Glee: Funk

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Episode 21: Funk

Jesse heads back to Vocal Adrenaline.  Their sneak performance leaves the New Directions crew in a funk.  How does Rachel deal with Jesse's betrayal.  Can Quinn express her feelings about Puck and the baby?  And do Sue and Will have feelings for each other?

Things I Loved:

•  the pearl necklace Sue wears on her "date" with Will... with her tracksuit.  Sometimes I love how well they have designed the caricatures in this show.
• the cheerleaders loosing it when Sue looses it.  What will they do with out the National Championships?
• Kurt at the National Championships.  Chris Colfer is one of my favorites.
• Finny D and Pucky Puck.  Good Vibrations.  Took me straight back to the 90s.  And I found myself wanting to get up and dance.
• All the guys sticking up for Rachel.  They are a team! :-)  Oh, and Kurt sitting down as soon as Will tells them to.

Things I'm Not a Fan of:

•  Will going to Sandy for drugs to get out of his funk.  Seems out of character to me.  
• Terri crushing on Finn.  Already done... multiple times (Dawson's Creek, The OC).
• Rachel getting egged -- I could have cried!  Mean Jesse.  Bad Jesse.  Never come back!

Favorite Lines:

•  Kurt: Rachel's one of us. We're the only ones who get to humiliate her!
• Kurt: I'm so depressed, I've worn the same outfit twice this week.
• Will: Today, I want to talk to you about regrets. Who has some?
  Rachel: Giving my heart to Jessie, just to have it crushed like the stage floor at a performance of Stomp.
  Quinn: Thinking "Trust me" was a sensible birth control option.

Ok, who is ready?  The Journey to Regionals CD was released today.  Safe to say I'll be listening to it all day at work.  The Season Finale is tonight... 9pm.  I am so excited -- but also really sad.  No new Glee until the Fall.  What will I do?  What do you think happens?  Will New Directions or Vocal Adrenaline win Regionals?

 

Glee: Theatricality

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Episode 20: Theatricality

Rachel meets her mom.  Burt sticks up for Kurt.  Everyone learns that deep down inside, they are all freaks... and a team.

Things I Loved:

• The Finn/Kurt/Burt scene.  Talk about intense -- but good.  Burt sticking up for his son, talking about the weight words can carry.  All great.
• "Beth"  The "Kiss-mates" did a great job -- and it made me totally fall for Puck, again.  One of the producers said in an interview it would... why do girls love to see bad boys be good?
• Rachel and her mom: the same love for Gold Stars, too cute.  And their rendition of Poker Face?  Made me actually like the song!
• Matt finally spoke!  Yea!

Things I am Not a Fan of:

• The boys dressed up as Kiss.  No one should ever wear spandex, especially boys.
• Finn in the giant, red, Lady Ga-Ga outfit.

Favorite Quotes:

• Tina: My mom won’t even let me watch Twilight. She says she thinks Kristen Stewart seems like a bitch.
• Artie: (about Tina's new look) It's so weird.
  Finn: This so isn't you.
  Tina: I feel like an Asian Branch Davidian.
  Will: Tina, are there any other looks you can try?
  Santana: Biker chick?
  Finn: Cowgirl?
  Mercedes: Hood rat.
  Quinn: Computer programmer.
  Brittany: Cross-county skier.
  Puck: Catholic schoolgirl.
  Brittany: Happy meals, no onions. Or a chicken.

Glee: Dream On

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Episode: 19: Dream On

We all have dreams.  Some attainable, some not so much.  If all of our dreams from High School don't come true, do we turn into bitter, star-sucking, black hole-creating adults, or do we just shift to more realistic dreams?

This weeks episode explored dreams lost, dreams attainable and dreams unattainable.  Does everyone's dream come true?

Things I Loved:

• First and foremost: Artie's Safety Dance.  OMG, was it beyond awesome.  I immediately rewound the DVR (can you rewind a DVR???) and watched it again.  That's right, didn't even finish watching the show to watch it.  That is how killer the dance was.  Kevin McHale is an awesome dancer -- too bad he is in that wheelchair! 
• Emma being an actual guidance counselor to Artie.  She properly guided him to realize that he may not walk again.  Heartbreaking to watch, but I like how Glee doesn't try to sugarcoat EVERYTHING (although most is sugar coated)
• Neil Patrick Harris.  He was awesome and made me laugh out numerous time.  The best?  Those jean jackets!
• The flashback of Will in High School -- more of those awesome 90's styles please!

