Glee-ful Entertainment

I came to a stunning realization last night at about 9:25 p.m., I actually watch a musical every week. Hard to believe, but it's true.

Musicals have never been my favorite genre. I am more of a realist, so people breaking out in song randomly as they are carrying out their day doesn't make a lot of sense. However, in recent years that's gotten broken down a little. In 2002, when the big screen version of "Chicago" was released, I actually loved the movie and felt it deserved to win Best Picture among the films it was nominated against. (The real Best Picture was "About Schmidt" which failed to earn a nomination).

Then, last spring, came "Glee." I watched the pilot on somewhat of a lark. Afterall, a one-hour musical about kids in a high school glee club didn't sound like my kind of show. Needless to say, after the first hour last May, I was hooked. And the show's only kept my attention since then.

Yes, it's about high school students. Yes, it's a musical. Yes, it's silly at times. But it's also the kind of original, innovative storytelling there isn't enough of. While I don't agree with all the political stances or storylines, at least "Glee" isn't afraid to tackle bigger issues, too.

Here are three reasons I love "Glee."

1. The writing. This show is clever, but it's also got heart. "Glee" moves deftly from laugh-out-loud hilarious, to bittersweet, tender moments easily. It's the rare show that can make you laugh and cry in the same hour, yet leaves you satisfied and wanting more.

2. Sue Sylvester. The scene-stealing Jane Lynch provides one of the snarkiest, sharpest characters on television. But if Sue was a one-note villain, the show wouldn't work. That why those rare glimpses at Sue's soul — which Lynch also plays beautifully — have made her the villain you can't help but like. Her one-liners don't hurt either.

3. The music. This show is a musical, but it's not like other musicals. The producers work hard to capture a variety of sounds from a variety of artists. Already this season the cast has made a Journey classic rise to the top of iTunes charts and covered songs from Kanye West, Chris Brown, the Beatles, Celine Dion, AC/DC, Lionel Ritchie, Charlie Chaplin, and a whole episode devoted to Madonna, among others. In other words, there is no artist and genre this talented cast can't tackle. And all the songs are brilliantly weaved into the narrative in such a way that they help tell the story of that episode.

For all those reasons, and many more, "Glee" is one of the true treasures on TV right now. Even if you don't like musicals, it's worth giving this gem a chance.

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