*Glee*

*Glee*
Title	*Glee*
Creator	Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan
Starring	Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison
Country	United States
Network	Fox
First aired	May 19, 2009
Last aired	March 20, 2015

*Glee*. The American musical comedy-drama television series, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, aired on the Fox network from 2009 to 2015. It centered on the William McKinley High School glee club, New Directions, as its members navigated high school life while competing in show choir competitions. The series was notable for its blend of satire, drama, and musical performances, becoming a significant pop culture phenomenon.

Premise and setting

The narrative is primarily set at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, a struggling public school with a strong athletic tradition. The core premise follows Spanish teacher Will Schuester, who takes over the school's defunct glee club, New Directions, aiming to restore it to its former glory. The series juxtaposes the club's journey through the show choir competition circuit, governed by organizations like the American Choral Directors Association, with the personal and social struggles of its diverse members. Antagonism frequently comes from the school's ruthless cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, and the ambitions of rival show choirs such as Vocal Adrenaline and the Warblers.

Characters and cast

The ensemble cast featured teacher Will Schuester, portrayed by Matthew Morrison, and the cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch. Key student members of New Directions included the ambitious Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), the conflicted quarterback Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), the talented but troubled Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera), and the openly gay Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer). Later prominent additions included transfer student Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss), a member of the Warblers. Recurring and guest stars included Gwyneth Paltrow, Britney Spears, and Kate Hudson, with many celebrities appearing as themselves. The cast frequently performed at major events like the White House and the Super Bowl.

Production and development

The series was produced by 20th Television and Ryan Murphy Television, with key creative direction from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. The pilot was ordered by Fox after a fierce bidding war with other networks. Filming primarily occurred in Los Angeles, with the auditorium scenes shot at the Paramount Pictures lot. The show's tone blended elements of satire and soap opera, with storylines often developed to accommodate popular musical numbers. A significant production shift occurred following the untimely death of star Cory Monteith in 2013, which was addressed in a tribute episode titled "The Quarterback."

Music and performances

A central element was its extensive use of cover versions of popular songs spanning genres from pop and rock to Broadway and R&B. Performances were integrated into the narrative, often as rehearsals or competition sets for events like Sectionals, Regionals, and Nationals. The music achieved massive commercial success, with over 36 million digital single sales and numerous albums charting on the Billboard 200, including *Glee: The Music, Volume 1*. Cast members embarked on concert tours such as the *Glee Live! In Concert!* tour, which performed at venues like Radio City Music Hall.

Reception and cultural impact

The series received generally positive reviews from critics at outlets like *The New York Times* and *The Hollywood Reporter*, particularly for its first three seasons, and developed a devoted fanbase known as "Gleeks." It was praised for its progressive storylines addressing issues like LGBT identity, disability, and teen pregnancy, though it also faced criticism for inconsistent plotting. Its cultural impact was substantial, revitalizing interest in show choir and boosting sales of covered songs on the iTunes Store. The show is credited with increasing visibility for actors like Chris Colfer and Darren Criss and inspired various parodies on shows like *Saturday Night Live*.

Awards and nominations

Throughout its run, the show received widespread recognition from major award bodies. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2010, and both Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer won Golden Globe Awards for their performances. At the Primetime Emmy Awards, it earned numerous nominations, winning for Jane Lynch's supporting actress role and for Joss Whedon's direction of the episode "Dream On." The cast also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The series' music was recognized by the Grammy Awards, with nominations for Best Compilation Soundtrack.

Category:2009 American television series debuts Category:2015 American television series endings Category:Fox network shows