“Glee” Goes There!

Chris Colfer as Kurt

Warning: this article contains minor spoilers for the “Preggers” episode of Glee.

What in the world do we make of Kurt Hummel, the gay student that’s part of the ensemble of characters in the new Fox show Glee, about a high school glee club?

Let’s face it: Kurt is a stereotype. He talks in a high-pitched, affected voice, he wears sparkly clothing, leg-warmers, and outlandish hats in addition to moisturizing nightly.

Some gay viewers might feel less wary about Kurt if the character hadn’t been the work of Ryan Murphy who, among the dozens of gay characters on his last show Nip/Tuck, included many that seemed specifically drawn to offend and provoke outrage (thus, drawing attention to the show).

Nip/Tuck’s bisexual character turns out to be an incestuous serial killer? Another character discovers he’s gay in mid-rape, because he likes it so much?

It might also be different if Glee’s other gay character, the former glee club instructor, wasn’t a pathetic teacher accused of molesting his students (although word is that he only appears in four of the first thirteen episodes).

Stephen Tobolowsky as the unctuous Sandy

But the fact is, almost all the characters on Glee are stereotypes: the sassy black girl, the dumb jock, the self-centered princess, even the idealistic teacher who hopes to lead the glee club to victory in order to achieve the success he never had.

The point, we’re told by those involved, is for the show to look behind the stereotypes, so viewers can see the real human beings inside. That’s certainly a worthy endeavor, but only if the show follows through on the promise.

And it does just that this week in “Preggers” as Kurt step-together-steps his way onto central stage in a way that celebrates all of Kurt. And those of us who were worried where Ryan Murphy was going with this character can exhale a sigh of relief. We might even owe Mr. Murphy an apology (although, personally, I still think Murphy has a ways to go to make up for Nip/Tuck’s Freddy Prune).

In the episode, Kurt is encouraged to join the down-on-its-luck football team when they accidentally learn what a great field-goal kicker he is (although always and only to the strains of Beyoncé’s “Put a Ring On It”). This is also the episode where Kurt tells his blue collar, rather traditional father that he’s gay in an understated but moving scene.

“Preggers” is an extraordinary episode.