Deep Dish

Deep Dish

Welcome to The Groove Tube, a weekly recap of the highlights (and lowlights) of some of the scripted TV shows I'm watching (in order of preference).

Least Favorite TV Series of the Week: Glee

"On My Way" (Episode 58/February 21, 2012)

It wasn't a great week for television. A few of my favorite shows weren't on - and those that were did not have outstanding episodes (Parks and Recreation was good but not great). So for that reason I'm choosing a "Least Favorite" Series of the Week instead of a "Favorite". And this award must go to Glee, which was transformed last week into an entirely different show that I didn't recognize. Many critics and viewers have praised the episode for tackling the sensitive subject of teen suicide - and when The Trevor Project's anti-suicide helpline and website receive a record number of calls and hits, one must applaud the message that is obviously reaching so many people (a Trevor Project PSA with actor Daniel Radcliffe aired during the episode). But my problem isn't with the message, which definitely needs to be heard loud and clear around the world. I just didn't enjoy watching the show, which seemed like a very long PSA. TheGlee I know and occasionally love is usually a weird mixture of groovy music, bizarre humor and a little bit of drama. This was not the case with last week's episode, in which I don't think I laughed even once. What we got wasn't Glee - it wasGloom. 

The episode reminded me of two different things. Back in the 1980s, it was a very common occurrence for a silly sitcom like Blossom or Growing Pains to suddenly turn dramatic for an episode about a serious social issue. I never cared much for that back then - and I still don't like it. I want my comedies to be funny - that is why I watch them. And Glee - which usually does a pretty good job of blending its musical, comedy and drama parts - decided to forget the funny and do a "very special episode" to mixed results in my opinion.

The second thing it reminded me of was a 1991 episode of the TV series, thirtysomething, in which Nancy learned the good news that her cancer was in remission and Gary died in a car accident. It was a shocking and emotionally powerful episode because all the drama felt real and true to the series. Glee, on the other hand, had closeted character Dave Karofksy suffer bullying at school and on Facebook for all of five minutes before he decided to hang himself with his own belt. I just didn't believe he would do this, which felt forced. Kurt's bullying storyline, on the other hand, lasted an entire season, and I thought it was very well-written. I just wish the Glee had spent a little more time with Karofsky's story - and I really don't think it was necessary for him to actually try to commit suicide in order to address this serious issue. It could've been much less dramatic but still highly effective to have him break down and discuss his suicidal feelings with some other character, who may have then been able to help him. Of course, the other way was very dramatic - and we all had to wait until after the commercial break to see if the poor guy survived.

I might not have disliked this episode so much if writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had just been satisfied with dealing with this one issue. But, no, we also had to see Quinn driving forever to get her bridesmaid dress for Rachel and Finn's wedding, which led to her being hit by a truck while she was busy texting. Blackout! And that was the abrupt and shocking end to Glee's winter finale. Having just sat through an already depressing hour of heavy-handed drama, this final scene left me angry. I love a good cliffhanger, but the possibility of killing off a major character like Quinn in order to make some sort of statement about texting while driving was just too much for me. It was definitely not the best way to get me to tune in for the next episode on April 10. The tragic death of Quinn would change the entire series forever - at least for me. Glee is NOT thirtysomething, which could get away with having Gary die. It w

 A Very Special Gleeless Glee

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Welcome to The Groove Tube, a weekly recap of the highlights (and lowlights) of some of the scripted TV shows I'm watching (in order of preference).

Least Favorite TV Series of the Week: Glee

"On My Way” 

It wasn't a great week for television. A few of my favorite shows weren't on - and those that were did not have outstanding episodes (Parks and Recreation was good but not great). So for that reason I'm choosing a "Least Favorite" Series of the Week instead of a "Favorite". And this award must go to Glee, which was transformed last week into an entirely different show that I didn't recognize. Many critics and viewers have praised the episode for tackling the sensitive subject of teen suicide - and when The Trevor Project's anti-suicide helpline and website receive a record number of calls and hits, one must applaud the message that is obviously reaching so many people (a Trevor Project PSA with actor Daniel Radcliffe aired during the episode). But my problem isn't with the message, which definitely needs to be heard loud and clear around the world. I just didn't enjoy watching the show, which seemed like a very long PSA. TheGlee I know and occasionally love is usually a weird mixture of groovy music, bizarre humor and a little bit of drama. This was not the case with last week's episode, in which I don't think I laughed even once. What we got wasn't Glee - it wasGloom. 

The episode reminded me of two different things. Back in the 1980s, it was a very common occurrence for a silly sitcom like Blossom or Growing Pains to suddenly turn dramatic for an episode about a serious social issue. I never cared much for that back then - and I still don't like it. I want my comedies to be funny - that is why I watch them. And Glee - which usually does a pretty good job of blending its musical, comedy and drama parts - decided to forget the funny and do a "very special episode" to mixed results in my opinion.

