Tag Archives: Unique

Sep 23 2012
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glee recapping: britney 2.0

Here’s what you missed on Glee: The New Rachel

Story

  • Brittany begins to feel the woes of being held back for another senior year.
  • Marley admits that she has a crush on Jake.
  • Rachel shows Cassandra that she can be sexy.
  • Shuester decides to have another “Britney Week” to perk up the New Directions.
  • Puck returns to give Jake some (half) brotherly advice.
  • Brody tries to take his relationship with Rachel to the next level.

 

If It Ain’t Broke…Well that usually applies, but this episode was an exception. The first Britney themed eppy was one of my favorite shows of the entire series so far. So when I heard that they were going back to the well–so to speak–I was more than skeptical about it. But the satirical tone in which it dealt with the parallels in Brittany S. Pierce and Britney Spears’ struggles to get back on top was a refreshing perspective. A rare occasion in which the sequel is actually comparable to the original.

Farewell Finn? Brody doesn’t seem to know how to stay away from Rachel and it doesn’t seem like Rachel is going to be able to hold on to what is left of her and Finn’s relationship with all the distance in between. It doesn’t help that she is going to be around Brody everyday at school while he’s being all sexy and sh**. Seriously though, is everyone named “Brody” a certified sex bomb?!

Speaking of Sexy: We all know Glee can teeter on the inappropriate from time to time but after this eppy I wondered if the show got moved from Tuesday at 8ET/7CT to Thursday 9ET/8CT because things are going to start get a bit more…uh…is sultry to adult of a word? After seeing Rachel’s “sexy” performance and all the talk of “scissoring” and “lady love” I thought it was a solid question to ask.

Unwanted Observation: Wade looks much better as “Unique”. I just can’t un-see that. Or un-type it for that matter. You’re welcome.

Blonde Besties: Thank you, Sam. I can’t bear to see Brittany sad for extended periods of time and I hope that you are going to help me with that issues going forward. Since Santana isn’t around maybe it’ll give Brittany another partner within the glee club. Maybe it can go further than that but I’ll settle for the simple things at the moment.

 

Music

Hold It Against Me (Brittany and the Cheerios) Unlike Sue, I didn’t think this performance was “garbage wrapped in skin.” I didn’t love it, but nothing is every quite deserving of her harsh critiques. Obviously the Cheerios hired a new choreographer over the summer, which was evident by how much better their dancing is this year. Song-wise I would have preferred to open with a Britney classic, but as Artie noted later in the episode, they were kind of running out of solid material to use. Oh well, still a decent opener. (B)

Boys / Boyfriend (Artie and Blaine) If THIS was the result of what happened when they realized they were running out of Britney material, I couldn’t have been happier. Boys is a throwback to Britney when she was in the ‘woman’ portion of her former “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman” phase and Boyfriend is Bieber leaving behind his bangs and entering the Justified era of his career. Saying this was one of the highlights on TV this week for me is severely downplaying things (seriously, I squealed like I was watching N*Sync at Madison Square Garden when I realized what was happening). Now, you couple all that with Blaine and then add Artie, who does anything even remotely R&B-ish (here, that would be Boyfriend) with complete ease and you have what was my favorite performance of the evening. (A+)

Womanizer (Unique, Tina and Marley) Sometimes I can watch Glee and ignore the ridiculousness and then there’s times where you have a group of girls dancing and following other students around the school and getting up leaving class to follow girls and even a gym class doing full-on, Olympic gymnastics. Those are the times I get slightly annoyed with how completely unrealistic the scene is and wish they’d just do a dream sequence or something. Outside of that scene itself, Unique and Tina sounded really good. This wasn’t a highlight for Marley, but it did set the stage for her and Jake, which will eventually be known as a really bad and heartbreaking idea. (C)

3. (Joe, Tina and Sam) Did Joe not understand the symbolism in this song’s lyrics? Maybe the laid-back, folksy sound confused him and the chorus made him think the song was a tribute to Peter, Paul and Mary. Regardless, this version was far superior to the original. It was nice to see Glee get a little creative instead of just doing a bland cover. In terms of performance, none of the three out-shined the others, but Tina was my favorite. If she’s this good two episodes in, I can wait to see her later in the season. (A)

(You Drive Me) Crazy / Crazy (Marley and Jake) I once heard a mash-up of Britney’s Crazy with Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy, but it was right after she went a little nuts, so the sentiment was a little depressing as a fan. However, this was stripped down and played to Jake’s strengths, which include sounding good and looking soulful while singing. Although their voices had tons of chemistry, I wasn’t really feeling it between them, and I know this because I wasn’t screaming at the television, begging them to kiss at the end. But it’s not about that. It’s about the music and musically, they’re already well on their way to being the New Direction’s next “it couple.” (A)

