The TV Chick

Tonight’s episode of Glee is a big one. The Rocky Horror Glee show pays homage to the 1970s cult classic movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and it does so in spectacular fashion. Whenever Glee takes on an artist (or a movie in this case), it can be epic (Madonna and Lady Gaga episodes), great music wise but not so much plot wise (Britney episode) or classic Glee (Beatles episode). The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a beloved movie with a lot of racy scenes, but Glee tackles them with respect. The basic premise of the episode is that Emma (yes she is back for A LOT of this episode!) went to see Rocky Horror with Carl. It was a dirty movie theater and people were throwing things (you know how they do), yet Emma was having so much fun she didn’t even think about her OCD. Side note, this TV Chick went to a screening of Rocky Horror in college where they put a V on my head (for RH virgin) and I danced the time warp in the aisles. It’s all a blur. But I digress. So Will realizes that Emma’s really hitting it off with Carl and decides to put on a production of Rocky Horror with the Glee Club to impress her. He asks Emma to come on as the costume designer, and she’s pretty thrilled. Carl may be helping her, but in my opinion, she really wishes she were with Will. In any case, on with the show!

Continue reading “ADVANCE REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Glee Show” »

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.

Continue reading “ADVANCE REVIEW: Glee “Grilled Cheesus”” »

In my mind, Glee changed the face of television as we know it. I know that musical episodes have been done before (Buffy The Vampire Slayer set the bar high) but never has there been a show like this. If you don’t know by now, it centers around McKinley High School’s show choir New Directions which features students from all over the social spectrum. This unlikely group of people came together last season to form a singing powerhouse. But the show’s not just about the incredibly talented kids. The faculty at the school are just as amazing and talented. Jane Lynch’s portrayal of Sue Sylvester has become a pop culture icon, and everyone fell in love with quirky Emma Pillsbury (the guidance counselor, played by Jayma Mays) and Will Schuester (the tireless leader of Glee Club, played by Matthew Morrison). Their on again/off again relationship is slowly becoming the modern day Ross and Rachel. From the very beginning, Emma was one of my favorite characters. Her incredible sense of style, her desire to keep everything clean and her expressions that light up the screen caused me to take notice from episode one. I recently had the chance to chat with Jayma Mays about everything from the Emmys, to the reason why Emma didn’t go running back into Will’s arms in the season finale last year, to the upcoming Rocky Horror episode where she sings and of course her new love interest played by John Stamos. She is one of my absolute favorite people to talk to ever and I know I’m not the only one who hopes she’s in a ton of episodes in season two. Also, in a TV Chick FIRST (of many I hope), there is a link after the interview to download a (very long) portion of the audio from the interview!

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jayma Mays (Emma) from Glee (and Audio from the Interview)” »

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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Last night’s episode of Glee titled “Bad Reputation is the first that I wasn’t able to watch in advance. And in all honesty, I’m glad I didn’t, because it was one of my favorite episodes of the whole season (not just the back 9). There were many complaints circulating around about the first 3 episodes of the back 9 and their lack of storyline combined with too many songs. This episode went a completely different direction and I’m so glad it did. For the record, I adored the first 3 episodes but more because Glee was back and because the Madonna episode was epic than anything else.

Bad Reputation centered around the Glee Club getting a bad reputation from a “Glist” or list ranking Glee Club members based on a hotness quotient (sexual promiscuity). Quinn was number one on the list and Rachel was at the bottom. The list was distributed to the entire school. Also, Kurt found a video of Sue dancing around to Let’s Get Physical and he (along with some fellow Glee Club members) decides to release it on YouTube.

Mr. Schuester sings (and dances to) Ice Ice Baby (a song with a bad reputation) along with the rest of the Glee Club. This dance number was awesome. It featured Matthew Morrison, Heather Morris and Harry Shum Jr. primarily but the whole Glee club joined in. Who knew Jonathan Groff was also a really talented dancer? He never ceases to amaze me. In this episode, Sue also meets her match. Molly Shannon is Brenda Castle, a new sassy teacher who laughs profusely at Sue and the video. I believe Sue uttered the words “I’ll punch you square in the taco.” Any episode that features Sue (and the ridiculously talented Jane Lynch) is great in my book. Personally, I would have liked another Sue C’s It but her diary writing more than suffices. Later in the episode, Sue shares a bunch of heartwarming scenes with her sister. I am so thrilled they brought her sister back. She really brings a human element to Sue, but in addition, she is very funny and sweet. Her storyline is not meant for viewers to pity Sue or her sister. They are incredibly close, no matter what disabilities her sister may have.

