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This is Gonna Piss You Off: Who should be kicked out of the “Glee” club?

This is the first installment in a new feature devoted to news that infuriates and topics we fully expect to be controversial. Yes, we know that we’re asking for it.

I know I’m in the minority here, but the unevenness of Fox’s sophomore hit Glee is starting to really annoy me. Don’t get me wrong: I still have love for the show, but considering the pre-Emmy talk of Glee vs. Modern Family in last year’s race for best comedy, I find myself still comparing both shows.

Yes, I know, they’re completely different: Modern Family is a half-hour mockumentary take, while Glee is an hourlong musical dramedy. Every Tuesday I turn my nose up at Glee’s missing plot, but turn to iTunes to download something from the show. And every Wednesday I find myself Tweeting a fantastic quote from Modern Family with an #InYourFaceGlee hashtag.

Yes, Glee is a vehicle for music sales and no matter how many times the show’s writers say story comes before song selection, I beg to differ. If Glee followed Modern Family’s lead and focused on core characters, maybe the missing plot wouldn’t be so bothersome. And the best way to do that? Eliminate some members of New Directions. That said, here are my suggestions on which glee club members should be expelled from McKinley High and the lucky few who see Slushies in their future so the show stops feeling like a collection of glorified YouTube cover songs.

Finn (Cory Monteith): We get it – Finn may have had too many concussions on the football field. Replace the dim-bulb jokes with more of the sweet guy whose heart and rock ballads give us the chills. We’re still believin’. Verdict: Every club needs a heart.

Rachel (Lea Michele): It’s as if the writers kept Rachel’s most annoying trait – her neurotic need to be the best – and amplified it to the point of almost total alienation. Where does that drive come from? Her gay dads, maybe? Verdict: I’d love a little imperfection.

Kurt (Chris Colfer): The “Grilled Cheesus” episode was a strong exploration into Kurt’s personal beliefs, but as strong as Colfer is, his constant exploration is starting to grow tiresome. Last week’s “Duets” performance of “Le Jazz Hot!” from Victor/Victoria is a perfect example of both of Kurt’s personalities – sweet and innocent one minute, then exhibiting his creepy and contentious relationship with Finn. It’s too much. Verdict: Keep him in check.

Mercedes (Amber Riley): Mercedes said it best (to Mr. Schue), that they only seem to bring her out to hit the high notes at the end of a song. Let’s fix that and get into what makes Mercedes so cool: She was absolutely perfect when Kurt came out to her in Season 1 and more recently when he questioned religion. Isn’t it time we learned more about what makes her tick and where her talent comes from? Verdict: More “Weezie.”

Quinn (Dianna Agron): Agron has been practically invisible this season and Quinn’s new romance with Sam (Chord Overstreet) is a pairing better than Rocky Horror Picture Show and Glee. Plus Quinn has the most compelling back story so far – a religious family who rejected her pregnancy – which has gone unexplored so far in Season 2 and would provide the writers with some meaty material when they decide to return to episodes with a plot. Verdict: More, please.

Puck (Mark Salling): If Salling’s solo career takes off, we’d be OK with Puck getting stuck in juvie. Verdict: Out of sight, out of mind.

Artie (Kevin McHale): Um, Brittany and Artie? Whaaaaaaaat?! Verdict: We’ll pass.

Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz): Did we stutter? Pass. Verdict: Expelled.

Santana (Naya Rivera): Add another on the yet-to-be-developed list of characters. While Santana provides a foil for pretty much everyone, given the option I’d rather have Quinn go toe-to-toe and show us her soft side in between. I love the pinkie holding as much as everyone else, but let’s give Brittany a real love interest. Verdict: Cheerio.

Brittany (Heather Morris): The Britney Spears episode confirmed what we already knew: Heather Morris is a scene-stealer whose singing, while not as strong as her dancing or hilarious one-liners, is fun when it takes center stage. Her relationship with Santana is such a side note that I’d rather the writers give her an actual girlfriend. How amazing would that be? Verdict: More gay sharks, please.

Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.): When A Chorus Line intentionally goes bad, it works. When Mike and Tina try to repeat it, via “Sing” in “Duets,” it’s completely unbearable. Mike, we liked you better when we didn’t know ya. Verdict: Best seen and not heard.

Sam (Chord Overstreet): Good so far, quite possibly because his story line is completely undeveloped and as some of the veteran characters have shown us, less may indeed be more for Glee. His pairing with Quinn shows promise – and allows for some much-needed screen time for Agron. Their “Lucky” duet was one of Wednesday’s brightest. Verdict: New kid can stay.

In your opinion, who should stay and who should go?

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