|
|
|
ea Michelle and Cory Monteith in "Glee"
courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Company
|
“Glee” (Fox)
This is the year of “Glee,” the Fox Network sensation that actually features music each and every week. Musical shows have been tried at various times over the years but aside from “variety shows” they have all gone bust. So it is amazing that a show about a high school glee club that features three or four song numbers each week is a huge hit.
The first thing the makers of this show did right was cast it perfectly. From Lea Michelle as Glee Club diva Rachel to Matthew Morrison as Glee Club director Mr. Schue, the actors are a perfect fit with their roles. Plus they all have amazing voices. Then you add the comic brilliance that is Jane lynch in her star making role of “Cheerios” coach Sue Sylvester and you have a gold mine of entertainment enjoyment.
The truth about “Glee” is when it works it works but when it doesn’t it doesn’t. The Madonna themed episode was a hit while the Olivia Newton-John redo of “Physical” was not. It felt forced and broke up the natural flow of the “Glee” stories. Anytime Kristin Chenowith comes on the show it is a great night. The last time she appeared and had a duet with Morrison on “One Less Bell To Answer” and “A House Is Not A Home” was a showstopper.
The show does need to get back to its script. Storylines have been introduced and are now just memories. “Glee” was always best when it had its songs spring out of the storyline. Recent episodes have had the songs standing alone or guiding the plot rather than vice versa.
Even with its few flaws “Glee” is what television so badly needs – something different. It is hard to think of any way in which the success of “Glee” could be imitated. The cast is so unique, the use of songs so inspired, and the talent behind every aspect of the show so perfect that lightning can not strike in this way again.
Ryan Murphy is the man behind “Glee” and he is the last person in the world you would expect to create a show of this type. His last hit show was “Nip/Tuck” which is miles away from “Glee” in every facet. Still talent is talent and what he so brilliantly did with “Nip/Tuck” prepared him for the glory that is “Glee.”
If you have not yet discovered “Glee” well you ought to. However it is not a show that will appeal to everyone. Still if you are one of the lucky ones who gets the beauty of it all you are in for an entertainment treat. “Glee” is gleeful in every way and it will make you that way too.
“Glee” airs Tuesday nights at 9 on Fox. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
©2010 Jackie K. Cooper |
|
Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!
|
