Musicals and television have never been the best of friends. The genre just doesn’t seem to mesh with the boob tube, and audiences have never taken well to this merger.
It’s a hard concept to stomach, when you think about it. Imagine Seinfeld’s Jerry and George eating at Monk’s restaurant when all of a sudden they break out in song, singing about their marble rye or a black and white cookie? Doesn’t sit well, does it?
Oh, there have been plenty of attempts at forging a relationship between musicals and television, but all have failed miserably. Who can forget CBS’s 2007 musical-dramedy Viva Laughlin, about a businessman opening a casino in Las Vegas? Not even the acclaimed Sexiest Man Alive cast member Hugh Jackman could save this dud and it was cancelled after only two episodes.
And then there’s the infamous Cop Rock, which was named on TV Guide’s Worst TV Show’s of All Time list in 2002. This 1990 production was a musical police drama, and ABC cancelled it after an astounding 11 episodes.
While these series have failed, other television shows added musical flavours in small doses. Some very cringe-worthy and some pretty fun. Scrubs, The Drew Carey Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, That ‘70s Show, 7th Heaven, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope and Xena: Warrior Princess all have had musical episodes.
Heck, even Oz has a musical episode. For real! The only television show that somehow has made musical television work is Flight of the Conchords, but it’s much more about musical parodies.
And, of course, who can forget about the biggest television musical phenomenon, the High School Musical movies? But that’s a different story.
I have to admit, I’ve never been a big fan of musicals. I think it’s because of the insincerity of the genre. Everything is so exaggerated, so over-the-top and ... well ... corny. People don’t chat; they bellow. They don’t walk; they skip and frolic. I just can’t get into it and always end up laughing uncontrollably. I recently saw the Dirty Dancing musical on stage and couldn’t keep a straight face the entire time. My mother kept swatting my arm. It was a scene.
So with all these strikes against musical television and me being a Debbie Downer about the genre, why is it that this fall’s most buzzed-about show is, you guessed it, a musical?
Glee, the little show that could, is going to defy all odds and charm the pants off naysayers like me.
From the creators of Nip/Tuck comes this new comedy that follows an idealistic teacher played by the endearingly adorable Matthew Morrison (As the World Turns), who attempts to save McKinley High’s glee club from extinction. He manages to recruit some of the school’s biggest underdogs from obscurity and inspire them through the magic of choir.
The usual archetypes are here: the overachiever nerd-type, the closeted gay boy, the guy in the wheelchair who gets locked in a porta-potty, the diva, the punk rocker, as well as a poached quarterback who wants to protect his manly reputation but his passion for singing outshines the football field.
Added to the already outstanding cast is Jane Lynch with her impeccable comedic timing as the tyrannical cheerleading coach, and Heroes actress Jayma Mays as a germaphobic fellow teacher.
Sounds like a pretty safe, maybe even typical show premise, right? Well, the sneak peak of the pilot, which aired in May immediately following the American Idol finale (smart), brought in close to 10 million viewers. The cast’s version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” was available on ITunes for download after the showed aired and soared to a No. 2 spot on the charts.
I would say this show has a very good chance of breaking the musical stereotype and here are some more reasons why:
Timing
| Glee couldn’t have debuted at a better time. Now, more than ever, audiences are receptive to this genre. They’ve been primed and pampered with American Idol and America’s Got Talent, and Glee will definitely find its viewership among these folks. It’s also proven that during a recession more people watch TV. Nielsen News reported last season that TV watching went up 30.6 per cent because, frankly, people just want to be entertained and forget about their worries. This light-hearted, very entertaining TV show has a bit of everything for everyone of every age. The tween High School Musical fans will dig the high school drama and young cast, fans of comedies like the The Office will get a kick out of the offbeat comedy of Jane Lynch, and its PG enough that families can watch and single women won’t mind peeping at the lovable Matthew Morrison. |
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Believability
I said before that my main issue with musicals is their exaggeration. They’re just not believable in the television format, but in Glee it makes total sense that a high school choir would be singing songs. And that’s the only time you’ll hear songs in this show. There are no cafeteria solos or locker room duets, the music is kept where it belongs, from the mouths of the glee club.
Viewer involvement
Glee is one smart cookie. Like other shows finally catching on to how important soundtracks are to the show, Glee will make all of its songs available on ITunes following the episodes. Shows like Flight of the Conchords had great success doing this in its second season, and now Glee is following suit. I think when series do this kind of thing, viewers get excited about the involvement. And this ITunes venture will only have audiences anticipating and tuning in to the next episode, eager to find out what songs the glee club will sing.
