The Magic of "Glee"

Let's for a moment discuss the parallels between the viewership of FOX's smash-hit "Glee" and the mish-mash of social norms it so openly promotes.

What makes this show such a success is the way in which it upholds the stereotypes of high school life--the cheerleaders, the jocks, the glee club--and then simultaneously critiques those stereotypes and forms them into new, wildly inventive and clever social circles. Last night's episode brought this ideology to the forefront with the gay member of the glee club trying out for the position of kicker on the football team...and then consequently teaching them the choreography to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies."



And this leads to a show that is openly available for anyone to enjoy. By promoting the mixing and tweaking of certain social circles together, it makes for a surprisingly vast range of viewers. While other shows holding the "something for everybody" qualities may have a varied viewership, "Glee," it seems, has an undeniable charm and magic to it. There's a joy in its openness of not breaking away from stereotypes, but rather, splicing them together with a biting humor about how those stereotypes also get upheld.

And just think about all those "Glee" songs now becoming available for purchase on iTunes. Sure, "Grey's Anatomy" has quite the iTunes following, but these are original songs we're talking about here. That's something.