Naya

This is absolutely heartbreaking to have to write.


On July 8th, Glee star Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez) rented a boat to go swimming with her son Josey. Police were later called to the scene when Josey was found by himself in the boat. He said he and his mother did go swimming but she hadn’t returned to the boat. Rescue efforts were then launched to locate Naya before being called off after night fall.

As someone who lives on an island and is surrounded by several beaches, including the Jersey Shore, our news programs unfortunately have at least three reports about searches for missing swimmers every summer. It is very, very common for searches to be called off after dark. So while I understand why everyone was frustrated and felt as if the police weren’t doing enough (especially as the particular department does have social media posts that reveal a very probable bias and Naya does identify as Afro Latina), ending the search for the night does mean anything either away about how dedicated to finding Naya they were. The search resumed in the morning and more resources were brought in to locate her. They continue to search for her. 


However, the operation has turned into a recovery rather than a rescue, meaning it is very likely that Naya drowned.

And it’s horrible to think that we’ve lost another member of the Glee cast.

Naya was very talented and leaves behind a very impressive body of working, starting from when she was a child. She probably would’ve gotten even more projects as time went by and it’s a shame we’ll never see what else she would’ve done.

My heart goes out to her loved ones, especially her mother and her young son. It was clear from Naya’s social media that he was her entire world and that they were very close. This is going to be an unimaginable loss for him but it seems he has a strong family support system around him.
My condolences also go to her friends and former costars. Even if they weren’t close, this still has to be a loss for them.

Though they haven’t yet found her body, I do hope they can find her and provide some closure for her family.

Rest in peace, Naya. You will be missed.

And That’s What You Missed on Glee!

I know. I’m talking about Glee. It’s been years, right? But there’s a reason.

And, no, it’s not a good one.

It also does involve the current climate of the country. Let me say that I am horrified by the actions of the former officers in Milwaukee and the death of George Floyd at their hands (or rather, knees and inaction). And I am angry that this is just the latest in a series of Black deaths caused by the police. Change needs to happen and America needs to confront and overcome our racial prejudices.

Black. Lives. Matter.

Our Glee saga began a week ago when Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) posted a tweet about George Floyd, much like many other celebrities (and people) had throughout the past couple weeks.

Then on Monday, June 1st, Samantha Ware quote-tweeted Lea’s tweet. Samantha played Jane Haywood during Season 6 of the show. In her tweet, she wrote that Lea made her first TV job a living nightmare, threatened to “shit” in her wig, and committed other microaggressions against Samantha during filming.

(Samantha Ware)

Glee: Good Night, Sweet Prince

Yes, I know I haven’t recapped a Glee episode since pretty much the first season. But after Cory Monteith’s death, I knew I had to recap this episode.

Before we continue, let’s get this out of the way first: They do not reveal how Finn died. It’s not important as this episode is not about how Finn died, but how the people around Finn grieve and find the strength to go on. Yes, it may not give some fans closure in regards to the character of Finn but it was a choice the producers made. Some people thought they should’ve killed Finn the same way Cory died and I’m glad they didn’t. While Finn’s father became an addict, it wouldn’t have been true to the character to make Finn one either. And if Glee had chosen this episode to be the “drugs are bad, m’kay?” episode, I would’ve been mad. When Glee gets preachy, it gets very heavy-handed in my opinion.

Anyway, on with the show…

RIP Cory Monteith

"Glee" Star Cory Monteith Dies at Age 31

When I saw the article at Playbill (I linked to the one at E! Online), my heart skipped a beat. I could not believe this was true but, alas, it is. Glee has lost it's leading man and I want to take a moment to reflect on this, including some videos of Monteith's performances on Glee. Let's start with "Don't Stop Believing" from the pilot:

The Glee Season 4 Premiere: My 2 Cents

So, the premiere has come and gone. I was nervous for this season and I still am. But this episode was pretty good. Here are my thoughts. I’ll separate them into “New York” and “Ohio”.

