As a choir parent, I had years of experience with high school ensembles, regional performances and state competitions. So, when I heard Fox had a new show featuring high school kids who sing, I was somewhat skeptical it could deliver the necessary drama.  

But after watching the director’s cut for ‘Glee’ on Hulu, and the ‘Tweet-peat’ on Fox tonight, I’ve concluded that the buzz is deserved.  To call it “High School Musical with an edge”, as Newsday and the New York Times did last spring, or “singing teenagers” as the Wall Street Journal did this week, seriously underpromises the sly humor and creative characters.

True, we’ve seen the plot before. A dedicated teacher, Will Shuester, leads a group of misfits to overcome ridicule and discover inner talents (remember Hamlet2?). The student and faculty stereotypes are all there (i.e., ‘high school is a caste system’). And the outcome is certain. But Glee rises above the usual fare: 

1. Irony —  The humor goes beyond TV’s customary sight gags and situational comedy. When Will’s wife criticizes him for lacking a ‘creative outlet’ as she is surrounded by a craftroom complete with Santa closet the point comes home, and home again as she complains, ‘it’s hard for me not having the things I need – like a working glue gun’. Rachel, the aspiring diva is entirely earnest when declares “Being anonymous is worse than being poor”.
2. Talent – ‘Glee’s’ actors are truly talented and a pleasure to watch as they sing and dance.  Matthew Morrison (Hairspray on Broadway) plays Will,  Jessalyn Gilsig, (“Nip/Tuck” and “Heroes”) plays his whiny craft-obsessed wife, The cast also includes Jayma Mays (“Ugly Betty,” “Heroes”) as a sympathetic fellow teacher, Jane Lynch (“Talladega Nights,” “Two and a Half Men”) as the school’s autocratic cheerleading coach, and Lea Michele (“Spring Awakening” on Broadway) as the club’s female lead.
3. Music– The show takes chances I don’t usually see on TV with a mix of classic broadway numbers and pop hits. What shows today would feature ‘Cellophane man’, ‘You’re the one that I want’, ‘Rehab’, ‘Leavin’ on a Jet Plane’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ — all in the same show?  
4. Motivation – Glee give teens credit for wanting more out of high school than parties and sex. Rachel voices it best – “Doing something special makes you special” and “I don’t want to leave high school without something to show for it”.  The dilemma faced by the lead singer, played by actor Cory Monteith, is deeper than the surface tension between being in glee club and being on the football team, it is a struggle to rise above the norm and realize his potential.  “We’re all losers, maybe half will go to college and maybe two will leave the state to do it”.

Quality costs more and Glee is said to cost $3 million an episode, 25% more than most prime time dramas. Fox has made smart use of social media to promote the show. The pilot aired in May as a ‘sneak peek’ following the final performance of American Idol.  While it was risky to preview the show months ahead of time, the bet appears to have paid off. There was also a ‘Gleek Tour ‘ this summer. And tonight’s Tweet-peat (@gleeonfox) was creative and well-promoted (although I found it somewhat distracting).

Will Glee appeal to Millennials? I think so, and I also think it will have broader appeal, as well, thanks to the sophisticated humor and music, and talented cast. It rises above the usual ‘high school’  TVdrama genre. My only concern is that it will appeal more to girls than boys. Although glee clubs ae hot on college campuses with both men and women , many high school choirs struggle to attrack men. With her music background, my daughter loves Glee, but my 15-year old son prefers to watre-runs of Burn Notice and The Office.