Amanda Marcotte on the girls of Glee:
In the midst of dour economic times, it shouldn’t have really been a surprise that the new Fox show Glee charmed audiences. Glee has the same appeal that Susan Boyle, awkward celebrities on Dancing With The Stars, and contestants on American Idol posses — the populist joy of watching the little guy get his due. Glee does this while also sweeping up more cynical viewers with a heavy dose of snark and camp. The show returns tonight and can expect an audience eager for more corny songs and campy plot twists, as well as howlers issued from the ever-funny Jane Lynch, who plays a character that is probably the best TV villain in recent history.
Glee has won awards for the diversity of its characters, but not without provoking criticism for wallowing in stereotypes. The sassy black girl, the fashion-loving gay kid, the scheming gold digger, the dumb jock with a heart of gold, and the neurotic but sweet guidance counselor are served up for laughs but are very rarely subverted.