Glee TV Guide

Glee Live in Concert Tour - No Canadian Cities

2010-03-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

Fans of the hit Fox show “Glee” were surprised by an announcement of the coming “Glee Live! Concert Tour”.

Beginning May 18th the cast of Fox’s hit show, “Glee”, will be hitting the road with a four-city concert tour titled “Glee Live! In Concert”.

The tour will begin in Pheonix, Ariz. Other cities that will be visited will be Los Angeles, Calif., Chicago, Ill., and New York, N.Y.

No Canadian cities have been added to the list.

Tickets will be available for Amex cardholders this Friday, March 5th on Ticketmaster; they will be available for the public next Friday, March 12th.

This will give “Glee” fans the opportunity to see their favorite cast sing songs from the last 13 episodes live. Some of the songs to look for are: “Don’t Stop Believing”, “Jump”, “Somebody to Love” and many more. Sources say that the tour may be missing cast mate Matthew Morrison, who plays Mr. Schuester, the leader of the Glee club.

The cast is so excited for the opportunity. Cory Monteith, known as Finn on the show, said, “If you had told me a year ago that I’d be performing classic rock songs in concert theaters around the country, I would never have believed you. We are psyched!”

The show is set to return this spring on April 13, 2010.

Source : eCanadaNow

Bette Midler Should Join Gless according to Jessalyn Gilsig

2010-02-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

With all the celebs flocking to the set of Glee for their guest spots, one of the show’s stars, Jessalyn Gilsig, says there’s one icon she’d love to see join the cast for a little song and dance.

“Bette Midler should be on the show,” said Gilsig, who plays Terri Schuester, at the Costume Design Guild Awards Thursday. “I’d want her to be my aunt or something. You can imagine Bette Midler as a kid. She must have been one of these Glee kids. She must have been so misunderstood and struggled so much, but she’s driven the same way Rachel is driven. I think she would be a good fit.”

Still astounded by the overwhelming success the show has seen, Gilsig says the cast couldn’t be happier. “It hasn’t even been a full season,” she says, adding with a giggle, “maybe we should quit while we’re ahead.”

Also excited about costar Matthew Morrison’s upcoming album, the actress says, “He can do anything from rap to a folk song with a ukulele. I’m just like ‘When are we doing a duet on your album?’ He hasn’t asked me yet,” she jokes. “But fans want to hear it.”

As written by Jessica Herndon for TV Watch People

Glee to perform in White House

2010-02-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

If the whole world is smitten by the American musical comedy series “Glee” on television, the first family of US is no exception either. That’s why President Obama and his family want to have some more of Glee for their annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Entertainment Weekly reports that President Obama, Michelle Obama and their two little daughters Sasha and Malia are so crazy about “Glee” that they have actually invited the cats of “Glee” to perform for them exclusively at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday, 5th April 2010.

The special request from the President himself is certainly tough to refuse and hence the producer and cast of Glee has already notched out a plan to appear at the venue on scheduled day and time. The Glee crew has reshuffled their own schedules to make sure they catch a flight to Washington D.C for the performance. They are currently busy shooting the back nine episodes of their show.

Stars are shining bright for the “Glee” club as their album “Glee: The Music Volume 1” has recently debuted at #1 on the UK album charts. And with such a big honor handed over the first lady herself is indeed any entertainer’s dream!

Hope to catch Obama family and Glee cast in a single frame as they enjoy their annual White House Easter Egg Roll on 5th April 2010. All the best to the Glee kids…

Source : Entertainment and Showbiz

Glee : The Music Volume 1 A Review

2010-02-13T08:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a review about Glee : The Music Volume 1 by Pete Paphides. He rated it 3 out of five stars.

Read the article below.

“High School Musical with added irony,” cry Glee’s detractors, and they may have a point. But to those of us with children, who have spent the past three years putting up with the irony-free version, that would be no bad thing.

If you’re seeking to pinpoint the ironic intent of the series, in which a group of high-school outsiders form a singing ensemble, then it’s the music you’ll most likely alight on. Glee’s show-choir arrangements of 1980s FM rock mainstays such as Don’t Stop Believin’ have been central to its success. But does irony really lurk here? In a post-Guilty Pleasures age, British pop fans have come to realise that irony is really just an aesthetic quarantine into which we stick it before we welcome it back into our world. The scale of Glee’s US success suggests that America is learning, too. For all of that, a whole series — or, in this case, album — in which songs by bad-haired pop pariahs received the Glee makeover would be a little much.

The best thing about Glee: The Music — Volume 1 is the sense that the series’ music supervisor, P. J. Bloom, chose the songs most suitable for the treatment, regardless of genre, era or fashionability. It takes some vision to see showtune potential in hits as disparate as Avril Lavigne’s Keep Holding On and Jill Scott’s Hate on Me; borderline genius to turn Kanye West’s Gold Digger into a Sister Act-style massed-ranks psychic makeover and Billy Idol’s Dancing with Myself into a Gene Kelly-style meditation.

Bloom and his cohorts come more unstuck in their attempts to emulate the already preposterous harmonies of Queen’s Somebody to Love, while Rihanna’s Take A Bow struggles to be anything other than a dispensable facsimile of the original — but such glitches do little to detract from the celebratory spirit of the entire enterprise. If you feel you need irony to enjoy great pop, you might find this album more useful than you imagined.

