TV Talk: 'Glee' invites Gwenyth Paltrow to stand under its umbrella-ella-ella

Last week's guest-free "Glee" episode "Never Been Kissed" was a breath of fresh air. Though it introduced a new character, Blaine--the openly gay lead singer of the rival glee club the Dalton Academy Warblers--it didn't use a flashy new gimmick or guest star to boost ratings or water cooler chat.

In fact, the show returned to last season's enjoyably memorable boys vs. girls mash-up competition (from the episode "Vitamin D") to simply get back to what the characters do best: sing. However, at the heart of the episode were two storylines of bullying and mistreatment.

Kurt was getting beat up by a big, rough jock with seemingly no support from any of his peers or teachers. Meanwhile, the glee club students were inappropriately thinking of football Couch Bieste to help them "cool off" during heated make-out sessions.

The show featured several touching and relevant scenes without coming off as "preachy" or forced. The characters' issues, emotions and connections felt real. The question is whether the appearance of guest star Gwenyth Paltrow will help or hurt the solid focus "Glee" has recently been achieving in its second season.

Next Tuesday, Nov. 16, Paltrow will play Holly Holliday, a substitute teacher who fills in for a sick Will Shuester. Paltrow, who recently debuted her singing chops at the Country Music Awards, will sing an altered version of Cee-Lo's "F--- You" (now titled "Forget You") with the New Directions kids. Her character Holly will also perform a mashup of Rhianna's summer anthem "Umbrella" and the classic "Singing In The Rain" with Schuester (Matthew Morrison).

To listen to the mashup at JustJared.com, click here.

To view a clip of Paltrow and the "Glee" cast singing "Forget You," click play below.



Sources:
EW: 'Glee': Gwenyth Paltrow sings Cee-Lo's "Forget You"
EW: 'Glee': Gwenyth Paltrow's "Umbrella"-"Singing In The Rain" mashup released

TV Talk: How 'Glee' lost, may get its groove back

Last year, FOX's hit musical comedy about the McKinley High School Glee Club rode a wave of critical and audience praise for its talented diverse cast, modern takes on well-known songs, campy quick-witted scripts, and joyous underdog bravado.

Since the show's September 2009 debut, the first season has gone on to garner several award nominations and wins--including 19 Primetime Emmy Award noms and a win as the Golden Globe's Best Television Series of 2010 for a musical or comedy.

But "Glee" has also faced some serious backlash. In the wake of its early bombastic success, the show was quickly accused of "letting the fame go to its head," so to speak.

This was demonstrated by the program's growing penchant for themed episodes ("The Power of Madonna" and "Theatricality" with Lady Gaga songs) and celebrity guest stars (Kristin Chenowith, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, etc.) that became more prevalent during the second half of the show's first season. The change in direction drew ire for moving the focus from the wonderfully quirky crew of motley characters to the choreography and big name guest stars.

Globe & Mail columnist John Doyle echoed the remarks made by fans and critics alike when he wrote:

"With this show we are witnessing the monster that is over-exposure eat alive the sweet, guileless talent that simply wanted to succeed.

It's impossible to maintain that lovable naiveté when the show is so preening in its camp, knowing awareness of its success."

The second season of "Glee" premiered Sept. 21, 2010 (along with news the progam was comissioned for a third season). Aside from a slight misfire with the Britney Spears themed episode "Britney/Brittany," which featured heavily contrived transitions involving a few too many doses of laughing gas, the first few episodes have harkened back to the show's former glory.

But showrunners Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are still not out of the woods. After a fun but forgettable premiere that introduced new Glee club members and the love-it-or-hate-it Britney episode, the third episode "Grilled Cheesus," which tackled religious beliefs, landed the show with criticisms of being too preachy (debate: fair or not?).

But recent episodes like "Duets" and tonight's "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" may have put it back on track. "Duets" felt like a flashback to the first nine episodes of the first season, focusing entirely on the kids with no overshadowing guest stars and no gimmicks. The "Rocky Horror" episode showed how the Glee Club can tackle a theme without forcing the songs to work and without sacrificing real storylines about its true stars.

Despite the overblown GQ photo spread controversy, "Glee" has once again become fresh and relevant with storylines about its characters addressing issues like religion, fitting in, and even male body image.

Here's to hoping this is a sign that "Glee" is taking a step back in the right direction.

Sources:
Globe & Mail: These days, I'm watching 'Glee' with dread
EW: TV Recaps: Glee Cental

TV Talk: "Glee" GQ cover stirs up controversy

In the October issue of the men's magazine GQ, "Glee" stars Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith were splashed across the cover and inside pages in provocative clothing, poses and sets.

The photos quickly drew ire from fans of the FOX hit and their parents, citing the photoshoot as too sexualized and verging on "pedophilia."

Tim Winters, president of the Parents Television Council, said:

"It is disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on 'Glee' in this way. It borders on pedophilia. Sadly, this is just the latest example of the overt sexualization of young girls in entertainment."

In the photos, Michele and Agron are wearing little other than colored, lacy panties and bras in suggestive poses scattered throughout a high school setting (often while donning kitten heels and sucking on lollipops). In one shot, the girls are scantily clad in the library. In other photos, Michele is straddling a bench in the boys lockerroom while Agron depicts the male fantasy of a sexy cheerleader.

Though the actors in the shoot are adults--Michele and Agron are 24, Monteith is 28--the photo spread is clearly promoting the comedy show set in a high school in which the actors portray teenagers. It is not uncommon for older actors to play teens in TV shows or movies.

Though FOX did not comment, GQ responded:

"The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy. As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their twenties. Cory Montieth's almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."

In the GQ photo shoot, the stars appear to be playing their characters and not themselves as individuals. This probably indicates that the shoot is too racy for the audience "Glee" is actually intended for. But the photos probably aren't too racy for GQ readers. The question is, had the actors not been on high school sets intended to simulate the "Glee" world, would the rules be different?

Also, is "Glee" really a family show just because it's about teenagers? With storylines about the loss of virginity, early ejaculation and masturbation, is "Glee" meant to be considered family programming?

Another issue at the center of the controversy is the gender inequality evident in the photo spread. While Michele and Agron must be feeling a breeze due to their lack of clothing, Monteith has to be toasty warm in his several layers of shirts and sweaters. Why are the girls undressed, but the boy is not? All three should have been in the same state of dress (or undress).

Lastly, in a show known for its wide, diverse cast, why were only the three white, straight, thin actors chosen for the photo shoot? Were none of the actors available? Or maybe, they were smart enough to stay away from GQ's overly sexual shoot.

To weigh in on the debate, CBS' Katie Couric shared her opinion in a special segment. Click here to view it. To share your thoughts, feel free to comment below.

Sources:
EW: 'Glee' goes provocative for GQ, and we ask: Ugh, why?
Billboard: Sexy 'Glee' photos draw pedophilia protests
Yahoo: 'Glee' photos drawing fire for Lea Michele and Dianna Agron