Oops….I Did It Again (Rachel) This is why trying to keep a show that’s supposed to be centered around a glee club bouncing back and forth between two different states, schools and general energy may not work. It’s about knowing your characters people! Rachel wouldn’t pick Spears, let alone this song, as a way to demonstrate her sexy. And if for some reason she did, she would have done the laying down scene from the video for authenticity. Unfortunately (and also very fortunately), the sexiest part of this performance was the curly-haired girl doing the split between the tables. While Rachel killed it in terms of sound, which she always does, she’s had much sexier moments back in Lima. (B)

Gimme More (Brittany and the New Directions) You can only truly appreciate this whole scene if you vividly recall the 2007 VMAs. The writers clearly knew there was no way they were topping last year’s Annual Fall Assembly performance, so instead they failed in the best way possible. I’m giving this such a high mark because it was hilarious. (A)

Everytime (Marley) It was pretty obvious when this song came out that it was about Spears’ breakup with Justin Timberlake. I think I had that long and dramatic relationship in mind when I watched Marley perform this, because all I could think about was how it was way too soon for her to be this over-the-top about Jake. Brittany sadly waiting for Santana to become available on iChat and Rachel painting over her Finn “artwork” was a good backdrop, but overall, this song would have garnered a stronger emotional connection if we’d believed Marley was truly heartbroken and not just a little crushed. I hope they don’t overplay everything early in the season, it would be such a waste of her obvious potential. (B)

Quotes

“My name is Brittany S. Pierce, and I finally know how Jesus feels in his house way up at the top of the North Pole, because I am on top of the world.” – Brittany…not quite understanding how voice-overs work

“Tough love feels a lot like mean.” – Brittany

“I’m not speaking to you, I know you joined a gang.” – Brittany to Lord Tubbington (outfitted in a vest and glasses)

“Well thanks, but I don’t really have much time. After school, I’m hopping into bed, eating cashews and bacon, and then watching the Client List Marathon.” – Brittany

“Kiki is Suri’s smart older cousin who is really jealous of how famous Suri’s gotten. She lives inside this super cheap phone I found at the laundry mat.” – Brittany

“Well, my voice is too weak to sing live. I’ve been up every night this week yelling at the shrubs in my yard that have been yelling at me.” – Brittany

“You’re late and dressed like a Walgreen’s underwear model.” – Cassandra

“He never told me about you when I was a kid, but I do remember my mom and dad arguing about some slut waitress…” – Puck, who had a threesome at 7 and once beat up a police horse
“That’d be my mom.” – Jake

“I think we just think the same.” – Sam
“Yeah, it’s probably because we’re both blond.” – Brittany

“I got a C- on my US History exam, which the teacher bumped up two whole letter grades because I wrote in English instead of my secret language I invented in middle school.” – Brittany

“Did that come out this morning? Because we scraped the bottom of that Britney barrel.” – Artie

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Sep 18 2012
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Fox, Glee, quotes, Recaps, TV

glee recapping: the new rachel

Here’s what you missed on Glee (last season): Goodbye

Story

  • Rachel has to start all over to establish herself at NYADA.
  • The McKinley High Glee Club has open auditions to find new members.
  • The glee club is no longer at the bottom of the high school hierarchy.
  • Kurt is struggling to find his way after graduation. But Burt and Blaine help push him in the right direction.

 

Separation Anxiety: My largest concern about this season was how the show was going to deal with the original characters’ departure from McKinley. I’m not sure if we are going to get a glimpse of what the rest of the former New Directions are up to but I knew Rachel was to be a focal point–I mean, she’s Rachel Berry.

Marley Berry? I wasn’t sure if the episode’s title was intended to be aimed at Marley’s arrival to the glee club or for the changes Real Rachel is going through in New York–and, honestly, I’m still not sure. Did I like Marley as soon as I heard/saw her? Yes. Does the glee club need a new strong female lead? Of course. IS she REALLY “The New Rachel”? I doubt it. But hopefully she is a strong enough character to carry the glee club going forward. Rachel started as a sophomore as well and we see what lengths she went through to solidify her place with the New Directions and at McKinley as a whole. Good luck Marley. No pressure…

M.I.A. Ummm…where was Santana? And Mercedes? And Puck? And Finn? And Roz? And Rory? And Emma? And Mike Chang?! And that one black guy from season one?!?! I need answers. Or explanations. Or apologies. In copious amounts.

