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Glee MAG
Can we have a round of applause for a realistic show about high school? Thank you.
“Glee,” a new series on FOX, is about students trying to find their niche. And they do – in the Glee Club. Their principal is looking for any excuse to cancel the club (since the last director was fond of flirting with members). Enter Will, the (cute) Spanish teacher and a former Glee Club member himself, who takes over to help the club regain its former glory. But there's a tough road ahead.
With a talented cast – featuring Lea Michele from “Spring Awakening” and Matthew Morrison from “Hairspray” – “Glee” is the most realistic portrayal of high school students on television.
I am gleeful to see this show break stereotypes and inject honesty into its writing. Unlike with Blair Waldorf or Naomi Clark, I can relate to these characters (they don't walk around dropping brand names). They are searching for who they are because they don't fall into trite social categories like jocks, cheerleaders, etc. And what a relief to find a student in a wheelchair (Arty) outside of a Hallmark made-for-TV movie. I feel warmth after watching “Glee,” compared with my desperate urge to buy hairbands after watching “Gossip Girl.”
I'm not a fan of “High School Musical,” yet I enjoy the singing and dancing in “Glee.” Unlike “HSM,” which was directed at preteens, these characters have depth. Rachel is a talented girl who wants to be accepted by her peers and to be special, and Finn is a jock who plays football and endures his teammates' teasing because he enjoys singing. “High School Musical” – cheesiness + real life – unrealistic plans to save the day = “Glee.”
Sure, “Glee” contains some clichés – Rachel is going to fall for Finn – but in spite of this, I think the show will inspire teenagers, and even teachers who have lost the love for what they do. Why? It's honest. It is not extravagant or pure fairy tale.
It's real.
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This article has 119 comments.
Merely stating...I respect your opinion.
Uh...Glee is neither realistic nor stereotype-breaking--if anything, it reinforces stereotypes. While it may be closer to real high school than other tv shows, it's a far cry from normal life.
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I'd... have to disagree. Glee is very, very cliche. Every character is some sort of sterotype. The character's really bother me. Honestly, not one of them is very likable. All of them are very polarizing characters, with not enough redeeming traits.
I think if the characters weren't so bad, I wouldn't mind this show as much. But I can't go more than five minutes without wanting to tear my hair out at the extremely annoying and bothersome characters. I can't help it.