Source : Timesonline.com

Neil Patrick Harris will be joining Glee

2010-02-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

Neil Patrick Harris is one step closer to getting his Glee on. CBS, home of Harris’ regular gig How I Met Your Mother, has signed off on a deal that would have Harris guest starring on the Fox series, Ausiello confirms. While nothing has officially been announced yet, it seems inevitable. Back in January, Ausiello reported that Harris and Glee creator Ryan Murphy both wanted to make it happen. With Joss Whedon, who directed Harris in the web musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, helming an episode, it seems like all the stars have aligned for a reunion.

So as Harris’ guest spot inches closer to becoming a reality, I can’t help thinking about what character he should play. The guest spot is said to include some singing and dancing. The first idea that sprang to mind: Broadway vet sing-off! I’d love to see Harris as a rival to a truly worthy opponent: Matthew Morrison’s Will Schuester. Morrison deserves more than just showing the kids how to white-boy rap. One of my favorite moments of the series so far was when Morrison was matched up with another Broadway vet, Kristin Chenoweth. But their sweet duet was far too brief. How great would it be to see Harris as a blast from Will’s Glee Club past? They can play out their old high school rivalry through a West Side Story-like song and dance number.

What do you think of a Harris vs. Morrison match-up? Is there someone else you’d like Harris to play? Perhaps someone more Horrible? Or do you think he should teach the Glee clubbers about his awesomeness by just playing himself?

Source : EW

Glee Book

2010-01-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

Good news! There will be a Glee book that will be released late quarter 1 this year. It is entitled
Gleek: The Unofficial Guide to the hit TV series Glee will be published as a £7.99 paperback on 22nd March.

John Blake has bought the rights to a book on the all-singing, all-dancing TV series, 'Glee'.

John Blake, founder of the publisher, bought world rights directly from the author Amy Rickman.

The book will answer questions including what exactly is a ‘glee club’, what song did actress, Lea Michele sing at her audition and who was the most difficult character to cast.

The title will also include a full guide to the first 13 episodes, mini biographies of the cast members, a look behind the scenes of the program and complete song listings.

'Glee' is an American musical comedy drama series, which focuses on a school choir also known as a glee club.

Source : The Book Seller

Glee Produces Two Gold Soundtracks

2010-01-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

It's clear that Fox's new comedy Glee is a runaway hit with no signs of slowing down. The show was recently awarded the 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association. And the music from this smash show has hit some incredible milestones as well. Both soundtracks, Glee: The Music, Volume 1 and Glee: The Music, Volume 2 have been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 units. On top of that, over 4 million songs from Glee have been downloaded online since last May. Glee: The Music, Volume 1 entered the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at #4 in its debut week, while Glee: The Music: Volume 2 debuted at #3. Both volumes of music continue to occupy space within the top 30 best selling albums this week, selling more than offerings by Miley Cyrus, Adam Lambert, R. Kelly and Bon Jovi.

Glee has become a pop culture sensation with fans and critics worldwide; praising it for is inventive, unique and fresh energy. In further news showing Glee is an unstoppable phenomenon, Fox recently announced that it would be bringing Glee back for a second season. Season one returns on Fox on Tuesday April 13, 2010 immediately following American Idol.

Source : PR News Wire

Justin Timberlake will Join Glee

2010-01-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

It may only be in its first (albeit wildly successful) season, but Fox's Golden Globe-winning dramedy "Glee" has already scored several high-profile cameos, from Kristin Chenoweth and Eve to the recently announced Jennifer Lopez.

As if that weren't enough, one "Glee" star has her sights set on the hottest ex-boybander to have ever dated both Britney Spears and Jessica Biel.

"I would love Justin Timberlake to come on the show," Lea Michele revealed to MTV News while on the rain-soaked red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards.

"He's an amazing comedic actor, as well as an incredible singer and dancer, and that's very 'Glee.'"

Casting Justin would be very "Glee" indeed, and Lea's even got an idea for a storyline involving Mr Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and JT.

"I think that he and Matt could have a nice little dance-off - what do you think?"

I think, yes! A million times yes! Now, to choose the soundtrack for this continuously looping fantasy that will be playing in my mind for the next however long it takes to actually make this happen.

"FutureSex/LoveSounds" or "Rock Your Body" - Decisions, decisions.

Source : Fijitimes

I think Justin Timberlake is a good addition.

Jennifer Lopez will appear in Glee

2010-01-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

Did you like the first season of Glee which ended on 9th December 2009? Rejoice guys…as you have one more reason to like the show now as it returns on Fox on 13th April 2010 to continue the first season with nine more episodes.

Guess what’s the reason to be happy for? Jennifer Lopez…yes JLo will appear in “Glee” as a guest star, report People and other sources. As per the reports, Ryan Murphy the creator of “Glee” has shown interest in casting Jennifer Lopez in his Golden Globe winning show.

So what is JLo’s role in the show? Well, Ryan has hinted that Jennifer Lopez is to play a cafeteria girl in the show! Will she accept the role?

And why not! She has earlier played a maid in Manhattan. So why not waitress now? And that too for a much popular show like “Glee”? “Glee” has won Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy/Musical Series this year and this is enough to speak for itself. Perhaps that is the reason Ryan Murphy is so confident about JLo accepting the role.

All eyes and ears set to further updates on this. As soon as Jennifer nods her head, we will get back with more news on this…Stay tuned!

Source : Entertainment and Showbiz

So Gleesters, is JLo a great glee-dition?

Glee Star Matthew Morrizon Signed a Record Deal

2010-01-15T04:24:00.001-08:00

Matthew Morrison, one of the stars of the hit new musical series 'Glee', has signed a record deal.