Leap of Faith? Do parents really just send their children halfway across the country with nothing to support themselves with? I love the fact that Rachel has someone from Lima with her during her road to Broadway but it just seemed like the move was forced. I was hoping we actually got to see both her and Kurt struggle with their new environments for awhile before they became each other’s security blanket.

Wishful Singing: I know the singing angle usually belongs to Nicole, but I have a request–maybe more like a plea. Mr. Ryan Murphy, if you have a heart of any kind can you please have Sam and Artie duet it up with a Justin Bieber “Boyfriend” swoon session? Preferably directed at Marley. Just thinking of it brings back fond memories…

MUSIC

Call Me Maybe (Blaine, Tina, Unique, Brittany) This late spring/early summer hit hasn’t gotten old for me yet, but I’m still glad they knocked the obligatory performance out early on in the season. I hated the concept of this song being used to pick the “new Rachel” because it only showed how good these four sound as a unit without at all showing the strong stand-out voice/performer they seem to think the glee club needs. Watching Brittany dance with Blaine only made me miss Mike, but overall, a very adorable start to the episode. (B)

Dance Again/Americano (Cassandra) Someone over at Glee sure knows how to pick their blonde guest stars! I knew Kate Hudson could dance, but I was mostly indifferent about her role until this performance. Solid dancing and singing, but it also illustrated that it’s only appropriate to bump and grind with your students when they’re 18 and older (Mr. Schue, yes, I’m talking to you). I can’t wait to see if Cassandra’s sober Jekyll and drunken Hyde dynamic plays a part in the performances/musical selections she has this season. (B)

NY State of Mind (Rachel and Marley) A downtrodden Rachel in New York reminds me of the Rachel in season one, before she got borderline annoying, bursting at the seems, full of unappreciated potential. Maybe that’s why hearing her sing this classic gave me those familiar “Rachel Berry chills”. Marley was also great, although not quite Rachel great, but there’s no doubt she’ll bring something new and greatly welcomed to the glee club in terms of performance and sound. One minor note: I fear that Marley’s newsboy hat is her ‘thing’. Either I don’t like it because it’s distracting, or it’s distracting because I don’t like it. Regardless, I don’t like it! (A)

It’s Time (Blaine) If we’re going to have the requisite courtyard performance each season, it should always be done by Blaine. The double-dutch, jump ropes and red cups are things that can only be pulled off by those as adorably stylish as Kurt’s amor. Long distance + high school isn’t the best combination, so although I don’t have much hope for the longevity of Klaine’s romance, at least this performance will serve as a reminder of happier times. (A)

Chasing Pavements (Marley and the New Directions) Did I find this song particularly relevant to Marley solidifying her status as a New Directions member or Kurt joining Rachel in New York? Not at all. But whatever, this moment wasn’t about relevance, it was about reminding us that the New Directions are moving on with a very solid group and at least half of the show will now be Rachel Does New York (or some variation). For Marley’s first solo with the group, this was pretty great. (A)

Busters Get Popped (Stoner Brett)/ Never Say Never (Jake) Please, oh please, don’t let this not be the last time we see Stoner Brett. I know the focus was supposed to be on everyone else sounding so crappy that Jake and Marley stood out, which they did, but Mr. Brett certainly shined by providing one of my favorite moments of the night. Jake aka the bad boy that is going to take Puck’s place (just in case that wasn’t clear, and to avoid even a hint of symbolism, the writer’s went the literal route and made him Puck’s little brother) sounds and looks like a beautiful, albeit slightly rough, little angel. I’d like more of him and more of his voice, so let’s not drag this whole “I’m damaged and singing won’t fix that” thing out too much longer.

QUOTES

“Oh, in case you’re wondering, which you were, I’m straight.” – Brody

“Kitty is my new head bitch. She’s like a young Quinn Fabray, except she’s not pregnant, manic depressive or in and out of a wheelchair.” – Sue

“That’s a great haircut Mercedes. I thought you graduated.” – Brittany…after seeing Wade

“It’s hard making out over Skype, you can’t really scissor a webcam.” – Brittany

“I had a song in my heart Blaine Warbler, and you killed it. Now, I have a dead song in my heart and pretty soon, the corpse of my head heart’s song is going to start to smell.” – Brittany

“…a pre-op Precious, based on the novel Barf by Sapphire.” – Kitty…on Wade

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May 16 2012
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Fox, Glee, quotes, Recaps, TV

glee recapping: nationals

Here’s what you missed on Glee: Props

Story

  • The New Directions are on edge about their upcoming performance.
  • Shuester questions whether he has done enough to prepare the kids for all that awaits them.
  • Finn bets Rick “The Stick” $500 that The New Directions win at Nationals.
  • Wade (“Unique”) doesn’t think he can handle the pressure he is under after his last performance.
  • Carmen Tibideaux comes to see Rachel perform at Nationals in Chicago.

