The delivery of material has a lot to do with how it is accepted and handled. As discussed by Cullen in his chapter on the small screen when introducing new and different ideas, comedy can be used to keep it conservative. His historical examples included I Love Lucy and All in the Family.
This year a new show aired that used a similar technique. However rather than just comedy, this show introduce music. The show Glee deals with a high school glee club that goes through a fair share of scenarios but adds color through singing and dancing. The ideas the show present are nothing more complex or any more liberal than anything that has come before it, but it delivers it in a new way. The show deals with supporting disabilities by learning and adapting to life in wheelchairs and even performing a dance in them as well as a pregnant teen who loses her spot as head cheerleader and the inclusion of the developmentally disabled when a Downs girl fills her spot. The show also deals with student teacher crushes and honesty in marital relationships. Another episode dealt with son coming out to father and trying to make him proud while another episode played with the idea of racism by splitting the minorities from the Caucasians. However the show always mends the drama and sends positive messages through songs like Lean on Me and True Colors where they all come together and beautifully blend their voices.
Glee is a fun show to watch. Despite dealing with much more serious and sentimental issues and you just want to watch and sing along. Perhaps that is why the show has created such a following after its first season, even the soundtrack is a big hit.
If you are wondering how such a lighthearted and fun show could touch on so much than I recommend you check it out! Presentation of information and ideas makes a big difference.
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