Things I am Not a Fan of:

• The cheese level, especially coming out of Will's mouth?  NPH is creating black holes by cutting the Glee Club.  At some point we just have to say enough!
• Emma being an actual guidance counselor to Artie.  Yes I loved it... but I also hated it.  I just felt so bad for Artie.
• I felt like their were two endings -- The "I Dreamed a Dream" sequence and the "Dream a Little Dream" -- I know it was because there were two storylines to close out/preview to... but I just felt like it was too much.

Things I am Not Sure About:

• Jesse -- So we see why he really change schools.  Makes me not like him -- yes, it gives Shelby depth, but we see that Jesse might not really care for Rachel.  And I don't want him to hurt Rachel.  I guess I really want to like Jesse and I can't decide if I can or not.

Favorite Quotes:

• Rachel: (About a cassette with her mother on it) What if she's singing on the tape? What if she's terrible? Or worse - what if she's better than me? 
• Bryan: (to Will) I was introduced to Jesus. He was my Honduran social worker. I straightened up, put down the pipe, met the love of my life, Wilma, and now I run a successful used Hummer dealership. Don't make that face. Global warming's a theory
• Will: You take away glee, you’re not just putting out those kids’ lights. You’re creating 13 black holes.

Glee: Laryngitis

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Episode 18: Laryngitis

Our favorite Glee characters all deal with loss.  Rachel loses her voice, Kurt loses his identity, and Puck loses his Mohawk.  How do they deal with these loses?  And do they learn anything from them?

Things I Love:

• That I now know how to spell Laryngitis.  Seriously, have to type it out for this post has helped me.
• The song choices -- I was a fan of all of them this week!  Jesse's girl was a classic -- and Cory (Finn) sounded great!  And you can't go wrong with U2's One.
• Lady is a Tramp.  Did Puck (played by one talented Mark Salling) look and sound great or what?
• Kurt's "Rose's Turn"  Chris Colfer is quickly becoming on of my favorites to watch.  His comedic timing is amazing and boy can he perform.  I believe Mike O'Malley (who plays his dad) once said something along the lines, "You just get out of the way of that talent."  

Things I'm Not a Fan of:

• Will you just stick to one pairing of couples?  I mean -- Puck hits on Rachel, then he hits on Mercedes, and isn't he supposed to be having a baby with Quinn.  At the end of Episode 13, didn't he want to be with Quinn?  I get he is a player -- but let's have some longevity to some of these pairings.  If we don't then we won't have any couples to really back. 
• The whole singing "One" with the paralyzed guy -- it was awkward to me.  I get why they did it for the storyline, but I just couldn't handle it.
• I would have loved to see more of the character solos -- but I know we only have one hour to work with here... but still.  They were all looking to find their voice -- what would Quinn have sung? or Artie? or Tina?

Favorite Lines:

• Rachel: In my case, the obstacle is you. 
• Puck: Watch out black girl whose name I don't remember.  The Puckster is about to make you his.
• Rachel: I'm like Tinkerbell, Finn!  I need applause to live!

Glee: Bad Reputation

 Photo from gleeimages.com

I took a small hiatus from blogging in May -- mainly unplanned.  BUT, here I am again, attempting to be consistent.  Lots to update you on, including all of my thoughts on Glee.  As June 8th is the Season 1 Finale, I thought I would do a countdown of sorts, where I recap and give my thoughts on some of the episodes I have missed.  Are we ready?

Up first, Episode 17: Bad Reputation.

A Glist surfaces -- a list of the Glee members with the worst reputations.  Will has to hunt down the conspirator or risk having the Glee Club shut down.  Puck is the prime suspect, but did he do it?

Sue gets a taste of her own medicine when some Glee members leak a rather embarrassing video of her.  Will she get redemption?

And on the musical side of things, we see some rather awesomely bad songs get re-vamped and re-done, Glee style.

Things I Love:

• The Puck and Rachel story line. I love Puck and  I am not afraid to admit it.  And so any thing that showcases him, well, I will typically be a fan.  Loved seeing them together, seeing their chemistry.  Also glad to see it fit well with the story line.
• Run Joey, Run video -- it was ridiculous.  Almost too ridiculous, but it was also hilarious.  Loved seeing Sandy Ryerson (the creepy teacher and previous Glee coach from the first half of the season) prance across the lawn -- good use of his character!
• Sue's sister!  Sue has a heart and when you bring in her sister you see it.  
• All of the dancing!  It was BRILLIANT!  Especially the "You Can't Touch This" scene.  Heather Morris (plays Brittany) can MOVE! 
• Quinn being the Glist maker.  We are getting to see how hard being pregnant and still homeless (we don't know who she is living with yet) are just hitting this once popular cheerleader very hard. 