Lindsay doing her best “derp” face.

Well, Obviously: When the New Directions made it to Nationals last year I expected them to win. I thought the point of the show was to make the characters hate each other for their differences and still find a way to win every competition. And, I guess, half of that is true. But this time–I think it’s safe to say–we all knew they had to win Nationals. Their selections were solid and energetic but I didn’t think it was their best. Can Blaine and the Left-Overs do the same thing next year is my question now.

Unique Runner-Up: If you didn’t know by now, Alex Newell (Wade/Unique) was a runner-up on the first season of The Glee Project. He, along with fellow runner-up Lindsay Pearce, were guaranteed a two-episode arc on the hit show. Yes, Lindsay’s “Harmony” character may have given Rachel and Kurt a scare earlier in the season with her amazing performances but did you really remember her character two weeks later? Whereas with Newell’s “Wade” character it seems that he is going to have more staying power. Whether it be because of controversy, another unique storyline (pun not intended but you’ll allow it), or whatever else, I think Newell might be getting a new contract in the near future.

Honorable Mentions:

  • I doubt Lindsay Lohan is still, or has ever been, “America’s Sweetheart”.
  • Speaking of Ms. Lohan, why did both she and Perez Hilton get to play themselves, while Rex Lee (Lloyd, Entourage) was forced to play some made-up nobody?!
  • For a girl who could barely stand just a week ago–I’ll give you three weeks for the sake of TV to reality translation–Quinn was surely twirling and jumping around with the best of them.
  • Finally, Emma. Finally.
  • Did Wade/Unique give us a teaser for his possible transfer next season?
  • Props to Jesse for putting a good word in for Rachel…because he might be the only character that loves himself more than Rachel loves Streisand.

Music*

Edge of Glory – The Troubletones (A) I have no problem saying I preferred the Troubletones performance over most of the New Direction performances from this season. Somehow the addition of Quinn and Tina didn’t hinder or help the girl group dynamic, and Santana can now (un)officially be name Most Improved Performer from seasons 1-3.

It’s All Coming Back to Me Now  – Rachel (A) For the first time in a long time, Rachel gave me chills. This isn’t to say that she lost her “Rachelness”, but she definitely hasn’t had her usual “it” this season, or at least she didn’t until this performance.

Paradise By the Dashboard Light  – The New Directions (A) An unusual song pick? Undoubtedly. As precise as the Vocal Adrenaline offerings? Not even close. However, something about the way they interact on the stage, like best friends or adorably energetic members of the Mickey Mouse Club, is just the type of corny, “we are family” energy no other glee club can touch. Hence, the win.

Starships/Pinball Wizard – Unique and Vocal Adrenaline (A) While Unique’s split, as well as Nicki Minaj and the exemplary usage of props, should have been enough to secure a win, it was only good enough to land them second place.

Tongue Tied – The New Directions (A) I’m sure they’ve done it before, but I can’t recall another time when we heard a song on Glee without some form of performance to accompany it. If this in fact the first time it’s been done, I’d be more than pleased to have it become a continuing thing. If I’m wrong, and this happens all the time, please ignore the first part of this paragraph. Also, finally Emma. Finally.

We are the Champions -The New Directions (A) Instead of everyone saying heartfelt goodbyes and sitting around discussing what comes next, they simply celebrated their collective win and Schue as Teacher of the Year. What a fitting way to head into the end of the season, as well as the original era of Glee. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who teared up quite a bit as the episode came to a close.

