Glee (2009)

About Glee

Glee is an iconic American musical comedy-drama television series that aired on the Fox network from 2009 to 2015. The series follows a high school glee club called 'The New Directions', their optimistic director William Schuester, and their trials, tribulations, and triumphs as they navigate the complexities of high school life and show choir competition.

The show touched on serious issues such as bullying, discrimination, disability, teen pregnancy, and addiction, with a healthy dose of song, dance, and humor. Each episode featured multiple song and dance numbers, often reinterpreted hits of past and present pop culture.

Making/Production

'Glee' was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. Originally envisioned as a film, Ian Brennan wrote the series as a reaction to his own experiences in a high school choir. The script was picked by Fox as a series, and it quickly garnered a significant fan base, praised for its heartening take on important social issues, diverse characters, and stellar musical performances.

Actors

• Lea Michele as Rachel Berry - A driven and talented singer, Michele delivered a powerful performance of a girl who, despite her intense desire to be popular, remains a social outcast.
• Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson - Portrayed endearingly by Monteith, Finn navigates the tricky landscape of high school popularity and identity while showcasing his love for music.
• Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez - Rivera successfully depicted a complex character with her portrayal of popular, sharp-tongued cheerleader Santana, who grapples with her sexuality.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The show was originally conceived as a film.
• Many of the show's cast members weren't actually teenagers but were playing teenage characters.
• The term 'Gleek', a blend of Glee + Geek, was coined by the show’s fan base.

Awards

Glee has won and been nominated for numerous awards over its six-season run. Notably, it won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2010 and 2011 and a Primetime Emmy Award for Jane Lynch for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Quotes

• "The hardest word to say is 'goodbye.'"
• "Being part of something special does not make you special. Something is special because you're a part of it."
• "I'm like Tinkerbell, Finn. I need applause to live."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Don't Stop Believing" - Journey
• "Defying Gravity" - from the musical 'Wicked'
• "Teenage Dream" - Katy Perry