think, despite its inability to survive, “Harper’s Island” was a good show but the way it was orchestrated didn’t seem to indicate a second season would justify its existence…its conclusion felt like a definitive close. I’m unsure if there were ideas already in store or order for the second season, so the show ending didn’t necessarily bring about real vitriolic allegiance picketing those who pulled the purse strings that might warrant a return. I think with the American Horror Story folks at the helm (or as influences), the show might find and sustain an audience as each season would go in a different direction with new characters and situations driving the locomotive and tossing coals into the furnace. “Scream” on MTV this show isn’t. Good casting is essential to make a fun, entertaining show thrive and survive. Pop culture references can only get you so far, though. But the first season sure went to some pop culture (80s pop songs emerge and 90s references, too, kick open the door and say hi aloud) to openly welcome those of us who find such things irresistible. 

Jamie Lee Curtis and a killer in a devil costume (both points in its favor I can’t possibly defy) that sits up and tilts his/her head (the killer does so when a sorority “Chantel” tries to Facebook her danger, plunging his/her knife into the Kappa’s neck and head) are peace offerings to slasher genre devotees who gobble those nods up…like me, I’m such a sap, but I’m okay with who I am, so let them toss me some scraps to make me happy.

The show goes old school with its set up. A past incident could be behind what happens in 2015 on a campus, particularly at a sorority called Kappa Kappa Tai. In 1995, a teenage college sorority girl has a baby in the tub of her charter house in the bathroom as a party goes on in the main part of the building. While TLC’s “Waterfalls” roars, the sorority girls of KKT decide to live it up despite their fellow sister’s situation with the baby, lots of blood, and accidental birthing in the bathroom. When they return from their sing-sing, the sister is dead, her friend agonizes while holding the baby, and we later learn that there was a cover-up which might include certain characters later to be significant to who the killer haunting the campus in 2015 is and why he or she dons the school’s devil mascot costume, wielding a knife, and picking off certain folks tied to KKT.

Emma Roberts has found herself a home in the horror genre, but I can only imagine she’s aware she can venture outside and escape if the actress so chooses. “Nerve” is such an example of her testing the waters. Television is a medium Roberts isn’t afraid to nosedive into. Especially if Murphy & Falchuk are involved because they give her parts she can sink her teeth into. Scream IV was a place to start for her. She proved she could put on two faces and personas. It was very much a “slasher” proving ground that gave her access to a genre (horror and the slasher to a lesser extent if so choosing) that could very lucrative to her. American Horror Story doesn’t necessarily reside on that piece of property, though. It likes to squat for a while on one property and move to the next. Scream Queens will take some heavy lifting by M&F to chart different paths but remain faithful to the property it started. I’m curious to see where they can take the show. Fox sure has been the perfect studio to allow M&F a playground to work as mad scientists with a genre that allows all kinds of experimentation. They can feel free to push the boundaries the medium allows. Fox, unlike FX, though, might be a bit more difficult to go as crazy as they like. But after watching the Pilot and Hellweek, I’m optimistic on the rest of the season. It has its heart in the right place as this slasher fan sees it.

And more to come, I guess...