Rise

Not sure why it keeps getting compared to Glee. Someone wrote Friday Night Lights, and that is a far more accurate comparison, even down to how it is filmed. A lot of people didn't get how good FNL was until almost too late. This is a quality show with good acting and very high standard singing that has none of the fakeness of Glee.

As an art student and a lover of musicals, I was really anticipating this show. I found the first episode really empowering and interesting. I could be bias because I do favor musicals, but I truely think 'Rise' has potential to be a great show.

The ONLY similarities are that both shows contain singers, period. Glee was about a Glee Club of oddball, yet all exceptionally same-like singers, all singing to voice overs, badly timed, and using voice box technology. Because, after all, we were too stupid to notice that part, right? . Rise is a new concept. It is a drama club, a whole new animal. There are true talents throughout, NO use thus far of any Voice Box technology, and excellent syncing between what is being sung, and the person doing the singing. I like the storylines, I like the characters, I live the teachers, and the music is edgy, today, and meaningful. Yes, I know, Spring Awakening is older, but its use is well up to date and meaningful for the plot. . So, yes, there are a few oddball similarities between Glee and Rise, but you know? Rise singers can ALL sing, well, and appear to be doing so, for real, on the screen, even if we do know it's voice over - Glee? ALWAYS knew, as the words and the sound were always off. In addition? Glee was far too stereotyped, and people were always randomly singing their lines while wandering through class... Hated that, truly. I am very looking forward to seeing where this one takes us...

Sophisticated twist on a TV drama. Just one episode and I am hooked!

This show started out a bit slow and flat but the storyline and acting both picked up steam over time. Good character development and great singing. Well worth my time as it is quite different from most other offerings. Hope the network gives this one a chance.