People magazine reports that 31-year-old Morrison, who plays Will Schuester in the show, has signed a deal with Mercury Records and will enter the studio soon to begin work on his debut album.

The record is due for release in the autumn.

Morrison, who starred in the musicals 'Hairspray' and 'The Light in the Piazza' on Broadway, is among the nominees for Sunday's Golden Globe Awards.

Source : rte.ie

Adam Lambert as a guest star in Glee

2010-01-10T01:49:00.000-08:00

Adam Lambert has signed up to make a special guest appearance on the smash hit Fox TV show Glee, according to reports.

“Producers made no secret of wanting Adam and he just loved the idea — especially when he learned he’d be playing big-brother mentor to the character Kurt, who’s needing a little help in coming out of the closet,” a source told American tabloid the National Enquirer.

Lambert’s appearance will air in April, the Enquirer reports.

The American Idol runner-up has previously revealed that he’d like to act.

“I hope acting’s in my future, yeah,” Adam said in November last year. “It is something that I’ve done a lot over the past eight or 10 years.

“If the opportunity came up and it was the right thing, I would love to be a part of a film. Right now, I am going to try to work on the album first. One thing at a time, right!”

Source : Showbiz Spy

Glee Season 1 Now on DVD

2010-01-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

Good news Glee fans! "'Glee' Season 1: Road to Sectionals" is currently available on DVD. This news came from allheadlinenews.com

The smash hit musical high school series makes its debut on home video from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The show has been one of the biggest successes of the season, gaining commercial and critical praise, including the Los Angeles Times, which proclaimed it "one of the best shows of the fall season."

The show follows the glee club of William McKinley High School, which faces constant bullying from both students and staff despite the efforts of new instructor and former member Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) to get the club the attention and respect it deserves. Doing everything to undermine him is the school's cheerleading coach (Jane Lynch), though Will does receive support from the school counselor (Jayma Mays). And his wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig) is insisting that he get a better paying job than his line of work as a Spanish/glee teacher.

The show's renderings of popular songs have resulted in a varied soundtrack, featuring everything from classic rock to hip hop. Among the music covered by the Glee Club are Queen's "Somebody To Love," Heart's "Alone," Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," Céline Dion's "Taking Chances," Rihanna's "Take A Bow," Carrie Underwood's "Last Name," Jazmine Sullivan's "Bust Your Windows," Kanye West's "Gold Digger" and REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling."

The first season has featured appearances by numerous Broadway veterans, including Victor Garber, Debra Monk, John Lloyd Young and Kristin Chenoweth. The show's success has also resulted in Golden Globe nominations for Best Comedy Series, Actress (Lea Michele), Actor (Morrison) and Supporting Actress (Lynch).

The special features include the director's cut of the series pilot, behind-the-scenes featurettes, cast audition videos and more.

"'Glee' Season 1: Road to Sectionals" retails on DVD for $39.98.

Glee Star Lea Michele : Golden Globe Nominee

2009-12-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

She has a hit show, a killer voice and, to top it all off, "Glee" star Lea Michele is closing out 2009 with a Golden Globe nomination.

The Bronx-born, Tenafly-raised Michele is up for best performance by an actress in a television series (comedy or musical), for her spot-on portrayal of overachiever Rachel Berry on Fox's breakout hit.

"When I found out I was nominated for a Golden Globe in the category that I was nominated in, I was in complete shock," Michele told the Daily News. "As a matter of fact, I'm still in shock! It is such an honor, something I never thought I would be lucky enough to have happen to me in my life. I feel so truly blessed and thankful."

"Glee," about a misfit high school choir, has propelled Michele from Broadway, where she made a name for herself in Duncan Sheik's "Spring Awakening," to the top of every Hollywood hot list.

Since the sneak-peek premiere of "Glee" back in May, the industry has been abuzz with acclaim for the musical comedy. Oft-cited highlights include its bold story lines, witty writing and Michele's knock-down-drag-out voice.

The girl can sing.

A departure from the blue-eyed, blond-haired Hollywood stereotype, Michele has spoken of her desire to be a role model for young girls who don't quite fit the mold.

"I remember looking up to Barbra Streisand, and thinking, ‘Finally, someone who has a Jewish nose, who didn't get a nose job,'" Michele has said. "I love me and my body and my Jewish nose. If that is inspiring and can give young girls a sense of confidence, that's great."

SOURCE

Glee Cast Members Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award

2009-12-22T01:46:00.000-08:00

Chilliwack's Patrick Gallagher, one of the stars of the hit Fox comedy GLEE, and his fellow cast members received a major honor last week when they were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award.

The cast of the show was shortlisted for the awards on Dec. 18 in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. They will be up against some tough competition, going against the casts from veteran shows 30 Rock, The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm, as well as fellow rookie Modern Family.

This is the 16th year for the awards, which honour actors in film and prime time television. Of all the major awards for film and TV, the SAG Awards are the only ones where actors are nominated and the winners chosen solely by their peers.

Gallagher plays the role of football coach Ken Tanaka on the hit show, which premiered on Fox (and Global in Canada) this fall.

"Everyone in the cast is very happy. I think especially because it is the SAG Awards, it is recognition from our peers, and it's really an honour to be recognized by people who do what we do," Gallagher told the Times in an e-mail interview. "I am very proud to be a part of the ensemble, and looking forward to attending the ceremony--hope I can meet some big stars."

The SAG Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Jan. 23.

