My name is Kristine, and I am a Gleek

Although publicized as an hour comedy, Glee integrates dramatic and heart-felt moments woven into some of the best comedic performances seamlessly…you won’t find another show that can utilize all mediums of performance better than Glee. As much as I have rhapsodized about the show itself, I have said nothing about the music. So far, only 3 individuals (Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk & Ryan Murphy) have been slated to write each episode of Glee, which is PHENOMENAL given the amount of work it takes penning each episode and thinking of which songs fit perfectly with each scene. Cast members state Ryan Murphy’s head is like an ongoing Ipod library, which makes sense given the wide range of songs selected thus far. No time period is out of context, from soft-rock “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” (originally performed by REO Speedwagon) to Liza Minelli’s “Maybe This Time”…no song is predictable or out of reach for this show.

What is more amazing is that this show can revitalize songs in such a way that you can’t even remember the original singer of the selected songs…case in point, Avril Lavigne’s “Keep Holding On.” I would have never imagined this song being chosen for a revamping ensemble musical performance, but silly me because surprises and novelty are inherent in the makeup of Glee. I can't take back previous musical preferences, so I will admit that there was a time I supported Lavigne’s hit songs when she first started making waves onto the pop chart scene. But I have no recollection of her singing “Keep Holding On” nor do I even want to remember how she originally performed it. Glee sings this song in such a way you will think Ryan Murphy wrote the song specifically to be performed for the amazing episode and scene it is used for. It is one of the most poignant performances and one of my favorites, not just for the song itself, but for those facial nuances that Quinn, Finn, and Rachel have mastered perfectly while enmeshed in a love triangle (now a love square) for the books.

Glee creators scored big finding the perfect Rachel Berry for their ensemble. Lea Michele started in the early 90’s on Broadway’s Les Misérables and subsequently gained notoriety for the leading role in Spring Awakening. Lea’s time on Broadway led her to meeting fellow Broadway alums and current cast mates, Jenna Ushkowitz aka Tina (whom she has known since she was 7) and Matthew Morrison who nails the role of the endearing Mr. Schuester. The brilliant Matthew Morrison had acting and theatre written all over him from an early age which led to an education at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and roles on Broadway’s Footloose, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray, and the Light in the Piazza which would garner Morrison a Tony Award nomination.

My favorite facet of Mr. Schuester is his ability to balance the genuine compassion his character elicits towards his students and oh, Emma, while maintaining the ability to break it down and sing Kanye’s Goldigger and Sisquo’s Thong Song…who else could pull off singing those songs? I would be hard-pressed to find someone who questions Emma's infatuation with him. Amber Riley’s (aka Mercedes) show stopping numbers ala Jennifer Hudson have also contributed to Glee’s musical success…just listen to one song and I can guarantee chills. American Idol producers were certifiably insane to turn her down, but luckily they did so that we can savor Riley's versions of “Hate on Me” and “Bust Your Windows.”

I can’t wait to see the other musical numbers Glee has in store. If "Like a Prayer" and a certain Annie Lennox number, ok I'll say it, "Broken Glass" are performed, I will buy all my favorite friends massive amounts of drinks and do the worm. Glee Volume 2’s tracks have recently been announced and if this is an auspice of what’s to come, I hope to have a collection of at least 50 volumes of Glee songs at some point…

1. "Proud Mary" by CCR

2. "Endless Love" by Dianna Ross & Lionel Richie

3. "I’ll Stand By You" by The Pretenders

4. "Don’t Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl" by The Police

5. "Crush" by Jennifer Paige

6. "(You’re) Having My Baby" by Paul Anka

7. "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers

8. "Don’t Make Me Over" by Dionne Warwick

9. "Imagine" by John Lennon

10. "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper

11. "Jump" by Van Halen

12. "Smile" by Lily Allen

13. "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin

14. "And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going" by Jennifer Holliday

15. "Don’t Rain On My Parade" by Barbara Streisand

16. "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones

17. "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

Gold Stars for...

Ok, so every once in a while a television show comes along that blows you away right? For me, that every once in a while is quite literal; although I feel the need to partake in most shows to stay up to the speed on the latest pop-culture lingo, it takes a certain type of show to elicit the kind of excitement that makes me want to scream on a mountain “IIIIII LOOOOVE THIIIS SHOOWWW.” No really, I get that feeling. I had my time in middle school where I felt that way about too many shows, where it actually became stressful attempting to stay on top of the latest episodes…lets face it, the days before online television and tivo were rough. Then there was quite a lull for me; yes, I had 27 glorious episodes of the first season of the O.C. followed by 2 phenomenal seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, but these shows ultimately fell flat on their faces after their initial adulation and enthusiastic reception.

I had been waiting for another show to evoke the mountain screaming feeling in me; then, something happened, Fox aired a trailer for an upcoming show during an episode of American Idol. The preview looked promising and as soon as I saw the words “Created by Ryan Murphy” flash across the screen I was convinced I was in for something innovative coupled with a type of sharp wit that elicits your nerdiest and best laugh. You see, you know those aforementioned middle school shows that I was obsessed with? Ryan Murphy was responsible for one of those—the WB’s (RIP the WB) Popular. Although this show only lasted two seasons, it delivered 22 episodes during its first year of the most ridiculous and imaginative dialogue and story lines. Its characters were fantastic, quirky, and unusual. After Popular’s premature cancellation, Murphy went on to garner much success for his next ingenious creation, Nip/Tuck.

Murphy’s intro brings me back to that promising trailer which emerged into one of the best television shows on the air right now: GLEE. As of now, it is the only FOX show slated for a full season pick-up, as the other 8 million viewers agree, Glee has something special. At a quick glance this could easily appear as another trite high school fable of the popular jock and his shiny, trophy cheerleader extraordinaire girlfriend. I’ve heard other gainsayers state that it’s nothing more than a high school musical rip off. Well, my money says Rachel Berry (the enchanting Lea Michele) would win in a smack down with Vanessa Hudgens’ Gabriella, vocally and most definitely physically.

Not only is Rachel Berry the best character to grace television this year, she’s also the most humble. I try to live by her gold star mantra each day and remember that this blog may be what is precluding my dating options, cause as Rachel said it best, “You might think that all the boys in school wanna tap this…but my myspace schedule keeps me super busy.” Well said, Rach. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find the nearest mountain...think Johnny Drama and "VICTORYYYYYY."