Blog Archives -

Why I love Glee 05/24/2010

Every Tuesday, I look forward to a certain TV show about a bunch of high school glee students. I started watching this season and have quickly become addicted. I have bought many of the songs from the soundtrack on iTunes, spent hours searching for the perfect 'Gleek' t-shirt, and shed a tear over the fact that the Glee tour doesn't come to my area. So why such the sudden obsession? It's simple, this is one of the first shows I feel I can truly relate to.

The characters represent the underdog in all of us. At one point or another, we all feel like life is working against us. The characters go through things we all go through, and you can't help but pull for them each week.

Another major reason is because I was heavily involved in choir and musicals throughout high school. I even sang in an all-girls a capella group. My school had one of the best choir programs in the state, and one of the best teachers to go along with it. Some of my favorite high school memories took place in the choir room or on stage. I remember performing in the musical each spring and wishing I could do that every day. The high you get from performing on stage is like nothing else.

Now one might advise that someone with that passion go on and pursue their dream, but I'm also realistic. I didn't have the strongest solo voice, and even though I loved being in the chorus, chorus members typically don't get cast on broadway. Even the kid who gets the lead role for four years straight sometimes can't even make it, and I dont think i could stomach the rejection.

Deep down, we all want our time to shine, and Glee lets us live vicariously through the characters each week. Glee is my weekly musical escape and gives me the joy I used to feel singing every day in choir.

Finally, I love the characters. One of my favorites is the role of Will Schuester, the loveable choir teacher who instills hope in each of his students, acting as their biggest cheerleader. Played by broadway veteran Matthew Morrison, Mr. Schuester is the kind of teacher everyone wishes they had to inspire and encourage the geek inside of all of us. His curly hair and good looks dont hurt either.

Another role I admire is Kurt, a boy learning to deal with being gay- a character not typically portrayed on TV. He is picked on by the jocks, and doesn't have many friends, but he finds strength through song. I know there are young boys across America who love to sing and dance, yet are teased by others. Now, they finally have someone they can look up to, and know they are not alone.

Last, but not least, there's Rachel Berry. She's cute, outgoing, a bit of an over-acheiver, and classified dork. She gets picked on by the cheerleaders, but that doesn't stop her. She knows what she wants, and she doesn't let anyone stand in the way of her dream. Characters like this have always been portrayed in a negative light- as the suck up who puts others down to get where she needs to be. Rachel's not like that. Yes, she wants the solo, but she has a heart, and always tries to do the right thing. I like how they show that it's okay to be a bit over-the-top and have a passion for something, even if others think its lame.

The essence of Glee is about accepting others for who they are- not who you'd like them to be. It's a show that represents how the majority of kids out there feel, and it's refreshing to watch good, clean, comedy you can sing along to for a change.

Kathy's Blog

Archives

Categories