Top 10 Shows To Watch If You Like Glee
#10: “Ugly Betty” (2006-10)
Top 10 Memorable Ugly Betty Moments
This one might seem like a bit of a stretch. It doesn’t take place in high school. And it isn’t based on teenagers. It’s not usually a musical. However, this show is all about an awkward, average woman trying to follow her dream and discovering what makes her special. That kind of sounds like Rachel Berry to us! But where Rachel struggles to find acceptance due to her strong, competitive personality, Betty is more naive and out of touch with the world of her workplace. The show also falls into that same vein of dramedy as “Glee”, with the humor and the drama being seamlessly interwoven. If you’re a fan of Glee, it’s worth giving “Ugly Betty” a shot.
#9: “Rise” (2018)
Top 10 Best Musical Numbers on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies
In a very Mr. Schue-esque fashion, high school teacher Lou Mazzuchelli -feeling that there is something missing in his life- decides to take over the high school drama department. He pushes boundaries, inspires kids to follow their dreams, and helps them navigate their complicated young lives. He seems so familiar that you might think Mr. Mazzuchelli is modeled after Mr. Schuester, but he is in fact based on a real life inspirational teacher, Lou Volpe. Mr. Mazzuchelli even reaches out to the star jock to get him to join the musical. Although this show is quite a bit more dramatic than Glee, you can expect very similar themes like the unifying power of music, and, of course, catchy songs.
#8: “Awkward” (2011-16)
Top 10 Most Awkward Moments on Watch What Happens Live
If you were a fan of all the teenage angst and over the top drama on “Glee”, then you should definitely give “Awkward” a try. As the title of the show suggests, it’s all about the awkwardness of growing up. Sadly, the characters never spontaneously break out in song and dance for a class assignment that just so happens to relate to exactly what they’re going through in life. But… there is the similar theme of the high school underlings mingling with the popular crowd, as well as welcome abundance of over dramatic situational humor.
#7: “Scream Queens” (2015-16)
Top 10 Best Scream Queens Characters
This horror comedy might seem like a complete deviation from Glee, and in theme and concept, it may just be. But it was created by the same guys who made Glee happen, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and it even stars Rachel Berry herself, Lea Michele. So, these shows might have a bit more in common than you’d initially think. Though you should prepare yourself for far fewer stunning musical numbers and a lot more sorority girls getting serial killed, you can also expect a similar style and sense of humor from this show. The bad news? It lasted just two seasons.
#6: “Nashville” (2012-18)
“Glee” is famous for its renditions of pop music hits, but if country music is more your style then this is the show for you. It follows a fading country star, Rayna James, and promising up and comer, Juliette Barnes, as they battle for musical supremacy. Will the stage be big enough for the both of them? You’ve got to watch to find out! The tone of this show is quite a bit more serious than “Glee”, and it's not necessarily known for its humor. But if you’re more interested in the music, and competition-driven side of “Glee”, then this show is a good choice to binge next.
#5: “Supergirl” (2015-)
Top 10 Supergirl TV Moments
If you’re looking for another good show with heart and humor, you might want to turn your sights on the Arrowverse. After starring as Marley Rose in the last three seasons of “Glee”, Melissa Benoist became the girl of steel. Likewise, Grant Gustin, who starred as the devious Glee villain, Sebastian, went on to become The Flash. Besides the actors, both shows also share an overall lighthearted tone even when dealing with high stakes. And these super friends even get a special crossover musical episode just for old time’s sake! If for no other reason to spend more time with some of our favorite former Glee stars, both “Supergirl” and “The Flash” are worth checking out.
#4: “Fame” (1982-87)
The Shocking True Story of Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
This show is basically “Glee” before there was “Glee”. Based on the influential ‘80s movie of the same name, this show follows several students at a performing arts high school trying to make their dreams come true. All of the musical numbers, teenage angst, and high school drama you love about “Glee”, you will get in spades with this show. Except this time all the musical theatre geeks, and fine arts losers are actually the cool kids. Of course, it probably helps that they’re actually attending a school dedicated to training students in the performing arts. It’s like an entire high school full of Rachel Berrys!
#3: “Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000)
Freaks and Geeks Cast: Where Are They Now?
This show was one of the first to tell the high school story from the point of view of the outcasts. It was mostly popular kids and talented students before this series showed us that it was okay to be one of the weirdos. Without this show, the door may never have been opened for “Glee” to be so successful. It also takes place in a small suburb where the teenagers are conflicted about how they'll end up. They even attend William McKinley High School just like on “Glee” - albeit in a different state. Though there are no musical numbers, music still plays a big part in the show, and you get plenty of teenage angst and life lessons.
#2: “Smash” (2012-13)
Top 10 Best Songs from Smash
Though it was short lived, this show managed to squeeze so much juicy goodness into its two seasons. Across 32 episodes, we got all of the spectacular songs, killer costumes, and competitiveness that made Glee so much fun to watch. “Smash” follows Karen Cartwright, a newcomer to the Broadway scene, as she tries to get her big break in a new musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe. But in order to do so, she’ll have to beat out Broadway veteran Ivy Lynn for the role, and maybe make a powerful nemesis in the process. Trust us… you’ll be hooked. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Hellcats” (2011-12) “Empire” (2015-) “Degrassi: The Next Generation” (2001-2015)
#1: “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2015-)
Top 10 Saddest Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Moments
Like many of the shows on our list, this one is also known for its highly choreographed musical performances, but “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” takes it a step further. “Glee” used its musical numbers in the form of Glee club assignments that accent the daily drama of the characters’ lives; this show is a straight up musical comedy. With every episode, the characters burst out into song and dance in a series of original tunes; it’s like Broadway for the small screen. But the music isn’t the only thing this show has in common with “Glee”, it also has a similar brand of quippy humor and eccentric characters. So if you’re missing “Glee”, you should definitely give Crazy Ex-Girlfriend a try.
