2010-04-29 10:03:50

SHEER GLEE

Filed under: Adolescence,Featured,Music,Television
Posted by: Craig

Perhaps American Idol’s fading star is attributable to the musical polish of GLEE.   On this week’s episode, the poignant melodies of Burt Bacharach fueled some of the most memorable television I’ve seen in years.   The late Luther Vandross turned “A House is Not a Home” into a powerhouse, show stopping production.   But Glee added another layer of heartbreak when Kurt sang it as a tribute to Finn.   Now, the ‘chair’ is much more than a chair.  It is a symbol of the loss of a parent, the loss of innocence, the unrequited love of a male cheerleader for the class jock.   That’s a lotta drama packed into one scene and song.

On the other side of the Cheerios cheerleading squad, body image became a highly charged issue.   With Sue Sylvester pressuring the team to lose ten pounds, Mercedes Jones faced an internal (and external) crisis.   Teaching at Pepperdine University, I’ve been reintroduced to the pressures faced by teen girls to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and body sizes.  It is a significant issue on our campus.   So I was thrilled to see Mercedes belt out Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” as a protest anthem for plus sized women everywhere.   Her background chorus of those who never quite fit in made for a rousing renunciation of Sue Sylvester.

Perhaps the reappearance of Amber (played by the remarkable Kristen Chenoweth) elevated everybody’s game this week.  Will (Matthew Morrison) seemed genuinely moved to see her spunky energy emanating from a roller rink.   Amber is so frank and unapologetic about her alcoholism and weaknesses.    Their reunion at the rink brought real “Fire” to Bruce Springsteen’s pop song.  It is so encouraging to see classic tunes ‘released’ by their publishers (and songwriters) to be rediscovered in primetime.   The record companies are finally desperate enough to make the songs available to a new generation of performers, shows, and fans.   Their losses have resulted in our gain.

Amber and Will also provided my favorite TV moment of the year, their stirring duet on “One Less Bell to Answer.”   Kudos to Glee’s director, Paris Barclay, for creating such a cinematic moment for the small screen.   And how captivating to bring “A House is Not a Home” in for a reprise.  The creators of Glee seem to have gotten inside the songs, recognizing the genuine pathos behind our finest, seemingly disposable pop songs.     I can’t remember when I was so moved by such simple staging and unadorned singing.    It generated sheer Glee.    Anybody agree?

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2010-04-16 12:41:50

Chris Tse’s poetic slam: “I’m a Christian. I’m sorry.”

Filed under: Faith,Music,Politics
Posted by: Craig

I took plenty of heat for placing apologies before apologetics in the film, PURPLE STATE OF MIND.  There is definitely a time and a place for reasonable arguments on behalf of Christianity.  I love Darren Doane’s riveting film, COLLISION.   He documents three days of debates between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson.  The terms of their engagement/arrangement demanded a certain kind of response.    But my discussion with John Marks was rooted in both personal history and public histories.   And as such, it was not about beating my friend.  Instead, it was about listening, really listening, to what was being said.   Taking in serious questions, doubts, and problems with Christians before I responded with Purple State of MInd, the book.

I was intrigued by Chris Tse‘s award-winning entry in a Vancouver Poetry Slam.  In three minutes of poetic flow, this twenty-something Canadian summarizes what I was trying to get across eighty minutes of Purple State of Mind.  Now is not the time to proclaim.  Now, may be the time to refrain, to pause, to reflect, and to regret.   I am saddened and chastened by the stats compiled by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons in UnChristian.   I’ve seen and heard and said so much in the name of God, that I am eager to take a season to apologize.

Check out some key background on Chris gathered (and his riveting, poetic slam) at Patheos.

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2010-04-15 00:28:00

AMERICAN IDOL: Not with a bang, but a whimper

Filed under: Featured,Music,Television
Posted by: Craig

Is it just me or has American Idol lost its mojo?   Maybe the altering of the judges booth tipped a rather fragile balance.   For all her loopiness, perhaps Paula Abdul was the perfect foil for Simon Cowell’s scowl.   Despite her alleged expertise, Karla Diogardi has never struck my fancy.  (And isn’t a bit too early in the celebrity cycle to already sell herself out by posing naked for Allure?)   While Ellen DeGeneres is a delightful person, as a judge, she doesn’t bring much to the table.  So no love for the new judging mix.

When it comes to this year’s contestants, nobody seems to have any lasting staying power.   “Nice” and “pleasant” are not necessarily a virtues when it comes to televised events.    The show’s appeal is built on fandom.  We hate to see our favorites go.   So who are we pulling for (or against)?    Did any fans shed tears over Katie Stevens or Andrew Garcia’s departure?

Who will bring the heat, the passion, the panache?   Adam Lambert’s recent appearance as a mentor only highlighted the blandness dogging this season.   His performances last year may have occasionally misfired, but he understood the need to entertain, to grab our attention, to be bold.

Is this the way a beloved competition show ends?  Not with a bang but a whimper?   Are you equally bored?   Or do I need to look closer?    Should we give the new mix of judges and contestants more time?  Or should we follow Simon Cowell by sailing off the show?

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