Ryan Murphy, producer of 'Glee' and 'American Horror Story' is at it again with a new series. 'Scream Queens', starring Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Jonas pokes fun at slasher films, while still having its own share of scares and gore. The show is about a sorority with a bad history, who is forced to take in anyone who pledges. Soon after this process, mysterious murders and chaos ensue for everyone involved. I greatly enjoyed the two hour premiere, I will say this, 'Scream Queens' is NOT for the light hearted. I say this, not due to the fact there are sex and murder scenes galore, but because of the offensive and racist language used.
Chanel No. 1 played by Emma Roberts, is your typical TV sorority girl. She wears designer clothes and is incredibly spoiled. This shows when Chanel casually comments on the sorority's maid, "That obese specimen of human filth scrubbing bulimia vomit out of the carpet is Ms. Bean, but I call her White Mammy because she’s essentially a house slave." White Mammy? Funny satire? Or pushing it?
As a writer, I find Chanel's language intriguing and great for character development. What caused her to be so hateful and racist? Is she doing it for attention or is she just truly a horrid person? But I also wonder if her character is too much for public television.
More of Chanel's charming behavior shows as she hazes the pledges, writing offensive terms on their stomachs. She even excuses herself to get a white eyeliner pen, so the writing will show up on the skin of pledge member, Zayday, played by Keke Palmer.
Chanel even labels the lesbian character, Sam, when she introduces her. “Predatory Lez. Real name Butch or Mac or something. Two days ago, I caught her staring at my ass. All that girl is after is a whole lot of bikini burger." Wow.
I want to laugh at Chanel and her antics but I can't. She makes Regina George seem like a puppy. I see where the humor should be, I just think the lines are a little too strong. I am sure the producers don't want to offend, they are just trying to portray a terribly mean diva. The point of giving Chanel awful offensive behavior is to develop her character, expand the show's plot, and also show how awful people can be. They are trying to make the audience uncomfortable. However, how much is too much? There comes a point where it's hard not to focus on the shocking lines. And If we focus too much on the offensiveness, we lose the fun.
And oh how fun the show can be. With a Red Devil running around murdering innocents, what isn't to love? The murders in the show are quite hysterical, including deep frying off a face, running over someone with a lawn mower, and even stabbing someone mid tweet. This is the fun shock viewers familiar with 'American Horror Story' want.
My favorite character was Boone, played by Nick Jonas. Boone is a golf loving, gay prepster, and he is executed wonderfully. His character adds a great spice to the show, and is sure to leave the audience with laughs, questions, and applause.
So if you can get past the offensiveness, 'Scream Queens' is a delight. It is different than 'American Horror Story' as there is so much humor. The audience sees the ridiculousness of college and sorority life, with the added fun of murder and gore. If nothing else, I recommend watching just to see how offensive the show can be. But If the show continues on the path of the premiere, the producers may have to town down the shock value language wise. It could turn viewers away, as well as distract from the plot. The racism and sexism isn't necessary to portray a satirical slasher series.
So if you're interested, tune in to 'Scream Queens', Tuesdays 9/8c on Fox, and if you really hate Chanel and her racism, maybe you'll get lucky and the Red Devil will chop off her head.