Monday, June 20, 2011

We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore!

Last week on The Glee Project: The ten finalists had their first assignment. They were judged by Darren “Blaine” Criss, who chose Matheus as the winner. He got to spend extra time with Darren and was featured in their video of Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Bryce pissed off the choreographer, Damian was fading into the background and Ellis was trying too hard to play up her young looks. They had to sing to remain in the competition, judged by Ryan Murphy. In the end, Bryce was the first cut. Eleven Gleekabes remain—who will not make it tonight? Find out!

The Gleekabes walk in to see their homework assignment is “Theatricality” and they have to perform Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” Alex believes he is theatricality and this challenge is his to lose. Everyone practices singing. Marissa says she needs some power in her line as Lindsay practices some dance moves. She’s going to rely on her Broadway background. Lindsay quotes the show as Emily calls her a phony. Takes one to know one, Emily. Matheus meanwhile is wondering who the guest judge will be.


Lindsay and Alex nearly spaz out as Idina Menzel walks in. Hannah says that Wicked is her favorite musical. Have people forgotten that she was also the original Maureen in “Rent”? Because she was. I think she even got a Tony nom out of it. Anyway, she tells them to be fearless. So, let’s hear “Bad Romance.” Did they plan those moves or did Zach help them? This is so silly. And I haven’t decided if that’s a good silly or a bad silly. Maybe a so bad it’s good silly.

Idina says she’s not a good dancer and praises them. She praises Ellis, Samuel, Lindsay, Alex, and Cameron. Robert prompts her to pick a winner. She decides on Alex. Which I knew the minute she called him fearless. Idina says she’ll be working with him to prepare for his featured moment in this week’s video: “We’re Not Going to Take It” by Twisted Sister. Robert repeats how this goes: do the video, three people wind up in the bottom three and Ryan Murphy saves two.

Dancing with Zach (and Brooke)

Damian tries to work on the choreography. But it’s Ellis who throws people off. Lindsay picks up the choreography and starts to boss the others around. Alex becomes her assistant, helping Matheus. Cameron’s dancing impresses Zach, who tells them that he may not be there for the shoot. But Brooke is going to be there. And if he gets a bad report, he threatens to kill them.

Coming Up: Why are they putting poor Matheus behind a drum set that’s bigger than him?

The Gleekabes hit the wardrobe. Cameron puts on some platform boots as we seem to skip recording with Nikki. Brooke works with the group as Ellis is worried about the dancing. Brooke says she’s going to protect the group as Ellis says she doesn’t want to look like a dumbass. Brooke is offended. Erik takes over to direct Hannah as she says she’s “glam diva.” She says she’s normally not a flirt but she’s going to work it. Samuel is going to work a keytar as he worries about his poor recording session. Nikki says he overthinks everything. We cut back to Samuel really rocking it.

Emily is given a guitar to smash in a rock n’ roll move. It doesn’t smash but she says she looks cute doing it. Meanwhile, Nikki says she’s worried about McKynleigh as she didn’t seem so enthusiastic in the recording booth. McKynleigh says she’s trying to put in more of her personality. Please do. Maybe I’ll remember you, McKynleigh. Robert says that the Gleekabes have to let loose and shine. Matheus says he doesn’t play the drums and he’s worried about looking stupid. Brooke says that they need to play a character and some aren’t doing that. Erik tells Ellis to kiss someone and she’s worried as she’s never been kissed. Lindsay says she’s not jealous. Hannah thinks Ellis gave tongue and Lindsay teases her for her first kiss.

Lindsay says it doesn’t feel like a competition yet as Nikki loves her in the studio. Nikki praises her and celebrates about it. Meanwhile Alex is up as we start in the cafeteria, where the outcasts (the Gleekabes) are being bullied and they imagine the song as them telling the bullies off. Idina works with Alex and his solo. And it’s video time!

Not including Alex, who was given the star spot of this video, the stand outs for me were mostly the guys: Cameron and Samuel. Ellis fell a bit flat and I wasn’t sure what was up with Damian’s delivery in the beginning. Marissa was very good. Lindsay should watch out for her if she doesn’t think it’s a competition.

Coming Up: Ellis confronts Lindsay.

Meanwhile, you can vote for your fan favorite! Naturally, Damian is in the lead as he has the Celtic Thunder nation behind him. But step up and vote for your favorite Gleekabe!

We come back to the Girls’ Dorm as Emily isn’t so confident about the bottom three. Emily says that they are all talented but she then says they have to be careful with what they say. Lindsay tells Ellis about her comment and Ellis starts to cry. Emily confesses she didn’t want to gang up on Ellis and Lindsay says she meant it to the group. Hannah confesses Lindsay is a bitch (essentially) as Ellis tells her to stop attacking her every day. Lindsay is generally confused as is the audience as any Lindsay-Ellis hating is probably on the cutting room floor. Lindsay tries to explain she’s nice to Ellis and confesses that Ellis has a negative attitude. Meanwhile, Ellis calls Lindsay a bully.

