Pleak Watch Glee (2009-2015)!
Photo courtesy of Keith McDuffee/Wikimedia Commons
A show that has remained relevant since its release in 2009, Glee (2009-2015) daringly explores many social issues while maintaining its comedic attitude. Though it has faced some critiques for the way it handled said issues, the show has been praised for bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ youth in particular.
If you are looking to fill your time with a show that has been influential to pop culture, Glee (2009-2015) is the show for you. Glee (2009-2015) started production in 2009 and ran until 2015. People still make references to episodes that aired over 15 years ago, and the jokes still hold up.
Glee (2009-2015) is a show that is filled with heartache, humor, conflict, and most importantly… show tunes. The show centers around a glee club (called New Directions) that was formed at McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio and is seen as a place for people with a love of music to bond and build a community. Although of course, this community dealt with many characters who tormented them and tried to break their spirit.
The main character Rachel Barry, played by Lea Michele, was considered the star of McKinley High and what made her character special was how insufferable she was. She was talented and never let anyone forget it. A good portion of the glee club had problems with Rachel Barry at one point or another, whether it be because of her selfish nature, or for berating other people for failing to give “110 percent” in every performance. This caused a main point of contention with several members of the glee club—Mercedes, Santana, and Tina—all of whom are minorities at a predominantly white school, where they deal with being passed up for opportunities time after time despite their immense talent.
Glee (2009-2015) deals with issues of inequity, but in a way that is digestible, which makes it very entertaining. Regarded as a pivotal piece of queer media, this show was the first time many LGBTQ+ teenagers in the early 2000s and 2010s had relatable on-screen characters navigating high school and dealing with similar hardships. Along with LGBTQ+ issues, suicidal ideation, racial bias, and teen pregnancy were also addressed in the show. For example, one of the main characters, Santana, struggles with the conflicting identities of her sexuality as a lesbian and her traditional Hispanic background. Another character, Quinn Fabray, who was captain of the cheer team and president of the celibacy club, dealt with teen pregnancy and had to cope with her religious parents’ disapproval.
Framing these plots in the show, there are a plethora of Glee (2009-2015) covers spanning all of the six seasons. Dare I say some of the covers in the show are better than the original songs. Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” which is performed in the show by Blaine Anderson is one that immediately comes to mind. There were also some original songs that were performed by both New Directions in season four and some solo original songs in the later seasons. One of my personal favorites is “Colorblind,”performed by Mercedes in season five. I personally have a Glee (2009-2015) playlist that I listen to quite often, with music that ranges widely across many genres, from metal to musical theatre. If you are a person who loves musical theatre or music in general, this is the show for you.
Glee (2009-2015) is a show that is in the hearts of many because of how influential, controversial, and funny it is. The show has become a major part of my personality, having watched it in its entirety six times. If you ever find yourself in need of a show that will change your life and you have a lot of time on your hands, Glee (2009-2015) is a great way to go!