Gallagher grew up and attended school in Chilliwack. He later studied acting at Douglas College and the National Theatre School in Montreal. He has had roles in many movies and TV shows, including Master and Commander, Sideways, both Night at the Museum movies, Da Vinci's Inquest and its sequel, Da Vinci's City Hall.

He also has a recurring role on the HBO series True Blood, which was also nominated for best ensemble cast in a drama, though Gallagher is not a regular cast member.

SOURCE

Glee: The Music, Volume 2 Soundtrack Music Review

2009-12-20T04:53:00.000-08:00

Here's an honest review of Glee: The Music, Volume 2 soundtrack.

Picking up where Volume 1 left off, Glee: The Music, Volume 2 offers the remaining songs from the fall season of Glee. Volume 2 is chock full of Top 40, R&B, and, of course, gives another nod to Broadway.

We’ve already established that the Glee actors can sing. Standouts this go-round include Mathew Morrison and Lea Michele's (Will and Rachel) duet cover of “Endless Love,” which is just as good, if not better, than the original Lionel Richie and Diana Ross version. I also greatly prefer Morrison’s vocals in ballads such as this, to the pop and/or rap he usually performs on the show.

Another standout is Cory Monteith's (Finn) version of The Pretender’s “I’ll Stand By You,” performed with sweetness and adorable awkwardness. (No, Monteith is not the strongest singer of this bunch, but he’s probably the most earnest, which earns him extra points in my book.)

Kevin McHale (Artie) and Amber Riley (Mercedes) take the lead for a cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” and Riley’s toned-down vocals allow for everyone to shine in this version, which is pleasant and surprising given that she usually drowns everyone else out. Riley also shares the spotlight with McHale, Monteith and Michele for an outstanding cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” delivering a beautiful, tender take on an already perfect song.

The whole gang, fronted by Monteith, Michele, McHale and Riley, pump up the volume on Van Halen’s “Jump,” offering a fun, clever cover that I prefer to the original (in a nice twist, they dropped the keyboard and ba ba ba ba babada ba ba da’d instead). In the cover of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Michele, Monteith, McHale and Riley hold their own, not surpassing the original but doing it justice just the same.

Michele, whose vocals seem made for pop music, delivers a perfectly sugar-coated cover of Jennifer Paige’s “Crush.” Ditto to Michele, Monteith, Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) and Riley, who all join vocal forces to deliver a toe-tapping, head nodding cover of Kelly’s Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Ushkowitz also takes the lead for a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” offering a solid performance that is sure to surprise many, given that her character, Tina, is a shy stutterer.

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Glee casting News : Idina Menzel going to Glee? Not Yet!

2009-12-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

Gleeks have been geeking out over the possibility of Broadway star Idina Menzel sweeping her way onto the hit FOX show Glee, but don’t get your broomsticks out just yet.

“I don’t know what I’m doing with Idina yet,” show creator Ryan Murphy told PEOPLE at a Hollywood Radio and Television Society panel on Wednesday. “I just met with her once. It sort of got leaked, but I haven’t plotted it out yet.”

Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West in the hit Broadway musical Wicked, and Lea Michele, the actress who plays Rachel Berry on Glee and sang Wicked’s signature number “Defying Gravity,” look a lot alike, a fact not lost on Menzel nor her husband, Private Practice star Taye Diggs, who recently said, “We knew that [resemblance] existed far, far before the TV world did.” That resemblance has some hoping the Tony-winner will play the biological mother of Rachel, who is the proud daughter of two gay dads.

While fans will have to wait to see what, if anything, Murphy comes up with, Glee will ease on down the road for Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. Chenoweth will return as former McKinley High glee club star April Rhodes in the spring.

SOURCE

Glee TV Guide: Glee's 4 nominations at Golden Globes

2009-12-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Since Fox's quirky "Glee" was the happiest story of the fall on television, it was also the happiest glory of the Golden Globes that "Glee" led that pack with four nominations.

Whether it will win the "best musical or comedy series" remains problematic, since there seems to be some kind of ordinance that "30 Rock" wins everything for which it is nominated.

But in fact, "Glee" has been a more consistently entertaining show.

So credit the Globes with stepping to the head of the pack by giving "Glee" four nominations, with Matthew Morrison up for best actor, Lea Michele for best actress and Jane Lynch for best supporting actress.

Elsewhere this year, the Globes weren't quite as bold as their reputation.

Nominating "Modern Family" as best comedy was a nice touch, if perhaps a few episodes premature. Let's make sure the show can sustain its strong start. A better move would have been to nominate "Better Off Ted, which is starting its second season and is markedly fresher than, say, the nominated but slightly tattered "Entourage."

All props to the Globes for recognizing in the "best drama series" category that "True Blood" morphed into a much better show this year. Too bad it didn't recognize that was even more true for "Sons of Anarchy," whose omission was egregious.

The Globes also didn't recognize that "Breaking Bad" and "Friday Night Lights," which were not nominated, are both more compelling than "Big Love," which was.

If the Globes really wanted to reach for the cutting edge, it would have nominated "FlashForward" as best drama.

In the "best actor in a drama" category, there were two glaring omissions: Gabriel Byrne of "In Treatment" and Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad." Enjoyable as Simon Baker's character is in "The Mentalist," his nomination should have gone to one of them.

But the Globes know it's good to have characters from hit broadcast shows in the mix (see "Glee"), because the Globes are still a mainstream awards show -- which is one reason a relatively obscure organization like the Hollywood Foreign Press Association draws such disproportionate attention.

