Glee Gives Television Musicals a Good Rep

The New Fox Show Triumphs Where Other Musical Shows Have Failed.

Sep 28, 2009

Musical television series or musical episodes are hit-and-miss these days. Luckily, Fox seems to have hit the right note with its critically-acclaimed comedy series Glee.

Television shows that heavily employ the musical genre are no stranger to television, but does anyone remember the short-lived, musical/police drama Cop Rock? Probably not. This ABC series, which first aired in 1990, was a critical and commercial failure. The bizarre combination of police procedural and musical theatre was a little too out there for the average viewer. It was promptly cancelled after 11 episodes.

Or the more recent television musical flop Viva Laughlin? Charismatic, song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman couldn’t even save this overly ambitious yet ultimately horrible casino dramedy from dismal ratings. The show aired two episodes before its vocal chords were mercifully put to rest.

It seems that, while at the movies the musical genre is fairly successful, its television counterpart cannot seem to connect or engage its audience and translate into ratings.

However, creator Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck and Popular) came up with what seems to be the perfect formula. Fox knew it had a sure thing and promoted this more adult version of High School Musical relentlessly. The show’s fall premiere on September 9 attracted 7.3 million viewers.

The Premise and Cast of Glee

Glee revolves around the outcasts and misfits of an Ohio high school’s show choir and their teacher’s dream to recreate the club’s glory days and win nationals - set to the classic songs of Journey and Broadway tunes of course.

The show and all its lead actors has been generating positive buzz all summer since its early premiere in May, and with good reason.

It stars Broadway alums Matthew Morrison (Hairspray, The Light in the Piazza) as William Schuester, the teacher who takes charge of the Glee club, and Lea Michele as Rachel Barry, who originated the role of Wendla in Spring Awakening.

The rest of the cast, which includes Jayma Mays (Heroes, Red Eye), Jane Lynch (A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration), Cory Monteith (Kyle XY) and relative newcomers Amber Riley and Chris Colfer, is just as talented. Each actor had to sing as part of their audition before being cast.

Why Glee is a Ratings' Champ

Glee doesn’t take itself seriously. In an interview, Monteith said their show was more of a satire about show choir than a faithful depiction of high school. It is incredibly funny with fast one-liners and witty repartee. Most of all, it is just unashamedly, feel-good entertainment with real charm and heart, and let’s not forget a little romance.

What makes it great to sing-along to is the familiarity of the songs and the diverse catalogue of styles it showcases (the show had to fork quite a bit of money for rights). In the first four episodes alone the Glee kids have sung Journey, West Side Story, Celine Dion, Kanye West and Rihanna.

Three quarters of the singing is also done in context of the Glee club numbers. Unlike in most musicals, there’s no spontaneous singing and dancing for no apparent reason.

It’s no surprise then that Glee was picked up for an additional nine episodes, bringing its first season total to a full 22 episodes. Only four episodes in and Glee is breaking the bad reputation musicals series have gotten in the past, and has everyone singing its praises.

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