The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Glee titled “I Kissed A Girl” centered around Santana and the campaign video that was about to out her. There’s also the matter of the elections — both for Class President and a Congressional seat. It was a decent episode with a few catchy musical numbers, but overall it felt like a filler episode. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the Santana scenes were moving and fantastic (even if in a slightly emotionally manipulative way). I even liked Finn in this episode for trying to raise Santana’s spirits and make her realize she has a ton of support from those who love her. It just felt like there was a ton of music and very little plot. But I won’t give up Glee. I know a lot of people who have, but I have always said that the music makes me happy and this season has really been pretty great in the plot department.

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Last night’s episode of Glee, titled “Funeral” was one of the most emotionally resonant to date. And let’s face it, Glee does some pretty emotional episodes. “Funeral” focused on Sue’s sister’s death, and we see a side to Sue that has only really been touched upon in the past. Also, I don’t think there was a single song that I didn’t think was fantastic. One of them gave me chills and another made me cry. There was also a scene between Quinn and Finn that was crazy good. So yeah, I would say this episode of Glee was a favorite.

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Glee is back in a couple of days and I’m very excited about it. It has been a season with some highs and a few lows (no pun intended) but no matter what, I still love the show. It is returning for a big Super Bowl episode where the Glee kids will tackle Thriller and Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” to name a few. There also might be a human canon involved. I tend to love big Super Bowl episodes. I remember when Friends had their big episode and leading up to it we had to guess who drank the diet coke. While there’s nothing like that here, there is a lot of hype regarding the episode. I recently had the chance to chat with Jane Lynch on a conference call about her role in the big episode, her upcoming memoir, and her favorite one liners. She even teased that Sue would be getting very depressed and might have to seek the company of New Directions.

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It’s “A Very Glee Christmas” and as far as Christmas episodes go, I enjoyed this one. There was a good message, a sweet story (Brittany still believes in Santa!) and a lot of the amazing Dot Marie Jones (Coach Beiste). This Jew enjoyed most of the Christmas songs and the overall plot. There was more music than the past few episodes but I feel like they went back to what makes them successful in terms of musical numbers: Rachel belting it out, maybe a Finn/Rachel duet and a couple of numbers with the whole Glee club. I think we all agree going back to what made us fall in love with the show is necessary and I thought this episode was a good start. This is not to say that I don’t enjoy every episode, and that I think that Darren Criss is a gift sent from Moses above, but I just like when they focus in on the tangible instead of the visceral.

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Everybody who reads this site regularly knows of my love of Glee. Week after week (with maybe one or two exceptions in between), it brings amazing musical numbers and drama to life in a way that’s never really been done before on television. Tomorrow is the big Rocky Horror episode which pays homage to the 1970s movie by putting on a production at McKinley High. I have seen it and will be posting an Advance Review tomorrow but for now I will tell you that it is fantastic. One of the more recent additions to the cast is Sam, a new Glee club member and football teammate of Finn and Puck. I actually love his new potential relationship with Quinn, and the maturity he showed about Kurt’s crush in the last episode. I recently had the chance to chat with Chord Overstreet, who plays newcomer Sam Evans. We talked about his duet with Quinn, his tendency to take off his shirt, and he even did some impressions for me.

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I am not alone in saying I was not entirely thrilled with last week’s episode of Glee. I didn’t write it off as the worst hour of television ever, but I felt it was mostly a series of (albeit awesome) music videos as opposed to any plot advancement. This week’s episode, titled “Grilled Cheesus” is the exact opposite. It is one of the best, most emotionally resonant episodes of the series to date. Despite it’s somewhat goofy title, “Grilled Cheesus” is anything but, as it takes on the super sensitive topic of religion. Whenever a show decides to tackle a subject this big and touchy, there’s always the worry that not every point of view will get expressed or someone will be put down for their particular views. I can tell you from my perspective, every religion that’s represented in the McKinley High School Glee Club was given a fair shake, including no religion at all. Non-believers deserve their time too. However, the non believers (for those wondering, Kurt and Sue) explain why they don’t believe in God and what God means to them. Some people heartily disagree with them, but the point is, no one is put down for what they believe in. In times like these, with gay suicides running rampant throughout the country, it’s important for everyone to know their viewpoint is respected and most importantly, no matter what you believe in (or what your sexual preference is), you are supported and welcomed. But I digress.

