MovieChat Forums > Scream Queens (2015) Discussion > Feels like a sinking ship.

Feels like a sinking ship.

posted 8 years ago by recklesscow
18 replies | jump to latest

You can almost feel the show slowly dying each week.

Aside from the obvious budget cuts which are sadly very noticeable on screen (season 1 looks like a much more expensive show, which it was), there's a general feeling of malaise plaguing the whole production as if the cast themselves know they're not getting another season and are basically fulfilling their contracts.

Even the writers seem to have given up, as they've settled into a comfortable formula of resorting to the old bag of tricks rather than attempting something new. How many different ways can we insult Chanel #5 before the audience says enough? Even bringing Denise back feels tired.

It's hard to watch a show that feels like it's on its death bed. But I suppose those of us on this board will remain on board until it finally sinks. I just wish it wasn't so obvious.

[–] thehalloweencollection 8 years ago

I actually think this season is better than Season 1tbh. Although maybe it's the fact that it SEEMS they're going with a darker tone this season (hopefully they stick with it and go even darker from here on out) but SO FAR, it seems better than the beginning of Season 1.

[–] fackinshat 8 years ago

I'm actually liking this season also. As for the budget cuts they have to pay for John Stamos, Jamie Lee, Emma Roberts, and I'm sure kristie alley isn't cheap either

[–] jaythepuppetmaster 8 years ago

Well I'm enjoying it a lot! Watching on Youtube as I'm in the UK and it's not on here yet, so can't really comment on the low budget feel as Youtube compression is pretty bad on streams...

I love the hospital setting, way creepier then the Kappa house and University from S1. I actually think the sets look very authentic though, reminds me of the hospital from Halloween II - where Jamie gets chased by Michael Myers... 0.0 eek!

Remember that horror sequels don't always have the higher budget of the first movie... The Grudge 2 (US version), Jeepers Creepers 2, The Ring II, Halloween 2, Blair Witch 2, The Descent 2, Wrong Turn 2 etc. all had a cheaper feel then the original. Maybe they are doing something similar with Scream Queens.

In fact the only horror that screams 'we went WAY over budget' for me is Scream 2... due to the amount of locations and sets used.

I think the writing has been sharp, Dean Munches Karate scene was hilarious and we even got a near full on classic chase scene - we're only two episodes in! Already better then S1 - sure you had Ariana's death and Boone shortly after for shock value but the horror wasn't as good imo. Now it's on point and feels like a great balance of horror/comedy.

As the poster above says Kirstie Alley won't be cheap. John Stamos either. Twilight kid is probably the cheapest of the lot... but I do wish they'd pursued Robert Pattinson instead as he can actually act and look pretty.

Maybe it explains though why they haven't approached Sarah Michelle Gellar or Neve Campbell - two of the biggest Scream Queens from the 1990's... when they get Tara Reid on board... then you know they are sinking without hope!

[–] KingJesseRebel 8 years ago

I also am liking this season way more than last season. I like the sets more, theres a more creepy vibe than the Kappa House etc. There was too much space in the first season, it made you wonder how they kept getting found and killed. It would be easy to get lost and not found in those houses etc. Now the space is limited. Thats way scarier when there is a killer on the loose.

The more serious tone is what everyone was crying for last season! Especially after that awful maze chase. Everyone was upset they made it into a gag rather than an actual chase, and now that theyre doing just that people are whining that its not as funny? God. No wonder shows don't last long any longer. The viewers are as lost as the writers.

I like the smaller cast and its actually a STRONGER cast. And yes, some of them are probably expensive.

I don't think SMG will get a call, she's rejected Ryan Murphy shows in the past. Neve Campbell is the one that should get contacted. Scream was the bigger franchise and she was the face of it. Sydney Prescott is an iconic character, even more so than Helen.

LOL at Tara Reid. I wouldn't care if she joined for a one episode story like Colton Haynes, the overrated hack.

