The television show "Glee" started in 2009. It premiered after the reality show American Idol. During the following weeks, everyone was talking about the new musical show. The shows cover of a Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin” was all over the charts and from then on a generation of outcasts were completely hooked. The television series is much more than the theatricality. "Glee" covers and addresses many serious relevant situations that the viewers and non-viewers completely look past. The television show is revolutionary and controversial, covering topics such as gay and transgender studies, teen sex, domestic abuse, school shootings, and he overall outcast ideology of the Y generation. An article taken from the Brownstone Millennial Leaders research specifically addressing the problem generation asks why “Generation Y is so narcissistic, entitled and lazy?” (Fields). The television show continually proves this statement wrong. "Glee" is not just a singsong satire; rather it is a show of values and struggles that portrays realistic ways to deal with the degrading “Y” generation syndrome through artistic expression.
Ryan Murphy, one of the creator’s of "Glee," is an openly gay man. He has created numerous other successful series including "Nip Tuck" and "American Horror Story". "Glee" not like his other productions. "Glee" the strength and power of the degraded Y generation, rather then highlighting the negative effects. Murphy hooks the viewers with elaborate performances. The message behind each elaborate performance is made evident in the episodes. The roots of the television show come from the mind of Ian Brennan. He based the show off of experiences he had going to high school in Illinois and being part of a “Glee Club” or show choir similar to the “New Directions” in "Glee." Ryan Murphy jumped on board with the production completely rewriting the idea into a television series as he related to the show choir setting from past college experiences. (A&E Networks)
"Glee" focuses on the lives of the students in the show choir “New Directions”. The time frame of every episode takes place over one school week. The show choir teacher/director Mr. Shuester announces a theme of the week in the beginning of the show. Throughout the episode, the characters use songs that pertain to the theme of the week to express their emotions. The students can sing a love ballad to their boyfriend or girlfriend, belt out an empowering tune, or even choke through an emotionally charged performance regarding a serious situation. One of the main rules of a club that doesn’t necessarily have any rules is that everyone is allowed to be him or herself and feel safe. The Glee Club consists of students from every spectrum. While the students may be in completely different groups in the hallways, Glee Club connects and brings them all to a common humbling ground. (Fox) The show is realistic in the sense that it brings out the struggles of a mixed background group of students but ultimately shows that the love of music and for each other overrules all differences. The message of ultimate love and understanding is so important to instill in the millennial generation.
"Glee" addresses homosexuality and also the effects of intermixing homosexuality and heterosexuality. Gay and transgender rights are two of the most talked about topics in society. Everyone has their opinions and wants to share them with others. Problems evoke when a person wishes to only share one’s own ideas without the capability of listening and discussing mixed opinions. In the world of "Glee" the homosexuality struggle is far from fixed but the series addresses the problem at a realistic level and portrays situations that most of society will face at one point or another. "Glee" also helps homosexuals being bullied realize that they are not alone in their fight. A moving example of equality on the show that may be taken as silly would be the symbolism of slushies. The example of a slushy is so empowering as it connects every character on the show. It symbolizes the similarities in all types of students. Not only is the gay character getting an ice cold sticky slushy thrown on his face but also the quarterback for sticking up for him or even for just being part of the club. While "Glee" covers situations that pertain to a certain group of individuals it also emphasizes how every single individual deals with the situation and the affected person. The slushy brings together the jocks and the nerds. It shows the Y generation that we all have some common ground.
"Glee" gives identity to many forgotten entities. In the article “Character Education and the Performance of Citizenship in Glee” written by Naomi Lesley she discusses that "Glee" proves that power of school establishments no longer only resides in the masses. The television show has been given a queer identity while it is only one of the many-targeted audiences it empowers. (Lesley) "Glee" has made remarkable breakthroughs with all different groups of viewers. The television show has changed lives, not merely just entertained tiresome millennial audiences. Every episode evokes an emotion the Y generation has been exposed to directly, or indirectly.
One of the most controversial episodes of "Glee" was aired as the winter finale of the third season. The episode was titled “On My Way” and dealt with an attempted suicide of a closeted gay football player Dave Karofsky who becomes outed. The suicide sequence was paired with a cover of the song “Cough Syrup” by the band Young The Giant. The song includes the lyrics “one more spoon of cough syrup now” and “life’s too short to even care at all”. (Young the Giant) The television show uses an artistic performance to display the emotions he is going through. While the viewers are watching the scene the intentions become so much more realistic with the song accompanying the actions. Suddenly, this song is not just a performance but also an inside look of a suicidal teenagers mind. The Trevor Project is an association that deals with people in the LGBTQ community suffering with worthlessness and suicide. The traffic influx to the Trevor Project website and hotline calls rose more than three percent directly following the episode. (CBS News) The television episode allowed viewers struggling with the same battle as Karofsky to express their feelings and ask for help. This directly exemplifies that "Glee" can have serious positive effects on the generation. The television show saved actual lives. Being a member of the Y generation one of the main problems we face is asking for help. Our elevation of pride and extreme self-confidence issues makes it extremely difficult to ask for help when one truly needs it. "Glee" exposes it’s viewers to the same struggles they deal with on a regular basis. The show helps the viewers to see it is okay to ask for help and recognize that one is not “okay”.
