By Lauren MacFadden ’17

The series “Scream Queens” made its debut on ‘Fox’ September 21 and is already becoming this year’s pop-culture phenomenon. The new hit show is a mix of comedy and horror all in one; it takes place on a college campus and follows a group of sorority girls who are targeted by a mysterious killer wearing a red devil costume. Much of the show’s buzz has to do with the star-filled cast including Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande, Emma Roberts, Keke Palmer, Jaime Lee Curtis, Lea Michele and Abigail Breslin.

Roberts has come far from her roots as the Nickelodeon star she once was as a teenager in the show “Un-fabulous” where she played an awkward tween suffering through puberty and high school. Now, in “Scream Queens,” Roberts is the leading actress in the series and plays Chanel Oberlin, a chic and egotistical sorority leader who makes borderline offensive jokes about race and sexual orientation.

Much of “Scream Queens” makes fun of twenty-first-century social media. Grande’s character, Chanel number two, is the first victim as shown in the commercials leading up to the premiere. While being murdered, Grande communicates with the killer via text instead of screaming for help. Like most shows in this decade, “Scream Queens” has many pop-culture references made so the young audience members can relate. However, some younger audiences may not be able to grasp the sarcasm that goes along with the somewhat offensive jokes.

The first and second episodes are full of satire and suspense with the murderer claiming three victims in gory, blood-filled ways. One is a decapitation by a lawnmower. Although gruesome, it is not surprising that Ryan Murphy, the creator of “Glee,” and “American Horror Story,” is one of the creators of the “Scream Queens.” The satirical humor that appears throughout the first episode is similar to “Glee,” an extra bonus for fans of that other pop-culture phenomenon from a few years back.

With four characters already murdered or missing, the audience members are left trying to decide who is trustworthy and who is a suspect. It is evident that “Scream Queens” will deservedly be the new ‘it’ show this fall.