Scream Queens – Fall TV 2016
Scream Queens, the best new show of 2015 is back with its second season. A single episode in and it’s already clear that audiences are in for the same sharp tongued unique treat they got last year.
Following in the same format as last year the problems in this season of Scream Queens originates at a crazy part in the 80’s. The flashback also gives us our first awesome cameo/guest appearance. Jerry O’Connell as a junkie doctor who really doesn’t care!
Jumping to the present (near future?) the series picks up a few years after the events at Kappa House. Honorary Doctor and former Dean, Cathy Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis) has founded her own hospital. The medical center, using that term loosely, was privately funded through Munsch’s personal wealth through her publishing empire and her new status as an icon of feminism, an endeavor she finds lucrative but boring. Munsch, still terrible, recruits Zayday (Keke Palmer) and the remaining Chanels.
Chanel Oberlin (Emma Roberts), Chanel 5 (Abigail Breslin), and Chanel 3 (Billie Lourd) have been released from prison after Hester (Lea Michele) accidentally got them off the hook through another moment of utter stupidity. Series favorite Denise Hemphill (Niecy Nash) gets a small appearance leaving you wanting more for sure. Munsch brings the Chanels in; likely seeing an opportunity to prey on the down and out snobs.
New to the Scream Queens cast but very familiar to audiences are the two ‘hot’ doctors. Cassidy Cascade (Taylor Lautner) and Brock Holt (John Stamos). Hold up, Holt went to Harvard. You know? Harvard University. Holt seems to be a competent enough Doctor, but Cascade is… odd. The oddity is enough to intrigue the interest of Chanel 3, surprise surprise. Kirstie Alley also makes an appearance as an intimidating head nurse named Ingrid Hoffel. She didn’t get much play in the premiere but writers/creators Murphy and Falchuk must have something amazing up their sleeves.
Scream Queens begins it’s second season in the same fashion any horror movie would. Introducing a new big bad that doesn’t seem all that unique. No more Red Devil. Now the C.U.R.E. hospital is faced with the Green… something or other. A cloak and mask are dutifully employed and the more-of-the-same plays in perfectly with the sarcastic wit of the shows writing.
The C.U.R.E. hospital specializes in curing incurable diseases. At least, that’s the impossibly high bar Munsch set for her half-assed staff. There are high hopes that these ailments that will occur week to week are a perfect opportunity to make fun of a show labeled as horror that needs to be taken to task. American Horror Story Freak Show was one of the absolute worst seasons of television, especially since its namesake is a good one. I hope every single week the brilliant minds behind Scream Queens rip that abysmal season of television apart all over again.
Not a drop of comedy is out of the script. Pop culture references, celebrity cameos, back handed insults, straight up insults, and general mockery are abundant. Jamie Lee Curtis excels in her role, no real surprise after last season. Newcomers Stamos and Lautner look every bit as ready to deliver the odd lines and ridiculous references at rapid fire pace without overselling or breaking the thread that weaves parody with quality.