The music
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The music the cast sings on the show has a bit of everything for everybody. Murphy chooses all the music himself and set out to create a balance between charted songs and show tunes. He told the LA Times, “I want there to be something for everybody in every episode. That’s a trick mix, but that’s very important.” The songs featured in just the first episode range from Les Miserables’ “On My Own” to Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab.” Apparently singer Rihanna has offered her single “Take a Bow” for use in the show, as has the piano man, Billy Joel. Later episodes are said to feature songs from Van Halen, The Rolling Stones and Kanye West, as well as tunes from Broadway shows like Guys and Dolls and Oliver! |
Musical/comedy hybrid
I love that Glee is musical without following the traditions of a musical genre and it’s a comedic without being a full-blown laugh-in. And when the songs get too much, the comic relief takes the corniness off the song and dance numbers. The hybrid mix of music and comedy is ultimately the right combination to make this a shining star. The creators have managed to perfect the best of both worlds, producing a high energy show that will have you singing along and laughing out loud.
Glee premières tonight – Wednesday, Sept 2 – at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox/Global.
What do you think of Glee? Do you think musicals and television mix? Any thoughts or comments? E-mail me at jessica.russell@tvguide.ca
TELLY TUNAGE: PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK
St. Vincent, “Now Now”
No Age, “You're a Target”
Native Fauna, “The Dungeness of Mirrors”
Islands, “Vapours”
The Dutchess And the Duke, “Hands”
JESSICA’S JUKEBOX: FRESH TUNES YOU GOTTA HEAR
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Dan Mangan – Nice, Nice, Very Nice (FU:M)
Vancouver indie folk singer-songwriter Dan Mangan fully lives up to this sophomore album’s name as it instantly wins you over as this summer’s perfect road-trip soundtrack. His super-catchy singalong numbers offer quirky perspectives on the world with piano toe-tappers and rootsy guitars strums. His silly but endearing single “Robots,” which professes that robots need love too, could very well be my favourite song of the year. But he balances this earnestness with a few melancholy tales, like in “You Silly Girl,” and brings down the scenesters in “The Indie Queens Are Waiting.” After one listen, you’ll find yourself returning to this album over and over again until it becomes a staple in your collection.
Recommended if you dig ... Joel Plaskett or Hey Rosetta!
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Various Artists – Weeds: Music From the Series Vol. 4 (Lions Gate)
Season 4 of my favourite show, Weeds, saw Nancy Botwin escape her fire-engulfed hometown and move her family to a new beachside house on the border of Mexico. She gave up dealing dope and turned a blind eye to whatever shenanigans were going on in the tunnels below her phoney maternity store. She also frequented into Mexico and met a devastatingly handsome mayor. Now Season 5 debuts Sept. 13 – what better way to get in the spirit of the show than with this easy, breezy soundtrack? Fittingly, Latin flavours and California styles set the tone for this compilation, with tracks from Toots & the Maytals (an aptly named song “Celia”), Soul Swingers, the Handsome Devil, Mucca Pazza and the Mountain Goats.
Recommended if you dig ... Latin music.
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Modest Mouse – No One’s First And Your Next (Epic)
Modest Mouse has put out this latest compilation to keep fans busy until its next album. No One’s First And Your Next consists of re-recordings of material previously available on rare seven-inch vinyl only. The opener, “Satellite Skin,” is one of the heavy-hitting, wailing guitar stomps that would have fit nicely alongside the group’s smash hit, “Float On.” Other highlights include the organic, pastoral hymn “Autumn Beds,” the eclectic, brassy Tom Waits-meets-Isaac Brock sound of “King Rat” and the dark, one-chord introspective jam “Whale Song.” This collection is a must for Modest Mouse fans that missed the vinyl and want a reminder of the group’s ability until it releases another great album.
Recommended if you dig ... Arcade Fire or Mercury Rev.
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Spirits – Spirits (Sonic Unyon)
Keep an ear open for recent Sonic Unyon signing Spirits, which drops its first album later in September. This Hamilton-based trio (singer Brad Germain hails from rock group Marble Index) has a sound that could only come from musicians who are no doubt music nerds themselves. Spirits fuses a whole slew of influences that will thrill anyone who noticed a lack of pop hooks and melody in today’s indie music scene. Overall, the record leans towards the poppy lost new wave sound of Echo & The Bunnymen, Spoons, or New Order. Songs like “Pencil Neck” wouldn’t be out of place on one of David Bowie’s ‘80s records. However, the whole thing feels very contemporary when compared to this year’s hot group Phoenix, which Spirits might be Ontario’s answer to. Loose and lots of fun. I hope to hear more from this exciting new group.
Recommended if you dig ... Phoenix, The Cure or Echo & The Bunnymen. |
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