Glee

Finally, a musical TV series! 

Before sounding off with grunts, I too have noticed the sudden upsurge of movie musicals (may it be on TV or in theaters) these past couple of years. I admit that I have seen all three HSMs (please put away the tomatoes), even the wannabe that Nickelodeon made (it was "edgy" compared to Disney's; it wasn't awful, just not that great). I'm not a big fan of this genre nor of the aforementioned movies, but I commend their dancing ability. Fine, the (selected) singing as well.

Glee, I am ashamed to say, at first seemed to me like a tremendously improved HSM crossed with Spectacular, the musical Nickelodeon made (this comment is based solely on the pilot episode). It is, of course, not even near that region; it's way way above. See, it has a show choir (same as Spectacular) that a super popular top jock (like HSM) joined where he is inadvertently paired with a "geeky" girl (again, like HSM). 

However, the similarities end there. Glee is just so much better and the singers sound at least 10 1/2 times more awesome than the fluffy teeny musicals. It's about a teacher who aims to revive the glory of the glee club because he was once a member of it. I love his passion for his students and man can he sing. 

The glee club only has six members: Finn (the jock), Rachel (the geeky girl with a superstar complex), Kurt (the metro guy), Mercedes (the Beyonce), Artie (the guy in the wheelchair), and Tina (the edgy Asian girl). 

The story starts with Mr. Schuester calling for auditions for the glee club under the new name New Directions. Only the five came; Finn was blackmailed into joining after Mr. Schuester overheard him singing in the locker room. At first he was obviously unwilling, but he remembered how he loved singing as a child and this was his only outlet for that. As all stereotypical jocks go, his teammates ridicule him for doing something they think is unmanly - and also hate that he now saves "losers" rather than take part in bullying them.

Rachel, on the other hand, loves to sing. She just loves it. She makes daily recordings of herself singing and posts it on her MySpace page. She is laughed at because of this and always gets some sort of drink splashed on her face and clothes.

As for Mr. Will Schuester, he is possibly the best teacher in the world. However, his life isn't so perfect. He has a psycho wife who would've qualified as a gold digger if only Will had any gold. She allows herself to have a room dedicated to her crafts (literally arts and crafts stuff) while Will gets an earful night after night because he's pursuing his passion by directing the glee club. He is given an ultimatum: the kids or his family. The wife discloses her pregnancy.

The show choir, after encountering compatibility problems and learning of their teacher's pending departure, finally got together and worked harmoniously, thus producing a perfectly wonderful number. Mr. Schuester, on his way out, heard an amazing sound emanating from the auditorium. He peeked inside and discovered that it was his group performing. With pride that could make people cry showing on his face, he applauded them and said, "From the top."

It was an overall heartwarming pilot episode. Some say it's underwhelming because they were so hyped up by the teasers. For me, it was just right. This show is filled with colorful characters that there is no chance for boredom to ever slip in. I'm really excited to see what would happen next. I'm especially looking forward to their performances.