Another reason is that the HFPA only gives awards viewers care about. The Oscars and Emmys give a lot of technical awards, and they should. This group can stick with shows, actors and actresses.

The quality of the top-level TV drama these days helps every awards show, and it's nowhere reflected better than in the best dramatic actress category, which includes Glenn Close of "Damages," January Jones of "Mad Men," Kyra Sedgwick of "The Closer," Anna Paquin of "True Blood" and, happily, Julianna Marguilies of "The Good Wife."

It's hard to argue with any of those choices, and it also reinforces the obvious: that when roles are written for women over 30, we have actresses who can make them memorable. Hollywood, make note.

One other point about this year's Globe nominations is also worth making.

The Globes are often seen as a precursor of the Oscars and Emmys, though more the former than the latter.

But since the Globes and the Emmys don't have the same start and end dates for their nominations, there are times when the Globes are only now getting around to shows the Emmys already honored or considered.

In this case, the Globes have nominated and now have a chance to gently reject the overrated "Grey Gardens" and give the miniseries/movie award to a more deserving production – preferably "Little Dorrit," though "Taking Chance" or "Georgia O'Keefe" would do.

And speaking of "Taking Chance," Kevin Bacon deserves a best-actor award for that one. He didn't get it from the Emmys, though he was nominated, so it would be nice if he could pick it up here.

SOURCE

Glee TV Guide: Glee Vol.2 soundtrack will arrive at no. 3 on the Billboard 200

2009-12-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

The hit Fox series 'Glee' tops Chris Brown's anticipated "Graffiti" album to land the title of being this week's top debut on the Billboard 200 !

When totals are revealed Wednesday, sources say "Glee Vol.2," a soundtrack coinciding with the hit Fox show, will arrive at no.3 on the chart, moving over 171,000 copies.

Chris Brown, who recently deleted his Twitter account after making allegations that retailers were black balling his album, is poised to debut within the top 10 this week. His third studio album, "Graffiti," will come in with just over 100,000 copies sold.

As previously reported, Brown's debut on the chart comes in well below expectations and is far short of his last debut with 2007's "Exclusive," which moved well over 200,000 copies.

Chris Brown's album, while receiving mixed reviews, includes the singles "I Can Transform Ya," "Crawl" and production from Polow Da Don, Scott Storch and more. The album was also released in two editions, standard and deluxe.

SOURCE

Glee TV Guide: Joining the Glee bandwagon?

2009-12-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I am a gleek. No, that's not a typo; it's a fan of Fox's musical comedy/drama "Glee." (Glee geek gleek, get it?)

When I first wrote about "Glee," I said, "[The pilot] was entertaining enough, but certainly not a euphoria-inducing experience that makes me want to rush out, join the bandwagon and sing 'Don't Stop Believin" at the top of my lungs. However, there's definitely potential."

But, boy, am I on that bandwagon now! (Although, thankfully for everyone, I only belt out the show's tunes when no one else is around.)

Things were a little rocky for "Glee" at first, but by episode six, things clicked, and "Glee" became the show I looked forward to most each week. From there, it continued to grow stronger, and until it's mid-season finale last week, it was my only can't-miss show of the season. (That will change when "Chuck" returns in January.) I'm super bummed that it's on hiatus for four months, but at least that will give newbies a chance to discover it and get caught up.

Music, of course, is the focus of "Glee." (There are already two soundtracks out.) Able to afford music rights that real show choirs can't, "Glee's" group has taken on everything from Kanye West's "Gold Digger" to Broadway's "Defying Gravity" to Queen's "Somebody to Love," introducing viewers of all ages to songs they might not have heard before and offering a new spin on them. Watching the cast perform them is infectiously fun.

They also do mash-ups. My favorite is by their teacher, who mixes The Police's "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and Gary Puckett's "Young Girl" to dissuade a student's crush. Not only is it hilarious, it's also utterly perfect for the situation.

But even with great music, the show wouldn't work without its talented cast. Three -- Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele and Jane Lynch -- earned Golden Globe nominations Tuesday (as did the show itself).

However, "Glee" truly is an ensemble show; nearly a dozen other actors round out the regular cast and are just as important as their nominated counterparts. I expect a Best Ensemble Cast award at January's SAG Awards.

The group brings an impressive array of musical ability to the show. Morrison, Michele and Jenna Ushkowitz are Broadway performers. Kevin McHale was in a boy band. Mark Salling has an album out. Amber Riley and Chris Colfer are musical theater veterans. Even those without extensive musical backgrounds -- particularly Cory Monteith -- have great pipes.

The show isn't just about music, though. It's also a comedy that, for better or worse, takes you back to high school where everyone is judged socially and everything depends on your status. This is even true among the faculty, where the successful cheerleading coach will be damned if she's going to let the loser show choir teacher and his gang of misfits take anything, like money or the spotlight, from her team.

"Glee" packs in the drama, too, covering issues that include sexuality, handicaps and pregnancy. I've teared up during several of its more dramatic moments, including when a cheerleader's parents kick her out because she's no longer their "perfect daughter" and when the cheerleading coach shows an unexpected soft side with her older sister.

Admittedly, "Glee" isn't for everyone. If your favorite fare is crime procedurals and traditional dramas or you don't like people bursting randomly into song (it happens at least once an episode), you probably won't like it. However, if you like shows like "Chuck," "Psych" and "Ugly Betty," which blend genres and add a dash of quirk, then "Glee" just might be for you.

