Glee

Drama-comedies are a norm as television programs, but musicals on the other hand, are more often than not seen in movie formats as opposed to being aired as regular television shows. The fusing of these two genres is intriguing and certainly leads viewers to wonder whether or not "Glee" is littered with nothing but old cliches or, is a new groundbreaking fusion that will surpass expectations. A pilot episiode of "Glee" provides some insight into this query. The creators of this show do in fact use stereotypes and stock characters but combine them with fresh ideas that stand out and enhance the viewer's experience.

The word "musical" alone is enough to evoke familiar images from former films such as "Grease" and Disney's "High School Musical." In fact, both of these movies were alluded to during the pilot episode. In addition to rehearsing with a "Grease" song, male leads Finn and Danny Zuko can relate to one another. They are both confronted with the conflicting desire to follow their heart while attempting to fulfill social expectations of what they should be. Finn can also relate to "High School Musical's" Troy Bolton. Both have a difficult time reconciling masculine traits with their innermost dreams. To be more precise, they are torn between sports and their passion for singing. This struggle is tied to their need to maintain roles as "alpha males" for their sports teams, in conjunction with balancing a softer side for their show choirs (which are seen as feminine). In addition, the romantic chemistry between Troy and Gabriella is paralleled by that between Finn and Glee's female lead, Rachel.

On a non-musical level, "Glee" has other elements that are not original. The bickering between co-workers, and the constant rumors that run through the faculty and staff of the school are similar to the work environment seen in "The Office." Stereotypes about society are also evident. Mr. Schuester's car is old, reflecting the belief that teachers don't make a good living from their income. We also see the typical jock and cheerleader couple. Furthermore, the age old question about happiness is posed: is happiness to be obtained with success through material wealth or by pursuing one's passions?

Although "Glee" has many qualities that are representative of former shows, characters and stereotypes, it is important to note that "Glee" is different in that it infuses modern situations with a new genre. For example, Mr. Schuester points out that many students have myspace pages because they don't have a real life. This psychological insight is a recent problem that has emerged and has not been well-developed in other tv shows. The pilot episode even shows a group of cheerleaders mocking and cyber-bullying Rachel for what they perceive as "pathetic." Additionally, while some may argue that the references to other shows is boring, it may be argued that these allusions serve to actually enhance the viewer's experience. By alluding to other characters and stories, the creators of "Glee" create a sense of familiarity for their audience to be able to better understand, relate to, and sympathize with the characters. In other words, the show is not uncomfortable, awkward and confusing like some sci-fi programs. Furthermore, the musical aspect of the show heightens the intensity and artistic appeal of the show. The choreography that goes into producing a simple three-minute musical scene takes much artistic skill to produce--something that other shows end up sacrificing as a result of their monotonous genre.