Glee: Reviewing Season Four

What is going on with Glee this season? This show never failed me before, there was always something I like about an episode of Glee -- a musical number or an idea. I defended Glee on more than one occasions. In fact, one of the most read articles on this blog was inspired by Glee and Mr Schu. 

The more I watch season four of Glee, the more I think the show's direction is lost, and it must be found again. I hardly read any reviews or go to fan forum for Glee, so I don't know what others think about this season of the show. I do dig the fact that this season goes to New York, but that's personal. I love the city and I think Rachel and Kurt are keeping that part of the show alive for me. I like their journey in the theater school and I kinda wish there is a spin-off. But I miss singing. They are not singing as much now, and I miss the Defying Gravity and For Good moment. I hate Brody. 

Back in Ohio, apart from Blaine, everything else was a giant snooze fest. Marley, Jake, the other guy who looks like Sam and Cheerio Kitty are as boring as anything! There is no depth, no character, no charisma, no chemistry, no acting... there is nothing I can like about them. I think as new characters, if they are in the background, I would have been ok with it. But they are written as the main characters, and it's not working for me. I'd rather see other existing characters to take charge, but they are still in the background in my opinion. 

In terms of the existing characters, they are doing ok with Blaine, but I think Darren Criss is too good for the show now. Then you got Arty, Sam, Brittany and Tina, who deserve more than they are being written now. I know it's hard when half the cast were graduated, but they have so many good materials to work on without introducing the boring Marley, Jake and the other guy who looks like Sam as main characters. All the signature bitchiness of Glee is singled-handedly carried on by Cheerio Kitty, who is nothing but an annoying copycat. Mr Schu was gone for awhile, leaving Finn to direct the Glee Club. While I like the idea of Finn directing the club (I think he is the right person for the job, considering he didn't get into colleague or the army), Mr Schu has been the kids' constant and he was taken out. Mr Schu is like the CTU, the Batcave and Watch Tower, the moment you take them out of the show, it's bad. I get it, but it never work! I think the Glee Club is without a powerful female vocal, and the show writers are not promoting Blaine in ways he should be promoted. Marley's singing is like Karen in Smash -- dull, dull and dull. And the writing of the show just isn't as good as what it used to be! I feel so sad about it! 

I still watch Glee for Kurt, Rachel and Blaine, they are the only good things worth watching. But are the best days of Glee behind us?

My Thoughts on Smash - And I Don't Mean To Compare It With Glee

Do I like Smash so far? I guess I like it enough to keep watching it. My friend recommended this show to me awhile ago. "If you love Glee, you are going to love Smash." Her words. 

I got really excited when I saw the TV commercial of Smash on television. Since I've heard so much about it, I really wanted to check it out! The ad campaign of the show ran for a long time. I find that TV networks in Australia would run the ad for a few weeks without telling you the air date and then when they finally tell you the air date, you still have to wait for a few more weeks. The ad featured the audition scene with the series star Katharine McPhee performing Beautiful, it was repeatedly advertised pretty much every second commercial break during prime time. And now that I know it was the audition scene for the series' Marilyn The Musical, I thought to myself what an odd song choice for such audition?! That audition has American Idol written all over it, may be it was intentionally? Anyway... 

My expectation for Smash was certainly high. My impression is that this show is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, it is a show about a star-in-the-making, it is her journey to stardom -- the typical inspirational kind of story set in Broadway. It has the buzz. It has all the right elements. It cannot go wrong! I wasn't disappointed with the Pilot. In fact, I thought it was good. Good enough for me to keep watching. But there is something that is not quite right about Smash. It took me weeks to figure it out. 

I know there are people who compare Smash with Glee, and there are those who don't want to compare because they are two different shows. To me, as a viewer, they are not too different. They both depict the behind the scene journey of a group of very talented performers who sing and dance, and dream to be become a star. It comes down to the characterisation, the focus, the pace, the story and, most importantly, the way music is incorporated into each episode. Without the musical influences and the musical numbers, Glee is another high school dramas like 90210 or Hellcats or Dead Poet Society; and Smash is The Devil Wears Prada without the Broadway stuff.

I may be in the minority when I say this, but one of the things I love about Glee is Mr Schuester because he is the kids' constant, he is their mentor and he is the unsung hero of the story. Without Mr Schuester, there is no unity, there is no Glee. Sure, we have a group of extremely talented kids who perform great musical numbers weeks in weeks out, and they are more than capable in carrying the show on their own. But what holds the Glee club together is Mr Schuester, who also has his own Broadway dream. Another thing I love about Glee is that there is always something inspiring or something heart warming about it. The story of Kurt inspires many viewers; Rachel is true star-in-the-making who nails every song from Broadway to Pop; the Kurt and Rachel Wicked performances are one of the best things ever on TV; even Finn's dance move is inspiring because he really tries even though he is really bad at dancing. I think each character is given a good song to perform when the timing is right. Like Santana, she is awesome as Anita (West Side Story); there is no better person than Artie to do Thriller and Blaine to do Wanna Be Starting Something. 