Quotes

“Are you forgetting who you are Jesse?  Your Bohemian Rhapsody was, like, the benchmark performance of every show choir competition in the past ten years.” –Rachel
“Most people don’t realize I lost ten pounds during that performance.” –Jesse

“I show up here and there’s not even a red button to push and a chair to spin me around where I can then point at a kid on stage and yell ‘I wanna work with you!’ Really? I’m firing my manager.” -Lindsay Lohan
“Can I use that as an exclusive?” -Perez Hilton

“With Monique down for the count, we are entering The Hunger Games of show choir competition without one of our most powerful voices.” -Sue

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Apr 18 2012
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Fox, Glee, Recaps, TV

thoughts on glee: saturday night glee-ver

Here’s what you missed on Glee: Big Brother

Story

  • Schuester and Sylvester encourage the New Directions to perform songs from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
  • Schuester is worried about certain members (Santana, Finn, Mercedes) so he singles them out to compete for a replica of Tony Manero’s polyester suit. But what Schuester really wants is for his kids to figure out what they want to do with their lives after high school.
  • Finn and Rachel finally hash out their issues about (not?) moving to New York.
  • A member of Vocal Adrenaline comes to Mercedes and Kurt asking for help about being him/herself during their Regional competition.
  • In an effort to make help Santana famous, Brittany posts one of their sextapes online.
  • Sam does the same thing for Mercedes…except the “sextape” was her performance of “Disco Inferno”. Santana and Brit were involved too if that helps you at all…

 

Destination Unknown: So, Finn and Rachel are talking again. She even thought about his future for a change and decided that she could stay in Ohio for college. Even though Finn initially dismissed the notion, he seemed to reconsider after watching John Travolta strut his way to Manhattan. We still don’t know what or, more importantly, where the couple plan to be after graduation.

Seriously…Where’s the link to the Brittana sextape?

Wishful Thinking: I think it’s safe to give up thinking Finn will ever be able to coordinate the upper half of his body with the bottom in any type of rhythmic function. Not even Booty Camp can cure Solomon Grundy – never thought those two nouns would ever be in the same sentence. Thank you, Sue Sylvester!

Long, Lost Lovechild? Just act like you weren’t thinking the same thing when Wade (Alex Newell) was standing next to Kurt and Mercedes. If you say you weren’t then I still wouldn’t believe you because you’re clearly not an honest person. I definitely wasn’t expecting him to go on stage as “Unique” but would it be weird if I said he was a better looking woman than I could ever be? I want to see how Jesse St. James handles Wade’s rebellion because I’m only sure that Vocal Adrenaline will be at Nationals.

Confirmation: The University of Louisville is, in fact, in Louisville. What would we do without you Brittany?

Well I’ll Be Sam’d: I thought Sam was doomed to be in the background for the rest of the season until now. He didn’t have any other story lines to cling to since his door with Mercedes was closed…or so we thought. I’m glad that Sam made such a bold move. I don’t know whether he did it because he wants to help Mercedes or because he knew it would get him back in her good graces but both are working for him now.

MUSIC

You Should Be Dancing – Blaine, Brittany and Mike (A+): No corny outfits, three of my favorite performers and Blaine redeemed himself for those missteps last week. Best opening performance in awhile!

Night Fever – Will, Sue, Blaine and Joe (A): Schuester needed a break after the Ricky Martin episode debacle, but it was good to have him back. This was great, but it could have benefited from more Teen Jesus singing and Kentucky Fried Stripper body-rolling from Sam.

Disco Inferno – Mercedes, Brittany and Santana (A+): Mercedes definitely proved that she’ll NEVER be just skim milk. I wouldn’t say she’s better than Rachel, only because it’s become evident they have completely different strengths, both vocally and as performers. Anytime Santana and Brittany act as background singers every performance automatically becomes at least 30% better.

If I Can’t Have You – Santana (B): This was my least favorite performance of the night, which is to say it was great when compared to everything else being amazing. Maybe if this song had been dedicated to Brittany and not ‘fame’, Santana would have had more energy. Regardless, she was still an A+(+ + +) visually.

How Deep Is Your Love – Rachel (A): I thought I was over the Berry Ballads at this point. Turns out, I’m not. It’s still cute watching her sing to Finn. Similar to Schue, she benefited form having a little downtime.

Boogie Shoes – Wade/Unique (A): Mr. St. James may have been shocked and appalled that Wade performed as Unique, but clearly the members of Vocal Adrenaline were not. Their performance didn’t falter and yet again they proved why they’re one of the New Directions biggest competitors.

More Than a Woman – Finn, Kurt and Santana (A+): Vocally, this song had Kurt written allll over it, but Finn did just fine taking the lead. The dancing was perfect and I really think the show would benefit if the light-up floor stuck around for a few episodes. And was it just me or did Rachel look especially tan during this performance?

Stayin’ Alive – Finn, Mercedes and Santana (A+): Finn’s strut was a hard walk, Mercedes had a diva walk and Santana walked like she always does. John Travolta’s title as Legendary Strutter is safe for now. Strutting aside, this was yet another great group number, I just hope poor Becky wasn’t required to sew all of those polyester suits!

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