<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/css" media="screen" href="http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/themes/vip/newyorkobserver/stylesheets/rss.css"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Observer &#187; Matthew Morrison</title>
	<atom:link href="http://observer.com/term/matthew-morrison/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://observer.com</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 15:16:44 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language></language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.com/</generator>
<cloud domain='observer.com' port='80' path='/?rsscloud=notify' registerProcedure='' protocol='http-post' />
<image>
		<url>http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/dac0f3722a48a53be75eb06c0c4f5119?s=96&#038;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png</url>
		<title>Observer &#187; Matthew Morrison</title>
		<link>http://observer.com</link>
	</image>
	<atom:link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="http://observer.com/osd.xml" title="Observer" />
	<atom:link rel='hub' href='http://observer.com/?pushpress=hub'/>
		<item>
				
		<title>The Golden Globe Nominations: On Television, Everyone Remembers Laughter</title>

		<comments>http://observer.com/2009/12/the-golden-globe-nominations-on-television-ieveryonei-remembers-laughter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:00:54 -0400</pubDate>
					<link>http://observer.com/2009/12/the-golden-globe-nominations-on-television-ieveryonei-remembers-laughter/</link>
			<dc:creator>Christopher Rosen</dc:creator>
				
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.observer.com/2009/12/the-golden-globe-nominations-on-television-ieveryonei-remembers-laughter/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/modern_family.jpg?w=300&h=192" />Call us crazy&mdash;or maybe a little loopy&mdash;but we might be more excited for the Golden Globes than we are for the Oscars and the Emmys combined. Think about it: not only will everyone from our favorite movies (yes, that <em>was</em> a nomination for <em>The Hangover </em>in the Best Comedy category!) and television shows be together&mdash;at <em>tables filled with booze</em>&mdash;but Ricky Gervais is the host. As much as we love Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, it's hard to imagine them being able to top that combination of events.</p>
<p>Regardless of the lack of respect the Golden Globes get as a whole in some circles&mdash;as New Jersey Star-Ledger television critic <a href="http://twitter.com/sepinwall/status/6696202491">Alan Sepinwall condescendingly tweeted after the announcements</a>: "Trying to parse any kind of meaning out of Golden Globe noms or awards is pointless. It amazes me we take them as seriously as we do"&mdash;<a href="http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-12-15-the-67th-annual-golden-globe-nominations">the nominations</a> still mean something to... someone. Like, the rest of us! Putting the film selections aside for the moment (Julia Roberts for <em>Duplicity</em>, really?), here's a peak at three of the biggest stories from the world of television.</p>
<p><strong>Come on! <em>Entourage </em>again!?</strong></p>
<p>It's official: Doug Ellin must have pictures of the Hollywood Foreign Press in compromising positions. For the <em>sixth</em> year in a row, the maligned HBO comedy series was nominated in the Best Comedy Series category (along with <em>30 Rock</em>, <em>Modern Family</em>, <em>The Office </em>and <em>Glee</em>). For those keeping score at home, that means <em>Entourage</em> beat out such favorites as (deep breath!): <em>Parks &amp; Recreation</em>, <em>Party Down</em>, <em>Community</em>, <em>How I Met Your Mother</em>,<em> Cougar Town</em>, <em>Better Off Ted</em>, <em>Nurse Jackie</em>, <em>The United States of Tara</em>, <em>Bored to Death</em> and <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em>. Phew! While we're pretty sure a nomination for any one of those series would have been greeted with more acceptance than <em>Entourage</em>, the inclusion of the HBO series does make you realize how many great comedies currently air on television. Hey, what do you want from us? We're looking for a bright side here!</p>
<p><strong>New Show Showdown: <em>Glee </em>vs.<em> Modern Family</em>!</strong></p>
