Thursday, October 21, 2010

Raise Your Hand if You Own a Remote Control

If you have a TV, chances are you also have a remote control that allows you to choose what programs to watch. For many, Glee is one of the chosen shows. Director Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck) intended for the show to be an advocate of arts ( in this case,music) programs in high schools. During the course of any one show, Glee members are "slushied"-slushie drinks are thrown on them-for being nerds. There are so many love triangles between the characters, General Hospital is starting to look like Barney and Friends. And who can forget Sue Sylvester and her pure and utter hatred of glee club's director, Mr. Schue's hair. Sounds entertaining. Many people, young and old, choose to watch and sing along with the Glee characters every Tuesday. But how young is too young?

With the recent Glee cast GQ photo shoot controversy, many are asking, "Is Glee really family friendly?". The cast members are in their 20s,but they do portray high schoolers on Glee. High schoolers who have same sex kisses, get pregnant, and suggest threesomes with other glee club members. So, it takes a suggestive cover for parents to wonder if their child should be watching this show? Last week's Glee epsiode began with two female Cheerios (the show's fictional cheer squad) making out on one of the girl's bed. Kid friendly? A few episodes before that, two other charcters, Finn and Rachael are going at it in her room, and he is grabbing (over the shirt) her I-just-went-through-puberty-boob. Kid friendly? In another recent episode, John Stamos guest starred as a charming dentist. The girls went to his office to "get their teeth cleaned", and in the process suggestive and sexual innuendos were made. One female character on the show did a dream/fantasy scence with Stamos where she danced, er, thrusted, on top of him while he was in a dentist chair. 12 year olds are watching this?

The GQ cover is in-your-face proof that Glee is not intended for a young audience. But, we are a reactive society, and Glee was considered "cute", "cheeky" (no pun intended), and "positive," until yesterday's GQ magazine came out on stands. The show was never intended for a young audience, but seems innocent enough at first watch. Lessons of acceptance, forgiveness, and authenticity are taught to viewers through the show each week. Some parents are upset that Glee cast members participated in the shoot. They are concerned their child may see the cover and recognize the cast in barely there outfits and sexy poses. These parents should be concerned-about their parenting skills. TVs do not turn themselves on and tune into shows children should not be watching. So, if you don't have a remote (which I doubt), go get one, put the kids to bed, turn to FOX sing along to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". But not too loud, the kids are sleeping.

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