In Monte We Trust ... #TeamMonte

[–] thehalloweencollection 8 years ago

OH YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I AM THIS IS SOMEWHAT SERIOUS NOW. It may not be AS serious as I wanted originally. BUT IT'S MILES BETTER THAN SEASON 1. AND THAY MAZE SCENE WAS AWFUL I JUST REWATCHED IT LAST NIGHT CUZ I'M REWATCHING SEASON 1.

[–] tara-lansing 8 years ago

I like the darker tone of the show. I think once we know everyone's back story, it's gonna get really good.
Taylor is already very rich. I think he gets residuals from the franchise movies so he's already set for life. Meaning he will never work for cheap. Can't wait to see more of his scenes.

[–] sakura_droplet 8 years ago

I agree, OP. This, especially, sums up my feelings thus far:

Aside from the obvious budget cuts which are sadly very noticeable on screen (season 1 looks like a much more expensive show, which it was), there's a general feeling of malaise plaguing the whole production as if the cast themselves know they're not getting another season and are basically fulfilling their contracts.

The show has lost its spark. I think it feels as though they're emulating what they think "Scream Queens" is as opposed to actually being "Scream Queens." There's an odd feeling of pastiche this season.

- Another textbook sociopath -

[–] thehalloweencollection 8 years ago

Explain.

[–] sakura_droplet 8 years ago

Season One was an oddity and a breath of fresh air. Unlike a lot of people who were hoping/wanted it to be darker and more 'serious' I was on board with the bizarre, overt, cartoonish, parodic/satirical style of comedy from the get-go, partly because I'd started to see that was going to be the show's overall style from the teasers and promos. I appreciated how odd ball and fresh it was; if nothing else, there was/is no show on TV quite like "Scream Queens." That level of OTT comedy mixed with 80s horror, uber-stylised visuals, in the 45 minute episodic format? It was new, it was different, it kept you guessing, made you go WTF? on numerous occasions with how absurd it could be.

This season, to me, feels almost like another show that is using "Scream Queens" as inspiration. It's like the writers and the team are trying too hard to recreate moments and the general feel the first season had, or to appease the fans of all the stand out moments and gags, as opposed to letting the show evolve naturally. Sort of like they've bought into their own hype and are doing what they think the show's supposed to be. I feel like there's a real clash between the hospital setting and the way they've tried to put these characters in there. The whole medical freak case of the week thing just doesn't feel natural.

Like, for example, the Chanels' hospital attire. In the first season, the general aesthetic for the clothing - especially with the Chanels - was very OTT, high fashion to the point where it's exaggerated to the Nth degree, but it fit within the show's universe and their stylised environment. Now, to me, it looks as if they're dressed in nurse costumes for Halloween, as opposed to wearing stylised Chanel-type ensembles. It's more what they think the Chanels should look like, as opposed to what they're meant to look like.

- Another textbook sociopath -

[–] !!!deleted!!! (62046923) 8 years ago

The show is still cartoonish and still has 80s horror but they made the amazing option to make it more dark and gory.

[–] thehalloweencollection 8 years ago

YES. LOVING THE DARKER TONE.

[–] julianvargasrivera 8 years ago

YESSSSS!!! I love the darker tone of this season. I mean the flashback scene of the Green Meanie killing everyone at the hospital was perfect. The creepy chase scene of Chanel and the Red Devil was so good.

Hopefully, they continue on the dark tone route for the rest of the season.

[–] bangel144 8 years ago

The only thing that's dying with this show is the live ratings. Creatively, the show is gaining real momentum.

[–] northernlad 8 years ago

I hope it's not a sinking ship! I love the show...this season is better than last season as far as I'm concerned.

American Horror Story Season 6: Donald Trump

[–] emavo 8 years ago

I don't get that feeling at all.

[–] Smiling_slinky 8 years ago

Totally right. I jumped into S2 right after S1 and it is so sad. Such a different show, and the production budget is an order of a magnitude below S1 which was movie level. This is barebones TV level.