Is Glee better than American Idol?

If you're unimpressed by this season's crop of "American Idol" finalists, console yourself with this mantra: "April 13, April 13, April 13."

No, that's not the date of Vote for the Worst pick Tim Urban's elimination. April 13 marks the return of another music-centered Fox show: "Glee."

Hype surrounding the Golden Globe-winning series, which focuses on a high school glee club, has only increased as it prepares for new episodes. Fans are buzzing about possible guest stars. There's a rumored all-Madonna episode. And the cast will soon travel for a spring tour.

It's enough to help some "Idol" detractors satiate their need for jazz hands and cover songs.

We think there's still hope for this season's 12 "Idol" finalists. But if you've lost faith, here are the top five reasons why "Glee" is better than "Idol":

Group numbers. Yes, the choreography on "Glee" is cheesy at times. However, it somehow always beats watching the token acoustic rocker attempt to look giddy during a Black Eyed Peas group song on "Idol" results night.

No feedback from judges. That means you can enjoy a teenager's cover of an REO Speedwagon tune without waiting for judge Randy Jackson to sigh and say, "Dawg, that song just seemed too old for you."

Personalities. Cast members on "Glee" perform amid drama-driven plot lines. That's a lot more than we can say for the average "I'm singing this Miley Cyrus song to get a better life for my family" formulaic back story on "Idol."

More Neil Patrick Harris! Fox has confirmed that Neil Patrick Harris will guest star on this season of "Glee." Unlike his "Idol" guest spot, he likely won't have to share his "Glee" air time with a disappointing Joe Jonas.

Jane Lynch. We'd like to see this comedienne, who plays a cheerleading coach on "Glee," sit down for a heart-to-heart with increasingly puzzling "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. Something tells us she'd offer a few memorable lines regarding those tears DioGuardi shed over Big Mike last week.

"Glee" returns 9 p.m. April 13 on Fox.