Five Reasons Bruce Springsteen and Glee Need to Unite

Glee'sdone Madonna, they've conquered Britney. But can McKinley High's New Directions take on The Boss? Multiple reports say the hit musical comedy is mulling a Bruce Springsteen-themed episode to air immediately following the Super Bowl, which Fox is televising come Feb. 6. And now the word is Springsteen himself may guest-star — not as himself but as Finn Hudson's uncle. Check out five reasons Springsteen and Glee should unite:

1. The Garden State needs an image rehabilitation via TV, and The Boss can deliver it
We love GTL and table-flipping as much as the next person. But between The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Jersey Shore, Jerseylicious and Jersey Couture, reality TV has now painted New Jersey locals as a bunch of overly tanned, overly dramatic guidos and guidettes with accents as thick as their hair. (It's really not that bad depending on where you're from.) It's time for Springsteen to step up and help out his neighbors with a quality program (one that doesn't take place 80 years ago, sorry Boardwalk Empire). Who wouldn't want to hear Mr. Schu belt out "Thunder Road" as he continues to pine over Emma.

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2. Glee did such a good job with "Born to Run" ... why not take it all the way?
In August, Jimmy Fallon recruited much of the Glee club (and a slushy-happy Jane Lynch!) to help perform an upbeat and uproarious rendition of Springsteen's "Born to Run." The performance not only earned Fallon high praise from critics, and not since "Don't Stop Believing" have they show-choir'd up a song like that. It's about time the cast got back into the Glee mode and took The Boss to the next level.

3. Between "Darkness on the Edge of Town" and "The Rising,"  Springsteen's catalog is full of possibilities
Although Heather Morris completely killed it last week in her performances of both "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Me Against the Music," the Britney Spears episode, let's be real, they were all a bunch of hallucinations. Puck, lost without Quinn, could so rip up "Hungry Heart." The whole club could use a crowd-pleaser like "The Rising" as an inspiring way to win over the judges at sectionals. 

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4. Both Springsteen and Glee aren't afraid to stand — and sing — for something
Springsteen has always prided himself as being the voice of the working man. In recent years, he's publicly opposed the war in Iraq and campaigned for Democratic candidates such as John Kerry and President Barack Obama. The Rising was one of the first records to address the 9/11 attacks. Glee has tackled social issues such as abortion, disabilities and religion. The show also plans to dedicate an upcoming episode on the day-to-day fear and isolation some gay teens face.

5. Because Cory Monteith is the spitting image of The Boss
OK, dimwitted but still completely lovable Finn Hudson (Monteith) doesn't really bear that much of a resemblance to the aging rocker. But after Kurt's dad had a heart attack, Finn needs a father figure now more than ever. Plus, some of Monteith's best series performances have been covers of classic rock songs like Van Morrison's "Hello, I Love You" and the Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You," which means he's completely capable of handling The Boss.  Our dream pick? "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," which he'll sing to his neurotic love Rachel, of course.