Why I Hate Glee

Back in November, I stumbled across afore-to unheard of in the UK musical drama series Glee. Having never come across it beforehand, I watched the first episode with indifference, a feeling that was replaced with sheer and unbridled delight within moments. For weeks, I was humming songs from the show (Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and CCR’s “Proud Mary” being amongst my favourites), and urging my friends to check it out. But did they listen? Did they heck.

And now? Now one can’t even look at Facebook without suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fandom. It’s like a musical Twilight. “Team Quinn or Team Rachel”. For Christ’s sake.

Glee is an ingenious idea, playing off the success of recent cinematic events such as the High School Musical films, and Mamma Mia (to quote Hugh Jackman “The Musical is back!”). The story in a nutshell revolves around a school glee choir and the misadventures of both the students and the staff thereof. Musical interludes are in abundance, with every show culminating in a performance by the choir that somehow fits in with the theme of the episode. On paper, it’s a fair enough plot, but on screen it works with aplomb.

But it’s not just the music that makes this show great; the performances of the young actors are both intelligent and touching. Chris Colfer as Kurt is, quite frankly, outstanding. The episode in which he comes out to his father is one of the most beautiful pieces of television I’ve seen in a long time. Jenna Ushkowitz as “stuttering” Tina is breathtaking, especially in her performance of “True Colors” (I think I’m developing somewhat of a fetish for Asians singing that song… Disturbing…) and Amber Riley as Aretha-Wannabe Mercedes is a great big ball of black energy.

Unfortunately, these supporting and often show-stealing characters are often overshadowed by the “main” cast; Lea Mitchell as self-obsessed Rachel, Diana Agron as pregnant cheerleader Quinn, and Cory Monteith as Jock Finn… They’re all very good, but, in my humble opinion, there’s little originality in their characterisation. Hopefully when the second half of the series begins shortly, we shall see a little more new material in their personalities.

The adult cast are impeccable though, with Matthew Morrison stealing the show as downcast music teacher Mr. Schue, and Jayma Mays as the wonderfully cutesy Emma Pilsbury. I must admit to a huge “aww” when the finale came round. Jane Lynch also pulls on some big boots as bitchy cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, the main antagonist of the series. Her interplay with Morrison is simply delightful to watch, with a bitter humour that is rarely seen in saccharine American sitcoms.

Okay, so I lied. I don’t hate Glee. I’m just not a sheep. I’m a gosh-darned shepherd; just no bugger listens to me. That’ll do pig. That’ll do.

Glee
(2009-Present)

4 Stars