Little “Glee” is found outside show's musical numbers

Fox's new television show “Glee” is loaded with the contemporary pop culture references that would be expected from a comedy centered around a spanish teacher's struggles to run a Glee Club at the fictional McKinley High School.

Always using coercion, extortion, or bribery to get their way, most characters involved act like little Machiavellis. But none as much as the school's cheerleading coach, played by “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” breakout star Jane Lynch, who struggles for control of the Glee Club from the hapless Spanish teacher, played by Matthew Morrison.

Cynicism and pettiness is the norm for many of the students and faculty at the high school. It can make for some bitting humor and drama, but also could turn off an audience if there is not enough character development in the future.

The only respites from the constant maneuvering and treachery are the cartoonish musical performances spread throughout a typical program. At first the harmonious, professional song and dance performances by the students is a comical contrast to the tumultuous backstabbing offstage, both by the students and the two co-directors of the club. But after several performances in a episode, it can become tedious to anyone not devoted to either “American Idol” or the imitators it spawned.

Only time will tell if the writers can avoid relying on the multi-thread nature of the subplots to hide a script could leave an audience wondering where the substance is.