Perhaps not since American Idol or the invention of Guitar Hero and Rock Band has there been a mainstream pop-cultural force that so readily introduces music of the past to the young generation as does Fox's Glee. Whether it's old-skool hip-hop hits like Young MC's "Bust A Move" and Salt N Pepa's "Push It"; classic rock cuts like Queen's "Somebody To Love," Heart's "Alone," and REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling"; the entire Madonna catalog (an all-Madge Glee episode is thrillingly in the works); or even Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," the irresistible glee-club singalongs on this groundbreaking program are creating a whole new curriculum of Music Appreciation across the nation.
But that's not the only contribution Glee is making to society. Even though its characters break into song more often than the average teenager, not since Square Pegs, Freaks & Geeks, or My So-Called Life has there been a TV show that so accurately captures all the anxiety and ennui of high school as does this breakout dramedy--which (in case you're one of the eight or so people in this country who've not yet watched it) follows the musical misadventures of a group of vocally gifted but socially challenged misfits. After years of the airwaves being clogged up by the perfect pretty privileged people of shows like The Hills, High School Musical, The OC, Beverly Hills 90210, and Gossip Girl, finally there's a series that represents real teens again.
Five cast members of this smash series--Lea Michele (aka fame-chasing diva Rachel Berry), Mark Salling (bullying jock "Puck" Puckerman), Kevin McHale (wheelchair-bound guitar slinger Artie Abrams), Jenna Ushkowitz (faux-stuttering goth girl Tina Cohen-Chang), and Chris Colfer (absolutely fabulous boy soprano Kurt Hummel)--recently came by the Yahoo! studio to discuss Glee's impact on music, television, and kids today. And they were as entertaining offscreen as they are on.
Check out the musical youth below: