Cast aways

So “Glee” is back in a week. After a seven-week hiatus, that show we love to hate, hate to love and all the other FEELINGS under the sun about will be back. And, odd as it sounds, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this. These upcoming last eight episodes of the season have me feeling torn, once again. I’m excited – because, yes, I still enjoy this show that I probably shouldn’t. And I’m worried – because, no, this season hasn’t been the most consistent. And I’m anxious – because, dammit, I think the characters deserve a fitting ending for once.

I think in the end what I want – what I really, really want – is for the actors whose characters will be graduating and more than likely leaving the show after this season to be send off with respect. Say what you will about “Glee” and all it’s problems, and believe me – I have, the actors have done everything they can to please an often unpleasable fanbase. They know more than anyone (save maybe for the lowly TV recappers) how hard it is to keep a fandom happy.

I’d challenge you to find a more responsive, interactive, engaged and fan-friendly cast than “Glee.” Nor can you find a harder working one. Through three seasons, two concert tours, a movie and countless song and dance numbers, they’ve smiled through the insanity. Insanity like fake pregnancies, real pregnancies, near babynapping, near nosejobs, temporary stripping, temporary stutters, good outings, bad outings and so on and so forth. Plus they have done it all at bargain-basement prices by Hollywood standards. Because the vast majority of the cast was unknown before the show went on the air, most don’t have the biggest contracts or lucrative back-end deals. Yet you would be hard-pressed to find a cast that makes more for a network, while taking home less in their paychecks than those “Glee” kids. So I hope against hope that Ryan Murphy & Co. will finally do right by this talented group of shiny, happy young folk. Sure, “Glee” made them famous. But we wouldn’t love “Glee” without them.