"Glee" has been dropping in the ratings and has lost more than 28 percent of its viewers, according to Inside Blip. It is now the fourth highest show on Fox, when it used to be number one. There are several reasons for the drop, and fans can't blame it on the time slot or competition. While "Glee" does air at the same time as "NCIS" and "Last Man Standing," it beat out those shows in previous seasons. Why not now? What are some things "Glee" must do to get those ratings up again?
"Glee" needs to lengthen plots to longer than half an episode. It is great that the show is giving other characters, besides Rachel, Finn, and Kurt, larger story lines. The problem is that the story lines are still failing. Fans loved seeing Mike sing and deal with his family. Fans loved the focus on Santana and her fear of coming out. What went wrong with them is that they only lasted a short time. Kurt's coming out and dealing with issues lasted an entire season, and continued into the second season. Santana? Hers has lasted a few episodes, so far.
Plots need more bang on "Glee." Plots often finish with a single sentence, leaving viewers wanting more or thinking that the plot wasn't important. For example, when Santana said she told her parents, and they were "cool with it." The club cheered, and that was that. Yes, the show had a scene of her and her grandmother, but we'll see if that continues or not. Remember Mike and his un-accepting dad? Haven't seen that plot again. This makes the storylines fall flat and viewers don't find themselves reacting to the story in any way.
"Glee" needs fewer plots in a single episode. This problem goes hand-in-hand with the first two. Every episode of "Glee" has three of more plots. It is not only confusing, but it makes the plots seem unimportant because they don't last. "Glee" revolves around the music, as it should, but that means plot comes second. The plots must be strong or they are left behind and that ruins the show. Each episode should have two storylines max. That not only stretches out of the plot and makes them more important to viewers, but it means the show can use their plot ideas for other episodes and that keeps the show going longer.
"Glee" needs fewer characters. This is a tough one because the show has many enjoyable characters, but it is also true. Fewer characters are easier to follow and fans connect to them more when they learn about them. It has been three seasons, and we still know little about each character. In Season 3, we have the introduction of new characters, minor characters given larger roles and popular characters are finishing up their storylines for graduation. It's just too much.
What else should "Glee" do to save the show?
