Five reasons to become a 'Gleek'
Five reasons to become a 'Gleek'
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Friday, 08, Jan 2010 04:29
By Lewis Bazley.
A smash hit in the US, with cover versions propelled up the charts in the days after broadcast, its leads placing in People's 'Sexiest Men Alive' list and, in the shape of Jane Lynch's cheerleading coach, one of the greatest characters on television, Glee arrives in the UK on Monday January 11th. You must watch it.
Why? Well, for a start it's got multi-generational appeal. Glee combines the saccharine 'I just want to dance. ' feel of your High School Musicals and Fames with a tongue-in-cheek take on soap opera storylines. Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy's scripts are adult enough to feature references to waterboarding, hepatitis and ethnic minorities alongside the "friends forever. ", "being a part of something special makes you special" platitudes that could otherwise alienate UK viewers. And, most importantly, the songs are superb, whether taking in soft-rock (Don't Stop Believin'), Broadway fanfares (Defying Gravity) or winning mash-ups of Beyonce ballads with 80s cheeseathons.
Before the first series kicks off with a double bill on Monday night, here's five reasons why you should be ready to call yourself a "gleek".
Don't Stop Believin'
The big finale of the pilot episode, it's not as polished as later song-and-dance numbers but in covering Journey's 1981 classic - a track already featured in The Wedding Singer, Family Guy and The Sopranos, to name but three - provides a stirring climax to the series opener.
Rachel Berry
Lea Michele has received a Golden Globe nomination for her work as aspiring Broadway star Rachel, with 23-year-old fairly recognised for comic timing and her chemistry with Corey Monteith (Finn). And with stage runs in Les Miserables and Spring Awakening under her belt, she's got the pipes to merit the young Streisand comparisons.
Kurt Hummel
Chris Colfer's audition for Glee impressed Ryan Murphy so much that the role of gay male soprano was written into the series. One of the most flamboyant characters on mainstream television, he's a more positive role model for openly gay youngsters than blog bullies like Perez Hilton and frequently capable of hilarity.
Sue Sylvester
Another Golden Globe nominee, Jane Lynch will be well known to fans of Christopher Guest's mockumentaries but her role as head coach of the 'Cheerios' cheerleading squad is her crowning glory. Capable of vicious cruelty, an unorthodox pro-littering stance and a dictatorial streak to match Mussolini, she's a fantastically villainous creation.
And finally
The brilliance of the ensemble
While former West Wing and Wicked actress Kristin Chenoweth makes a scene-stealing cameo, the outstanding 12-strong rendition of Freddie Mercury's soul-searching gospel number isn't just the best moment of the episode, it's one of the best of the series. The cast's voices combine superbly and it's little surprise songwriters have been banging down Murphy's door to have their song covered on Glee.
Glee - Monday 11th January at 9pm on E4 and Sunday 17th at 5.35pm on T4.