Published: November 19, 2009 02:34 pm      

AROUND THE TOWN: ‘Glee’ seems to have all the trappings of success

I have written before about television shows I like getting canceled. They are axed, apparently, because no one, it seems, other than me and a handful of others, watches them. As a result, I tend not to watch a lot of TV. Quite frankly, for me, the best television show isn't as good as the worst book I have ever read, anyway. But I digress.

I have been chomping at the bit to write about a new show on Fox I am loving. But, I have been afraid it would somehow jinx it if I did. However, after reading an article in Entertainment Weekly, I am cautiously optimistic.

So...here goes. Have you seen "Glee"? An hour-long show about a high school show choir, this is the best show to land on television since "American Idol." During the premiere season, the cast of "Glee" is getting ready for sectionals competition. As if the song and dance numbers weren't enough to keep us tuning in, the relationships among the characters are so entertaining that it is difficult to determine whether one is watching a concert or a romantic-comedy-drama. "Glee" has all the trappings of success: at least two love triangles, a huge dose of vocal talent, a villain (Cheer Coach Sue Sylvester played by Jane Lynch) and a stellar cast that has already begun to be recognized on the sidewalks of America.

Vocalists like Josh Groban and Broadway's Kristin Chenoweth have already appeared on the show. Josh played his pop singer self while Kristin's role is as a high school dropout who goes back to high school to help the Glee Club win a competition.

Most of the cast are former Broadway actors, singers and dancers, or triple threats and they belt their way through feisty musical numbers like Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," "Defying Gravity" from my all-time favorite Broadway musical, Wicked, and "Proud Mary," which is choreographed with cast members in wheelchairs to showcase a fellow Glee Club member who is handicapped.

Not only is the show a smash hit, five of the song performed on the Wednesday night show are in the top 10 most downloaded tunes from iTunes!

The cast of "Glee" was supposed to appear on a float in the highly rated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. However, since NBC airs the parade, executives wouldn't allow the show stars from a rival network appear on its broadcast. Can't say I blame NBC for making that decision. I suppose no one wants to promote their competition!

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Thanksgiving is next week and this always means the annual Crossville Christmas Parade is just around the corner! Holiday Magic is the theme for the 4:30 p.m. holiday parade for Saturday, Dec. 5. Grand marshals are the 278th unit of the Army National Guard, scheduled to be deployed the very next morning. So bring your Christmas gear and your red, white and blue as we celebrate the holidays and our troops!

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This is my last column prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, so just a reminder to make your Thanksgiving safe if you are traveling over the next few days. Please don't mix alcohol with driving, watch for construction signs and other motorists and observe the speed limits.

Cumberland County's students will only attend classes two days next week. They will be out of school next Wednesday through Friday for the holiday.