GLEE IS SHAKIN' RATTLIN' & ROLLIN'

 Marion Pelicano Ambrose

Are you a “Gleek”? If so, you’re in good company.  The hit show “GLEE” has become the #1 show of teens as well as the #3 favorite among the 18-49 crowd.  It’s hard to argue with 16 million song downloads, the #1 soundtrack of 2010, 2 Grammy Award nominations, and 19 Emmy and 11 Golden Globe nominations. Glee scored with 4 Emmy Awards in 2010 as well. There is a long list of other awards (Peabody, Screen Actors Guild etc) but I think you get the point. Glee is a cultural phenomenon!

The show centers around a group of high school “misfits” including a Goth girl, confused quarterback, disabled guy who dances with his wheelchair , and the gay guy with the absolute killer voice, to name a few. Even though the characters are somewhat stereotyped, they are portrayed as unique individuals with feelings, hopes, dreams and without exception AMAZING voices. Even their teacher, Will and his nemesis, Sue Sylvester the evil cheerleading coach.  Each week a theme emerges and the music and dancing are incredible! Tackling themes such as Rocky Horror Picture Show and Michael Jackson’s Thriller would cause other shows to tremble, but not Glee! Each week they outdo themselves!

As if the regular cast was not enough, Glee features guest appearances by top notch performers such as Carol Burnett, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Chenoweth, Olivia Newton John, Britney Spears, John Stamos and Neil Patrick Harris, who won an Emmy for his work on the show.

The cast of Glee has performed at the White House for the President and First Lady, sang the National Anthem at the World Series, appeared on Oprah and were seen on the cover of several magazines including Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone. They also took their talent on a cross country concert tour that sold out in every single city they toured.

So if you haven’t had the pleasure of watching, dancing and singing along with Glee, better get with it!  You wouldn’t want to be the only one who isn’t a “Gleek”, now would you?