It doesn't return with new episodes until April 13. In the meantime, Fox has two reruns Wednesday starting at 8 p.m., and the first 13 episodes are on DVD Dec. 29 or at various places (free and pay) online. If you're interested, check them out and get your gleek on.
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Season finales: "Say Yes to the Dress," 9:30 p.m. Friday, TLC; "Survivor," 8 p.m. Sunday, CBS; "The Sing-off," 8 p.m. Monday, NBC; "The Closer," 9 p.m. Monday, TNT.

Select Christmas specials: "Saturday Night Live Presents A Very Gilly Christmas," 8 p.m. Thursday, NBC; "Frosty the Snowman," 8 p.m. Friday, CBS; "Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas," 8 p.m. Monday, PBS2; "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC; "A Home for the Holidays," 8 p.m. Wednesday, CBS.

Of note: "Pixar Short Films," 10 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, ABC Family; "Great Performances: La Boheme," 9 p.m. Wednesday, PBS.

Reach Amy Robinson at flips...@wvgazette.com.

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Glee's Popularity

2009-12-14T23:35:00.000-08:00

When I saw the commercials for The Sing Off on NBC, I immediately thought that it was the reality TV version of Glee. It might be, but it's still pretty fun. Eight groups from around the country (including one from Baltimore) will face off across four nights for viewer votes trying to win a $100,000 prize.

The show opens with an a capella rendition of Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure," including reminders before and after from host Nick Lachey that the performance is done completely without instruments. In case you were watching and weren't aware of what a capella means.

Tonight, each of the groups will sing a "signature song."

The first group we meet is Nota, six guys from Puerto Rico. Their signature song is Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours." It becomes their signature song about two-thirds of the way through when they speed it up, sing a verse in Spanish and add a sambaish beat. Judge Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls says she felt like she was at home in Hawaii, and then went on a trip to Puerto Rico. Ben Folds says the arrangement was key because it's a laid-back song, but then they ramped it up. He also liked the tasteful use of mouth-drumming. Shawn Stockman from Boyz II Men says, "Wow!" He says the Spanish remix "was off the hook" and that they brought the song to life.

Voices of Lee from Lee University in Tennessee. The group of 10 is all about inspirational music, especially Christian music. Their song for the night is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Shawn says they have a tight harmony structure, so they have to always be exactly on key, which can be tough when you are moving, too. Overall, though, he loved the performance and the energy. Ben says it was nice and uplifting. The only thing he didn't love was that it took awhile to get to the point where they could hear the lead voice. But he still liked it. Nicole ... well, Nicole is totally the Paula here. I'll just leave it at that.

Nick reminds us -- again -- that there won't be instruments! No guitars! No drums! I think the writers should have come up with some other topics for his banter because this is getting super old.

Face is an "all-vocal" rock band from Colorado. Their song is "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Ben says they kept the rock alive. He doesn't think, though, that the chorus hit like it should, maybe because there wasn't enough "support up top." But he loved the energy. Nicole thinks it's, like, soooooo coooool that you can rock out "with just voices." Hey, did you know there weren't instruments in a capella? Shawn says he's never banged his head to an a capella song before, but he did today. He points to guy who did the percussive sounds and asks what he has in his stomach to make that sound.

The girls of Noteworthy are from Brigham Young University. They sing a variety of repertoire, but they avoid innuendo and swearing. They call their style "uplifting power pop," and their song is "Think." Yes, Aretha. My husband, who has a lot more musical background than me, isn't even paying that close of attention to the performance, but he says, out of nowhere, "That girl doesn't have the voice to pull of this song. This is a big song." I say that she thinks she does. Him: "Yes, she's singing very confidently, but that doesn't mean she's pulling it off." Shawn Stockman asks they crowd what they think (heh) about nine white girls from Provo singing Aretha. He tells them they just need to keep an eye out on it getting too high and "tinny." Ben says female groups have to be careful with the arrangements and adding some dynamics. They had a lot of "the top dynamic," but it just kept going up and up. "Other than that, maybe a little more cussing would have been good," he closes. Heh. (How about a little "Rocking the Suburbs"?) Nicole loves their style and staging and everything, but she's proud they could hold all the elements together.

Weirdly, the judges cut a group from the first four. (I thought the viewers were picking?) Nota, Noteworthy and Voices of Lee are safe, and Face is cut. Yes, Face, the group the audience actually related to (if pictures of audience and what I am reading on Twitter is any indication). Now we have to bid a sad adieu to Face after meeting them like seven minutes ago. This is weird, right?

Tufts University's Beelzebubs have been around since 1962. Their song tonight is "Magical Mystery Tour." These kids clearly practice a lot; they had so much fun. Ben says it was fun and they all have a ton of charisma. He says it was a smart choice, though it was pitchiest when it was the most entertaining, "like, 'ahhhh .... LOOK OVER THERE!'" Hee! Shawn says it felt like a Broadway play (he means that in a good way, not like Simon Cowell would mean it). Nicole says they have shown that a capella is anything but boring and not cool. She says they were a human band.

The Baltimore group is four soccer moms who sing barbershop quartet style songs. They're called Maxx Factor. They're inspired by the group Something Extra, which featured the father of one of the women, Valerie. Their song is "Dancin' Queen." They are good, but I think they suffer coming after the modern-feeling Beelzebubs, who were such crowd-pleasers. I can't fault their performance a bit, though. Shawn: "WOOOOOOOW! Wow! The sass, the style, the flair, the harmony. ... I love it." He says sometimes Leslie's lead voice got overwhelmed a little bit, but overall, they are off the hook. Nicole says she loves their style, and the barbershop style makes you say, "That's dope." She says they are sassy classy. Ben says everyone loved it and he did, too. He says the barbershop style gets rid of the tinny problem.