Things I'm Not a Fan of:

• The Physical video.  I don't know why I didn't like it... I just didn't.  Maybe because it felt so forced in the story line?  I mean really -- Olive Newton John just happens to see it and wants to re-shoot?
• The ballet dance to "Total Eclipse of the Heart."  Like the song, normally like the dancing.  But this time is just didn't do it for me.  Maybe it is because I don't really see Lea Michele being much of dancer.  Sorry that wasn't nice -- but kind of true.

Favorite Lines:

• Artie: I'm kind of getting cold feet here.
  Brittany: Can you even feel your feet?
• Will: (about the Glist) Puck, seriously, did you do it?
  Puck: I said no! I'm a delinquent, sure. I like setting stuff on fire and beating up people I don't know. I own at. But I'm not a liar.
• Puck: I try to be a good guy. I go to school and I say, ‘Be cool, Puck. Be nice.’ But by second period I have a fire extinguisher in my hands and I’m spraying some dweeb with it and I don’t know how I got there.
• Emma: You're a slut, Will!"

Overall we are getting closer and closer to "old" Glee -- before it was a massive hit.  I am sure to be watching "Ice, Ice, Baby" and "You Can't Touch This" over and over again... in hopes to pick up some mad dance moves! ;-).

What did you enjoy?  What didn't your like?  Are you even a Glee fan?

Glee: Season One Finale

I may or may not be counting down the days, hours, minutes until the Glee Season One Finale.  I love this show -- as you can all tell.  I just wish I was as talented as them, wish life was a musical, and so this show fits me perfectly!

That being said, check out this sneak peak:




Does it make you smile as much as it makes me smile???

I don't think so, Glee

I was ok with an all Madonna episode of Glee.

But then Britney Spears's manager hit twitter campaigning for an all Britney episode.

And to that Glee creators, I say... "I don't think so."

Why?

• too gimmicky -- don't sell yourself into pulling all gimmicks to make the show "bigger and better."  Be confident in what made the show great -- music that fit the story lines.
• it's Britney -- who has not stamp of "be like her."  At least Madonna has credibility.  Britney just shaved her head and releases beyond risque music.  She was the butt of one of your jokes last week, in case you have forgotten.
• couldn't you come up with any other artist with better music to do an all out episode of?

I did find this article at EW that sheds some light on what Ryan Murphy (the genius behind the show) and the other creators are thinking.  Again, don't do Britney.

I would be ok with Billy Joel, or even Led Zeppelin.  But to Courtney Love?  That's another, 'I don't think so."

My genius idea that I would like to shoot out to the Glee creators?  U2.  Just because I love them -- and I think that would be awesome.

Do you have any ideas for the Glee creators?

A Lifetime of Teaching

A great video... I might have liked Chemistry if I had him as my professor.  Instead I think Chemistry is terrible...

But if I had him, then I would have gone to Duke -- and that is just wrong.  I am first and foremost a Michigan Wolverine -- and while living down here I have chosen the side of the UNC Tarheels.  Sorry, Duke.

Oh this reminds me of another one of my favorite lines from last night's Glee: Kurt's Dad says to Finn while watching a basketball game, "I hate Duke like I hate the Nazis."  Oh I knew there was another reason I love Glee! :)

Ok, but seriously -- watch it.  It is worth the three minutes:

Glee: Home

Tonight's episode was getting back to the old Glee -- or at least I thought so.  Here are my random thoughts after the first viewing.

Things I Love:

• 99% of what came out of April's mouth.  My favorite? "So you're free to date. And by free to date I mean sleep with people. And by sleep with people I mean have sex with people. People like me." 
• When Puck mouthed "Are you ok?" to Finn during Kurt's Home solo.  Are they still friends? Does Puck have a heart?  Oh, I have a hunch that we should trust Ryan, Ian and Brad (see me acting like I know them?) and that the plots we are missing are coming back.
• Proof of some plot lines? The Finn's mom and Kurt's dad storyline.  It was developing and I'm excited to see the journey of both Finn and Kurt as this goes.
• The message -- they addressed body image issues and the desire to want to fit/be popular at any cost in a way that was great.  I loved Quinn helping Mercedes; I loved Mercedes "singing" out and letting Coach Sylvester know exactly what she thinks (Christina's "Beautiful").
• Mike O'Malley didn't wear a hat!!! Name the last time that happened.  I am pretty sure I read on imdb.com that he went through all of "Yes, Dear" without taking off his hat.
• Sue Sylvester's faces -- Jane Lynch is genius.

