All I want is just one day a year when I’m not visually assaulted by uglies and fatties
Wow. Okay, wait. Let me restart.
I will bring this club down like a meth-addicted Prometheus!
I’m sorry I don’t think that was much better… yikes!
If you recognized either of those quotes, congratulations! You’ve probably seen “Glee”.
If I told you my favorite show was about queer teenagers in Lima, Ohio who perform in their show choir and get slushied in the face for being show choir nerds, your first instinct is probably to click out of this article and go touch some grass.
But please. Give “Glee” a chance!
I can say in complete honesty I have never been more emotionally moved and inspired than I was watching all six seasons of Glee. From its dark comedy to its unapologetic acceptance to the random dance breaks, Glee has been a show that offers acceptance in a world of judgment and isolation. “Glee” is if “Pitch Perfect”, “The Office” and “Heartstopper” all had a perfectly well-rounded baby. And for some reason, it works.
After 3 tragic star deaths and over 11 years since the series concluded, I had finally become content with the idea of “Glee” resting peacefully in its perfectly slushy-shaped grave.
Then all of a sudden, here comes Ryan Murphy, co-creator and the brains behind “Glee”, threatening to turn my perfect angel show into a horrific new reboot.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Murphey revealed “We have a script, I’ve been in touch with around 10 of the original cast members, they were all very enthusiastic about the idea.”
Now don’t get me wrong. If Murphy manages to perfectly replicate the originality and timeliness of “Glee” then YAY! I am ALL for a reboot.
But let’s say he attempts to recreate the past and not the feeling? Then yeah, I am out.
I’m not worried about Murphy playing into the stereotype that reboots are trash and an excuse to stay relevant. I’m worried about disturbing “Glee” from its well-deserved rest just to tarnish the memories it left behind.
So, grab a slushie, lean back, and get ready to learn about the significance of “Glee”. This is about to be so good, Leah Michelle herself would learn how to read just for this!
LET’S TALK SLUSHYS
I know I keep saying how I love Glee. But this time, I’m going to prove what makes it so loveable.
Let’s do a quick character breakdown.
The show stars Rachel Berry, a self-righteous, annoying, and conceited high schooler gifted with an incredible musical ability. Her co-stars include her boyfriend, Finn Hudson, her best friend Kurt Hummel, and a room of other emotionally challenged show choir nerds.
And then, there’s Sue Sylvester.
Sue is different from any other character on “Glee”. As the show’s main antagonist, she spends the majority of the series planning the “Glee” club’s downfall. From administrative manipulation to public humiliation, Sue has made a career out of making kids cry.
But the best part about Sue is despite “Glee” being at the top of her hit list, she remains fiercely protective of the kids when someone else takes the bullying too far.
In Season 2, Kurt receives death threats from character David Karofsky for being gay. Despite Sue’s constant nicknames and comments, she quickly says “Lady, if this kid lays a finger on you I will expel him faster than a Thai takeout place can read back your order”.
Sue is a great example as to why a “Glee” reboot would be hard to pull off. Her originality is what makes her so endearing to audiences. She’s witty, snappy, and probably the most hilarious character in television history (pretend I’m not biased). If “Glee” gets rebooted, are we going to see the exact same things we saw throughout the original six seasons? Sue destroys the Glee club and Sue fails.
We don’t want to recreate the past. We want to recreate the feeling.
I’m not going to feel much if the reboot consists of Sue trying to bring down the “Glee” club AGAIN. But if Murphy can develop her character to capture her originality while giving her something new to do, then that’s a different story.
BORN THIS WAY
I know we’ve all heard Lady Gaga’s iconic song “Born this Way”. And if you haven’t? Go ahead and turn this article off. You need more help than I can give.
Needless to say “Born this way” became “Glee”’s anthem because of it’s association with acceptance, representation, and individuality.
Here is a list of the best representations seen throughout Glee.
- Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson’s gay relationship
- Santana and Brittney’s queer relationship
- Lesbian representation
- Bisexual representation
- Gay representation
- Artie in a wheelchair represents disability
Here is my problem. A reboot may bring back the original characters and music, but it won’t recreate what made the original special.
Can a reboot share new stories and experiences? Or will they play it safe and recycle
Shows think we want the past when we want the feeling. Don’t repeat the story and recycle the same tired storylines, give us new representation. “Glee” premiered in 2009, and its about to be 2027. A new era means new issues. If Glee gets rebooted, will it manage to tackle the pressing issues of today’s society, or will they dodge certain topics in fear of getting canceled?
Regardless to say, “Glee” remains a show that is timeless and forever relevant.