Robert and Zach take to the stage to address the Gleekabes. Zach decides they get to live another day. Alex, Cameron, Marissa, Samuel, and Lindsay are all safe. Lindsay confesses she feels blessed as everything is working out for her. Zach tells the remaining six that it is about conscious decisions and popping. Damian, Emily and Hannah made the callback list. That giant wind? Celtic Thunder fans releasing their collective breaths.

McKynleigh has a disconnect and Zach wonders if she is overthinking. She is assigned “Piece of my Heart.” Matheus was too busy trying to look cool and wasn’t passionate. He is assigned “Gives You Hell.” Ellis jokes that this is the favorite part and she tells them about her negative morning. Robert tells her to find the mixture between sarcasm and being negative. She is assigned “Mack the Knife” (Sinatra/Darrin).

Ellis greets her dressing room as Matheus tries to wash Emily’s kiss off his face. He then wonders if he should leave it. Everyone starts to work on their songs. Matheus says the pressure can’t get to him as he has a problem remembering lyrics. Ellis says she’s proud of her voice.

Coming Up: Ryan is back.

Gleekabes Slightly Censored: Damian starts to…rap? He is using all Irish slang. Lindsay is dazzled by Damian. However, I think he should leave the song writing to Keith.

Please.

The bottom three don’t get mentor help? Anyway, Robert tells Ryan that Ellis is back because she doesn’t take direction well, McKynleigh is there because of that disconnect they’ve been buzzing about and Matheus is there because he is “boy band.” Okay. Ellis is up first with “Mack the Knife.” Ellis has a lovely voice and seems to be entertaining the judges. Ryan says she likes her and says she was more confident. He tells her to embrace her jazz talent. He asks her about his attitude. She promises to do “can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The judges think it’s an act.

Matheus runs out to perform. God bless him, he’s trying to rock out. I think I can see why Zach called him “boy band.” He sings certain notes in the same vein as the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. I don’t know what happened at the end, though Zach likes it. Ryan says that Matheus represents what “Glee” is about—the unexpected performer. Matheus calls himself “ugly” but Ryan says Matheus likes his abs. Matheus hems and haws. Ryan tells him he would love to write a 4’9 guy who walks in and thinks he’s the Playboy of McKinley High.

McKynleigh is the last. She has a sweet voice, but I don’t see much charisma. Which is probably why I can never remember her. Ryan says the good news is she is the best singer of the three. The bad news is that he didn’t pick up on her personality. McKynleigh says she’s a perfectionist and forgets her personality. Ryan tells her to create a persona that would make him want to write for her as he can write about the other two. He can’t write for her.

The bottom three rejoin their fellow Gleekabes as the judges deliberate.

COMMERCIALS!

The callback list is posted. Robert announces this to the Gleekabes. The bottom three gets hugs from everyone in case they don’t return. McKynleigh says she will be crushed if it’s her personality that sends her home. Ellis wants to come back. Matheus says he’s really nervous. Matheus is through. McKynleigh has a good poker face as she’s through. Ellis is eliminated. She confesses that she knows she’s going home because the judges don’t think she can’t change. She wishes she can prove she could but she is proud of how far she came. I find it odd that it’s Lindsay who leads the others to comfort Ellis.

Ellis sings “Keep Holding On” before she leaves.

The Glee Project:

Alex
Bryce
Cameron
Damian
Ellis
Emily
Marissa
Hannah
Lindsay
Matheus
McKynleigh
Samuel

Poor Ellis. However, being negative is not going to get you far in these type of a shows.

Just a note about Damian. I know I said I wouldn’t focus on him, but he is the one I have the most information about. Earlier this year, Damian went silent on the internet. Sharon Browne, the producer of Celtic Thunder, explained it was because the lad had been grounded due to poor school grades. After the last episode, I wondered if that was a cover story because Damian was shooting “The Glee Project.” However, this past week, Sharon’s blog confirmed that it wasn’t. The time he was filming “The Glee Project” was before Sharon announced he was grounded. So there went my theory.

And I had to stop my Ten Little Indians because…well, I forgot McKynleigh and Matheus. Sorry, guys.

Though I came for Damian, I’m really rooting for Samuel and Marissa. I quite like their appearance, their personalities and their voices. I still think Lindsay has the best voice in the competition. However, I think she needs to land in the bottom three just so someone can take a pin to her ego. Cameron is shining as well. However, he seems to be getting quite a bit of focus. Not that this is a bad thing. I just hope it isn’t the winner’s edit as has been suggested on the Television Without Pity boards.

Next week: Vulnerability. Emily hopes to show another side. And there are sandwich boards involved.

Quote of the Episode:

“I’ve never seen a leprechaun dance like that.” –Emily about Damian’s dancing

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