Kurt, Artie, and Mercedes are not on the Glist, so Kurt devises a plan to not be ignored. Brittany wants to be in the top 3 (she was number 4) and is in on the plan, despite taking all her antibiotics at once and not knowing where she was. (Brittany’s comedic genius continues to shine in this episode) Kurt’s plan involves making a big ruckus in the library. They sing and dance to You Can’t Touch This, which was all sorts of awesome.

Continuing on with the Sue goodness, Sue goes to Emma and tells her she is her new therapist. She spills the beans about Will making out with Shelby and sleeping with April (she knew this because of strategically placed baby monitors). Sue also tells Emma she sucks, and that she needs to stand up for herself and communicate her feelings to Will (in a public setting). First of all, I love Emma and was glad to see her back. And while this scene may have been quite over the top, it was hilarious and completely true to Sue. And I actually agree with her! Emma does need to grow a pair, so to speak, because Will has really been sleeping around. Even if “sleeping around” just means making out and singing duets. Emma decides to confront Will and yells at him in the faculty lounge. She even calls him a slut (LOVE IT) and tells him that she is through with him (don’t love it as much). Later, Will brings Emma flowers, he apologizes but she can’t get over it. However, she basically says that she hasn’t given up hope of a relationship. Both of them clearly need to work out their issues before giving us another perfect “happy ending” kiss scene like in the mid-season finale. I look forward to when they do so! And if they want to throw a little Terri drama in the mix, I am all for it. Meanwhile, Schue tries to get to the bottom of the Glist but no one will confess.

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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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Glee returns tonight! Are you as excited as I am? I recently had the chance to catch up with Jessalyn Gilsig (Terri Schuester). In case you missed Part 1 of my interview, check it out here. In this next installment, she talks about Emma and her husband stealing ways, her dream guest stars and Glee’s incredible ensemble cast. She also addresses the Will and Terri fans when I asked her if there is still hope for the couple. She even shares a little bit about season 2.

I watched a little behind-the-scenes video where you came in wearing the same outfit as Jayma, during the kissing scene.
(laughs) Yeah. That’s a perfect example. Okay. Let’s talk about that beret. When I saw her in that white beret, I was like Lou, are you kidding me? You literally dressed her like an angel. She literally has a halo on her head. This is ridiculous. So then I had to find a beret, and come on set. I was thinking that Terri should just cut her hair into a bob and dye it red. Because I think that’s how simple Terri is. I think Terri really thinks, If I just look like Emma, then he would love me again. But that beret, I mean that’s where Lou is such a genius. Because obviously, Jayma looks so adorable in it, so perfect and yet it made it impossible for any character to have sympathy for my character.

Have there been any other pranks that you’ve pulled like that or any other pranks that have been pulled on set?
Let me think. I feel like there have been some things. I mean, everybody gets kind of goofy from time to time that’s for sure.

Did you show up during the next kissing scene? I know there is a Will/Emma kiss from the promo.
I was on set, actually. Because if we’re shooting in the apartment then usually we’ll spend the whole day there. So they shot that and then the following scene was actually a scene between Emma and myself in the apartment. It was a really fun scene.

Oooh interesting.
Did you get to see the next episode at the Paley Festival?

I wasn’t there. I couldn’t make it out there, I wanted to go so badly.
Yeah, because we aired the next episode.

I know!
Did people like it?

People did like it! I think there was some interesting reactions to Idina Menzel’s character.
Really? What did they say?

Well there might be something between her and Will.
Yeeees. Exactly.

So I think that people who are crazy about Emma and Will…
Ohhhhh! It’s so good! [The show] is so smart, you see! Isn’t that so good? Because everybody thinks it’s going in one — oh it gets so good!

I am so excited!
It gets so good, because it’s exactly what you don’t expect, but it’s actually probably truer to life, what would really happen. You know, because people don’t just ride off into the sunset very often.

Right, the world’s not perfect.
Yeah. Oh yeah, it gets really, really good. I was on set that day that they kissed, and I thought it was disgusting.