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Party Down has its last episode 2nd season this week, and what a great season it has been. The season finale guest stars Jane Lynch (who is back, and getting married), and if you haven’t been watching, you really should be! It is a testament to the show that Jane Lynch came back for an episode and most of the actors stayed from season 1. Party Down centers around a catering company of the same name where none of the employees really want to be there. There’s the requisite terrible boss (played by Ken Marino) and the love interests (played by Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan), the huge sci-fi nerd/wannabee writer (played by Martin Starr), the wannabee actor (played by Ryan Hansen) and of course the stage mom (played by Megan Mullally). I think it is one of the funniest, most clever shows on television that deserves a ton more praise and attention. I recently had the chance to chat with Martin Starr (who plays Roman) about the show, his character and even how far he would go for a season three. After teasing me about The TV Chick (and thinking it was/should be The TV Chic), we proceeded to chat about Party Down. There are many rumors going around because so many of the cast have moved on that there might not be another season, but according to Martin, it’s definitely still a possibility. I also have to warn you that while I did edit a lot of this interview down, it is pretty dirty (and awesome).

What originally drew you to the part of Roman?
I wish there was a more complicated answer that I just received a phone call that I had an offer from a TV show that I knew nothing about but that Paul Rudd was producing, and I said “I guess so. Tentatively yes, I would do it. But I’ll read the script first, I suppose.” So I read it, and of course I loved it.

Are you similar to Roman at all? Do you love sci-fi quite as much as he does?
No. (laughs) That will be a disappointment to all of our sci-fi fans I suppose. Although I kind of doubt that we have a massive sci-fi fan base. I don’t know, I don’t really watch that much TV. I love Star Trek, the original with Shatner and all those guys. I used to watch that growing up on TV Land or Nick at Nite, and that was awesome. Actually I think it was just on regular TV late at night before TV Land and Nick at Nite started.

I feel like it was on UPN or something. [Ed Note: This was a total guess]
Yeah, UPN 13.

If you don’t like sci-fi as much as Roman does, how are you like or unlike him?
Hopefully I’m not as grumpy (laughs) and unhappy and sadistic as he is. I hope!

I’m sure you’re not!
Well, you don’t know me yet.

That’s true. Maybe by the end of this conversation, I will think the opposite. I don’t know.
You will now know the real me.

Do you have any personal experiences or know anyone that you draw from to portray Roman? When I spoke with Ryan Hansen, he didn’t name names of course, but he said he did know a lot of the Party Down types.
You mean like the producers he used to go to the bathroom with to get parts from?

Right (laughs)
Is that what you mean?

Yes!
Ryan definitely used to do that. He’s told me crazy stories about San Diego all the fun stuff that happens on B movie sets. Just joking around!

Have you ever had a catering job? Or do you have a job that was your least favorite?
I wish. I wish I had. I actually always wanted to. I still want to. That’s going to sound so (laughs) — I feel like ignorant for me to say this — but I really want to work in a service industry job, because I feel like you gain a lot of respect for people with patience, once you have to deal with 100 morons a day. I feel like I know so many people that don’t have enough respect for people who take care of them. You know?

Yeah.
It’s just the general idea of respecting the people around you, in your environment. The fact that those people, who you may be disrespecting in small ways in your eyes, have the power to shit in your food. So just based on the fact that I don’t want feces in what I wind up putting in my body, I would like to show respect to all the people are kind enough to take care of whatever needs I have at an establishment that I dine at.

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What a journey it has been. The little show that could which started way back last May until now has become a phenomenon. I knew there was something special from the moment I saw it. But even I could not have anticipated the level of success it has achieved — and it is all so deserved. Honestly, can the Emmys just leave the awards at a table for Glee and call it a day?!

