Glee | Teen Ink

Glee MAG

June 6, 2009
By gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments

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.


on Jan. 5 2011 at 2:21 am
fairytalesaretrue, Jakarta, Other
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments
i love this series. you know why?because in this series,every cast can really sing. not just lipsync. and i agree with you, that the story was soo true. hope this kind of series last long.

Dubella456 said...
on Dec. 22 2010 at 7:07 am
I like the article, but I don't like Glee. To me it feels like it's trying to be Broadway on TV. I think it's stupid. (PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS MY OPINION, RESPECT) I don't really understand why people think it's so great.

on Nov. 28 2010 at 1:32 pm
GreenDayFan SILVER, Phoenix, Arizona
7 articles 3 photos 134 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Every story has an end, but in life, every ending is just a new beginning."
-Uptown Girls

Glee is like my life! =)

postdog565 said...
on Nov. 22 2010 at 9:16 am

I love the new song Singing In The Rain/Umbrella. i listen to it at school and my friend and i skip through the halls it is fun and funny

 


on Nov. 11 2010 at 2:30 pm
BieberFever20 BRONZE, Birmingham, Alabama
2 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
NOW WHO TOLD PEOPLE I LIKED SPINACH?

:)))))))))

on Nov. 10 2010 at 12:22 pm
BieberFever20 BRONZE, Birmingham, Alabama
2 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
NOW WHO TOLD PEOPLE I LIKED SPINACH?

i love glee!!!

on Nov. 8 2010 at 6:48 pm
WritingJulia SILVER, Binghamton, New York
6 articles 0 photos 72 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Kind words can be short and easy to say, but their echoes are truly endless." -Mother Theresa

It's a great show and I believe it's brining alot of teens to appreciate the arts.  Good review!

Mani blue :) said...
on Nov. 5 2010 at 10:17 am
me too charice was awesome! that song is now my favorite . ima gleek!

lnvo97 GOLD said...
on Oct. 14 2010 at 5:00 pm
lnvo97 GOLD, Chicago, Illinois
15 articles 0 photos 40 comments

Favorite Quote:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44

i love GLEE!!! i mostly liked the first episode of the second season, i had Telephone stuck in my head for a week!!!

on Aug. 17 2010 at 5:29 pm
pageturner PLATINUM, Brooklyn, New York
34 articles 0 photos 94 comments

Favorite Quote:
It's okay to daydream.. just as long as you get to do some of those daydreams.

one of my favorites is "The power oF Madonna". The title is dorky, but the episode was good. It shows how strong women are!

on Aug. 17 2010 at 5:27 pm
pageturner PLATINUM, Brooklyn, New York
34 articles 0 photos 94 comments

Favorite Quote:
It's okay to daydream.. just as long as you get to do some of those daydreams.

great review. finally a show that people can relate too. btw, some of the songs glee sings are pretty good.

Ups123 SILVER said...
on Aug. 3 2010 at 7:05 pm
Ups123 SILVER, Lisboa, Other
5 articles 0 photos 15 comments

Nice review ;)

Check out mine about the Glee Season Finale

TeenInk.com/reviews/tv_show_reviews/article/231614/Glee-Season-Finale/


on Jun. 16 2010 at 1:53 pm
Writingstar SILVER, Hayward, California
9 articles 0 photos 26 comments
im a gleek for life! best show ever

on Jun. 6 2010 at 10:24 am
Ninja_Writer BRONZE, Western Springs, Illinois
3 articles 0 photos 27 comments
I love Glee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The mixture of drama, comedy, and music gives the show dimension and makes it versatile. The review is so great! I hope you keep on writing!

on May. 29 2010 at 9:28 pm
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments

The actress who plays Rachel's biological mother is Idina Menzel. She's a star from Broadway. I loved her in Wicked and Rent. She's really awesome. Ryan Murphy, the producer cast her because of her similarity to Lea Michele. Lea herself said that growing up people always commented that she looks like Idina. So cool right?

And I am happy to be a Gleek too. :) Its a great show


trblue GOLD said...
on May. 29 2010 at 9:16 pm
trblue GOLD, Richmond, Virginia
14 articles 7 photos 141 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Too often we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown. It only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and slap that mother@#?!&* upside the head. "

i am happy to be a GLEEK!

r u? after i see glee i feel like singing myself. i am mad how rachel and her "mom" look alike. i love it some people get it all wrong. and if you did not know where her "mom" she was off of rent like the film and broad way. you might want to look at theat movie 2.


on May. 27 2010 at 12:23 pm
inkprincess GOLD, Cumberland, Rhode Island
15 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes I hear my voice and it's been here, silent all these years" -Tori Amos

Alright yeah i agree with you completely... not too realistic anymore, but totally entertaining!

on May. 25 2010 at 9:00 pm
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments

I agree with yu that its not real anymore. I based this review on the first episode which was a bit real. 

 

But the realism I was talking about was the struggle of teenagers in high school, the struggle with being different. The story line isn't too realistic anymore but its still a great watch. :)


on May. 25 2010 at 2:14 pm
inkprincess GOLD, Cumberland, Rhode Island
15 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes I hear my voice and it's been here, silent all these years" -Tori Amos

"Dream On" was ahhhmazinggg!!! NPH + Matthew Morrison = nearly religious experiance.  lovelovelove<3

and i like this article, especially in regards to the whole superficial, consumerism-driven show vs. glee, but i disagree with the last line.  i think the whole point of the show is that it's overdone; its both a  commentary on the reality of high school and a mocking parody of how high school is commercialized as a place where anything can happen: slushie facials, satisfyingly snarky cheerleading coaches, perfectly-choreographed yet spur of the moment song-and-dance routines... so yeah its a bit cliche.  but how can you not love a show with neil patrick harris, idina menzel, kristin chenoweth...


on May. 19 2010 at 3:47 pm
purplegurl12345 BRONZE, Rosemount, Minnesota
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

I LOVE Glee! My favorite episode was yesterday's: "Dream On". 

Even if Glee does get a little dorky, it is a perfect mix of comedy, drama, mystery, and good music!