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.


Madgie BRONZE said...
on Jun. 4 2011 at 12:53 am
Madgie BRONZE, Antioch, California
4 articles 0 photos 8 comments

I'd... have to disagree. Glee is very, very cliche. Every character is some sort of sterotype. The character's really bother me. Honestly, not one of them is very likable. All of them are very polarizing characters, with not enough redeeming traits.

I think if the characters weren't so bad, I wouldn't mind this show as much. But I can't go more than five minutes without wanting to tear my hair out at the extremely annoying and bothersome characters. I can't help it.


on May. 31 2011 at 2:14 pm
iamMonica BRONZE, Estero, Florida
1 article 0 photos 5 comments
You know I've never watched this show before because I thought it'd be something stupid and lame like HSM but you've proved me wrong. I think I'm going to watch it now. But problem is that I dunno when it's on. And your writing is amazing, don't stop!!

Bones96 BRONZE said...
on May. 26 2011 at 11:33 am
Bones96 BRONZE, Charlotte, North Carolina
2 articles 0 photos 108 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life isn't about finding yourself it's about creating yourself-

I love this show, and your right it's more real and I think High school musical is very chessy and latly i find most TV shows and movies to be chessy. Good job on your artical :)

fosterli said...
on May. 23 2011 at 10:50 am
I agree. I think they she have something like Glee at our schools. I mean they have chorus class. but they dont have a glee thing. :(

fosterli said...
on May. 23 2011 at 10:48 am
I love this show so much. I watch it every week when its on. I watch them again and again even when the season is over. I want this show never to end. :) <3

on May. 21 2011 at 12:59 pm
JoPepper PLATINUM, Annandale, Virginia
35 articles 0 photos 782 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Freedom is the ability to not care what the other person thinks."

"Not all those who wander are lost" --JRR Tolkien

"When you are listening to music it is better to cover your eyes than your ears." --Jose' Bergamin

I love Glee, but um, I don't think every kid in Highschool is sleeping around.  But other than that  love the show!!! :))

on May. 16 2011 at 3:55 pm
WhiteWidow GOLD, Bakersfield, California
14 articles 3 photos 28 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is not fair because no one plays fair and survives.

Gleek since the beginning.  I find this show the best for normal teens.  One key aspect in this show that I've noticed: there are virgins.  Not all teens are sleeping with their friends every other day.  Goodness!

on May. 16 2011 at 3:52 pm
PhilThao BRONZE, Hudson, Wisconsin
1 article 1 photo 5 comments
GLEEK HERE

VanillaDee said...
on May. 13 2011 at 8:23 pm
VanillaDee, Dunedin, Other
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments

Favorite Quote:
We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

This is an honest portrayal of how the author see's Glee and I think it is extremely well said. I have to agree with you; I have never been a fan of musicals but whenever I watch Glee, I fight the urge to stand up and start singing myself!

on May. 13 2011 at 11:28 am
LesterPooh BRONZE, Balch Springs, Texas
1 article 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"....Whether I think I can or think I can't, I am right....."

I'm a GLEEK!!! I love Glee!!! It is awesome

on Apr. 7 2011 at 4:03 pm
far.from.you. GOLD, Bradenton, Florida
17 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
" She completly fell for him, but he didnt even stumble...</3" -unknown.

This show is amazing. IT IS. imma gleek(: lol

on Apr. 7 2011 at 4:01 pm
far.from.you. GOLD, Bradenton, Florida
17 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
" She completly fell for him, but he didnt even stumble...</3" -unknown.

Glee is THE BEST SHOW i have ever seen. I LOVE IT. I love how real it is, and i  love this review because its exactly right.  My favorite charecter is Sam....(HES SO CUTE!) he reminds me of christofer drew... idk why. l0o0l(;

Grace said...
on Mar. 26 2011 at 7:47 pm
I must agree with you. Sadly, the show has gotten out of hand from what it used to be. Please note that this was written right after the pilot aired.

on Mar. 26 2011 at 7:30 pm
That-Contrarian-Librarian, ., North Carolina
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Merely stating...I respect your opinion.

Uh...Glee is neither realistic nor stereotype-breaking--if anything, it reinforces stereotypes. While it may be closer to real high school than other tv shows, it's a far cry from normal life.


lil boo said...
on Mar. 3 2011 at 9:14 am
this really is a funny show, most people say it stinks but itz rather intertaning i love to watch them sing but on occasion there notes are a little off but other then that i love glee

on Mar. 2 2011 at 9:14 pm
court_for_short GOLD, Portsmouth, Virginia
13 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
I Love Him But I Don't Know Who Him Is Yet.

This is my favorite show in the world new episode, March 8 8/7c on Fox!

MayDay SILVER said...
on Mar. 2 2011 at 5:31 pm
MayDay SILVER, Bloomington, Indiana
6 articles 14 photos 88 comments

Favorite Quote:
I don't jugde if you don't jugde.

My friends hate Glee, but i like it a lot.

Priya21 BRONZE said...
on Feb. 6 2011 at 9:44 am
Priya21 BRONZE, Marietta, Georgia
3 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Be who YOU want to be, not what people tell you to be." -Me

and the day is finally here! YAY! 

muzicgurl said...
on Feb. 4 2011 at 11:27 am
new season comes out after super bowl!!!!! cant wait!!!!

on Jan. 27 2011 at 10:50 am
redpanda26 SILVER, Chevy Chase, Maryland
5 articles 5 photos 51 comments
This is good to know, I was wondering if i should start watching it, but it seemed stupid. I was wondering why everyone loved Glee so much.