The one of the television shows most emotional episodes was entitled “Shooting Star”. This particular episode dealt with the subject of violence in schools particularly a school shooting. The episode aired on April 11th four months after the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting in Newtown Connecticut. Before the show began, a message was flashed on the screen warning viewers that the content of the episode may be sensitive as it depicts potentially emotional subjects. Following the episode parents of Newtown were appalled and called the writers of the show insensitive and heartless. (Weingus) In my opinion, the episode made the terrible situation approachable. The situation should not be ignored just because it is a touchy subject. "Glee" intended to cover the topic, make the severity known, and educate the audience. The message of the episode was not reached. "Glee" touches upon some of the most sensitive controversial topics in society. Ultimately, in the episode gunshots are heard while the students are in the choir room. The Glee Club goes into lock down and huddle together hoping and praying for their lives. The episode concludes with the viewers finding out that “Becky,” a character with downs syndrome, brought a gun from home to school because she was scared and it made her feel “safe”. This message directly connects to the current debate on gun control and regulations. Parents need to be more careful with weapons. Also, Becky having a mental illness brings in the mental stability argument. This episode was not insensitive at all. Rather, it depicts a real life situation that is very relevant. It was emotional, empowering and educational. The television show intended to evoke emotions to educate the viewers and help them deal with the situation. "Glee" intended to empower the Y generation rather than fear the unknown. Lauren Potter the actress that plays “Becky” was interviewed after the release of the episode. Potter claims that she was afraid of the judgment and controversy before it aired but after felt comfortable and proud. Potter stated that the episode displayed that fear should not be handled ignorantly. (Etkin) The idea of school shootings is fresh in society’s mind and teenagers get scared. "Glee" tackled the biggest problem of school violence head on. The show aims to conquer ignorance. There are too many occasions when an excuse ends up being, “I didn’t know”. "Glee" gives the audience a way to understand serious and scary issues like school shootings, suicide, and domestic violence.
The episode "Choke" directly attacks the issue of domestic violence. "Glee" does not categorize domestic violence specifically to male or female. The character “Coach Beiste” an extremely tough, independent woman on the show is shown with a black eye in the beginning of the episode. The example in this episode emphasizes that a person being abused is not weak or stupid, rather the victim is helpless. A victim of domestic violence may feel trapped, as they are afraid to betray the loved one that is being abusive. (Safe Horizons) The show sends that message that no one should allow him or herself to be exposed to domestic violence and to extract oneself from the situation immediately. "Glee" does not use the pigeonhole character of a small helpless female in saying anyone can be subjected to domestic violence. "Glee's" goal was to inform the audience the truth about the situation breaking down ignorant stereotypes. Domestic violence is a serious topic that gets pushed under the rug far too often.
"Glee" continually dedicates its episodes to meaningful topics and chooses relevant songs and artistic performances that coincide with the emotions evoked. The show is the definition of artistic expression. One may argue that the show is unrealistic and the process is a mere expression of Hollywood’s façade. Marina DelVecchio a professor at a college in North Carolina defies the argument as she used "Glee's" method in her teaching. The Professor assigned each student to research a social issue and pair it with songs and artistic expression. DelVecchio had an overwhelmingly positive outcome of the assignment. Students were opening up to issues they had never had the courage to discuss. For Example, the professor writes that numerous students choose the topic of Domestic Violence; the students explained how they were moved by the episode “Choke” and wanted to make a difference. The students presented moving performances using popular songs such as “Love the Way you Lie” by Rihanna and Eminem and “Long Way to Happy” by P!nk. The Professor was moved by the connections and emotions the students evoked with their assignments. (DelVecchio) The "Glee" method is powerful and productive. More schools and colleges should adopt the "Glee" method in artistic courses. All students should have the opportunity to express themselves and let go of struggles through artistic release. The Y generation needs to be taught that no one is ever “alone”. Students will find others, through expression, who have gone through the same struggles and be able confide. It is impossible to undermine the "Glee" as a lighthearted romp after the moving results of the show and its values. The cast also projects glee’s values and message. "Glee's" cast members practice what they preach. In numerous interviews the actors and actresses have said they have been able to relate to the situation their character has dealt with on the show. (Fox)
Over the summer in 2013, "Glee" lost one of their main male characters to overdose and mixing of serious drugs and alcohol. Cory Monteith (Finn) struggled with drug addiction his entire life. The television show devoted a tribute episode to him entitled “The Quarterback”. The main message of his tribute was to not be judgmental and look out for people dealing with addictions. The producers, and cast of "Glee" did not want Monteith to be remembered as a drug abuser but rather for his contributions to the show and the world. "Glee" is meant to be empowering for all people, particularly the ones who struggle seeing their own strength. The song “Seasons of Love” used in the tribute perfectly encases the meaning of "Glee." The lyric “Measure your life in Love” explains the message. Behind all of the shows elaborate performances and theatrically lays the serious societal issues. "Glee" expresses the struggles of the world artistically and gives the “Y” generation empowerment and means to cope moving forward with understanding.
"Glee" is the ultimate parody, as it is a satire of itself. Being called “The Gayest show ever”, and “a mix of Carrie and Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Sheffield) only add fuel to the fire. While the audience is expecting elaborate performances with little value viewers are shocked when the producers back the pieces with controversially charged struggles. Ryan Murphy’s creation has given a new look to the Y generation. "Glee" portrays the generation as artistic, compassionate, and empowering. The TV show is an excellent example for the millennial generation as we can relate. The irony of "Glee" is that it actually is a very serious, meaningful show. The characters in "Glee" re constantly in the process of self-realization and learning to be the best they can be. "Glee" is the millennial generation; the value is evident even though it may be fluffed up with a little glitter.