The Glee Project: This is Our Show

This season on “The Glee Project:” Fourteen—rather than twelve—Gleekabes competed for a role on “Glee.” Mentored by Glee cast members, they sang for their survival. Well, except Taryn who quit the show. They dealt with bullying, Zach’s dance class, Ryan’s moods, stunts in the name of tenacity and other nonsense to achieve fame. One by one, they were eliminated—until the last episode where both Michael and Lily fell short of the finale. Three Gleekabes—Bland, Ali and Aylin—remain. Who will Ryan and his hat choose to be on Glee? Find out!

Glee!

The Glee Project: Two Days Later

The last video is up

While I have an opinion, I think I'll save it for next week's recap. All I'll say is that I kept being drawn to Shanna the entire time. 

The Glee Project: I'm Still Standing

Last time on “The Glee Project”: Darren Criss showed up to see how well the Gleekabes could romance each other. Bland did the best and got a stand out in the video “We Found Love.” But in a twist, Michael excelled in the studio while Bland floundered. Michael even did well on the shoot, which the judges attributed partly to partner Lily. Aylin and Shanna struggled playing lesbians and landed in the bottom two with Bland. In the end, Shanna was eliminated by Ryan. Five Gleekabes remain, find out who will not make it to the finals which are NEXT WEEK OMG!

Glee!

The Glee Project: We Found Love in a Hopeless Place

Last time on “The Glee Project”: The week’s theme was BLAKE CAN DO NO WRONG! Actually, it was tenacity and Amber Riley (Mercedes) decided Ali was the most tenacious Gleekabe. She got a lead role in the video for “Eye of the Tiger,” which featured an obstacle course to be completed in one take. The Gleekabes struggled, especially with double Dutch and shooting a basketball. In the end, the bottom three was Michael, Lily and Abraham. After the last chance performances, Abraham came out to make a last stand that was more of a tantrum. It sealed his fate and he was eliminated. Six Gleekabes remain, who will be eliminated tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: I’m a Survivor

Last time on “The Glee Project”: Grant Gustin had nothing to do, so he stopped by to judge the remaining Gleekabes on theatricality. They perform “I Hope I Get It” from “A Chorus Line” and he chooses Ali as the winner. She gets a standout moment in the video, “When I Grow Up.” Her Katy Perry is safe as was Shanna’s Lady Gaga, Bland’s Boy George and Aylin’s Madonna. Michael struggled but his Elvis saved him, leaving the bottom three of Abraham, who struggled to embrace the androgyny of David Bowie; Lily, who didn’t play Cyndi Lauper; and Nellie, who was uncomfortable being sexy as Britney Spears. In the end, Nellie’s insecurity was her downfall and she was sent home. Seven Gleekabes remain, who will go down tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: Be Careful What You Wish For, Because You Might Just Get It

Last week on “The Glee Project”: It was fearlessness week! The Gleekabes had to rap for the awesome Jane Lynch, who chose Lily to be the challenge winner. The Gleekabes performed a mash up of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “One Way or Another” and were way too excited to be hit with slushies. Ali struggled with being hit by the cold concoction due to her condition but braved it like a trooper. She and Lily, a standout in the video, were put on the callback list while Charlie, Aylin and Nellie landed in the bottom 3. Nellie was told to be more outgoing, Aylin was told to remain focused on her competition and Ryan questioned if Charlie could fit in on the Glee set. In the end, the budding romance between Aylin and Charlie suffered a devastating blow when he was eliminated. Eight Gleekabes remain, who is eliminated tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Last week on “The Glee Project:” The Gleekabes were tested on their ability to adapt by Kevin McHale (Artie). They had to sing the entirety of “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morrisette and Kevin picked Aylin as the winner. She got a stand out role in the video, “Price Tag” by Jessie J, which no one knew until they arrived at the recording studio. Abraham and Ali struggle in the booth while Mario and Bland struggle on set. The judges struggle with getting Charlie to mesh with the group and Nellie to “pop” in the group. At the reveal, the judges put six people through to perform duets for Ryan Murphy. He chose a bottom three of Abraham, Charlie and Mario before cutting Mario for not taking criticism well. Nine Gleekabes remain, who will be eliminated tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: It's Not About the Money