The second thing it reminded me of was a 1991 episode of the TV series, thirtysomething, in which Nancy learned the good news that her cancer was in remission and Gary died in a car accident. It was a shocking and emotionally powerful episode because all the drama felt real and true to the series. Glee, on the other hand, had closeted character Dave Karofksy suffer bullying at school and on Facebook for all of five minutes before he decided to hang himself with his own belt. I just didn't believe he would do this, which felt forced. Kurt's bullying storyline, on the other hand, lasted an entire season, and I thought it was very well-written. I just wish the Glee had spent a little more time with Karofsky's story - and I really don't think it was necessary for him to actually try to commit suicide in order to address this serious issue. It could've been much less dramatic but still highly effective to have him break down and discuss his suicidal feelings with some other character, who may have then been able to help him. Of course, the other way was very dramatic - and we all had to wait until after the commercial break to see if the poor guy survived.

I might not have disliked this episode so much if writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa had just been satisfied with dealing with this one issue. But, no, we also had to see Quinn driving forever to get her bridesmaid dress for Rachel and Finn's wedding, which led to her being hit by a truck while she was busy texting. Blackout! And that was the abrupt and shocking end to Glee's winter finale. Having just sat through an already depressing hour of heavy-handed drama, this final scene left me angry. I love a good cliffhanger, but the possibility of killing off a major character like Quinn in order to make some sort of statement about texting while driving was just too much for me. It was definitely not the best way to get me to tune in for the next episode on April 10. The tragic death of Quinn would change the entire series forever - at least for me. Glee is NOT thirtysomething, which could get away with having Gary die. It was a drama with no musical numbers or dancing or outrageous Sue Sylvester characters - it was based in reality (as much as a television series can be). Glee has always enjoyed combining reality with fantasy, which can be a lot of fun to watch. It has also made the series very uneven in tone from one episode to the next. And with last week's 58th show, Glee went way beyond its "normal" schizophrenic mood and became something entirely different.

Now here are some more lowlights - and a few highlights - of the episode:

Worst Character Transformation of the Week: Sebastian is a bastard. After almost blinding Blaine, he then tried to blackmail Rachel into dropping out of Regionals. But after Karofsky's suicide attempt, he suddenly apologized for all of his evil ways and became a nice guy whom we apparently were supposed to enjoy listening to as the lead singer of the Warblers. I did not. He's a horrible character - or maybe just horribly written.

Worst Character Transformation of the Week Runner-Up: I'm not always a fan of Sue Sylvester and her split personality, but having her hug Will and offering to help the glee club win at Nationals was just plain bizarre. I like seeing a more human side to Sue, but this scene didn't feel right. And I hope that this isn't a permanent change due to her pregnancy.

Best Dressed of the Week: Gotta love Blaine's black bow tie and red sweater.

Best Musical Performance: The ONLY performance I enjoyed last week was Blaine's "Cough Syrup". I didn't care for any of the songs performed at Regionals - and I will confess that I was disappointed that Rachel sang Halestorm's "Here's to Us" and not the great number with the same title from the 1962 Broadway musical, Little Me. And, finally, I didn't think any group deserved to win the competition.

as a drama with no musical numbers or dancing or outrageous Sue Sylvester characters - it was based in reality (as much as a television series can be). Glee has always enjoyed combining reality with fantasy, which can be a lot of fun to watch. It has also made the series very uneven in tone from one episode to the next. And with last week's 58th show, Glee went way beyond its "normal" schizophrenic mood and became something entirely different.

Now here are some more lowlights - and a few highlights - of the episode:

Worst Character Transformation of the Week: Sebastian is a bastard. After almost blinding Blaine, he then tried to blackmail Rachel into dropping out of Regionals. But after Karofsky's suicide attempt, he suddenly apologized for all of his evil ways and became a nice guy whom we apparently were supposed to enjoy listening to as the lead singer of the Warblers. I did not. He's a horrible character - or maybe just horribly written.

Worst Character Transformation of the Week Runner-Up: I'm not always a fan of Sue Sylvester and her split personality, but having her hug Will and offering to help the glee club win at Nationals was just plain bizarre. I like seeing a more human side to Sue, but this scene didn't feel right. And I hope that this isn't a permanent change due to her pregnancy.

Best Dressed of the Week: Gotta love Blaine's black bow tie and red sweater.

Best Musical Performance: The ONLY performance I enjoyed last week was Blaine's "Cough Syrup". I didn't care for any of the songs performed at Regionals - and I will confess that I was disappointed that Rachel sang Halestorm's "Here's to Us" and not the great number with the same title from the 1962 Broadway musical, Little Me. And, finally, I didn't think any group deserved to win the competition.