Tuesday, November 17, 2009

What's All The Glee About?

Last weekend Ed and I watched the first nine episodes of Glee. We are now up to date and ready for tomorrow's new episode. I know Ed could give a rat's ass, but I don't know where the hell I've been for the last six months; it's been on since May! I remember seeing the coming attractions for the show and exclaiming to Ed, "We have to watch that!" And by "we" I mean "me" because I know he doesn't care. Apparently we both forgot about it. For six months. Thank God for Hulu.

We don't watch a lot of TV in the truck. If I didn't listen to the radio, I'd have no idea what was going on in the world. Most of the time, that's just fine. And up until two weeks ago, I only watched two shows; Flash Forward and Grey's Anatomy. Then I added Modern Family, which by the way, is hysterical. And now there's Glee.

When I posted my discovery of Glee on Facebook, I realized that others were talking about it too. And not just my friends; even the
Los Angeles Times has their eye on it. I don't know if I can explain what makes me like a show that in some people's eyes is considered cheesy. In fact, someone on Facebook had the nerve to call it a "stupid sitcom"; but I'll cut that person some slack since they're in their mid-sixties.

The show sort of reminds me of Fame. Remember that one? School full of talent, girls walking the halls in their ballet sweaters and leg warmers, guys in their MC Hammer pants carrying band instrument cases? The drama, romance and everyday student life; all set to an incredible and danceable soundtrack? Whatever it was, it worked. Just like Glee does.

How can you not love a show that makes you like the Thong Song? Or that finds a guest star spot for 4'11" Kristin Chenoweth’s powerhouse voice? Or who makes you love a Journey song in the very same way you did the first time you heard it?

When I watch Glee, I want to be every one of those beautifully talented characters. I love the music. The energy. The creativity. The youth. The everything. I want to be the black girl with the diva attitude belting out songs. I want to be friends with the gay guy who has the fashion guts to rock a clear vinyl trenchcoat. I want to be torn between the smokin' hot bad boy with the mohawk who makes a Neil Diamond song cool, and the smokin' hot dumb jock who makes you forget all about Chris Brown. I want to be the mysophobic guidance counselor with the wicked crush on the handsome and talented Spanish teacher/Glee coach. Even though I'm over forty, I still love that butterfly in the stomach feeling you get from seeing the boy you really, really like walking the hall. How you feel when he talks to you; how you feel when he doesn't. When I watch Glee, the butterflies are out in full force.

So why do I really like this show? It's the elation my heart and body feels when the songs are belted out perfectly and the dance numbers pulled off so smoothly. It's the smile plastered on my face from beginning to end, loving the awkwardness of the teen life but also wanting to be that girl again. It's the dancing I do in the kitchen of my truck as I get dinner ready or wash dishes. It's the glee.

Merriam-Webster defines glee as "exultant, high spirited joy." And that's why I watch it.

For the joy.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO: Connecting Over The Mystic River
2 YEARS AGO: Randomly Weird
3 YEARS AGO: Eddie Acts Like A Five Year Old Friday
4 YEARS AGO: From Earth To Heaven

7 comments:

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

I loved this post! Well, I also love the show, so that's probably why I loved your writing about it so much.

You truly captured the way I feel about the show.

(And the smokin' bad-boy with the mohawk.) :)

Stephie said...

You captured the essence perfectly...I love Glee!

Anonymous said...

Glee Blows! Get real.

The Daily Rant said...

Amber: Thanks! (And keep your hands off mohawk boy - he's mine!)

Stephie: Who doesn't love Glee?

Anonymous: Again...who doesn't love Glee? And I'm sure you mean it blows in the "good way".

Evil Pixie said...

Anything with Jane Lynch in it is worth watching.

Dreamybee said...

So, am I not the only one who stood up and cheered at the end of the first episode?

Crystal S. said...

You totally summed up how I feel when I watch that show. I love it. Makes me feel like I'm in Show Choir again, crushing on a football player I flirt with in Geometry class (or any of those other crushes I had every month). Ahh, the music! I think the soundtrack just came out.