Glee

To TV audiences used to the shocking revelations and graphic surgeries of creator Ryan Murphy's outrageous series Nip/Tuck, the greatest shock of them all was his announcement that his next project was a musical comedy…set in high school. In a good episode, Glee, one of the most talked about shows of its era, is a rapidfire blend of wit, emotion, and no-holds-barred musical performances that deepens the characters and their relationships. But on a bad day, Glee's pacing and continuity issues and tendency toward the overly sentimental can sink even the snarkiest of storylines. Nominally about the efforts of teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) to revitalize faded high school glee club New Directions, Glee presents themes of self-expression and self-acceptance that will easily resonate with anyone who knows what it's like to be different. Jane Lynch's Emmy-winning performance as Sue Sylvester, an insult-hurling cheerleading coach on a mission to shut down New Directions, is a refreshing mix of bravado and bite. The show often balances modern pop (Lady Gaga, Queen) with classic showtunes (West Side Story, My Fair Lady), though it sometimes relies too heavily on themed episodes and on-the-nose song choices. What saves even the most off-course hour is the infectious energy of a cast that believes, and makes you believe, in the power of a well-chosen song.