<p>Historically, the Globes love picking the new kid on the block&mdash;America Ferrera, Jon Hamm, <em>Mad Men</em>&mdash;but this year that decision will be harder than usual since both new kids are in the same category. <em>Glee </em>and <em>Modern Family</em> have been the two most-revered new series of the fall and both scored nominations for Best Comedy Series. Which will wind up winning? Give us <em>Glee</em>, if only because of its multiple acting nominations (Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele and probable Best Supporting Actress-winner Jane Lynch). Of course, whether or not NBC will let <em>Glee</em> accept an award on their network is a <a href="http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/not-glee-ful-fox-show-disinvited-from-macy-thanksgiving-day-parade-by-nbc/">different story altogether</a>.</p>
<p><strong>No More Drama... for the networks!</strong></p>
<p>Who knew Mary J. Blige was so prescient! With the exception of <em>House</em>, no network series found its way into the Best Drama category (the other nominees are <em>Mad Men</em>, <em>True Blood</em>, <em>Dexter</em> and <em>Big Love</em>). Worse, however, is that it's hard for us to find any network shows more deserving&mdash;our inner fanboy would have loved to see <em>Lost</em> in this category, but even we would acknowledge that its fifth season was slightly disappointing. Not that the nominees here matter, of course: we figure they'll all run a distant second to <em>Mad Men</em>.</p>
]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/modern_family.jpg?w=300&h=192" />Call us crazy&mdash;or maybe a little loopy&mdash;but we might be more excited for the Golden Globes than we are for the Oscars and the Emmys combined. Think about it: not only will everyone from our favorite movies (yes, that <em>was</em> a nomination for <em>The Hangover </em>in the Best Comedy category!) and television shows be together&mdash;at <em>tables filled with booze</em>&mdash;but Ricky Gervais is the host. As much as we love Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, it's hard to imagine them being able to top that combination of events.</p>
<p>Regardless of the lack of respect the Golden Globes get as a whole in some circles&mdash;as New Jersey Star-Ledger television critic <a href="http://twitter.com/sepinwall/status/6696202491">Alan Sepinwall condescendingly tweeted after the announcements</a>: "Trying to parse any kind of meaning out of Golden Globe noms or awards is pointless. It amazes me we take them as seriously as we do"&mdash;<a href="http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2009-12-15-the-67th-annual-golden-globe-nominations">the nominations</a> still mean something to... someone. Like, the rest of us! Putting the film selections aside for the moment (Julia Roberts for <em>Duplicity</em>, really?), here's a peak at three of the biggest stories from the world of television.</p>
<p><strong>Come on! <em>Entourage </em>again!?</strong></p>
<p>It's official: Doug Ellin must have pictures of the Hollywood Foreign Press in compromising positions. For the <em>sixth</em> year in a row, the maligned HBO comedy series was nominated in the Best Comedy Series category (along with <em>30 Rock</em>, <em>Modern Family</em>, <em>The Office </em>and <em>Glee</em>). For those keeping score at home, that means <em>Entourage</em> beat out such favorites as (deep breath!): <em>Parks &amp; Recreation</em>, <em>Party Down</em>, <em>Community</em>, <em>How I Met Your Mother</em>,<em> Cougar Town</em>, <em>Better Off Ted</em>, <em>Nurse Jackie</em>, <em>The United States of Tara</em>, <em>Bored to Death</em> and <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em>. Phew! While we're pretty sure a nomination for any one of those series would have been greeted with more acceptance than <em>Entourage</em>, the inclusion of the HBO series does make you realize how many great comedies currently air on television. Hey, what do you want from us? We're looking for a bright side here!</p>
<p><strong>New Show Showdown: <em>Glee </em>vs.<em> Modern Family</em>!</strong></p>
