Here we go again.
No, really. TBS’s new comedy-drama Glory Daze is nothing but an unoriginal, tasteless piece of television that belongs at the bottom of an empty beer can — but we’ll get to that topic later.
For starters, Glory Daze takes place at Hayes University in Indiana in 1986. Get it? Daze and Hayes rhyme. That’s the most exciting part of the series.
We’re introduced to four central characters: Joel Harrington, your average Joe (Kelly Blatz, Skyrunners); Eli Feldman, the Jewish guy who wants to fit in (Matt Bush, Nice Guy Johnny); Brian Sommers, the jock (newcomer Hartley Sawyer); and Jason Wilson, the pretty boy (Drew Seeley, Freshman Father).
Each experiences a slew of the traditional college first-day disasters in the pilot episode, which premieres tomorrow at 10 p.m.
Joel and his family crash their car on the way to school. Eli prances around in his underwear only to be caught by his Asian roommate and his large family (cue stereotypes, part one). Brian brings a girl back to his dorm, only to get distracted by his roommate’s sports paraphernalia (cue stereotypes, part two). Jason and his girlfriend vow to join brother and sister fraternities/sororities after giving each other nose kisses.
The four unlikely heroes magically sit next to one another in the dining hall and tell of their interesting days. All express interest in joining a fraternity except for Joel, who promised his father he would focus on working hard to get into medical school.
This promise does not last too long, as Greek life drags in its newest slew of pledges.
Let’s point out the obvious — college is not accurately portrayed on television. Yes, there are wild parties. Yes, many people cannot remember what they did the previous night. Yes, college is about new experiences.
But do all these new experiences have to be as outrageous and self-demeaning as those portrayed on Glory Daze and shows like it?
In a way, the formula works. The idea of college is an entertaining one, full of many story possibilities. What Glory Daze ultimately suffers from is lack of originality. In fact, one could just mash every college movie together and end up with the same product.
Joel has never talked to a girl before and sits next to the girl of his dreams in his first class — only to find out she is dating one of his fraternity brothers. Sound familiar? The same storyline aired on Greek a few seasons back on ABC Family.
Jason has never broken the rules in his life before. He chugs beer at a frat party and runs around like a patient loose from a mental hospital. This fits perfectly with the iconic phrase, “I remember my first beer,” but once again, it’s not new. This happens to many college students across the country. And the repercussions of drinking too much alcohol were hardly addressed during the show at all.
Glory Daze may be flashy, eye-catching and superficially funny, but this show has no staying power and ultimately will leave viewers as hazy and confused as its title suggests.
Basically, watch Glory Daze when there is nothing else on television.
Nothing.
RATING: 1.5 out of 5 stars
diversions@umdbk.com
