Posting on Tuesdays, with observations and reflections on newsy things going on in the world from a Godly perspective, plus occasional personal and funny stuff
Thursday, September 23, 2010
TV's Glee—Good Entertainment, or Not?
"Glee"is a TV show about a bunch of kids with dysfunctional problems, their married (now divorcing) chorus director who can't seem to get his head on straight, his flaky wife who faked a pregnancy so she could hang on to him (and who lately seems to have suddenly disappeared), a sinister teacher/cheerleading coach whose behavior is so outrageous she wouldn't be allowed to teach in any school I know of, a nice girl who got accidentally (?) knocked up, a teen hero guy who isn't sure which of the glee club girls is really "his girl," a school principal who is easily manipulated into going along with the sinister teacher, and more. The show is a hit. But is it truly "good entertainment?"
The music is outstanding, and so are many individual voices in the choral group. The show gets high marks--due to the music, we are told. But it stands on sappy dramatic plots that portray mean, twisted, and often silly behavior by adults who are educated and experienced enough in life to know better.The teen plots in the show often strain credibility. Even the male heroes in the show come up lacking somewhat in character. True, almost all high school kids struggle some with personal relationships and make mistakes. And let's be honest—nobody's perfect. But if this show is supposed to represent how most kids really are or, heaven help us, show them how to handle life's problems better, most of the time it fails miserably.
Overall, does it still make for "good entertainment?" Good question. What do you think? Does the good outweigh the bad? I worry that many vulnerable pre-teens and teens are watching it because the music is so good. Do they believe the plots are depicting "normal teen and adult behavior"? I sure hope not. Do they have any idea that real life can be much better? I hope so. Mostly, I wonder how good the show could be, if its writers came up with neat teachers and good, helpful answers to ordinary teen problems alongside the outstanding music.
Loving and wishing the best for our country's teens,
Margaret
Ok, this one I have to argue with you on. Yes, Glee is good entertainment and if you think about it, it has a good message for teens.
First, the Glee club kids are outcasts like a lot of real kids in high school today. The message is that even if you're not popular, if you have a disability, heavy, or the multitude of things that you get bullied with today.... it's ok. It's ok to be different; it's ok to be who you are. The message is that kids who appear to be different are really cool underneath. Be proud of who you are.
The funny outrageousness of Sue Sylvester is one of the best parts of the show. Sue says out loud what people sometimes think to themselves and then gets away with it. She's so far off the path of being politically correct it makes you remember what's decent and what's not. But in her mean heart of hearts, she's caring and sensitive to her sister - who has downs syndrome.
And yes, the storyline is sometimes farfetched to make it funny and entertaining. But really... girls do get pregnant after having sex only once. The storyline had a message of not how glamorous a pregnancy can be but how damaging and life changing it is. Quinn lost everything.
You name an episode and I'll talk you through the pieces that teens do relate to and what the underlying message is. Being a teen is hard. I hated it myself as I was not popular and was made fun of.
So I don't think the show fails miserably. I think it does a great job of being funny, incredibly entertaining, and really having a good message underneath.
I couldn't even get through one episode before I switched channels. I didn't have a good high school experience and I sure didn't need to re-live it. Maybe I didn't see a good representation in the 20 min. or so I saw, but I was so dismayed I didn't want to see any more.
Here's a link to a show MTV did basing it from Neenah H.S., right here at home! a friend recently posted this on facebook.
Thanks, Sue and Mary. Wow! What an eye opener this has been for me. I had a few problems when I was in high school, but it was nothing like this (the Neenah video).
I wonder why the difference? We didn't have a noticeable drug problem then and divorce was rare. Do you think that might have made some difference? The kids I went to school with seemed to be mostly content if not happy. None of us liked the kids in the "in group" except the in group itself because they were snooty. But there was a cliche of what I call "good, nice kids" who were open to other kids and treated everybody else respectfully if not as a personal friend. I always had one friend. I lost a couple of them due to moving out of the school district and that was hard, but I soon was able to find another. Could that have made the difference? My school was smaller, too. My senior class was less than 200.
I guess it doesn't pay to speculate. I take a whip-lashing with a bowl of noodles for not recognizing the problems have in more recent times. What a great idea that Challenge Day is!