<p>Historically, the Globes love picking the new kid on the block&mdash;America Ferrera, Jon Hamm, <em>Mad Men</em>&mdash;but this year that decision will be harder than usual since both new kids are in the same category. <em>Glee </em>and <em>Modern Family</em> have been the two most-revered new series of the fall and both scored nominations for Best Comedy Series. Which will wind up winning? Give us <em>Glee</em>, if only because of its multiple acting nominations (Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele and probable Best Supporting Actress-winner Jane Lynch). Of course, whether or not NBC will let <em>Glee</em> accept an award on their network is a <a href="http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/not-glee-ful-fox-show-disinvited-from-macy-thanksgiving-day-parade-by-nbc/">different story altogether</a>.</p>
<p><strong>No More Drama... for the networks!</strong></p>
<p>Who knew Mary J. Blige was so prescient! With the exception of <em>House</em>, no network series found its way into the Best Drama category (the other nominees are <em>Mad Men</em>, <em>True Blood</em>, <em>Dexter</em> and <em>Big Love</em>). Worse, however, is that it's hard for us to find any network shows more deserving&mdash;our inner fanboy would have loved to see <em>Lost</em> in this category, but even we would acknowledge that its fifth season was slightly disappointing. Not that the nominees here matter, of course: we figure they'll all run a distant second to <em>Mad Men</em>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://observer.com/2009/12/the-golden-globe-nominations-on-television-ieveryonei-remembers-laughter/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/becf95fa833b8aeb13f7720732bd6dc6?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">jhanasobserver</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/modern_family.jpg?w=300&#38;h=192" medium="image" />
	</item>
		<item>
				
		<title>These Are Our Confessions: Suggestions To Make Great Glee Even Better</title>

		<comments>http://observer.com/2009/11/these-are-our-confessions-suggestions-to-make-great-igleei-even-better/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:28:52 -0400</pubDate>
					<link>http://observer.com/2009/11/these-are-our-confessions-suggestions-to-make-great-igleei-even-better/</link>
			<dc:creator>Christopher Rosen</dc:creator>
				
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.observer.com/2009/11/these-are-our-confessions-suggestions-to-make-great-igleei-even-better/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee_1.jpg?w=300&h=223" />For the most obvious news of the fall, allow us to direct you to a recent Los Angeles <em>Times</em> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-winners-losers16-2009nov16,0,1996196.story">article about dwindling television ratings</a>. As it turns out, people aren't watching TV like they used to, unless it falls under the moniker of the <em>NCIS</em> franchise (how did that happen?).</p>
<p>That <em>Glee</em> is arguably a hit, then, is all the more surprising. The Fox series&mdash;which combines elements of <em>High School Musical</em>, <em>American Idol</em>, <em>Election</em> and <em>Rock Band</em>&mdash;feels about as suited for success, as its flamboyantly gay character, Kurt Hummel, is suited for playing football. And yet both things have happened during this first season: <em>Glee</em>'s a solid-performing phenomenon, and Kurt led the football team in a choreographed dance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies."</p>
<p>Last week's episode, "Wheels," <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/11/exclusive-ryan-murphy-calls-tonights-episode-of-glee-a-game-changer.html">was touted as a game changer by creator Ryan Murphy</a>, because, for the first time, <em>Glee</em> added a layer of humanity to its characters. It was the type of episode necessary to keep the show from falling into flash-in-the-pan status. But there is still more work to be done! Here are some helpful suggestions to keep <em>Glee</em> in it for the long haul; or, at least until everyone graduates high school.</p>
<p><strong>More Kurt singing...</strong></p>
<p>If there is a breakout character among the misfits of <em>Glee</em>&mdash;one that isn't named Sue Sylvester and played by the inimitable Jane Lynch&mdash;it's the aforementioned Kurt. As played by newcomer Chris Colfer, Kurt has been put through the emotional ringer during season one: he's had to come out of the closet to his father, parry away the gay slurs of classmates, partake in ridiculous musical numbers (see: "Single Ladies") and even showcase honest-to-goodness singing talent (see: his performance of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Cf8_f9g30">Defying Gravity</a>"). The more solos he's given in the future, the better.</p>
