If executed poorly, Fox's newest comedy, Glee, could have been a total disaster. Its premise - an enthusiastic young teacher seeks to save the glee club from total extinction, proving naysayers wrong and providing high schools with a chance to "realize their true star potential" - comes dangerously close to cheesy and overdone. However, strong writing and superb characters save this show from the cliche.
The Glee Anchor: Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
Broadway veteran Matthew Morrison plays the lead role of Will Schuester, an enthusiastic teacher who draws upon his own fond memories of glee club to inspire and lead a reluctant and eclectic group of high school students. His strong and rich voice, as well as professional dance moves, serve to anchor the rest of the cast during the singing and dancing numbers.
Will's personal life is great comedic material for the show - he is happily married to a woman who could be described as certifiably insane. Terri Schuester pressures Will into buying a house they cannot afford to accommodate their growing family - only to fake it after she finds out it was a "hysterical pregnancy" and there was never a baby. By contrast, awkward and germaphobic high school guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury harbours a secret love for Will that he is completely oblivious to - so far.
Typical, yet not-so-typical high school students
Glee is faithful to the tradition of portraying a span of archetypal students. In the pilot, the audience is introduced to the neurotic everygirl who dreams of being a star (Rachel); the reluctant football player with the beautiful voice (Finn); the mean cheerleader (Quinn), the closeted gay kid (Kurt), the geeky - and disabled - musician (Artie); and the black diva (Mercedes). Yet, Glee succeeds where other comedies do not because it seems aware of these stereotypes and sets them up purposefully to knock them down in an irreverent and darkly comedic fashion. The first three episodes have already laid the groundwork for the "across the cliques" romance between Rachel and Finn, as well as the exploration of Kurt's sexuality via his coming out to Mercedes (after she mistakenly thinks that they are dating.)
Sue Sylvester as the cheerleading coach/villain
Glee is greatly assisted by its most compelling villain, high school cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, played brilliantly by Jane Lynch. Sue is seen most often on the show exercising on her stair climber while she hatches plots against Mr. Schuester and the glee clubbers with Quinn and her two cheerleader sidekicks. Thus far, Mr. Schuester has avoided being taken down by the cheerleaders, but they are sure to provide the show with many comedic moments and plot twists throughout the season.
Glee airs every Wednesday night 9/8c on Fox.
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