'Hallelujah': A Conservative Men's 'Glee'?

A 'Glee' for Glenn Beck? Hallelujah! No, really. That's the name.

Marc Cherry, writer for "The Golden Girls," and the creator of "Desperate Housewives," is of a rare breed: a gay Republican. And now, he's trying to bridge the gap between his two identities -- kind of. Cherry's new show, an ABC drama set in the heartland, is aiming to bring the theatrics of 'Glee' to the tea party crowd.

Called "Hallelujah," the show is about a small town and its mysterious savior -- it was inspired by the 1947 Cary Grant film, "The Bishop's Wife." In addition to the miracles of kindness performed, there will be plenty of singing -- from the pews.

There will be a "generous helping of gospel music," Cherry told TVGuide.com. "I'm calling it 'Glee' for conservative Republicans."

Good luck with that: The Parents' Television Council, the premiere conservative media "watchdog" has objected to "Glee" -- especially its racy GQ photo shoot -- and conservatives have called it a liberal/gay propaganda machine.

For more on Cherry, click over to TVGuide.com.

Comments

[finkles2000]

09:24 PM on 02/09/2011

"I'm calling it 'Glee' for conservative Republicans."

I'm calling it canceled after one episode.

[alan2a]

11:44 AM on 02/09/2011

I'll mark it down never ever to watch it. though I doubt that will make much difference.

[Tails]

10:59 AM on 02/09/2011

I can see it now. Kelsey Grammer and Annita Bryant as the new choir teachers who show some kids that being cruel and dogmatic to other scared kids can be the greatest gift of all.

[JoeMarasmus]

04:26 PM on 02/09/2011

Hopefully, it lasts as long as Grammer's last show, Hank. And his marriages.

[Panasit Ch]

08:17 AM on 02/09/2011

I have no idea Marc Cherry is a republican. Desperate Housewives is pro immigration, pro sexual liberation, pro gay (well that part is a given), pro getting revenge on your evil mother, make the church and conservative people on the show look stupid (although that can also be interpret as making look realistic).

The only thing it explains is the semi stereotype/racist/lazy writing of the second season mystery plot involving African American family.

[finkles2000]

09:33 PM on 02/09/2011

I'm probably the only person in America who likes season 2 of Desperate Housewives. I didn't think Betty Applewhite's mystery was "racist" in any way. It just wasn't fully realized. And there's plenty of Republican-ness in Desperate Housewives -- in Bree's character. She not only has/had photos of Reagan and Dubya in her house, but she's a member of the NRA and she sent her son off to a de-gay-ing camp. It's been downplayed throughout the later years, and Bree's mellowed -- probably due to Cherry's lessened involvement -- but Cherry put his Log Cabin stamp on many of the early seasons.

This, though. This "Glea Party" show . . . No. Just, just no.

[interlude]

06:49 AM on 02/09/2011

Those spastic shows make sense now. Freak.

[CheapTrick]

12:35 AM on 02/09/2011

"I'm calling it Glee for conservative Republicans" because "The Donny And Marie Show" was already taken.

[torgman3]

11:33 AM on 02/09/2011

and Paul Lynde is long dead.

[bgofca]

11:53 PM on 02/08/2011

will not watch that cr*p. i'll stick with regular glee.

[dkuz09]

10:57 PM on 02/08/2011

I'll pass.

[EverthingThatRises]

09:16 PM on 02/08/2011

Ugh I have a horrible feeling that Bristol Paylin may pop up on the this show at some point

[MarcoEsquandolas]

08:30 PM on 02/08/2011

"In the sixties, I made love to many, many women. Often outdoors. In the mud and the rain. And it's possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing."
- Creed Bratton

[shthar]

08:26 PM on 02/08/2011

Since all republican men are gay aren't they all watching glee already?

[YeOldeJacob]

07:50 PM on 02/08/2011

Glee is already show with ridiculous theatrics and characters who are nothing but offensive stereotypes masked as a soap box for fake ideals. We don't need two of them.

[Tails]

06:55 PM on 02/08/2011

What's the school's pep rally going to be? Protesting Funerals?

[shthar]

08:27 PM on 02/08/2011

I love it! You're hired! We need a rough draft by friday.

[Tails]

10:23 AM on 02/09/2011

Talk to the Union.

[caad4]

06:48 PM on 02/08/2011

Look for Kelsey Grammer (sp?) to play the lead. Nancy Reagan can cameo as the Spry, Vicious Mother in Law with a ...(Stock Portfolio) of Gold.

[ZoeT]

06:43 PM on 02/08/2011

This just sounds so wrong! Most white Americans don't like gospel music all that much. Are they targeting it to Black audiences? That's okay, except that why would ABC want a show that is aimed at Teapartiers when there aren't that many, and definitely not too many Black Teapartiers? And who wants to turn on their TVs and watch a church? That's what Sunday's are for.

But maybe there's more here than meets the eye. Unless Cherry is getting old and doddering, set in his ways and losing his sense of humor, what's funnier than the Golden Girls and Desp Hsewives?

I'm willing to check it out at least once.