<p><strong>...but less Mr. Schu rapping!</strong></p>
<p>We're not sure who ever thought having a 30-year-old white guy routinely perform rap songs was a good idea, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV56Dm7wVL8">but we can assure you it is not</a>. Mr. Shuster, the glee club leader, is charming enough (and thanks to Matthew Morrison, is blessed with a great voice), but why all the rapping? It's like nails on chalkboard. Please, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/104103/glee-bust-a-move">never again</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More mash-ups...</strong></p>
<p>From what we've been lead to believe, glee club acapella groups love performing mash-ups of popular songs, but thus far on <em>Glee</em> we've only been treated to two (Bon Jovi's "It's My Life"/Usher's "Confession, Pt. II" and Beyonce's "Halo"/Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine"). And, wouldn't you know it, they were both been <a href="http://vodpod.com/watch/2305493-glee-its-my-life-confessions-pt-ii-videomp3">performance highlights</a>. The joy of <em>Glee</em> is in its ability to take songs and show them off in a different light; without mash-ups and remixes, it risks becoming karaoke.</p>
<p><strong>...but less auto-tune and production!</strong></p>
<p>Albeit it karaoke with the sheen of a T-Pain song. Must every number on <em>Glee</em> be over-produced to the point of suffocation? Just once, we'd love to hear a song filled with the natural din of room sound and not the perfect stillness of a recording studio. <em>Glee </em>would do well to take a cue from Jay-Z: no more auto-tune!</p>
<p><strong>More Quinn, the manipulating Queen Bee...</strong></p>
<p>Every show needs a good adversary, and while <em>Glee</em> had originally set up Sue Sylvester to fill that role, Ms. Lynch's towering-cum-hilarious performance has made her a fan favorite. But what of Quinn Fabray (Dianna Argon)? The former cheerleader is so unappealing that whenever she's on screen we're hoping for a stray meteor to fall on her head. She's fantastically awful! Embrace the dark side and keep Quinn away from anything that requires her to smile, play nice or, heaven help us, sing.</p>
<p><strong>...but less Terri, the shrill wife!</strong></p>
<p>On the flipside of Quinn, there's Jessalyn Gilsig as Will's pregnancy-faking wife, Terri. We assume she's supposed to be someone audiences love-to-hate, but in reality, we just hate her. Her entire plotline is contrived and annoying and if her character didn't exist, <em>Glee</em> would immediately be three times better. Mr. Murphy, get ready for a course correction. Might we remind you of our favorite deus ex machina, the stray meteor?</p>
]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee_1.jpg?w=300&h=223" />For the most obvious news of the fall, allow us to direct you to a recent Los Angeles <em>Times</em> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-winners-losers16-2009nov16,0,1996196.story">article about dwindling television ratings</a>. As it turns out, people aren't watching TV like they used to, unless it falls under the moniker of the <em>NCIS</em> franchise (how did that happen?).</p>
<p>That <em>Glee</em> is arguably a hit, then, is all the more surprising. The Fox series&mdash;which combines elements of <em>High School Musical</em>, <em>American Idol</em>, <em>Election</em> and <em>Rock Band</em>&mdash;feels about as suited for success, as its flamboyantly gay character, Kurt Hummel, is suited for playing football. And yet both things have happened during this first season: <em>Glee</em>'s a solid-performing phenomenon, and Kurt led the football team in a choreographed dance to Beyonce's "Single Ladies."</p>
<p>Last week's episode, "Wheels," <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/11/exclusive-ryan-murphy-calls-tonights-episode-of-glee-a-game-changer.html">was touted as a game changer by creator Ryan Murphy</a>, because, for the first time, <em>Glee</em> added a layer of humanity to its characters. It was the type of episode necessary to keep the show from falling into flash-in-the-pan status. But there is still more work to be done! Here are some helpful suggestions to keep <em>Glee</em> in it for the long haul; or, at least until everyone graduates high school.</p>