The Socals are USC alumni who have reunited to try to win one more competition. One sad moment is when they share their moment of drama that they've faced in their lives (I've pretty much glossed over these in my recap), and theirs is that one girl has GERD. Yes, acid reflux. Sometimes it hurts when she sings. Well, I have GERD, too, and sometimes it hurts when I blog. But I pretty much keep it to myself and take some Zantac. (Of course, who would she know that the other folks' stories would involve wives in comas and recently-passed away fathers, but still.) Anyway, they sing Queen's "Somebody to Love." And they are fab. Ben says they are killing it. Shawn totally dug it. They had some key issues, but they brought it back together fast. Nicole was impressed by how well they worked the stage and fixed their key problems.

Solo is a group from North Omaha, Nebraska, and they say they have a dream to escape from there. They sing "Watcha Say?" Shawn says they should feel proud that they are up here on a national stage being seen by millions of people. He loved the spirit, style and flavor, but he says they need to keep an eye on keeping their harmonies tight. Nicole says they feel like a special group to her, but she thinks some of the harmonies went "a little South," but they are already winners just for being here. Ben says they part they are getting right is not teachable, especially the beatboxers. He says they made a risky choice because that song is so "tuned" in production that viewers aren't used to hearing actual human voices performing it.

It's time for another cut. The Beelzebubs are safe (duh), as are the Socals and Baltimore's Maxx Factor. So Solo joins Face as the other group cut tonight.

Solo sings "I Will Survive" as their "swan song," and one of the girls is so upset that it takes them a while to start.

Tomorrow, each of the six groups has to sing a hit from the past two years, as well as a guilty pleasure song. We get a preview.

Did you watch? What did you think about it?

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Glee Spoiler from TV Squad

2009-12-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Terri will not go away easily and will try her best to keep the hope alive with Will. Seasons past, which means that football will not be the hot sport when the show returns in April. Basketball will be front and center and Finn is the captain of the team. Look for more songs in the coming up episode sthat in the first 13 episodes. Rumors claim that Adam Lambert will guess star on the show.

SOURCE : TVSquad

Glee TV Guide: Jayma Mays

2009-12-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

You thought all that news about Idina Menzel maybe guest starring and Finn playing basketball was all the Glee you'd get for a while.

Pshaw! You were wrong.

We made sure to check out Jayma Mays' performance of "Let It Snow" at a special event for Dunkin' Donuts in New York City. After she did the robot while singing a holiday tune—she really is the cutest thing ever—we made sure to ask a few pressing questions.

She had a few choice words for Emma's future, as well as the potential for more chances to sing (or rap or yodel...).

First of all, you aren't the only ones dying to know what happens next in the tale of McKinley High.

"I feel like last night was as much of a cliffhanger for the characters in the show as it was for everyone watching," she confessed. "I haven't a clue what happens next, but I do hope they give her a job somewhere. She'll starve to death. It's a recession! What was she thinking leaving school?"

Of course, we had to ask what she thought of the future of Emma and Mr. Schuster.

"The triangle is definitely still there," she said. "Emma's afraid of everything, so I doubt she would jump into anything headfirst. I think she's too analytical for that. As much as she wants to be a romantic and in the clouds and stuff, I think she'd want to be smart about it."

Jayma shared our sadness that we only heard her sing one time in this first half of the season, and she's definitely hoping for a round two (or three or four) in the upcoming episodes.

"I keep saying I want to sing a country song—get back to my roots a little," she said, but admitted she'll gladly take what she's given. "You never know with them. They're so brilliant and they make it work, so you never know. They might have me rap or yodel. Maybe at the same time!"

As for that upcoming Madonna episode, Jayma feels it would only be appropriate that Emma sing "Like a Virgin." This doesn't surprise us too much—she sang "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" from The Rocky Horror Picture Show for her Glee audition!

See that comments section? It's there for you to sound off and speculate on the future of that dreamy interoffice romance that was sealed with a kiss last night. Get to it!

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Glee: The Music Volume 2

2009-12-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Even though the Glee club takes a four-month break after its midseason finale Wednesday night on Fox, its "gleeks" fan base still has something to chime about with the just-released Glee: The Music, Volume 2 soundtrack.

Like its hit predecessor, Volume 2 boasts a wildly diverse collection of tunes, including Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You and John Lennon's Imagine, all of which get high-spirited makeovers from producer Adam Anders. Volume 1 made its debut at No. 4 on Billboard's 200 chart the first week of November, selling 113,000 copies, and show co-creator Ryan Murphy, who picks all the songs himself, is confident that Volume 2 will see the same success.

"There's something for everyone," he says. "We pluck songs from different genres and different worlds. My father, my mother, my niece would find this album amusing."

Says Rob Stringer, chairman of Columbia/Epic records, the label behind the soundtracks: "Ryan has fantastic pop culture taste that permeates the show in every way. The song interpretations relate to the concept of the show – they're not just karaoke covers."

A psychoanalysis based on Murphy's iPod playlists would be a challenge for any therapist.

"I have schizophrenic taste in music," he says. "Lately, I've been obsessed with Fleetwood Mac, and I can't stop listening to Miley Cyrus' Party in the U.S.A. I love the song TiK ToK by Ke$ha, the new Jay-Z album, the new Alicia Keys. I even like Susan Boyle."

