Ed Miliband, closet Glee fan?
Fraser Nelson 12:55pm
What to make of Ed Miliband’s disclosure yesterday that Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ is his favourite song? Ben Brogan smells a rat: “If he's a Journey fan, then I'm a football expert”. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be a Journey fan to like Don’t Stop Believin’. You just need to be a fan of Glee.
For the uninitiated, Glee is an American musical TV series about (impossibly glamorous) nerds in an Ohio high school, who join an after-school music club and are intensely bullied by the cool, sporty kids in the school. But they stick to what they believe in, overcoming the bullies. Don’t Stop Believin’ (here) is the anthem of the series: the first and arguably best Glee cover song.
You can see why this might appeal to Ed Miliband. Glee describes itself as ‘a biting comedy for the underdog in all of us’ – and you can imagine Ed Miliband, the self-styled "outsider", seeing a little bit of himself here. And he might also see something a bit Tory-ish in the rivals to the geek choir: the Dalton Warblers. They are posh, but undeniably good. Their lead singer has talent, charisma, slickness: how is a choir of underfunded state school nerds supposed to compete with that? Red Ed must feel the same in the Commons, when gazing at the Eton Warblers crooning across the despatch box.
The point of Glee – aside from the ingenious arrangements of songs you thought you knew backwards – is that it's okay to be weird. The message of Glee is one which is essential to politicians: it conveys the sense that vindication lies just around the corner. So be weird and proud, even if that means that cool kids will call you names, like "Odd Ed". On Wednesday, Miliband was asked on Radio Four how he feels that focus groups describe him as ‘weird’. “I don’t give a damn about that,” he shot back – with obvious passion. Or, in the words of my second-favourite Glee song Loser Like Me: “You may say that I’m a freakshow (I don’t care). But, hey, give me just a little time. I bet you’re gonna change your mind.”
Whether Ed Miliband is leading Labour to triumph or disaster, we’ve seen this week that he certainly has the steel to defy fashion, and stick to his principles - even if he has to take the odd slushee in the face. I have no idea about his television habits. But in political terms, Ed Miliband should certainly be regarded as an honorary Gleek.
Previous
Santorum
September 30th, 2011 1:09pm Report this commentEd lived in the US when he was twelve (so around 1981).
Journey released Don't Stop Believin in.... anyone, anyone?
In 1981.
stabledoor
September 30th, 2011 1:19pm Report this commentThere's nothing wrong with Glee - why would he have to be a "closet" glee fan?
roger slade
September 30th, 2011 1:27pm Report this commentUntil today Journey were my favourite group. I shall now have to destroy all my cd's as I don't wish to be tarred with Millipede's brush.
Andy Carpark
September 30th, 2011 1:36pm Report this commentFrom the vaults:
"It is revealing that when 'closet' is mentioned then you associate it with homosexuality - nay homophobia. Is that perhaps an indication of your own proclivities.
"I always understood that if someone is described as a closet anything, then it is implied that that they are pretending to be something else. What's buggery got to do with it?"
Frank P, 30.10.10
Tim W
September 30th, 2011 1:43pm Report this commentBasically, his advisers last week watched the West Wing "Let Bartlet be Bartlet" episode. Sadly for him, "Let Miliband be Miliband" just showed how Marxist and left-wing his views really are.
Frank P
September 30th, 2011 2:02pm Report this commentChrist Andy, can I have your copy of your dossier on Frank P, please? Do I need to invoke the FOI Act, or are you just an Echelon volunteer? ;-)
London Calling
September 30th, 2011 2:03pm Report this commentAndy got a Parking Ticket…
Gee….
Wiggle,Wiggle,Wiggle,
Wiggle.Wiggl,Wiggle…
Warning…contains No smiley faces to cover Wiggles…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyx6JDQCslE
Frank P
September 30th, 2011 2:11pm Report this commentBtw Frasier - we don't read this type of juvenile crap in Standpoint - the real conservative magazine. I think ACP's plaintive question yesterday is looking ever more apposite.
I hope those you who were singing the praises of that twerp Peter Oborne yesterday saw his blustering bullshit on QT last night with the scouse audience. While I may agree with his attack on the EU, he is by no means the originator of such hostility towards it nor the most articulate critic of it. His bloated features suggest too many free lunches.
Andy Carpark
September 30th, 2011 2:18pm Report this commentFrank P - One of life's little mysteries is that if you google WBGTDWI, the no. 1 hit is the one and only genuine article with my subsequent puerile homage appearing, deservedly, nowhere. So you may relax. There is no dossier.
DavidDP
September 30th, 2011 2:21pm Report this comment"The series features a rival choir, in Bullingdon-style uniforms, from a private all-boys boarding school. "
Of course, this school enters the series in the storyline where Kurt is suffering from homophobic bullying, and it's the "Bullingdon school" which provides a safe refuge and complete acceptance. It's also where Kurt finds his first boyfriend.
I'm not sure "state school - homophobic bullies; private school = liberal wonderland" is quite the message about schooling Ed wants to put about.
London Calling
September 30th, 2011 2:32pm Report this commentQuestion Time…?
Sheep Tagging …as mentioned by said Tory panellist on QT got lost in translation to the trained ear with the T translating to the to the Sh to the Puddy audience’s and my ears …at least they had a good laugh, and so did I…
David D retained his professionalism throughout…classic …:)
tom jones
September 30th, 2011 2:33pm Report this commentMaybe ditch the non stories and start analysising Ed's time in office and how he contributed to the mess we're in now. These articles are just a waste of time!!
Haldane
September 30th, 2011 2:36pm Report this commentInteresting article Fraser.
I think you do best when you concentrate on the entertainment and hospitality aspects of life in 'the village'.
Stuart Seacole Smith
September 30th, 2011 2:57pm Report this commentNice one. Brings back memories of when Gordon "wiv it" Brown said he quite liked the Arctic Monkeys. Cringe.
Guido Fawkes
September 30th, 2011 3:49pm Report this commentSublime.
Gone To Lunch
September 30th, 2011 10:33pm Report this commentLondon Calling, Re, Question Time…?
The "tory" was a Lib Dem.
Kay
December 21st, 2011 4:41pm Report this commentputting the tory party as the warblers is a serious insult to the warblers!
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