(laughs) Is there going to be any future showdowns between you and Emma?
Between Emma and myself? Yeah.

And what about between you and anyone else? Maybe Will?
Will and I, we have another one. And then we have some sad things.

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Glee is back in just one day! My countdown clock will soon become obsolete. I am so thrilled that it is returning, and I jumped at the chance to chat again with Jessalyn Gilsig, who plays Terri Schuester. I know there are huge Will and Emma fans out there (Wemma as they have become affectionately known), but I love Terri because I think Jessalyn plays her with such magnificence. She adds a little crazy to the mix but she also shows that nothing is ever perfect. If we got what we wanted right away on any TV show, it would be the easy way out, and if there is one thing about Ryan Murphy and his creative team I know for sure, it is that they are never ones to do this. There is a great Terri moment in the mid-season premiere (“Hell-O”) but as Jessalyn explains, it really heats up later. We talked about the amazing fashion on the show, interesting fan reactions, and her song.

Congratulations on all the success of the show. It has been an amazing season. What has awards season been like for you?
I think it just ended, or it just ended for me. I never understood when people said it’s a season that it’s really a season. I mean, it goes on. There are a lot of award shows (laughs) that I never knew about. It was amazing. The Golden Globes were amazing because we just — we couldn’t believe we were there. We sort of felt like we snuck in. And then when I got to the table and the whole cast was sitting there. And Chris was there and Mark’s there and Dianna, and we just looked at each other like what are we doing here? We’ve only shot 13 episodes (laughs). And then, a really fun one that I went to — this was the kind of thing I never knew about — was the Costume Design Awards. Lou Eyrich is our designer who also designs for Nip/Tuck, she was nominated, and she actually won that night. And Jayma and I went there in support of her and it was just really fun to see. We get so much attention from the show but we know that the show is such a collaborative experience and Lou is such a good example. She helps us find our characters, and she really sort of creates such a visual experience, so to see her get recognized and kind of put the spotlight on her…Jayma and I both agreed it was our best experience out of all the award shows.

Yeah, she does some incredible work on the show.
Doesn’t she? And she takes such big risks and I just feel like because there’s so many times that our characters are present but not necessarily speaking. I mean, especially for a lot of the kids. You know, they might have an episode where — I just saw one where Dianna, she doesn’t have much to say but just whenever she’s on screen, there’s still a story being told, and so much of that is also through what she’s wearing and her posture. So it’s just really interesting how everybody kind of tracks the evolution of our characters. And there are so many of them.

There are actually websites out there dedicated to the fashion on Glee.
Are you kidding? (laughs)

There’s a site called What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear?
What? Are you kidding me?

No you have to go check it out!
I mean, Emma’s wardrobe…that’s a perfect example. It’s ingenious. And of course, I selfishly, from Terri’s point of view, think Emma’s a genius because she dresses like a saint but she’s actually a husband stealer.

Oh she totally is…
But the way she dresses…it makes her look like a good person.

And I wanted to know what it was like filming that scene that last time we spoke, you referred to it as the reckoning between Will and Terri. It was so incredibly intense.
Was I right?

You were right, absolutely!
It was intense. This is why it is so much fun to work on Ryan Murphy’s show because it’s really fun to watch an audience get frustrated with the show. You know, a woman came up to me in the store the other day (laughs), it was so hysterical. I’m standing in a store with my daughter, and this older woman — I mean, she was probably in her 60s — she comes over and she says “You know what I don’t understand? How can he be so stupid?” (laughs)

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It is GLEE week!! Can you feel it?? Only 6 days left! Are you as excited as I am?? I have seen the first 2 episodes (watching the 3rd very soon) and they are phenomenal. The Madonna episode blew my mind in so many ways. It was truly an amazing tribute to Madonna’s career. I will be posting advance reviews, interviews with Ian Brennan & Brad Falchuk, a 2 part interview with Jessalyn Gilsig (Terri) and much more in the next 6 days leading up to the finale. Be sure to check back often!

However, there are so many great videos I wanted to share with you. There’s a brand new promo, and the Glee cast performed at the White House Easter Egg Roll! It was fantastic. I’m hoping it’s a little preview for the actual tour. Today, the cast will be appearing on Oprah. Be sure to check your local listings and tune in. But for now, since I know you are wanting new episodes of Glee as much as I do, enjoy these videos. Hang in there, only 6 more days!!

