PASADENA, Calif. — Television critics tend to describe shows in terms of other shows. Like, maybe, "It's 'Law & Order' crossed with 'Dragnet.' "
But when it comes to "Glee," it's not that easy. This show isn't really like anything else, which makes it tough to describe.
Except to say — "Glee" is great. The pilot episode, which Fox is repeating Wednesday at 7:58 p.m. on Ch. 13, is the best pilot of 2009.
As I told you back when it debuted in May — Weird, wild, wonderful and ultimately uplifting, this warped version of "High School Musical" is nothing short of fantastic.
And this airing is better than what you saw in the spring, when it was trimmed to accommodate an annoyingly long episode of "American Idol." (The next original episode airs Wednesday, Sept. 9.)
But don't let the words "High School Musical" scare you off. Yes, this is a show that's set in a high school and there's music, but the similarities end there. "Glee" is indescribably different.
"I'm right there in the same boat with you," said Matthew Morrison, who stars as teacher/glee club adviser Will Schuester. "People ask me what the show is about and I say, 'You really just have to see it.'
"But that's the great thing about it because you can't pigeon-hole it and say, 'It's, like, a doctor show or a lawyer show.' It's really its own thing. It sets its own boundaries. And it's really fresh and exciting."
"Glee" has a wicked sense of humor. It's nothing short of hilarious. But, almost in the same moment, it can be incredibly heartfelt.
And it is by no means a traditional musical. People don't suddenly burst into song with a full orchestral accompaniment — the music and dance numbers are within the context of the show.
"They're all done in a way where we're in a rehearsal or a performance. They're all brought out of real places," Morrison said.
If you like musicals, you'll like "Glee." But if you don't like musicals, don't write "Glee" off. You just might be surprised.
"This is not really a musical. This is a comedy with music and dancing," said executive producer Brad Falchuk, in total sincerity. "Our intent is always to make something that a lot of people would enjoy. I'm not a big musical fan. I don't like musicals."
"Glee" is a show about high school kids, but it's not just a show about high school kids. It's as much about the faculty as it is about the students — maybe more so.
"That's where I feel it differs from 'High School Musical.' Some people compare us to that, and I feel like the adult storylines really set us apart," Morrison said.
But that's not to say that there isn't a whole lot of instantly recognizable high school angst. Within its own reality — which is inarguably a heightened reality — the "Glee" teenagers are the most realistic on TV since the teens on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
And I'll bet that's not a show you ever expected to hear compared to "Glee."
In my 19-plus years as a TV critic, there haven't been many times I've begged people to watch a show. But I'll beg here.
Give "Glee" a chance. This is a show that deserves a long run on TV.
e-mail: pierce@desnews.com