Watch "Glee"

Lergnom · 09-25-2009, 05:49 PM

I highly recommend Glee on Fox - as does my 17 year old daughter.

This is a post-modern comedy/drama, meaning it veers between the real and surreal, sometimes in the same scene and combines real emotions with sheer ludicrousness. Each show has 3 or 5 full musical numbers, from classics like Tonight from West Side Story (sung beautifully to a simple accompanying piano) to fully choreographed Kanye West's Gold Digger (much, much better than the original).

This past week's episode featured Beyonce's Single Ladies in one of those oh-my-God moments. You see the QB of the football team doesn't want to be a Lima Loser - the show is set in Lima, OH - and needs a scholarship but the team has to win for that to happen. He's in Glee Club because he has talent and was blackmailed into it and is torn in multiple directions but he realizes the team needs to loosen up so they work up the choreography for Single Ladies. The game is going badly, as usual, and they're all too embarrassed to do the dance but you know it happens and it's a TV show stopper.

On the pathos side, one of the Glee kids, Kurt, is extremely gay but isn't out. His single father is a tough guy who can't relate - and last week took away Kurt's car because he found Kurt's tiara collection. Kurt "auditions" for the role of kicker on the football team and it turns out that if he can dance to the beat he can kick the stuffing out of the ball. He wins the game and then comes out to his dad in a genuinely touching, very well done and matter of fact scene, possibly the best such scene I've seen on TV. His dad says, "I've known since you were 3 and only wanted a pair of sensible heels."

Watch it because this kind of show is way above what TV usually produces. The characters veer from absurdity to real from scene to scene and the writing is often genuinely clever.

MommaJ · 09-25-2009, 07:11 PM

I adore Glee. It's sort of the anti-High School Musical. I think the show has a big following among musical theater kids in both high school and college. Lea Michele (of Spring Awakening fame) plays a delightfully flawed character and her voice is out of this world. I held my breath when Kurt came out to his dad--really had no idea how that was going to go--then cried. Those who haven't seen it yet can see full episodes on Fox's website.

Is it Wednesday yet?

Shrinkrap · 09-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Even my husband likes it! My D says somebody on there is "hot", but I can't figure out who.

PRJ · 09-25-2009, 08:08 PM

Hot? Um, that would be Mr. Shuester, the Glee club teacher

D and I love the show. I went back to watch the pilot on the Fox website - it helped give context to some of the story lines.

I, too, cried when Kurt came out to his dad, I agree it may be the best TV teen-coming-out scene ever. BTW, nice review/synopsis, lergnom.

dbwes · 09-25-2009, 08:32 PM

OR it could be Cory Monteith, who plays Finn and who is very easy on the eyes, as well.
Another yes vote here.

sopranomom92 · 09-25-2009, 08:34 PM

If you really want an evening of great entertainment, make sure to watch So You Think You Can Dance in the hour before Glee. This is where you find the real dancers. Follow that with Glee and you're set!

abasket · 09-25-2009, 09:18 PM

Another major Glee fan here!

Yeah, it can be a bit out there and not exactly "family" entertainment, but I just LOVE the humor, the music and I love the characters. Already hoping that Mr. Schuster and Ms. OCD get together (though it probably won't happen - gotta keep us hanging on!)

Glee has also made a good bit of $$$ off me on Itunes - check out how many Glee songs are on there!

PackMom · 09-25-2009, 10:25 PM

sopranomom92, That's my line-up too. Love SYTYCD and now love Glee too.
Both my S's were h.s football players. The team dance on the field was hilarious.

I keep telling everyone where I work that Glee is a must-see.

missypie · 09-25-2009, 11:08 PM

Loved the Single Ladies dances. I do hope, however, that at some pont they'll trust us to remember who the cheerleaders are so they won't have to wear their uniforms to school every day.

I have a dancer daughter and a cheerleader daughter. Our favorite line - cheer coach to practicing cheerleaders: "I want the agony out of your eyes."

keymom · 09-25-2009, 11:25 PM

my son and two other guys did a dance to Single Ladies, put it on You Tube and titled it three straight guys - Single Ladies.
I think Glee stole the idea from them!

Love Glee

FallGirl · 09-26-2009, 08:25 AM

I watched Glee for the first time on Wed. Another vote for a great show.

cathymee · 09-26-2009, 10:04 AM

the faculty characters are hilarious
Sue the Cheer Coach is my fave,followed by OCD laden counselor,Principal guy and the fired gotta be gay ex Glee teacher.That scene with Sue in his house (witht he doll collection) was just great!

evasmom · 09-26-2009, 02:05 PM

Anyone else old enough to remember Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman? Glee has a similar sense of humor. I think it grows on you.

TooRealistic · 09-26-2009, 07:59 PM

I LOVE this show! I was hooked last spring when FOX showed the pilot. I also love the fact that So You Think You Can Dance is on as a lead-in. I work at a high school and some of it is so real. My husband admits that he likes it too.
I'm thinking that the football player with the mohawk who likes the MILFs is pretty hot - maybe your daughter likes that guy too?

YAY gLee!

Shrinkrap · 09-26-2009, 09:12 PM

"Anyone else old enough to remember Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman?"

Me!

"I'm thinking that the football player with the mohawk who likes the MILFs is pretty hot - maybe your daughter likes that guy too?"

Could be.... I'm going to text her...but if I can be frank....just a bunch of white guys/peeps ( and the "thick" Black girl who can sing...) to me....but I do like the show!

Edit......D texts/says, and I quote...."the football player...oh, man!"