Who would have thought that a couple of years ago in the hour after the "American Idol" finale (and who won that anyway?), America would be introduced briefly to the next big television phenomenon? Since I gave up on Idol when Taylor Hicks won, I stumbled on the preview of new show, "Glee." And, I am so glad that I did!

For those of you who do not "watch" TV or who do not venture past PBS let me tell you why I think "Glee" is worth a try. I watch "Glee," first and foremost, for the music. With the dearth of music worth caring about, this show is reviving a genuine appreciation for people who can sing...I mean really sing dammit! [let me acknowledge right here that Gwyneth Paltrow is an exception to that rule] And every time they have Kristen Chenowith on I yell at the screen, "Why don't you make an another album Kristen?" It is interesting that the episode showcasing Madonna's music was watched by approximately 13 million people. It was not out of a love for the "Material Girl." It was to see what these actors would do with the music. They sang the songs better than she ever could even on her best days. They can sing everything from Burt Bacharach (if you are under 45 you may need to Google him.)[Kurt's version of "House is Not a Home" will make you cry just a bit] to Journey to Bruce!!! They have taken "Lady GaGa up a notch, reminded the Tweens about a singer named Stevie Nicks with "Landslide," and the late Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" was given a fresh new twist. This show is making kids who sing fun to watch. And, every time I watch it, I think of all the kids in I taught that were in the drama programs [ Stuart, Laura, "Talullah" Artemis, et. al.] toiling away in those dark and smelly auditoriums for their two or three big productions and UIL contest. They were not the money makers like the football team nor flashy like the drill team or cheerleaders. They were not even a mob like the band. I found those students to be some of the funniest and smartest students in the school, but they had their priorities and they were not always about making straight A's. And, yes, like many of the students portrayed on "Glee" those students were not the popular kids...they had their own version of Slushees being thrown in their faces at times. Guess what? For every type of student portrayed in this television show, a real one is their doppleganger in high schools across the nation. From the serious to the absurd, the topics some of these individual shows have covered are real whether we want to acknowledge them or not. And, like the fictional Glee Club, any drama student I knew always carried on with pride and dignity.

When a production was coming down to dress rehearsals, the only voice that mattered was Marilyn Miller's :), the drama teacher from Cypress Creek High School, Houston, Texas. She was God, Goddess, Shaman, and all things to those students. They loved their singing and dancing, The set builders , lighting and sound crews were just as adamant about their role in the stage productions as the main performers. So, I want those students to know that every time I watch "Glee" I do think about you all.

However, I think that I most grateful to this show for exposing young kids to music and musical type theater helping them realize that Justin Bieber, Britanny, The Jonas Brothers, and dare I say, Miley Cyrus and their "body of work" are not going to be around 35 years from now. That "American Idol" produces a lot of "wanna be's" who are soon, and rightfully so, forgotten. As schools cut arts programs and groups in choir and drama now have to meet during "zero" hours more students will stop participating. So, if you have not watched "Glee" try to. To quote the first song sung on "Glee," "Don't Stop Believing!"