Television viewing can be personal, and sometimes it is that personal connection viewers are looking for. I was in a school choir and we were going to something similar to a sectional. I had so much fun, those were the best days of my high school years! So to me, Glee reminded me of good times, and there is a connection there between me as a viewer and the show. Glee is written to inspire, I think. There is a 'feel good' element to it, and I like that. When real life is not so inspiring, when real life people shoot down every single idea you propose and when you have no where or no one to turn to, you turn to popular culture to be inspired. Stuff like this is part of your journey to be something greater. 

What about Smash? I know Smash is supposed to be this huge Broadway-inspired show that is executive produced by Spielberg, the script and performances are supposed and expected to be great. Some even call it the grown-up version of Glee. But what Smash is missing is the inspirational factor. I know it is a different show with different stories and characters, but I think Karen is no Rachel or Kurt, Julia is no Mr Schuester and Eileen is no Figgins (wait.. what??). The musical numbers haven't given me the goose bumps, the bitchiness of Ivy is pure annoyance and not as entertaining as Santana, and I am sure sooner or later everyone will be sleeping with everyone. The positive thing is, the musical numbers have been fine, and they are more polished and more grant. But you don't really expect anything less. 

But I want more from Smash, starting from the heroine's journey of Karen. If Karen is written to remind me of someone, it is Andrea Sachs from The Devil Wears Prada, I can't help but think Smash is the Broadway version of The Devil Wears Prada. But that's fine, right? Karen is this stereotype star-in-the-making character, she is talented but I don't think she has been the centre of the story and she should be the centre of all things in Smash. I want more first person point of view, I want the story to focus on this character more. I don't think she has been given the opportunity to shine, and I think McPhee can be a bit wooden when she sings. It doesn't matter what songs she sings, she always has the same expression on her face and her voice is not as powerful as it should be. She shouldn't be singing as McPhee, but she should be singing as Karen. 

When you see a character, even before she becomes a star in the story, you can see the star quality in her, you know she is going to have a well deserved epic ending. Like Rachel, her big voice delivers every song whether it is a Wicked or Bonnie Tyler's song, and she gives a powerful vocal performance week in week out, you know she is a star even before she becomes one. But with Karen, I know the story is steering towards her stardom, but you know Ivy is a better choice as Marilyn, despite sleeping with the director. I don't feel that Karen deserves the role because I, as a viewer, is not convinced that she is Marilyn. Her voice is not as powerful as Ivy, her performance as Marilyn is not convincing, and her life as a waitress with a decent boyfriend and a supportive family is not that interesting. You don't just want to feel sorry for her, you want her to nail it, you want her to kick ass. But she hasn't. 

There is enough there for me to keep watching Smash. I hope the story and characterisation will get better. I am still hoping to be inspired. I am still hoping to see that Defying Gravity moment that every Broadway star-in-the-making deserves. I am looking for this one moment where the character, Karen, really shows us what she's made of. Defying Gravity is the moment for Rachel and Kurt. It is the unofficial theme for these characters and this song is the symbol of hope and stardom. This scene defines their characters and what they are made of. I am still looking for similar moment that belongs to Karen. I am still waiting for Smash to be a smashing hit.

Related post: Teachers in Popular Culture

Teachers in Pop Culture - Glee, Dead Poet Society, GTO & School of Rock

I watched the season finale of Glee the other night. Oh boy! The unexpected happened! I cried! Dammit! I cried during the To Sir With Love scene. I cried even more when I saw Sue cried. DAMMIT! So it got me thinking, I am going to talk about teachers in popular culture.

Occasionally, I love a good drama focuses on teachers. Not that I have ever wanted to be a teacher, because I think it should be a highly respected and important profession, and it should rank higher than doctors and lawyers. Three dramas - Glee, Dead Poet Society and GTO - are amongst the best thing I've seen about teaching! I personally have never encountered any teachers during my school years who were inspirational or anything close to Mr Schuester, Mr Keating or Onizuka Sansei. I wish I did. I am sure my life would turn out different!

William Schuester - Glee


Mr Schu is not prefect, but he is a better teacher than anyone who claims to be a teacher on the show. He is cool. He connects to the kids. He is inspirational. He is a leader. He fights for the kids. He doesn't give up on the kids. And Sue Silvester is jealous! HAHA! What I love about Mr Schu is that we get to see his struggle - he wanted to give up, he wanted to be do something that paid more (that's why I hated Terri - she is everything I don't want to be). But in the end, it was the kids who reminded him why he became a teacher.

John Keating - Dead Poet Society

O Captain! My Captain! I mean, seriously! DPS was so inspirational, this movie makes me cry because I kept thinking - I wish I have a Mr Keating in my life!

Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day, make your lives extraordinary! That was his mojo. He told the kids to throw away the books and think outside the square. His teaching method was out there.

Eikichi Onizuka - GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka)


This is not the first time I mentioned GTO on my blog. For those who are not familiar with GTO, it was a manga turned TV drama. The TV series has got to be one of my favourite TV dramas ever. Onizuka was a ex-biker who had one goal only - to be the greatest high school teacher in the world! The Principal was one cool lady. She wasn't looking for someone who was a great chemistry or maths teacher, she needed a person with a good heart to fix the kids because they needed help. He was assigned to the worst class in school - a class full of great and clever kids but they were lost.

