Scream Queens
Scream Queens may be the most daring and innovative idea for a show yet. Taking place in college, the story starts out with the sorority “Kappa Kappa Ta” hazing the pledges, or new members, only to find that one of them has been killed by a serial killer dressed as a red-devil, who murders the pledges to get revenge on a 1995 sorority initiation mishap. Each week, the students try to figure out who the murderer is before he or she take another victim.
The show stars celebrities such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Nick Jonas, and Ariana Grande, but thankfully avoids relying on these actors to make it popular by, instead, using a unique plot to intrigue viewers.
Scream Queens attempts to combine the horror and comedy genres, which can be hard to pull of successfully. This, if pulled off correctly, has the potential to be revolutionary. On the other hand, the show’s equal investment in both genres could cause it to fall flat by refusing to pick a side.
All in all, the show looks promising, and the industry needs this burst of refreshing innovation to clear the air of the stench of lazy spin offs and reboots. The humor definitely pulls through, and as “Pretty Little Liars” dies down, this show will be sure to grab some fans with its weekly death and mystery.
The Muppets
The Muppets is not the Muppets that the younger fans adore or the older fans grew up with. In this brand new series, audience members are offered the chance to see the Muppets in the totality of their lives, romances, struggles and dreams, captured through a “mockumentary,” a comedy style famously used in hit shows such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.”
Many nostalgic fans are perking up at this interesting spinoff idea, going so far as to buying the show a prime-time slot. However, the coveted Muppets characters and a few A-listers, such as Topher Grace and Elizabeth Banks, who play minor roles on the show, are the only things going for this show right now.
As much as everyone enjoys some cheesy puns, the humor characteristic to the Muppets will probably grow old after a couple of episodes. As hard as they try, listening to sexual innuendos and adult humor come out of the same goofy puppets that teach kids good morals makes the jokes uncomfortable and flat instead of funny.
The only parts of the show that really generate chuckles are those satirizing mockumentaries or the Muppets themselves, with sporadic breaks-of-the-fourth wall.
Unfortunately, the Muppets just seem out of place on a show like this. Perhaps if it was not so nostalgic, and if they chose a style other than a mockumentary, The Muppets could have the roaring success of Avenue Q.
Super Girl
Super Girl on CBS, makes it clear that the term ‘superhero’ is being redefined. Superman’s cousin, Kara Zo-El, more famously known as Supergirl, flies straight out of DC Comics to tell her own unique superhero story. After saving her sister’s plane from crashing, Kara Zo-El decides to cast away her old identity and come forth as Chicago’s new protector.
Melissa Benoist, who plays Kara, correctly depicts the fearlessness and prodigiousness associated with all superheroes, whilst giving a slightly girlish vibe. A modern female superhero could not be dreamt up more perfect. Benoist plays Kara as sweet and gentle, charming audiences with her charismatic personality.
Admittedly, this show does have the potential of riding on the coattails of Superman. For example, Kara too has a secret identity that is only masked by a weak pair of glasses, is born of Krypton, and wears essentially the same costume as Superman, only trading the pants for a red skirt.
However, this is a female superhero done right: no extreme sexualization, and no shame of femininity — a rarity and necessity in modern day media. Thus, people should gear up for a show that does not compromise the plot or special effects of the action genre while allowing the audience to reexamine what they picture when they think of the word “superhero.”
