Out on Campus: Glee was good for its time. Today? Not so much

By Cal Sutton

There have been pretty consistent talks about “Glee” being brought back in a reboot for years. Some die-hard fans of the series are very excited. I am not.

I loved “Glee.” It was one of my all-time favorite shows to watch, and I have probably seen all six seasons at least five times. It was with me through my awkward, budding-queer time in middle school.

“Glee” aired from 2009 – 2015 and during this time, the show made great strides toward a more inclusive and accepting society. Especially of queer individuals.

Though, I will also argue that these strides were very much only suitable for 2009 – 2015. While the show touched on some incredibly important topics, such as homophobia, suicide and interpersonal relationships, there was so much that was able to fly back then.

In my point of view, “Glee” is a sign of the times. It may have been a great way to share diverse perspectives, but the multitude of racist jokes toward the Asian and Black characters in the show, the oddly-homophobic arcs for gay characters and the show’s general approach to being incredibly comfortable with having students sleep with teachers was just … intense.

Was “Glee” a good show? Yes. It was a great show. I know many anti-“Glee” people, but I personally really enjoy it. The songs were also incredible — and I still listen to many of them when I am in the mood.

But, do I believe “Glee” deserves a reboot? Absolutely not. Do I believe it is also a tad disrespectful to reboot a show which has had multiple main-cast deaths? Absolutely.

In 2013, while the show was still running, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died of an overdose. Season 5, episode 3: “The Quarterback” still haunts me to this day. Sometimes I watch it back just to cry again.

In 2018, post-conclusion of the show, the actor who played Noah “Puck” Puckerman, Mark Salling, died by suicide after pleading guilty to possessing child sex abuse material.

In 2020, Naya Rivera, the actress for Santana Lopez, died by drowning after helping her son back onto the boat they were renting.

Three deaths of young cast members each from a show that concluded just over a decade ago is incredibly sad — and I wonder if the rest of the cast has questions about how Ryan Murphy and other writers on the show plan to address the elephant in the room: How can they possibly recast these iconic characters?

A short answer, in my perspective, is that they cannot. These roles cannot be recast in good faith.

As well as this, with the problematic nature of … a lot of the characters on the original 2009 – 2015 show, adjusting these individuals’ approaches to topics will require much adjustment.

For example, if Sue Sylvester is not a semi-evil, somewhat-homophobic mean teacher who is occasionally slightly racist, then that is not really her. That was her whole thing on the show, and while incredibly problematic, that was who she was meant to be.

In general, I can appreciate the art form that is “Glee.” I believe that the show was a masterpiece and I am certain that I will watch it, in its entirety, many more times.

But will I watch the reboot? I am still thinking about it. Signs are pointing toward “no,” unless there are some incredibly redeeming factors I learn about.

If I have a change of heart and decide to watch the “Glee” reboot, everyone will be hearing from me about it. Until then, everyone will be hearing about how much I do not want it to happen.

Cal Sutton is a junior journalism major