<p><strong>More Kurt singing...</strong></p>
<p>If there is a breakout character among the misfits of <em>Glee</em>&mdash;one that isn't named Sue Sylvester and played by the inimitable Jane Lynch&mdash;it's the aforementioned Kurt. As played by newcomer Chris Colfer, Kurt has been put through the emotional ringer during season one: he's had to come out of the closet to his father, parry away the gay slurs of classmates, partake in ridiculous musical numbers (see: "Single Ladies") and even showcase honest-to-goodness singing talent (see: his performance of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Cf8_f9g30">Defying Gravity</a>"). The more solos he's given in the future, the better.</p>
<p><strong>...but less Mr. Schu rapping!</strong></p>
<p>We're not sure who ever thought having a 30-year-old white guy routinely perform rap songs was a good idea, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV56Dm7wVL8">but we can assure you it is not</a>. Mr. Shuster, the glee club leader, is charming enough (and thanks to Matthew Morrison, is blessed with a great voice), but why all the rapping? It's like nails on chalkboard. Please, <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/104103/glee-bust-a-move">never again</a>.</p>
<p><strong>More mash-ups...</strong></p>
<p>From what we've been lead to believe, glee club acapella groups love performing mash-ups of popular songs, but thus far on <em>Glee</em> we've only been treated to two (Bon Jovi's "It's My Life"/Usher's "Confession, Pt. II" and Beyonce's "Halo"/Katrina and the Waves' "Walking on Sunshine"). And, wouldn't you know it, they were both been <a href="http://vodpod.com/watch/2305493-glee-its-my-life-confessions-pt-ii-videomp3">performance highlights</a>. The joy of <em>Glee</em> is in its ability to take songs and show them off in a different light; without mash-ups and remixes, it risks becoming karaoke.</p>
<p><strong>...but less auto-tune and production!</strong></p>
<p>Albeit it karaoke with the sheen of a T-Pain song. Must every number on <em>Glee</em> be over-produced to the point of suffocation? Just once, we'd love to hear a song filled with the natural din of room sound and not the perfect stillness of a recording studio. <em>Glee </em>would do well to take a cue from Jay-Z: no more auto-tune!</p>
<p><strong>More Quinn, the manipulating Queen Bee...</strong></p>
<p>Every show needs a good adversary, and while <em>Glee</em> had originally set up Sue Sylvester to fill that role, Ms. Lynch's towering-cum-hilarious performance has made her a fan favorite. But what of Quinn Fabray (Dianna Argon)? The former cheerleader is so unappealing that whenever she's on screen we're hoping for a stray meteor to fall on her head. She's fantastically awful! Embrace the dark side and keep Quinn away from anything that requires her to smile, play nice or, heaven help us, sing.</p>
<p><strong>...but less Terri, the shrill wife!</strong></p>
<p>On the flipside of Quinn, there's Jessalyn Gilsig as Will's pregnancy-faking wife, Terri. We assume she's supposed to be someone audiences love-to-hate, but in reality, we just hate her. Her entire plotline is contrived and annoying and if her character didn't exist, <em>Glee</em> would immediately be three times better. Mr. Murphy, get ready for a course correction. Might we remind you of our favorite deus ex machina, the stray meteor?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://observer.com/2009/11/these-are-our-confessions-suggestions-to-make-great-igleei-even-better/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/becf95fa833b8aeb13f7720732bd6dc6?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">jhanasobserver</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee_1.jpg?w=300&#38;h=223" medium="image" />
	</item>
		<item>
				
		<title>A Star is Born on Glee, But the Series Itself Doesn&#8217;t Quite Shine</title>

		<comments>http://observer.com/2009/05/a-star-is-born-on-igleei-but-the-series-itself-doesnt-quite-shine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 12:54:16 -0400</pubDate>
					<link>http://observer.com/2009/05/a-star-is-born-on-igleei-but-the-series-itself-doesnt-quite-shine/</link>
			<dc:creator>Christopher Rosen</dc:creator>
				
