“Glee” review

Glee, a new Fox television show, is about opening up to joy

Fox’s new comedy musical series from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy, Glee follows Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) as he tries to improve the high school’s show choir and take them to Nationals. Schuester has his work cut out for him because the glee club hasn’t won a competition since 1993, and it has deteriorated into a haven for musical misfits.

The show takes place in present-day Ohio and reflects the current economic times as the school is hit with budget cuts. After the glee club teacher is laid off, Schuester volunteers to take over the task to help inspire the students. The glee club is made up of talented school outcasts: a fast-talking street chic diva, a nerd with retro fashion sense, an alternative punk, a snorting dork in a wheelchair and a celebrity wannabe with big dreams and an even bigger voice.

The show focuses on high school cliques and even goes as far as describing high school as a “caste system.” Glee club is for the losers — the talented, popular kids would never be caught dead joining. Will knows he needs some fresh talent to get the team to nationals, so he blackmails the school’s star quarterback into joining, hoping that if a few popular kids join, more will follow.

A quirky cast of teachers, including 40 Year Old Virgin actress Jane Lynch as a feisty cheerleading coach, and a lot of drama in the story line will appease adults. The humor is meant to be more about character interactions, so don’t expect the same comedic timing and quick wit found in Nip/Tuck.

The series is being marketed as a family show but will probably be most successful in the tween market where the High School Musical craze hit the hardest. The series will differ from typical musicals or the High School Musical fad because the students never randomly burst into song and dance. Each musical number is written into the story line as a rehearsal or a performance.

The series features songs popular today as well as golden oldies from every genre — with a pop twist. The cast is made up of a talented group of actors who also sing and dance. The musical numbers are entertaining and watchers will find themselves singing and bopping along.

The series will ultimately focus on the underdog show choir and how they battle their way to the top. The show poses a strong message of following dreams and respect for the kids who are different. Popularity of the show will depend on whether a market saturated by High School Musical sequels has room for a show choir full of misfits in prime time.

Sing along when Glee premiers Tuesday, May 19, at 9pm.

Amanda Moore