Glee : A Chorus of Laughter

The delightful, devilish Glee parodies High School Musical's themes and American Idol's dreams

Rachel (Michele, far right) and company hope to go from underdogs to champions

In 2004, ABC executive Lloyd Braun had the idea to remake the premise of CBS's Survivor — people stuck on an island — as a drama. Lost became a gripping fantasy that had little more in common with the reality hit show than the coconut trees.

If that could come of Survivor , what fruit might be born of the even bigger American Idol ? Fox's answer: a musical-comedy series with current tunes and a young cast. Glee — debuting May 19 after Idol and then returning in the fall — is a delight but a risk: a devilish, exuberant comedy that manages...

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