I didn’t think anything could top the mid-season finale. I was wrong. “Journey” brings everything full circle. Regionals are finally upon us and the judges are Sue, local newscaster guy, Olivia Newton John and Josh Groban. Right before they perform, Finn tells Rachel that he loves her! (She had previously kissed him in the hallway). Unlike a lot of the pairings this season, this felt wonderful and genuine. They love each other! Finn was once throwing slushees at Rachel’s face and now they are a couple. They have both come such a long way. The New Directions crew perform a Journey medley and they are amazing. I was wary of a remake of “Don’t Stop Believing” because it was done so well the first time, but this remake blew me away. Vocal Adrenaline, led by Jonathan Groff, sang a Queen medley. Besides the fact that Jesse St. James is apparently evil (I had really hoped he wasn’t), this medley was amazing. However, I have to agree with Rachel, they didn’t have the heart that New Directions had. I also am holding out hope that Jonathan Groff will be back, even if only for a few episodes. Ryan Murphy wrote a part for him, so in my mind, it wouldn’t make sense to write him off so quickly. Perhaps he can come back as a Vocal Adrenaline coach?

In any case, Quinn’s mom shows up and tells her that she ended it with her dad and wants her to move back in. Of course she goes into labor at this moment, and the entire Glee club (minus Rachel) rush her to the hospital. In the first of many teary eyed moments (for me, not Quinn), Quinn asks that Mercedes be with her in the delivery room. I love this friendship. I know I have mentioned it before, but I adore Quinn and Mercedes together.  I want to commend the writers on making Quinn’s giving birth scene funny and heartwarming at the same time. I loved when she yelled “You suck! You suck! You suck!” to Puck. Dianna Agron is such a fantastic actress, and I love that she got her moment in the finale to shine.

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Happy Glee day! Tonight’s episode titled “Home” is the last one I have seen in advance, so from now on, look for my reviews on Wednesday. In any case, “Home” centers around what that word means to some of the characters. Kurt’s dad is back for this episode, and he sets him up with Finn’s mom. (I know this isn’t super spoilery because I have definitely read it before). Of course, Kurt’s motivations are complicated, but he shares some rather intense moments with his dad, played by Mike O’Malley.

Will grapples with this idea of home as well, and show-stopper Kristen Chenoweth is back reprising her role of April Rhodes. Of course there is always hilarious moments with April, and some amazing duets. She and Will sing “Fire” by Bruce Springsteen and “One Less Bell To Answer” by Burt Bacharach. (The track listing has already been released so this is not exactly a surprise).” One Less Bell To Answer” is probably one of my favorite musical numbers Glee has done, and it doesn’t even involve the vocal talents of Lea Michele. Kristen Chenoweth is an incredible talent and this song has such resonance for both characters. I won’t share the context of the song, but just know that I was floored.

The episode also involves the new members of the Cheerios (Kurt and Mercedes) and Sue’s unrealistic requirements for them. Amber Riley has an amazing moment to shine, and she rocks Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” out of the park. I may or may not have cried. There is also a super touching and sweet moment between Quinn and Mercedes, which is not something you see very often. The characters don’t generally interact but when they do, it’s really special.

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“You don’t deserve the power of Madonna,” are several words uttered by Sue Sylvester (who else?) to a fellow faculty member (it might surprise you which one) that epitomize the brilliance of this episode. Throughout my life, I have watched an incredible amount of TV. However, I can safely say I have not seen anything like the Power of Madonna episode of Glee. It is probably the most epic hour of television ever made from beginning to end. Every little detail you see on screen is perfection.

The whole foundation of the episode is Sue’s love of Madonna. She blackmails Figgins to blast Madonna’s music over the PA system all day. She of course still wants to take down the Glee club and won’t stop at anything. Remember those details I was talking about? Look in the background to see people walking the hallway dressed as Madonna at different points in her career.

Throughout the episode, we learn that the guys are not treating the girls very well. Mr. Schuester tries to fix this and encourage them to treat the girls with respect. This leads to a heartwarming rendition of “What It Feels Like For A Girl.” At the same time, Emma decides to step up and take control (by channeling her inner Madonna) and she decides she wants to ramp things up with Will.

Mercedes and Kurt decide to tackle Madonna in a multimedia project. They approach Sue and learn the deal behind that haircut (it’s actually touching in a weird messed up way but I don’t want to spoil). This leads to the amazing Vogue video, which by now you have all seen. Besides the fact that it proved that Jane Lynch can do anything and hit it completely out of the park, it also proves the same thing for the creative team of Glee. The video was absolutely breathtaking and almost an exact replica of the original video. The aforementioned Glee kids also decide they want more of a starring role and join the Cheerios. (I know this isn’t a huge spoiler since there are pictures and promos everywhere).

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