Who Is "Glee's" Target Audience?

FOX's musical high school show regularly creates controversy with its racy themes. Rated TV-14, the series explores mature themes such as homemade sex tapes, sexual dysfunction, underage drinking and teen pregnancy. When people complain that "Glee" is not suitable for children, it is easy to agree and mention the show's TV-14 rating. However, it is becoming difficult to identify the show's target audience.

Gleaster Basket
In April, the local Walmart's Easter display included traditional baskets and $20 options with a modern twist. They were edgier and seemed appropriate for tweens too mature for the traditional pastel and primary colors usually seen in Easter baskets. For example, one basket featured a pink and black color scheme and included a basketball.

The selection also included a "Glee" Easter basket loaded with candy, a pinwheel and "Glee" gear, including a gold star pillow, mouse pad, notepad, binder, pencil case, pen and CD organizer. Instead of a traditional basket, a small tote featuring images of the cast tossing slushies held the contents.

The Gleaster basket was an odd creation because it contained the quality and type of products one expects to see for younger kids ages 9 to 12, but featured a TV-14 show.

7-Year-Old Viewers
In a January interview with The Hollywood Reporter, "Glee" showrunner Ryan Murphy discussed the Kings of Leon snub and explained the repercussions of the band's refusal to include their music in an episode. He said, "They missed that a 7-year-old kid can see someone close to their age singing a Kings of Leon song, which will maybe make them want to join a glee club or pick up a musical instrument."

During the same interview, Murphy described the show by saying, "I wanted it to be for adults and children: subversive but where the double entendres go over the heads of 8-year-olds."

"Glee" tends to focus heavily on certain themes without hiding behind double entendre. When characters are cursing, planning to make a sex tape, getting drunk or stripping, there is not much for an 8-year-old to decipher or miss.

Identity Crisis
Unlike some teen-oriented shows that celebrate bad behavior in a world with little or no consequences, "Glee" has its redeeming qualities. The storylines often include a moral worthy of a 1980's after school special. Parents can use the show as an easy way to broach awkward topics with teenagers, but it is far too mature for younger kids. "Glee" needs to get over its identity crisis and quit worrying about the buzz on the playground.

Source:
Shirley Halperin, "Inside the Hot Business of 'Glee,'" The Hollywood Reporter