“Glee”: Five Reasons We Think It’s Gonna Be The Bomb

Tonight, tune yourselves (or your DVRs) in to Fox for some singing amazingness. No, not the “American Idol” almost-finale (dear Lord, give it to Adam already!). It’s a sneak peek at “Glee,” a new musical show that features my two favorite things: bitchy one-liners and musical numbers.

It’s “Freaks and Geeks” meets “High School Musical” and rolled up in a candy-colored case with enough sarcasm to keep the cheese from getting too stinky. If the show is half as good as the trailer, you’ll know where to find me every Wednesday next fall, when the show airs. Here are five reasons why.

• Ryan Murphy Is A Rock Star. “Glee” is the brainchild of Murphy, the guy behind “Nip/Tuck” and “Popular,” one of those awesome shows about high school that flew under the radar and died a too-early death. Like those shows, “Glee” looks at a weird, overlooked subculture while managing to get in some digs and get at some deeper truths.
• Musicals Are The New Black. In the last two years, shows like “Spring Awakening” and “In the Heights” have sexed up Broadway with swoon-worthy performers and pop songs you want on your iPod. “Glee” stars Broadway’s Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison and focuses on the big-hearted, big-voiced sound of the Great White Way. I dare you not to sing along to favorites from “Les Miserables” and “Grease.” (After all, “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miz” made Susan Boyle a mega-star.)
• Karaoke Is Kicks. Not only do we love singing our favorite songs when drunk in bars, what we love even more is watching people who can actually carry a tune while singing onscreen. From “American Idol” to “Moulin Rouge,” we love new interpretations of beloved hits. “Glee” takes it one step further by bringing together karaoke and characters we care about. Music in the pilot includes everything from Katy Perry to Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse to Journey.
• Jocks Have Rhythm. After Tim Riggins of “Friday Night Lights” taught us that football players have feelings, here comes Finn Hudson, the star quarterback who not only befriends the nerds and the outcasts but can rock a mean version of “Summer Lovin’.” Finn will set your heart aflutter and show a new generation it’s cooler to be multifaceted than two-dimensional.
• Everyone Loves An Outcast. “Freaks and Geeks.” “The Breakfast Club.” “My So-Called Life.” “Pretty in Pink.” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” “Heathers.” “Pump up the Volume.” The list goes on. Roll these up with “HSM,” and you got “Glee.” Whee!