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Why are you watching Glee?

by Hemal Jhaveri, posted Oct 23rd 2009 11:02AM
GleeSo, tell me why you're watching Glee. Entertainment Weekly put the Fox musical/drama/comedy on it's cover this week, calling it "TV's Happiest Hour." With around 8 million people tuning in each week and iTunes sales of songs featured on the show going through the roof, there's no denying that Glee has turned into a barely contained phenomenon.

EW says it's "snarky, theatrical and totally addictive." All very true, but I watch for one reason: this show makes me happy. Nothing I've seen on TV in the past few years, much less this season, puts a grin on my face like these high school kids earnestly singing and dancing. I mean, come on. Did you see Puck's rendition of "Sweet Caroline"?

The mini-musical doesn't appeal to everyone, but it's been a long time since there's been a creative alternative to the hours of prime-time programming devoted to life-and-death medical dramas or gruesome true crime procedurals. These all have their place, but hardly provide a true escape from the drudgery of everyday worries.

Glee
is a happy zone. It's a modern day Busby Berkley number, though with less showgirls. I know, it's corny, but maybe loving Glee is all about "opening up your heart to joy." I use it as a weekly reminder that even with the constant stress we're all under, there's a place for joy in our daily lives, as well, even if it comes to us in tiny bits of song and dance. This is a lesson sorely missing from the current TV landscape.

So, readers tell me why you're hooked on Glee. Is it the singing? The dancing? Lea Michele's short skirts? Jane Lynch? Mark Salling's bad ass guns? Whatever the reason, leave it in the comments so I don't feel like the only sappy one.

[For more Glee, check out SlashControl.]

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silverstream1

I watch Glee for the same reasons as most of the posters here. Glee is an Amzingly fun and wonderfuls show about Modern day highschoolers and the show realy does bring out alot of the truth about what happens in highschools, a.k.a the bullying and the social groups. i mainly watch it becuase it makes me smile ( and squeel when somthing awsome happens!) i especialy love the Kurt/Blaine relationship that they have going. and becuase i Love all the actors/actresses that they have on the show ( Lea, Cory, Chris, Amber, Diana,Kevin Harry,Heather,Naya, Mark and anyothers i may have missed) The actors May not be A list now but I know that they will be very soon. the music on the show is Wonderful. GO GLEE!

March 24 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
PappaSmurf

I really enjoy the bizarre nostalgia some of the characters and events bring to me. They remind me of my High School experience in the late 80's. Also the fact that these kids are brimming over with hope for the future despite their individual struggles is refreshing. I am world weary of the victim dramas, and sad tales of crime that are so prevalent in TV today. Reality is bad enough that I don't need reminded by my TV. Love the joy of life with all its corny, awkward, and embarrasing moments displayed for us all to witness and enjoy. Kind of like watching that old sex tape you made with your girlfriend years ago. It didn't seem so funny at the time but now! LOL what a guilty pleasure.

October 29 2009 at 5:13 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
S Wilson

Glee is, for me, a happy hour-plus (however many times I refer to specific moments with my iPod). While maintaining a decidely "dark" and sometimes twisted aspect due to Ryan Murphy's influence, I watch Glee to laugh at the inapproriate jokes, subtle and not-so-subtle characteristics of each actor (watch how the character Finn maintains his difficulty with dancing and singing during the male mash-up during episode "Vitamin D"). There is also such heart behind many of the characters and storylines. While not everyone has had to "come out" , EVERYONE can relate to the importance of an individuals moments of authenticity. Many of us, myself included, are not always true to ourselves...it is refreshing to watch these characters deal with these difficulties without always being a cliche. Everyone wants to be liked, everyone wants to be popular---yet everyone feels like a "fish out of water". The musical aspect of Glee is icing on the cake for me! The musical selections and the performances are amazing!! I often share the musical moments with my girls. And FINALLY, these actors absolutely have chemistry!! I do find the false pregnancy a little too loony, but I have faith Ryan Murphy knows what he is doing with the crazy! Could the teacher's wife be anymore twisted yet have moments where we feel sympathy? There are so many things this show is doing right!

October 28 2009 at 1:04 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Hawthorn

Glee = Election + Fame

and that's why I watch.

October 24 2009 at 7:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pat

I watch it for Chris Colfer!! Jane Lynch is always amazing.

MORE CHRIS!!!!!!

October 24 2009 at 3:54 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
La-Di-Dah

...And I love Will's moves. And Emma's sweaters. And Sue's track suits. And Ken's shorts. Really, what don't I love about this show.
I love that they are teens and are wishy washy and change their minds about what they really want every second.
I love the potential that this show has to broaden and flesh out all these characters into people individually interesting and collectively amazing.
And Will and Emma belong together.

October 24 2009 at 2:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
La-Di-Dah

Maybe I am more a whimsical person that most, but I LOVE this show. It's different. It's hilarious. It's fun. It makes my day. It's a blast. Music's top notch (I don't care that they don't sing it live; they've still got beaut-iful voices). People need to stop taking the show seriously, because when you let go and just immerse yourself in the music and moves and Snarky Sue, it is a wonderfully crafted world. I never leave that world without a whimsical grin on my face.
I could go on and on...

October 24 2009 at 2:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
snarfscarf

I feel like I'm the only person who absolutely cannot stand this show. It's one of the most annoying things I've witnessed in years.

October 24 2009 at 1:40 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Sir Yuck-Yuck

~ Coach Sue of course, I love her madness.

October 23 2009 at 11:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara

Two words: Lea. Michele.

And also because I love musical theater, and finally there is a show out there on TV for the dorks! Plus it's such a happy show, and, GAH! I just love everything about it! But especially Lea Michele! I also love the fact that almost everyone in the cast is not an A-List celebrity (though I'm sure it's in their futures!!) and that they actually cast REAL talent, with Lea, Matt, and Jenna being Broadway veterans, and having guest stars like Kristin Chenoweth and Jonathan Groff. I'm really glad that Broadway is coming to TV, in a way.

October 23 2009 at 10:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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