Glee: Showmance

I decided to give “Glee” a prime series recording spot on my DVR for the Fall 2009 TV draft http://bit.ly/SJlsZ but it was not a decision I came to lightly. In fact, when I first heard the pitch for this show “High School Musical meets American Idol meets Freaks and Geeks” I thought, one out of three isn’t good (I’ll give you one guess as to which of those three franchises I like). However, the buzz that built for this show, from critics I respect, was very impressive and I decided to give it a shot.

I am mostly glad I did. Glee had some very fun moments which had me laughing so hard that I scared my dog. The Glee club performing the Salt N’ Pepper song was funny but the audience reactions to the presentation were inspired. In fact, most of the interactions between members of the Glee club were pretty humorous.

The adult characters at this point in the show are very well realized. The guidance counselor cleaning her grapes with antibacterial wipes was a scene that while funny was also true to life (who hasn’t thought, “how many people touched this stuff and I have to get it clean with just water”). The gym teacher was terrifically sneaky in his brief snooping moment and then slightly sardonic when proposing his date to the guidance counselor. The principal feels like someone who has been out of the classroom too long and forgot what education is actually about. The “Cheerios” coach is the only real caricature in the show but she brings humor to most of her scenes so that is forgiven.

Oddly enough my main problem with Glee was the singing (the irony is not lost on me). Actually it may have had more to do with the song choices and presentation. “Take a Bow” was not an appropriate song choice for Rachel at the end of the episode because she was the one Finn was cheating with. Also, the Kanye West song seemed off, like there was simply no way those actors could be singing like that (I mean the acoustics in that room shouldn’t allow it). I’d like to hear them singing a little more roughly especially in the scenes where they are practicing a song for the first time.

In any event, I’m definitely on board for a few more episodes and hopefully the rest of the season.