Los Angeles, Sep 2 (IANS): TV series "Scream" paid tribute to late horror film director Wes Craven with a memoriam title card: "Thanks for the screams".

Though Craven admitted prior to the show's debut that he had little - if anything - to do with the MTV series, "Scream" is based on the "Nightmare on Elm Street" director's 1996 horror-thriller of the same name, which still stands as the definition of the genre, reports ew.com.

The series, which is expected to return for a second season in 2016, also borrows a number of elements from the four "Scream" films, the last of which was released in 2011.

"We would not exist if it wasn't for him. We're all still reeling at the suddenness of this. I was just really shaken when I heard the news. He really is one of the greats as a creative person - I won't even say as a titan of the horror drama because he could do so many things.

"He was amazing," executive producer Jill Blotevogel said about Craven's death and his influence on the horror genre.

Craven died Sunday from brain cancer at the age of 76.

"Scream" is expected to return for a second season in 2016.