By Mike
Glee is mainly about being part of something great, which is the goal that brings together a band of McKinley High castoffs in the school’s glee club, New Directions. Under the guidance of optimistic teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), New Directions hopes to reach nationals and restore the glory of glee club at McKinley. Armed with a budding ingénue in social pariah Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and a secret weapon in football star Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), the group might just be able to accomplish their goal despite overwhelming odds and low expectations.
A sneak preview of the show aired in May, drawing around 10 million viewers — many of whom were likely surprised to find out that the show was the brainchild of Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy. The two projects couldn’t be more different from one another. While Glee admittedly has a bit of an edge to it, the climax of the pilot episode, which featured a show-stopping performance of Journey’s arena-rock classic “Don’t Stop Believing,” was downright uplifting. In other words, a far cry from some of the stomach-turning scenes in Murphy’s previous series.
Count Jessalyn Gilsig, who plays Will’s wife Terri on Glee and previously worked with Murphy on Nip/Tuck, among those who are not shocked to see Murphy move in a new direction, so to speak.
“I can’t specifically say that I knew he had this in him,” she says, “but working with him, I wouldn’t have been surprised to know that he’s very versatile and, it goes without saying, he’s very creative. I think that there is a common thread, which is that — even when things are exaggerated in his work — there’s an amazing amount of humanity. So, in a way, even though the worlds are so different, I feel like there’s an undercurrent of an understanding of the human condition that seems sort of like a constant in him.”
It’s easy to see why FOX chose Glee for its post-American Idol finale time slot last May. The show has a lot going for it: a strong pedigree; a great cast full of fresh faces and gifted performers; a slew of impressive guest appearances; and, most importantly, its unique subject matter.
“It’s been so special,” says Gilsig of the attention Glee is already receiving. “I think that the highest compliment I’ve really received has been from peers — people that I respect — who say, ‘I’m jealous. I wish I was on it. I wish I’d written it. I wish I’d thought of it. I wish I was a part of it.’”
Some outside of the principal cast will actually get their wish and get to be a part of the show. This season, Glee will feature guest stars such as Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Debra Monk and Eve, in addition to some unknown young performers who comprise the various glee clubs on the show.
“I loved working with Victor Garber and Debra Monk, because I’m big fans of theirs. Kristin, as well,” says Gilsig. “Then, in the pilot, they had these kids come — people that nobody’s ever heard of — and when you see them perform, it’s going to be a revelation. A lot of it is faces we won’t recognize but people being allowed to do what they’re really, really good at. It’s kind of cool that way.”
Then there are the people who are on set every week. Because it’s set in a high school, Glee employs a set of young actors in addition to more experienced actors who play various teachers, parents and, in Gilsig’s case, a teacher’s spouse. One might expect a bit of a generation gap between the two groups.
“We can’t relate at all. I don’t even talk to them, and they call me ma’am,” Gilsig jokes. “It’s amazing. The younger set — they’re wonderful. They’re really excited, they’re working so hard. Their schedules — if they’re not dancing, they’re in rehearsals for singing or they’re recording. So they’re keeping really long hours but, you know, they’re professionals.”
All the work put in by the young performers pays off, according to Gilsig, who says there will be a minimum of two or three songs performed in each of the shows 13 episodes this season.
“They’re all songs that we know. Everything from Journey to Beyoncé to Broadway tunes. It’s so great because everyone can sing along. It’s really cool. … “I’ve heard of a couple of performances that have moved the crew to tears.”
And while she hasn’t been asked to sing yet, Gilsig says she’s ready and willing. For now, she’s just happy to be a part of something different — both in regard to the rest of TV’s prime-time options and to what she has done in the past.
“I’m used to working on shows where I’m unpacking a rape kit or talking to someone in a child prostitution ring,” says Gilsig, whose other credits include roles on Boston Public, Heroes, Prison Break and Friday Night Lights. “It’s kind of nice to be silly and goofy and try to make each other laugh. There’s a real levity and a real excitement on the set that’s really infectious.”
Glee premieres Sept. 9 on FOX.
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