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Worst TV Show of the Week Brought to you by the Parents Television Council	Share |
WARNING: Graphic Content!!! Do NOT push play if you don't want to see the explicit video!!!

Glee on Fox

It’s worth noting that since the new fall season began, there’s been a bumper crop of objectionable material to choose from for this column. In the past week alone, the season premiere of The Good Wife on CBS featured a much-publicized oral sex scene; NBC's 30 Rock aired an un-bleeped s-word; ABC's Private Practice began their episode with an extended sex montage of two different couples; and the same network's My Generation received an indecency complaint for a topless flashing incident. But, ultimately, Glee took the cake for the simple reason that in all likelihood no one under 18 bothered watching any of the other shows. Glee, on the other hand, drew huge numbers from the youth demographic, no doubt helped by its pandering tribute to toxic teen role-model Britney Spears. For explicit sexual content, the September 28^th episode of Fox's Glee (8:00 p.m. ET) has been named Worst TV Show of the Week.

Ditzy cheerleader Brittany is the lone dissenter among her fellow Glee Club members who ardently want to perform a Britney Spears number at the upcoming homecoming rally. Her objections quickly evaporate after experiencing a nitrous-oxide induced dream-fantasy during her dental appointment with studly dentist Carl (played by John Stamos). In the dream, Brittany recreates various iconic Britney Spears moments during her rendition of “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Besides donning skimpy outfits like the red cat suit that Spears wore in her “Oops!...I Did It Again” video and the sheer sequined bodysuit Spears slithered around in during a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance, Brittany seductively dances for the much-older dentist, who is reclined in a chair. The scene also shows Brittany performing some sultry grinds while flanked by a group of little boys in Mad-Max-like garb.

Brittany emerges from the dream transformed, convinced of her own Britney-ness, brimming with confidence, sexiness, and bravado. Soon, the rest of the glee-clubbers are visiting Dr. Carl for their own self-empowering nitrous-oxide trip. He warns them, “Anesthesia isn’t something to joke about.” But Santana insists her health plan covers everything: “So, get up in my grill ‘cause Brits and I wants to get our anesthesia on.” Brittany and Santana experience a shared fantasy that recreates Spears’ hit single, “Me Against the Music” featuring Madonna. The number showcases plenty of girl-girl bumping and grinding.

Even prudish, prissy Rachel Berry gets in the act. Soon she is making heads turn in her “Baby One More Time” naughty schoolgirl outfit. Rachel’s new trampy look causes nebbish Jacob to lose control. Coach Sue Sylvester apparently catches him masturbating in the school library. Later, she lectures him in her office while he sits in a chair in front of her, completely naked.  

Jacob: "Can I put some clothes on please?"

Sue: "No, I want you to feel the beads of your own sweaty depraved stank dripping down your butt crack."

Jacob: "Rachel Berry is dressing like Britney Spears and I was titillated."

Sue: "Oh, dear God. Please don’t ever say that word again."

Jacob: "Can I go now, please? You’re gonna have to turn around when I stand up…you know what I mean?"

He points to his crotch.

Sue warns Will to be wary of all things Britney. “Britney is a genius pop-culture provocateur and a gateway drug to every out-of-control impulse ever created. This school is a powder keg of sexual deviance, William -- and in my office I have a chair with a naked butt-sweat stain to prove it.”

Ignoring her advice, Will and the New Directions perform their rendition of “Toxic” at the homecoming rally. The unbridled sensuousness of the performance creates a stir among the hormone-addled student body. Jacob, in particular, starts thrusting his hips uncontrollably as he screams, “Yes! Take it off! Don’t stop doing that!” Meanwhile, the outcast overweight girl next to him yells, “Mr. Schu, let me be your Britney!...I want your baby!” Jacob grabs the buttocks of a girl standing in front of him…only it’s not a girl. The long-haired blonde guy whose butt Jacob grabbed punches the hapless nerd, causing Sue Sylvester to proclaim, “It’s a Britney Spears sex riot!”

Glee earned its highest ratings ever with this Britney Spears tribute, drawing 13.3 million viewers. A scary thought considering that the mostly young teen/tween audience basically witnessed an endorsement of narcotics abuse, public masturbation, and school-sanctioned burlesque. But perhaps most troubling is the deification of a troubled pop star into a symbol of empowerment and self-esteem. Considering her stints in rehab, her very public breakdowns, and her questionable parenting skills, there is absolutely no way Spears should be considered a role model. The producers of the show can spare us the old song-and-dance about fallen celebs turning their lives around. What’s next? Portraying Ike Turner as a reformed feminist?

This episode is a stark reminder for parents that Glee is not High School Musical, and that they must be wary of the show's popularity. Just because the whole school is watching it, doesn’t mean it’s worthwhile.

For explicit sexual content, Glee has been named Worst TV Show of the Week.

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