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.observer.com/2009/05/a-star-is-born-on-igleei-but-the-series-itself-doesnt-quite-shine/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee.jpg?w=300&h=199" />Just how confident is Fox in its new hour-long musical comedy <em>Glee</em> (premiering tonight at 9), from <em>Nip/Tuck</em> creator Ryan Murphy? Not only have they moved the premiere episode of the fall series up to spring, they&rsquo;re airing it immediately following tonight&rsquo;s final performance edition of <em>American Idol</em>. Add to that the effusive praise critics have already bestowed upon the series&mdash;about the misfits involved with a failing high school glee club&mdash;and you&rsquo;ve got the coming of what could be a genuine phenomenon. Unfortunately, while <em>Glee</em> contains one tremendous star turn and features a ton of likable moving parts, the series on the whole doesn&rsquo;t meet the hype. If you tune in tonight, we suggest setting your expectations to &ldquo;temper.&rdquo;</p>
<p>About that star turn: As Rachel, the overachieving (and hated) glee club queen bee, Lea Michele is fabulous. It goes without saying that she has the musical chops&mdash;<a href="http://www.myspace.com/leamichelesa">the 22-year-old Bronx native was the lead in the original cast of Broadway&rsquo;s <em>Spring Awakening,</em></a> and her voice has an unmistakable, forged-on-stage power. But what makes this performance so notable are the subtle ways Ms. Michele makes Rachel at turns both empathetic and derisible, sometimes within the same take. Sure, she&rsquo;s a lot like <em>Election</em>&rsquo;s Tracy Flick, but in the hands of Ms. Michele, Rachel is more likable, self-reflective and, most important, vulnerable. Plus, she sings! Those looking for the next big teen star can end their search.</p>
<p>Ms. Michele aside, everyone else in the cast is spot-on, too: Broadway star Matthew Morrison, here playing the teacher in charge of the glee club, is the latest in a long line of Ryan Atwood look-alikes on television this spring (joining Ryan Atwood himself, Ben McKenzie on <em>Southland</em> and Jeremy Renner on the now-canceled <em>The Unusuals</em>), but he acquits himself nicely as a man struggling with the internal conflict between his teenage dreams and adult responsibilities; Cory Monteith (<em>Kyle XY</em>), as the jock-cum-love interest, is basically just doing Chris Klein in <em>American Pie</em> (or <em>Election</em>, if you&rsquo;d prefer), but he has an easy chemistry with Ms. Michele that works; and newcomer Amber Riley, who proudly states that she doesn&rsquo;t want to be a backup singer because &ldquo;I&rsquo;m Beyonc&eacute;, I ain&rsquo;t no Kelly Rowand,&rdquo; might be the funniest person not named Jane Lynch on the entire show.</p>
<p>Yet with all that good will, the problems with <em>Glee</em> rest squarely at the feet of Mr. Murphy. Truth be told, we&rsquo;ve never seen his appeal&mdash;<em>Nip/Tuck</em> was only moderately entertaining during its first season and has now become unwatchable; his adaptation of <em>Running with Scissors</em> was one of the worst movies from 2006&mdash;but here he just seems in over his head as a writer-director. The idea for <em>Glee</em> is great&mdash;an underdog story that combines high school, pop music and <a href="/2009/movies/watch-out-millenials-might-take-over-your-tv">that feel-good quality that millenials so desire</a>&mdash;but Mr. Murphy doesn&rsquo;t seem entirely sure what to do with all the riches he&rsquo;s been given. <em>Glee</em>&rsquo;s pilot feels like a total chop job with disorienting leaps from scene-to-scene and distracting voice-overs to patch over the holes. Cogency is apparently not as important to this equation as choreography (which, it should be noted, is pretty impeccable).</p>
<p>Whether Mr. Murphy can take all the pieces and make <em>Glee</em> into something truly worthy of all the pre-premiere chatter is a question that won&rsquo;t have an answer until the series gets started in earnest on Wednesdays this fall. However, any show that has the temerity to end with a cast sing-along of &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Stop Believing&rdquo; is a show we&rsquo;re at least going to add to our DVR list. What can we say? We&rsquo;re still suckers for Journey.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee.jpg?w=300&h=199" />Just how confident is Fox in its new hour-long musical comedy <em>Glee</em> (premiering tonight at 9), from <em>Nip/Tuck</em> creator Ryan Murphy? Not only have they moved the premiere episode of the fall series up to spring, they&rsquo;re airing it immediately following tonight&rsquo;s final performance edition of <em>American Idol</em>. Add to that the effusive praise critics have already bestowed upon the series&mdash;about the misfits involved with a failing high school glee club&mdash;and you&rsquo;ve got the coming of what could be a genuine phenomenon. Unfortunately, while <em>Glee</em> contains one tremendous star turn and features a ton of likable moving parts, the series on the whole doesn&rsquo;t meet the hype. If you tune in tonight, we suggest setting your expectations to &ldquo;temper.&rdquo;</p>
