Lovable characters and pure unadulterated bliss is filled into every minute of Fox’s 2009 breakout musical comedy, Glee. The story about a group of misfit-slushy-faced students, who find friendship and courage in a rinky-dink glee club, may sound bizarre and ridiculous because it is. But when you meet characters like the iron fisted cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch, The 40 Year Old Virgin, The L Word), or the egotistical-repulsive-but-pretty singing genius, Rachel Berry (Lea Michelle), you will immediately wonder how you ever lived without a little bit of Glee in your life.
I’ll be the first to admit, I balked at the idea of bringing a high-school musical show to primetime television. As if we weren’t overrun with enough cliché teen musical dramas or Disney afterschool specials, creators Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck) and Jessalyn Gilsig (Nip/Tuck) had the audacity to conjure up an hour-long seasonal music comedy. After the pilot, I thought, “Wait, this is funny.” Three episodes later, I couldn’t imagine a Glee-less night.
What makes Glee standout from the crowd is the hefty ensemble cast filled with talented and memorable characters who can sing, dance and act. Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) is the earnest-pop-locking Spanish teacher who will do anything for his students. Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays, Heroes) is the germophobic guidance counselor who is in love with a married man, but will settle for anything so that she doesn’t end up an old maid. Quinn (Dianna Agron) is the lead cheerleader, commissioned by Sue Sylvestor to infiltrate Schuester’s glee club.
The stories in Glee are anything but cliché. For instance instead of your typical teen pregnancy, Quinn tricks her boyfriend Finn (Cory Monteith) into believing he got her pregnant simply by kissing her in the hot tub. In another story arc, Kurt’s (Chris Colfer) father catches him dancing to “Single Ladies” (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé. In order to cover up his sexuality, he tells his father he is a kicker on the William McKinley High School Football Team. Inadvertently, this leads to the entire football team learning to dance in order to try and win their first football game. Each step on the “Road to Sectionals” is filled with humor. Sue Sylvester delivers endless rants that will make your jaw drop as you mouth the word, “Wow.”
Glee is filled with several cast versions of chart topping songs including Queen’s “Somebody to Love,” Heart’s “Alone,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Céline Dion’s “Taking Chances,” Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name,” Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows,” Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” and REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”
The Bonus Features include the actual audition footage of Lea Michelle, Chris Colfer and Cory Monteith. Michelle actually arrives at her audition after a car crash. You can see Lea’s exuberant personality immediately as she pulls glass out of her hair, before singing her Les Misérables audition piece. Midway through the audition, Michelle corrects the pianist for skipping the second verse and politely, but firmly, tells him to go back to the start of the second verse. Cory Monteith shows off his drumming talents in a homemade audition tape he submitted for the part.
Glee is a non-stop laugh fest that I can only hope will get better in Season 2. The exceptionally humorous story is made even better through excellent singing and acting. Thankfully, this DVD set is filled with special features. I only wish there was even more Jane Lynch.
Special Features
- Full Length Audition Pieces
- Rachel – “On My Own”
- Mercedes – “Respect”
- Welcome to McKinley!
- Fox Movie Channel Casting Session
- Deconstructing Glee With Ryan Murphy
- Dance Boot Camp
Created by: Ryan Murphy, Jessalyn Gilsig and more
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Rating: 9 / 10
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