Scream is returning to television this week with a new MTV series.

We look back on the franchise’s history and why this might…make sense.

And Im here to ponder why this is a wonderful idea…or not.

Sure, the follow-ups never matched the first film, but none of them are truly bad movies either.

So, there must be an obvious reason why it must appeal to a new generation…right?

Horror, meanwhile, was in its death throes by 1995.

He likely would have done for the script what he did for TarantinosNatural Born Killers.

Fortunately, serendipity prevailed and Bob Weinsteins Dimension ended up with its future signature franchise.

Eventually all of the pieces fell into place with regard to Scary Movie.

Wes Craven, insisting he was done with horror, slowly came aboard the project as director.

He had initially refused the job, forcing Dimension to approach Robert Rodriguez and Sam Raimi for the film.

However both camp auteurs viewed the screenplay as more comedy than horror, much to Bob Weinsteins chagrin.

The strength ofthatinfamous early scene is its perfect blend of horror and self-aware satire.

Not since the early 80s had Craven crafted something so mean-spirited.

It is a genuinely disturbing scene.

One that the entire series has never matched.

For younger viewers,Screammay seem a tame film these days.

But the initial cut received an NC-17 by the MPAA in 1996.

Most notably, the character of Randy represented an avatar for the horror junkies watching at home.

Played by Jamie Kennedy in his one non-annoying role, Randy was the audience.

He has seenProm Night, Halloween, The Hills Have Eyes,and every other depraved slaughterfest in existence.

He knows the rules.

The rest of the cast filled the parts in more traditional ways.

Neve Campbell was best known for doing the TV showParty of Five.

Courtney Cox was even more eye-catching in her big screen transition from the hugely popular sitcom,Friends.

The one through-line in all fourScreamfilms is its trio of heroes.

What continues to makeScreamso unique in horror is that these heroes/victims are far more developed than the killer.

Unlike Freddy, Jason, Michael, or Pinhead, audiences are not coming for the killer.

They are coming to see these likable characters return and grow from past experiences.

None of this is more transparent than in Neve Campbells survivor girl.

Their greatest struggle, particularly for weak-linkScream 3, is that the game is already over.

In actuality, the previousScream 3was not Williamsons original intent.

He did not even write that mediocrity.

Also, a fourth was only then just beginning with the onslaught ofParanormal Activitymovies and their knock-offs.

But another idea seemed to strike him.

However, the first idea was perfect for a reboot.

Yet, I wonder if that was an elaborate con.

There really is nowhere to go from here.

Further, the reboot cast was completely eviscerated before the end credits.

Not a single one is left to carry the franchise forwards.

And the best twist?

Replacement survivor girl, Jill, turned out to be the killer.

A fucking Facebook killer?!

Youre kidding me, right?

Anna Paquin whines duringScream 4s matryoshka doll opening sequence.

A bunch of articulate teens sit around and deconstruct horror movies until Ghostface kills them one by one?

Its been done to death.

The whole self-aware, post-modern meta shit.

It also works as the second of two fake-out openers with the films within films.

In many ways,Scream 4was not the continuation of the series, but its epitaph.

The movie mocks the idea of updating tropes for the 21stcentury via Facebook or Twitter.

The young cast meant to replace Sid and the gang all dies.

And her doppelganger, Jill, is an attention-starved reality show wannabe who admires the Kardashians.

A desire to be famous is motive enough to kill her friends.

Which brings us back to the MTV show.

As a film franchise,Screamhas come full circle.

There is almost nowhere left to go followingScream 4s ending.

But now, we may just get that wonderfully unaware, self-aware travesty mocked inScream 4s opening moments.

A painfully meta-enterprise that is eating itself.

On MTV,Screamis reaching its own prophesized satirical zenith and last blood-clogged gasp.

Its one final stab at the punch-line that everyoneexceptthe show will be in on.

you might also have a stab at meon Twitter.