<p>About that star turn: As Rachel, the overachieving (and hated) glee club queen bee, Lea Michele is fabulous. It goes without saying that she has the musical chops&mdash;<a href="http://www.myspace.com/leamichelesa">the 22-year-old Bronx native was the lead in the original cast of Broadway&rsquo;s <em>Spring Awakening,</em></a> and her voice has an unmistakable, forged-on-stage power. But what makes this performance so notable are the subtle ways Ms. Michele makes Rachel at turns both empathetic and derisible, sometimes within the same take. Sure, she&rsquo;s a lot like <em>Election</em>&rsquo;s Tracy Flick, but in the hands of Ms. Michele, Rachel is more likable, self-reflective and, most important, vulnerable. Plus, she sings! Those looking for the next big teen star can end their search.</p>
<p>Ms. Michele aside, everyone else in the cast is spot-on, too: Broadway star Matthew Morrison, here playing the teacher in charge of the glee club, is the latest in a long line of Ryan Atwood look-alikes on television this spring (joining Ryan Atwood himself, Ben McKenzie on <em>Southland</em> and Jeremy Renner on the now-canceled <em>The Unusuals</em>), but he acquits himself nicely as a man struggling with the internal conflict between his teenage dreams and adult responsibilities; Cory Monteith (<em>Kyle XY</em>), as the jock-cum-love interest, is basically just doing Chris Klein in <em>American Pie</em> (or <em>Election</em>, if you&rsquo;d prefer), but he has an easy chemistry with Ms. Michele that works; and newcomer Amber Riley, who proudly states that she doesn&rsquo;t want to be a backup singer because &ldquo;I&rsquo;m Beyonc&eacute;, I ain&rsquo;t no Kelly Rowand,&rdquo; might be the funniest person not named Jane Lynch on the entire show.</p>
<p>Yet with all that good will, the problems with <em>Glee</em> rest squarely at the feet of Mr. Murphy. Truth be told, we&rsquo;ve never seen his appeal&mdash;<em>Nip/Tuck</em> was only moderately entertaining during its first season and has now become unwatchable; his adaptation of <em>Running with Scissors</em> was one of the worst movies from 2006&mdash;but here he just seems in over his head as a writer-director. The idea for <em>Glee</em> is great&mdash;an underdog story that combines high school, pop music and <a href="/2009/movies/watch-out-millenials-might-take-over-your-tv">that feel-good quality that millenials so desire</a>&mdash;but Mr. Murphy doesn&rsquo;t seem entirely sure what to do with all the riches he&rsquo;s been given. <em>Glee</em>&rsquo;s pilot feels like a total chop job with disorienting leaps from scene-to-scene and distracting voice-overs to patch over the holes. Cogency is apparently not as important to this equation as choreography (which, it should be noted, is pretty impeccable).</p>
<p>Whether Mr. Murphy can take all the pieces and make <em>Glee</em> into something truly worthy of all the pre-premiere chatter is a question that won&rsquo;t have an answer until the series gets started in earnest on Wednesdays this fall. However, any show that has the temerity to end with a cast sing-along of &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Stop Believing&rdquo; is a show we&rsquo;re at least going to add to our DVR list. What can we say? We&rsquo;re still suckers for Journey.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://observer.com/2009/05/a-star-is-born-on-igleei-but-the-series-itself-doesnt-quite-shine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/becf95fa833b8aeb13f7720732bd6dc6?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">jhanasobserver</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nyoobserver.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/glee.jpg?w=300&#38;h=199" medium="image" />
	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
