While I could argue that Lost is the worst offender of the Bait N’ Switch in terms of not staying true to itself, I think I would have to admit that the more egregious offender is Glee. The problem with Glee is that it used up 75% of its heart with the pilot. That one episode had more light-hearted, feel-good moments than almost anything I had ever seen. It was inspiring, touching, and dared us to dream.
In the next few episodes, we began to cringe at the ridiculous pregnancy stories, bad production numbers, and lack of originality. What we didn’t know then, was just how far off the rails the show would go. Not since Finn laid his head in his mother’s lap and wept at his (alleged) impending fatherhood have I seen anything close to a “heart” on this show.
The worst part of this whole ordeal is that we are still in Season One. In less than one full season, a show about misfits coming together and conquering their peers is now little more than a gaygenda show. A Madonna episode? Really? That would have been cool about 15 years ago. Word is that there may be another one. Ugh. Neil Patrick Harris (current poster boy for gayness) playing a reformed singer who has turned uber conservative? So obvious. Also? He cannot sing. It’s this kind of ploy has me ashamed to have pimped this show based only on the pilot episode. Behind the scenes, the creators would rather fight political battles over Newsweek articles than realize that their show has lost its charm to all but the pandered. Even the moments which are supposed to tug at our heartstrings are so heavy handed that more often than not, we can only groan.
I guess it’s no coincidence that Lost and Glee both air this season on Tuesdays, in the ultimate Bait N’ Switch hour.
