Pick of the Week: "Glee"

It’s highly unusual to premiere a show in May and then not air any more episodes until fall. But when you’ve got something with this much potential, it’s really hard to keep it on the shelf…

My Pick of the Week is “Glee.”

It’s easy to think from the promos that “Glee” is just another “High School Musical,” but the show is really like nothing I’ve seen on TV before. The camera angles are unique, the narration device is turned on its ear by switching it back and forth between characters and the musical cues between scenes are like nothing I’ve ever heard before.

Honestly, “Glee” has much more in common with the movie “Election” than it does with “HSM”…

Matthew Morrison is Will, an optimistic high school teacher who decides he wants to take over the McKinley High Glee Club after the director is fired after a scandal. McKinley’s Glee Club was once an award-winning machine. But now, McKinley is a cheerleading school, and Glee Club is home to the outcasts of high school society.

But Will believes he can restore the club to its former glory despite his detractors—including his wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), the cheerleading coach, Sue (Jane Lynch), and even the school’s principal. However, in order to get the club to its ultimate goal of the Nationals, Will has to recruit some more talent to surround the self-proclaimed star of the club, Rachel (Lea Michele). And he finds it in the school’s popular quarterback, Finn (Cory Monteith). But will Finn be willing to risk his reputation to join the geeks and sing?

Because the plot of “Glee” does sound so similar to “HSM,” it’s easy to go into the show with certain expectations. But I encourage you to have an open mind, because the show won’t meet those expectations. It will totally go around them and give you something completely new and fresh. “Glee” is smart and funny, but it’s also an edge and plenty of attitude.

And once you hear the club take the stage to sing “Don’t Stop Believin’’” you will be so on board, you’ll forget all those expectations and just want to stand up and cheer.

I think I actually did…

The special preview of “Glee” airs Tuesday, May 19th at 9 p.m. (time approximate after “American Idol”) on FOX…

Photo Credits: Matthias Clamer/FOX and Carin Baer/FOX