I am an award-winning nonfictioninspirational writerand follower of God in Christ. Also Mom to Cindy, Debbie, Sue, and Ken with six grandchildren, two greats, and lots of step-s. I love Bible studies, reading, singing, gardening, some travel, and all things natural. My nickname is Peggy, but I use it only in my personal life for ease in financial transactions.
My writing mission: Bringing God closer
Margaret Houk
Hi! family, friends, and followers. I'm loving what I'm doing here and I hope to be posting twice a week, at least at first. My goal is to be brief, focused, fun, and relevant. My objective is that every post have some take-home value; if it doesn't, I haven't done my job. A tall order? You bethcha! But doing God's work is never easy. It takes prayer and dedicated effort. I promise to do my best. My hope is to be someday on your list of favorite writers.
Readers can use several Bible verses and prayer to turn around any of 42 negative moods. $7.99. By Augsburg Books. Click on book cover, then Augsburg's store search to order.
When You Have a Chronic Illness
A guidebook to help the chronically ill cope physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the chronically ill. $5.99. By Augsburg Books. Click on book cover, then Augsburg's store search to order.
Lighten Up and Enjoy Life Well
Practical suggestions to decrease stress without making major life changes. $14.00. Order from Margaret via e-mail.
That Very Special Person--Me!
For teens and pre-teens, to teach them how to develop healthy Christ-centered self-esteem and constructive ways of thinking and living. $7.00. Order from Margaret via e-mail.
Copyright Info
All posts are under the copyright of the author: (c) 2011 Margaret Houk
Ok, this one I have to argue with you on. Yes, Glee is good entertainment and if you think about it, it has a good message for teens.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the Glee club kids are outcasts like a lot of real kids in high school today. The message is that even if you're not popular, if you have a disability, heavy, or the multitude of things that you get bullied with today.... it's ok. It's ok to be different; it's ok to be who you are. The message is that kids who appear to be different are really cool underneath. Be proud of who you are.
The funny outrageousness of Sue Sylvester is one of the best parts of the show. Sue says out loud what people sometimes think to themselves and then gets away with it. She's so far off the path of being politically correct it makes you remember what's decent and what's not. But in her mean heart of hearts, she's caring and sensitive to her sister - who has downs syndrome.
And yes, the storyline is sometimes farfetched to make it funny and entertaining. But really... girls do get pregnant after having sex only once. The storyline had a message of not how glamorous a pregnancy can be but how damaging and life changing it is. Quinn lost everything.
You name an episode and I'll talk you through the pieces that teens do relate to and what the underlying message is. Being a teen is hard. I hated it myself as I was not popular and was made fun of.
So I don't think the show fails miserably. I think it does a great job of being funny, incredibly entertaining, and really having a good message underneath.
And that's how Sue C's it. :)
I couldn't even get through one episode before I switched channels. I didn't have a good high school experience and I sure didn't need to re-live it. Maybe I didn't see a good representation in the 20 min. or so I saw, but I was so dismayed I didn't want to see any more.
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to a show MTV did basing it from Neenah H.S., right here at home! a friend recently posted this on facebook.
http://www.mtv.com/videos/if-you-really-knew-me-ep-108-neenah-high-school/1647340/playlist.jhtml
This is the kind of understanding people need to have of high school and the situations teens are in every day.
Thanks, Sue and Mary. Wow! What an eye opener this has been for me. I had a few problems when I was in high school, but it was nothing like this (the Neenah video).
ReplyDeleteI wonder why the difference? We didn't have a noticeable drug problem then and divorce was rare. Do you think that might have made some difference? The kids I went to school with seemed to be mostly content if not happy. None of us liked the kids in the "in group" except the in group itself because they were snooty. But there was a cliche of what I call "good, nice kids" who were open to other kids and treated everybody else respectfully if not as a personal friend. I always had one friend. I lost a couple of them due to moving out of the school district and that was hard, but I soon was able to find another. Could that have made the difference? My school was smaller, too. My senior class was less than 200.
I guess it doesn't pay to speculate. I take a whip-lashing with a bowl of noodles for not recognizing the problems have in more recent times. What a great idea that Challenge Day is!
Love and blessings from Margaret