Glee’s New Directions may have not won regionals at the end of Season One, but the notes just keep soaring. Glee has bumped off the Beatles for being a non-solo act with the most appearances in the Billboard Top 100. The cast of Glee is at number 75, right after Elvis Presley and James Brown, while the Beatles trails at number 71.
For a series written for about underdogs, with a musical motif no less, Glee just keeps coming out on top. Glee’s second season premiered on September 21, 2009 to success in ratings and critical reception. Season Two also introduced Philippine singer, Sunshine Corazon, played by local breakout singer, Charice Pempengco. Sunshine Corazon is slated to be a recurring role throughout the second season.
Glee has also inspired the “musikaserye” – teleseryes punctuated by song and production numbers. GMA 7 had ‘Diva’ starring Regine Velasquez, which ended last July, while ABS-CBN is now showing iDol, starring Sarah Geronimo, Coco Martin, and Sam Milby. Their use of OPM musical numbers in the shows have made them look like Glee rip-offs, but the similarities end there. Both shows follow the same soapy formula, of a girl looking to have it all, even as she faces obstacles of rivals and competing lovers.
Looks like we’re back in the golden age of musicals. With shows like these, we have the music to thank.