How does Murphy, who rose to fame with his series Nip/Tuck, pick the songs for the show? "It's a weird process I go through in my head," he says. "I chose Proud Mary (Volume 2's lead track) because of a moment I shared with my father. In fact, the whole episode (about Arty and his disability) is based on my relationship with my father."

The fact that there are only three script writers (Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Murphy) helps to keep the diverse song choices tightly woven to the plot, Murphy says. "We come up with a theme of the episode first, and then I choose the song. It's my personal music taste, really."

Murphy's picks aren't just appealing to him. Collectively, the tracks have racked up just over 3 million downloads. "What's interesting about Volume 1 is that it's selling well (280,000 copies) despite how 13 of the17 tracks were previously available as single downloads," says Billboard analyst Keith Caufield. "Songs from Glee 2 are selling well, too, so there's no reason why the album won't be just as successful as the first."

When the show returns April 13, gleeks can revel in some big-name love: An all-Madonna episode is ready to go, and Barry Manilow will be a guest star. Also, Jane Lynch, who plays Will Schuster's hilarious nemesis, Sue Sylvester, will put a few of her tirades to song.

"She's been begging me for numbers for months," Murphy says. "She's an old Broadway star; she's a great singer. We call her Old Hoofer."

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Glee Fall Finale : Sectionals

2009-12-09T06:23:00.001-08:00

Glee's biggest story at this point, at least supposedly, should be sectionals--how a badly-derided glee club gets to the top. Then again, it would be a boring story even if we get to see Sue for most of every episode, if not all of it. Where would we be if not for the pregnancies, both actual and hysterical? Were would we be if not for failed pick-up lines and actual make-out scenes? Tummy paddings? Gloves? Proposals? Used cars?

Still, it's nice that tonight, on Glee's fall finale, we finally see New Directions fight their very first big fight: sectionals. We already know who the competition is (which means, yes, Eve will be back as a guest tonight) and we already know what the battle plan is to win it all... but, of course, there's bound to be complications in the end.

Say, Sue is still out to break the glee club. I guess that one free page at the Thunderclap made her a "fattie" or an "ugly" herself. I kid.

But the major hurdle this time around is Quinn's secret. So Puck finally told Mercedes that he's the actual father of the baby. And, for some reason, Mercedes tells everyone--well, almost everyone, because Rachel has yet to know, and by consequence, Finn has yet to know. The recovery from the first blow is one thing: another knockout is much harder. Can they cope?

Maybe they should ask Will, who just came out of the best moment in his life last week--well, we're talking about ourselves, so sorry, Will, because we know it's sad to find out your wife is a-cheatin' with her pregnancy. Or, maybe the glee kids should help Will cope himself too, because he might make one decision that will change his life forever. Context clue: Emma and Ken are getting married. I smell a cliffhanger.

Tonight's Glee is the last one before the four-month break, so let's make the most of it, shall we? It's on from 9pm on Fox. You know where the photos are. And I suggest, prepare napkins for our shallow, shallow tears.

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Glee Finale Spoilers

2009-12-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some scoops of your favorite TV Series Glee from EOnline.com.

Kevin in Omaha, Neb.: Only one more episode of Glee left. Tell me it's good!
If you're hoping for a Glee minifinale full of lots of loose ends being wrapped up, then you've got it! Aside from Finn finding out, an inside source who asked to be called Clubber Lang tells me of this Wednesday's ep: "It rocks. Very satisfying, all scores are settled, all secrets revealed. There are two show-stopping solos that will make the devil run home and call his mama." And a source who asked to be called Cory Monteith (because that's his name) tells us: "The plotlines you may have felt need resolution will be resolved. There is a lot of resolution in sectionals." And guess what? The Glee cast is finally back at work today on the new episodes. Hells to the yay! If only we could get them before April, right?

Mary in Washington, D.C.: OK, so who won the Glee love debate?
The official winner of the Glee love debate is Puck and Rachel. The picture of Finn and Rachel in our TV Couples We Love gallery has been officially replaced with a pic of Rachel and Puck. Congrats, Team Puckerberry!

Rebecca in Miami: Love Jessalyn Gilsig and glad to hear she'll be back on the show in April. Is she ever going to sing?
Jessalyn herself tells us: "I hope so. I would love to. I mean, I'm no Lea Michele, but I do sing in the shower! I sing lullabies to my daughter, so maybe I can sing to the baby..." That better not mean that Terri actually gets Quinn and Puck's bambino. There has to be a more fit parent out there to adopt, right?

Carter in Astoria, N.Y.: What are your thoughts on the big V hiatus? Are you sticking around until January?
I'll be tuning in. We caught up with Morris Chestnut last week and his overwhelming confidence in what's to come has me hopeful: "The wait is going to be well worth it. We have some really great ideas," Morris says. "Things about the V's are going to come out, but people need to be patient. We're going to push the envelope."

Wally in Orlando: Do you know anything about what Glee will be up to in April?
Glee is going all One Tree Hill! Don't worry, Chad Michael Murray won't guest star, but Finn will be playing basketball instead of football when the show returns April 13, because...football season is over, dummies! "It's basketball now. Finn Hudson is the captain o the basketball team." Also, we would bet some seriously good money that Adam Lambert will indeed guest star on the show, because a source who tells us everything about everything clammed up with a "no comment" when asked about the rumor that it is really happening. Quick, Chris Colfer, grab a keyboard!

Click here for More TV Series Scoop on EOnline.