New Back 9 Promo:

The Glee Cast Performs at The White House:

Lea Michele sings “Smile”

Mark Salling sings Sweet Caroline:

Matthew Morrison and Mark Salling sing Over The Rainbow:

Amber Riley sings Home:

I can’t promise that I will not have 1,000+ words to say about this week’s episode of Glee, because I just love the show so much. This week’s episode, titled “Ballad” centered around the Glee club learning ballads to sing to their partners. Mr. Schuester explains that ballads say in song what you can’t express in words. Rachel chooses Mr. Schuester (they pick names out of a hat) which results in her falling for him (if only for an episode). We also learn about Susie Pepper who fell in love with Schue in the past. I absolutely adored Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison’s rendition of Endless Love, but this storyline might have been the only one I wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about. The rest of the pairs were brilliant: Mercedes and Puck, Finn and Kurt, and Quinn and Artie are the ones that stand out in my head.

When Finn and Kurt pair together, Finn reveals his anxieties about Quinn and the baby. Kurt reveals his love/crush (albeit silently) for Finn, and helps him express his feelings through song. Finn chooses “I’ll Stand By You,” for his ballad while he sings to the sonogram of “his” baby. Kurt chooses to sing “I Honestly Love You,” but we don’t get to hear it because the entire Glee Club has decided to sing a ballad to Finn and Quinn. I’ll talk more about that later.

Mercedes and Puck get together to sing and Puck reveals that he’s actually Quinn’s baby’s father. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the Glee club finds out. But Mercedes makes a good distinction between a baby daddy and a baby’s father. I still think that if Puck wants to step up, he should and can be a father. But the whole Quinn pregnancy is a mess. Later on in the episode, Finn goes over to Quinn’s house for dinner and decides to sing a ballad to her to express his feelings (and break the news to her unknowing parents). He had practiced with Kurt, and calls him in the bathroom for moral support. (One of the best lines of the night was: “I have to go, they’ll think I’m pooping”) After Finn talks to Kurt, he belts out “You’re Having My Baby,” to Quinn. Quinn’s father (who they set up to be this Conservative, Glenn Beck loving curmudgeon) gets angry and kicks his daughter (and Finn) out of the house. There haven’t been many moments where Quinn (played by the lovely Dianna Agron) is given a chance to shine. Most of the time we see her pairing up with Sue in a Cheerios outfit trying to take down Glee. This scene was really emotional, and Dianna played it so well. It was incredibly heart wrenching and realistic. With last week’s rollercoaster of emotions episode, you run the risk of turning it into a sadder show than it is, but I think that this episode had just the perfect amount of emotion paired with comedy with a dash of Kurt. In the last scene, the Glee club sings to Quinn and Finn “Lean on Me,” and yes, I will admit, I shed a few tears.

I love every episode of Glee. To me, this season has been truly perfect so far. This episode may not have been a stand out favorite of mine, but ballads are always great, especially from this talented cast. I liked that the Glee Club came together to support their friends, and it shows that the show might be full of slushees and drama, but it has a lot of heart. Another one of my favorite moments which I didn’t touch upon before was when Mr. Schuester sings to Rachel to try and get her to understand it’s inappropriate to have a crush on him. He sings a mashup of “Young Girl” and “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” while she and Emma watch. At the end, they both have fallen for him even harder. It was one of those moments that I just thought was so clever and creative. Of course Emma, who wants to help Mr. Schuester with this little problem, would just end up lusting after him. Clearly, I can’t wait to see what happens with the numerous love triangles. I just don’t know how I’m going to manage when the first 13 episodes have finished and I have to wait for the back 9. I’ll probably just have to have a Glee marathon. Whew, I did it in about 800 words. You. Are. Welcome.

Favorite quotes of the episode:

“Ballad, from the English word Ballad. Who knows what this means?” -Mr. Schuester
“It’s a male duck.” -Brittany

“I hope I don’t have to sing to the duck.” -Brittany

“It means I’m very young, and you’re afraid to stand close to me.” -Rachel

And here is the Glee cast’s performance of Lean On Me for your enjoyment:

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