Things I'm Not a Fan Of:

• The cheese level -- it was pretty high last night.
• The lack of high energy songs.  All were great song choices -- but the duet between Will and April definitely lagged.  I could have done with 25% of the song and I still think the storyline would have been furthered by the song.
• Finn singing to the chair/his dead Dad.  Yea, I get how it went with the show and how it fit... but it was just too much for my logical brain.

Ok -- that is all I have at this point in time.  My brain is fried (I was working on a paper tonight).  Found this article full of spoilers.  Looking forward to the rest of the season!  Oh, how I LOVE Glee. :)

Glee: The Power of Madonna

I have made no secret of my love for Glee.  Everything from the dance numbers to Jane Lynch's one liners make me smile (and often laugh outloud).  I'll admit you sometimes you have to suspend reality (like the piano and strings in the book shop last week -- what???).  But they know how to balance the laughs with the touching moments, the messages, and the pull of the heart strings.

That being said I think Tuesday's episode ("The Power of Madonna") was my favorite thus far.  Here are some of my random thoughts:

Things I Loved:

1. Express Yourself dance number.  The girls looked amazing and it made me want to break out my old dance shoes and go take a class.  Just so I could do that number.  AND then you noticed the guys watching -- Finn being bored and looking everywhere but the stage, Kurt dancing along, Puck looking like he was going to punch something... all classic.
2. Will helping Emma -- and I mean truly helping Emma.  He wants them to both work on themselves so that they can be together.  Very cute and a good message in general.  However, it is TV and let's be honest -- there will be lots of tension coming as they wait.
3. Like a Prayer dance number.  See number 1 about me wanting to dance.  
4. Drawing attention to the fact that women are still earning less than men.  I work for the Girl Scouts.  We want to empower women -- no to become 'femi-nazi's" but to learn that they can be leaders, change the world, etc.  Good call, Glee!
5. Becky Jackson is back!  I love Lauren Potter as Becky Jackson -- she makes me smile.
6. Will finally standing up to Sue and making fun of her hair!  YES!

Things I'm Not Sure About:

1. What is Jesse's deal? Does he really love Rachel?  Is he really there to spy on New Directions?
2. Mr. Shue just letting Jesse into New Directions.  Sometimes he is so clueless.

Things I'm Not a Fan of:

1. While I like Madonna's music -- and she is a musical icon... she really empower's women?  Part of me disagrees -- she has taken control of her image, for sure.  But she still sells her sexuality, which in my opinion is part of objectifying women.  Even if she chooses to do it. While I get why they chose Madonna, I think there are other women we can point to as well...
2. I love the musical numbers (see #1, #3 under the "Things I Love,") but I feel like they are doing TOO many musical numbers in the back nine.  Some of the plot isn't having time to develop -- yes the music is helping it develop some, but a little more dialogue would be good.
3. Not enough Puck.  Love him -- even if he is the "bad boy."  Give me a boy with a guitar and I melt. 

Favorite Lines:

• “When I pulled my hamstring I went to a misogynist.” – Brittany
•  Will: What comes to mind when you see that name?
  Rachel: Genius.
  Kurt: Icon.
  Puck: Hall of fame MILF.
• "No one intimidates the Puckzilla" -- Puck

Do you watch Glee?  What were your thoughts?

Glee!

As much as I hate to admit it, my new favorite guilty pleasure (that is quickly turning into an obsession) is Glee.  I seriously love this show.

And it makes me sad to know that Wednesday night's episode is the Fall Finale.  No new episodes until April (stupid American Idol). 

But this blog (devoted to all things Glee) makes me excited.  First, it tells me for sure that new episodes will be happening in April.  And it not only gives me the preview for this week, but gives me previews from other countries which show more what is to happen.  And, OMG, I am on the edge of my seat. 

If you enjoy Glee, and don't mind some spoiler-ish previews, then watch here!

Where is Jaye?

Sorry, I have been MIA the last week or so!  I was up in Michigan for Thanksgiving.  There was some painting of the cottage... there was some great food with the family... there was even some very sad, heartbreaking Michigan football. 

But, now I am back... and ready for the Advent season... my favorite time of year!  I even woke up to a great winter morning... frost on my windows, about 30 degrees.  I can just feel the anticipation!  Hope it doesn't fly by too quickly...

I have some free time tonight.  Maybe I'll put up my Christmas tree.  I wonder if the roommates would mind.  Do you think they will?

While I work on other posts for you (yes, I have many in the works), here is great article on my favorite new TV show, Glee.  Yes, they show has some very questionable content... but it is also great.  Snarky comments and some hearwarming (and very cheesy) teachable moments. 

Happy December 1st everyone!