NBC's The Sing-Off is often referred to as a kind of real-life Glee. It's easy to picture The New Directions competing in front of its judges, Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger and Shawn Stockman. No doubt the characters Santana and Brittany would nearly ruin everything by sidling up to hunky host Nick Lachey.
Of course The Sing-Off, which has its season premiere tonight at 8 p.m. ET, owes its popularity to Glee. When that exuberant, earnest musical comedy appeared last year, most of the popular shows were clever, zinger-fueled snark-fests like 30 Rock and Desperate Housewives. Sarcasm ruled. But viewers embraced the sing-song sincerity of Glee -- probably because it came with its own sort of edge, like a pregnant teen storyline. (Not to mention a gay teen with attitude.)
Sarcasm still rules on TV, more or less. And a cappella groups still have a straight-laced, Leave It to Beaver-era connotation. (Gee-whiz! That barbershop quartet outside the milkshake shop sure can sing!) But Glee has made these groups seem cool, or at least fun enough to get away with not being cool. The Sing-Off is pure, family entertainment -- a show you'd let a 4-year-old watch. That makes it perfect for this festive time of year, with relatives and other guests hanging around your house. Another boon: It's just five episodes (two weeks of Monday and Wednesday nights, and then a live finale on Dec. 20), so it requires little commitment.
Do you think that Glee has made a cappella groups more popular? Chime in below!
Samaire Armstrong Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Samantha Mumba Sanaa Lathan
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