With a saturated television market, it is often hard for writers to think of new and creative shows that aren’t super redundant. Most shows fall into simple categories like comedy or drama because viewers are often looking for storylines that are easy to follow.
“Scream Queens” is FOX’s new horror comedy show that transcends genres with ease — the hilarious antics of the characters make the plot line simple to keep up with, and the scare factor is low enough that you won’t have nightmares after watching.
The show, which premiered this past September, over-exaggerates the stereotypes that surround Greek life in college. The plot follows these hilarious, one-dimensional sorority and fraternity members as they are picked off in the unidentified villain’s semester-long murderous rampage. Despite the gore (and the apparent gimmick that at least one character dies every episode,) the whole show is one massive joke that turns generalizations on their heads.
Any sorority or fraternity member would be quick to assure you that the characters don’t embody the values or behavior that their real-life counterparts have. But, somehow, the extremeness of their actions and attitudes is a statement to the assumptions that the rest of the world makes about these students. This, paradoxically, has a reverse effect on viewers, opening their eyes to the generalizations that are made about Greek life on campuses nationwide.
The cast is also perfect for their roles — Emma Roberts plays a flawless and cruel sorority president, and her various minions, one of which is played by Ariana Grande, are perfectly cast. Jamie Lee Curtis plays the college dean, and her character is as ludicrous as the rest. Various other actors in the show include Lea Michele, Nick Jonas, Abigail Breslin and Keke Palmer — all of whose characters are fantastically outlandish.
All in all, while the show is far from accurate — accuracy isn't the goal — it manages to make it's predictable character types inoffensive and hilarious, while showing off the talents of countless actors.