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 May. 16 2010 at 3:41 pm
yes, i agree. this show is amazing. i love it. its my favorite show. i abosolutley recommend this show. anyone who hasnt seen it is missing out!!!!!

on May. 16 2010 at 6:02 am
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments
My favourite episode so far is definitely HOME. The music they chose for that episode was really moving. :) But the Pilot was still good. You should watch it. Its not as 'clean' as it started out but its not too bad.

on May. 15 2010 at 9:23 pm
Alice_in_Wonderland GOLD, San Clemente, California
16 articles 0 photos 620 comments

Favorite Quote:
“I could give up, I could stay stuck, or I could move on, So I put one foot front of the other, No no no nothing’s gonna break my stride, “ –David Archuleta (The Other Side of Down)

I've never watched this show before ,but it sounds like a good show. What's your favorite episode?

on Apr. 18 2010 at 11:29 am
ChangedForever, WW, New Jersey
0 articles 0 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it.
-Toni Morrison

THAT makes sense. the pilot was soo good :) haha yeah, and even without realism, i guess we're all still watching so something about it is working

on Apr. 17 2010 at 7:12 pm
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Thanks for reviewing. I wrote this article quite a while ago (when I watched the pilot actually) before the show got all the drama. I do agree that the realism has tanked in the later episodes. But in the heart of it, the struggles the members go through are pretty relatable. :)

on Apr. 17 2010 at 12:36 pm
ChangedForever, WW, New Jersey
0 articles 0 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it.
-Toni Morrison

Although i do love the show, i think that there is way to much going on, and it gets a little soap opera-y. Idont agree that it is a realistic portrayal of real students, because i've never seen anyone who got slushies thrown into their faces daily, and so on. still, the singing is still incredible, and much better then HSM

on Mar. 9 2010 at 9:16 pm
BasketballChick5, San Diego, California
0 articles 1 photo 114 comments

Favorite Quote:
:)Just Do It:) <3

I LOVE GLEE!!!!!!!!! IT'S AWESOME I CANT WAIT TO WATCH IT AGAIN!!!!!!

on Feb. 15 2010 at 7:31 am
manga_maniac SILVER, Bloomington, Indiana
8 articles 1 photo 79 comments
i love glee!!! i have the dvd and everything. great article

on Feb. 2 2010 at 10:07 pm
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Hey! thanks for reviewing. the 'lunch money stolen' was what Cory Monteith said in an interview right? :D

Aluna BRONZE said...
on Feb. 2 2010 at 8:26 pm
Aluna BRONZE, Sherwood, Oregon
1 article 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
When people say I'm weird, I reply: I'm an artist; I can't be normal!
-Me

I like to think of the show Glee as High School Musical that's had it's lunch money stolen and recieved a slushie in the face. Yup, that's pretty accurate! I am a Glee finatic! Great review! I love your word choice and your foreshadowing! Nicely written!

on Dec. 28 2009 at 10:32 am
panicback BRONZE, Oak Park, Illinois
3 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You may know what you need, but to get what you want, better see that you keep what you have." -Into the Woods.

I completely agree with everything said. Glee shows how high school is so confusing, and how people don't always fit in, but it also shows how teenagers know how to have a good time. I am such a Gleek.

As for realisticness of breaking out into song every couple of seconds... not so much, but they even fixed that by having most of their numbers in rehearsal.

Grace said...
on Dec. 25 2009 at 5:19 am
Inconsistencies such as? :) Thanks for reviewing

on Dec. 23 2009 at 2:43 pm
808PopSugarJunkie BRONZE, Scarborough, Other
3 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Youth is wasted on the young"
"Don't let schooling interfere with your education" - Mark Twain

Hey, great review! =)

I do feel the same way but I'm just wondering: throughout the season, has anyone noticed the plot inconsistencies? There seemed to be quite a few - but the overall morale and theme of the show (along with the amazing talent) redeem it immensely.

on Nov. 10 2009 at 4:19 pm
Showchoir2012 SILVER, Indianapolis, Indiana
9 articles 6 photos 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
"yes we are our fathers sons and daughters but we are not their choices" -Poetry Slam Knock Knock
"Knock Knock, who's their?, WE ARE!"

LOVE THIS SHOW, THANK YOU A SHOW BOUT SHOWCHOIR! My dad even likes it and he HATEs musicals!

on Nov. 8 2009 at 7:54 pm
LexyK2015 SILVER, Tucson, Arizona
5 articles 6 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I will not be a goody bag at your pity party" ~ Rachel Cohn
“On, there are so many lives. How we wish we could live them concurrently instead of one by one by one. We could select the best pieces of each, stringing them together like a strand of pearls. But that's not how it works. A human life is a beautiful mess.” ~ Gabrielle Zevin

Best.Show.EVER!!! If you haven't seen it, watch it. You will be glad you did.

peace<3:) said...
on Nov. 5 2009 at 11:07 am
I LOVE GLEE!!!!

on Oct. 8 2009 at 3:21 pm
Glee is pretty much the best show ever. Every Wed. at 9 I'm in front of the tv. Can't wait till next week's episode.

on Sep. 24 2009 at 9:59 pm
gcatherinev BRONZE, UEP Subang Jaya, Other
3 articles 0 photos 7 comments
Hey, I loved Kurt dancing!! :) And the football team were SO good at it. I can't wait to see them sing Somebody to love next week :) :) Thanks for reviewing.

LaylaViolet said...
on Sep. 24 2009 at 11:58 am
Cannot agree with you any more. This show is so awesome! Thursday's (9/23/09) episode was, like, the best. Everytime I hear "Single Ladies" I'm so gonna think about the football team! So freaking hilarious!