“Glee” (9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9).
As when Quinn shocks everyone with an announcement that casts a shadow of doubt on her chastity in the second episode of the season, “Glee” is deliciously mean-spirited behind its fluffy, “Up With People” facade. In fact, the comedy is so rife with insults, nasty asides and the occasional shockingly off-color joke, it’s like a tequila chaser to the squealing, soda-pop madness of its fall time-slot precursor, “So You Think You Can Dance.”
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But if you really want offensive, wait until Emma, who’s the school’s guidance counselor, discovers Rachel (Lea Michele), the star of show choir, trying to throw up in the bathroom, and warns her of the dangers of becoming bulimic. “I guess I just don’t have the gag reflex,” Rachel says. “One day when you’re older, that’ll turn out to be a gift,” Emma primly responds.
Combining the breakneck comedy and sly farce of “Arrested Development” with the pop-savvy wit of “Ugly Betty” and the twisted humor, odd soundtrack and deadpan voice-overs of one of the greatest movies about high school of all time, “Election,” “Glee” is bold, silly, demonic and addictive — one full hour of very good (but not very clean) fun.
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“Glee” has tons of style and flair, and a show-tune version of Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” thrown in for good measure.
” Best new TV: “Glee” | Salon Arts & Entertainment