GLEE!!!

So, I haven't commented on the BEST NEW SHOW ON TELEVISION-- Glee!



When I previewed the show months ago, I knew that it was something special. From Ryan Murphy, creator of cable giant Nip/Tuck, the show follows the lives of those involved with a high school glee club in middle-American Ohio. It is equal parts funny and touching--and its musical numbers are making Broadway fans all over the country.

The show re-launched last week and proved that it wasn't an awesome pilot fluke.

Lea Michelle looks exactly like Idina Mezel

Rachel (the Tracey Flick-esque star of the glee club whose drive and pushy passion are as annoying as they are appealing) developed a crush on Finn, the adorable quarterback whose singing talent and recent induction into the club has ostracized him from his popular clique.

Inappropriate thoughts...

The problem is that Finn is dating Quinn, the head cheerleader/president of The Celibacy Club.

I can't seem to hate her

Quinn's also begun to work as a spy for the coach of the cheerleaders (played to a sadistic tee by veteran comedy actress Jane Lynch), which means that she's joined the glee club. But the crush isn't all unrequited. After an adorable romantic set-up on the behalf of Rachel, Finn and the pint-sized singer share a personal moment...but it doesn't mean that Finn breaks up with Quinn, or stops parading it in front of Rachel. The love triangle is nuanced and emotional, providing material that is rife with complication and introspection--especially after Quinn makes a morally positive step towards showing her true colors as a good person.

Rounding out the teenaged cast are Mercedes, a pluz-sized diva with a Jennifer Hudson voice.

Too much sass to handle.

She develops a crush on Kurt, whose affinity for Lagerfeld makes him a boy after my own heart. (As a side note, Chris Colfer, who portrays Kurt, came in to audition for Glee and the producers loved him so much that they created the part of Kurt specifically for him.) This week's episode showed Mercedes' friendship with Kurt blossoming into a full-blown crush, which led to arguably the best piece of acting on the show thus far. Kurt comes out to Mercedes and the continued theme of outsiders--so well portrayed on the show--hits home in the most tender way.

Oh, tertiary characters, you round out the harmonies.

The other two members of the glee club, Artie and Tina, haven't been fully flushed out. Artie is a wheelchair bound baritone who happens to be kind of hot in real life, and Tina is a goth chick with a stutter. Here's to hoping that the writers have something more in store for these two.

Lest we start thinking that drama and raw emotions end with high school, there are adults in the picture who find life just as awkward and complicated.

Nice vest.

Will Schuester (played by veteran Broadway actor Matthew Morrison) is the linchpin of the show, the Spanish teacher come glee club leader whose own high school experience as a popular singer has spiraled into a ho-hum life with a needy wife.

Awkward...

That wife (played by Heroes alum Jesslyn Gilsig) is whacked. Whacked enough to have led Will into thinking that she's pregnant with his prodigal son. Whacked enough to have a craft room.

Singing "All By Myself" in your car is totally normal.

Will is also on the receiving end of affection from the school guidance counselor, Emma. With pastry colored clothing and a severe dirt affliction, Emma is nuerotically cute. Her crush in Will reminds us that life doesn't get any easier after high school. And Will's dedication to his wife, despite apparent feelings for Emma, proves that gaining maturity doesn't create an easy road.

So, basically the characters are awesome, the plotlines are interesting and the dance numbers are AMAZING!

"Don't Stop Believin'"

So, without further ado, here are some Glee extras:

Interview with the cast...



Supposed season playlist---

To be sung by the entire group:
"Somebody to Love" - Queen
"Golddigger" - Kanye West (this is along with Will)
"It's My Life" - Bon Jovi/"Confessions" - Usher (Just the boys)
"Halo" - Beyonce/"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves (Just the girls)

Solos:
"Bust Your Windows" - Jazmine Sullivan : Mercedes
"Last Name"- Carrie Underwood : Kristin Chenoweth's character April
"Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond : Puck
"Tell Him" - Barbara Streisand & Celine Dion : Mercedes
"Bust a Move" - Young MC : Will
"Defying Gravity" - Wicked : Kurt (also possibly Rachel, but Kurt for sure now)
"Thong Song" - Sisqo : Ken (LOL!)
"I Could Have Danced All Night" - My Fair Lady : Emma

Cute, epic duets:
"Maybe This Time" - Cabaret : Rachel and April
"No Air" - Jordan Sparks : Rachel and Finn (omg ill die)

Dumb, bullshit performances I'd rather not see:
"I Say a Little Prayer"- Dionne Warwick : for sure the Cheerios... maybe others.
and songs by:
Random songs by The Supremes : Quinn, Santana, and other Cheerio/Glee Club member Jill Scot

"Take a Bow"- Lea Michele



"Push It"- Glee Cast



"Bust Your Windows"- Amber Riley



"Mercy"-Vocal Adrenaline



Kurt was IN A BOYBAND CALLED NLT!!!! OMG!!!



Next Week's Preview...