Onizuka not only became their teachers, but also their friend. He inspired them to confront problems and live their dreams. He hated the politics in the school - there were teachers who only wanted to be rich and powerful. He also inspired other teachers in the school - he reminded them why they wanted to be teachers in the first place. Onizuka got fired a few times because he was all out helping the kids - he didn't care about being fired, if he could save the kids, so be it. In the end, when Onizuka was in trouble, the students stood by him. That was a great ending!

Dewey Finn - School of Rock (An honorable mention)


I can't help it! I have to mention Jack Black! I love this movie! I love how he took the job because he just needed the money, but he turned out to be a great teacher and inspired the kids! AWESOME!!!

News Digest from Yours Tiny

A few blog worthy articles surfaced this week..

'Sam! Interrupted' official description

SAM AND DEAN CHECK INTO A MENTAL HOSPITAL: A former hunter named Martin (guest star), who is currently institutionalized, calls Sam and Dean for help investigating a case in the mental hospital. The brothers get themselves admitted as patients to check out the mysterious monster that is attacking the patients, but their incarceration pushes both to the breaking point as they unleash their inner demons against each other.

Source SpoilerTV. Supernatural returns to the CW on 21st January 2010.

Look Mum, I am not the only who wants to see The Simpsons / Supernatural crossover.

"The Simpsons has a very special “Treehouse of Horrors” planned for this year. It will feature the voices of Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and the guys from Ghost Hunters." Full article here.

TV.com's Top 100 Everything of 2009 (10 - 1)

Supernatural's Changing Channels opening credit came number 5 and Daniel Frickin' Faraday from Lost came number 4. Jane Lynch from Glee came number 3. That's 10 kinds of awesome! Full listing here.

I have been surviving the hot summer Xmas with Lost (season 4 & 5), and 24 (season 4 and 7), plus a few Supernatural and Smallville episodes here and there. It's always great to do a Lost marathon, otherwise I'll get so lost. And yeah, Daniel Frickin' Faraday is awesome! I love mad scientist.

Weekly love for Smallville, SGU and Glee

Apart from Supernatural, Smallville, SGU and Glee are the other shows that I love right now. Supernatural still sits high above Castiel's garrison.

The light stuff first...

Glee: Preggers was amazing. Kurt is so funny! I absolutely love the Football team dance! There isn't a dull moment in Glee so far and I love it. High School Musical move over!

Smallville: Rabid was full of zombie action and Clois. Despite what some fans said about Smallville, I really really like the Lois and Clark thing. I think it was beautifully done this week. I can't wait to see more Clois. Again, Erica Durance nailed the emotional scenes when she talked to Clark about the Blur and her feelings about being lonely. Not many actresses can do funny, smart, sexy and the emotional stuff all in one episode. I think she did that. Season 9 has been consistently good and satisfying.

In terms of rating and the new TV schedule of Smallville, I think it's a BIG mistake to separate Supernatural and Smallville from the Thursday night duo thing. I know technology changes the way fans watch a TV show now and a lot of fans don't watch it live anyway. But still, look at the ratings! The ratings for both shows fell below 3.0 mil this week. Stats might be good if you just look at the demo and DVR stats (and may be iTune download). But these shows deserve more than this, and I blamed the CW for making this move. It's wrong! And they know it! It's still a friggin stupid decision to separate the 'Super' duo. These shows are on the wrong TV network!

SGU: Air Part 3 was a great episode. The characters seem to be a bit cold, I don't see the usual SG team dynamic yet. So far it's like nobody trusts anyone, Dr Rush seems to have his own agenda and he is a bit of a loner. Colonial Telford is part of the team, but he isn't physically there. Colonial Young is the team leader, but we haven't seen much leadership from him so far. And then you have Lieutenant Scott who reminded me of Lieutenant Rainbow (I mean Lieutenant Ford from SGA) but smarter and has more leadership potential.

Don't get me wrong, the above points are a good thing. We won't see the usual formula, we won't see the team of four that made up of a Colonial, a Lieutenant, a scientist and an Alien. SGU has more misfit characters and they will face more challenges than any other SG teams. Like O'Neill said, nobody is qualified to save the galaxy but they have to do it.

Overall, the pace of the episode is a bit slow. However, I am so impressed with the use of Ancient Communication Stone in the story. This device is going to give the series plenty of flexibilities. Not only we will see stuff happening on the ship, new worlds and new technology in the new galaxy but the Ancient Communication Stone will cross over back to earth where other characters such as Telford and O'Neill are. Hopefully we will see more crossover later, I really want to see more Carter and Jackson.. perhaps a crossover with the Atlantis crew. Don't forget this is part of the one franchise. You are only limited by your imagination. There are still plenty of stuff to explore in the Stargate franchise. Robert Cooper and Brad Wright are one of the smartest show runners in the business, I can't wait to see more stuff from them.