Last time on “The Glee Project": It was sexuality week! And of course that meant a visit from Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez). She chose Charlie as the winner in the homework challenge. But he was all over the set of their mashup of “Moves Like Jagger” and “Milkshake,” annoying Erik. It lands him in the bottom 3 along with Michael and Tyler. After performing for Ryan, it was Tyler who was sent home for not being quite comfortable in his new body yet. Ten Gleekabes remain, who is sent home tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: Moves Like Jagger

Last time on “The Glee Project:” It was a tough week with the topic of vulnerability. Cory Monteith dropped by and gave actual acting tips before choosing Nellie as the homework challenge winner. The Gleekabes talked about their bullying experiences and used them for their video for “Hold On.” Lily ended up in the bottom three due to poor lip syncing skills. Charlie ended up there for a poor blocking choice (AKA steal Mario’s cane). Mario rounded out the bottom three because he had an attitude. In the end, Ryan decided to keep them all. So once again, 11 Gleekabes remain. Will someone get eliminated tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: Hold On

Last time on “The Glee Project”: Taryn decided she had had enough and was too homesick to continue with the competition. Her departure was told via placard. And I realized why it annoyed me. Everything said in the placard was repeated by Robert Ulrich and was more effective. Anyway, one of last year’s winners—Samuel Larsen—judged the Gleekabes on their dancing skills. Abraham won but the video was a complete mess. It was decided that Dani, Lily and Tyler were the worst of the worst. In the end, Dani was sent home for being too “one-note” AKA Ryan realized he couldn’t base a seven episode arc on a Justin Bieber contest between Sam and Dani. Wait, that actually would’ve been cool. Anyway, eleven Gleekabes remain, who doesn’t make the list tonight? Find out!


The Glee Project!

Fall TV schedules!

FOX and NBC have announced their fall premiere dates. As "Smash" is the only NBC show I watch and it is a mid-season show, I haven't included any of NBC's start dates. So here are the premieres for my selection of FOX shows:

Glee: Sept. 13th (Note: New night!) 
The Simpsons: Sept. 30th
Family Guy: Sept. 30th
American Dad: Sept. 30th

The Glee Project: Shake It!

Last time on The Glee Project: The 14 contestants explored their new house and got to know each other. Robert Ulrich gave them their homework assignment which they performed for Ryan Murphy and guest mentor Lea Michele. Shanna won the homework challenge, winning a session with Lea and a standout performance in the music video. Aylin, Tyler and Maxfield end up in the bottom 3 with Maxfield being the first to go with not being as amazing as the other Gleekabes. Who goes tonight? Find out!


Glee!

The Glee Project: Here We Go Again!

And The Glee Project returns! We recap Damian and Samuel’s win as well as Alex and Lindsay’s consolation prizes. The poor narrator has to rattle off all 14 names in his hyperactive tone. I am so glad to see Nikki Anders is in the judging panel now.


Our Justin Bieber lookalike arrives first—but she shall henceforth be called “Dani.” Charlie is the next person in, followed by Abraham. I like his red mohawk. He doesn’t want to be kicked off week one. Ali wheels in—yes, she’s our wheelchair bound contestant. Everyone is excited to see Lily Mae come in next as Dani tries to wonder who else made it. They say “Mario” but the next people in aren’t Mario…and when he comes in, everyone is so excited. He says he’s a talented cute guy who is blind. Shanna is surprised there are 14 rather than 12 like last time. The Gleekabes (yes, I’m still calling them that) go through their house as Ali goes over everyone’s sob story. Ali: Paralyzed, Mario: Blind, Tyler: Transgender, Maxfield: Just…started…singing? Tyler says the other Gleekabes are wonderful especially as he’s transgendered. Aylin is happy to have 7 hot guys around.

The Glee Project 2: First Impressions

The Glee Project is airing this year on Tuesdays. And once again, I’ll be recapping it.
Like last year, they’ve released a music video staring all the contestants (with cameo appearances by Zach and Robert). The 14 contestants sang Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” which was sung by the TroubleTones (plus Quinn and Tina) at Nationals. I’m not entirely certain who is who, but thanks to the Oxygen website and YouTube, I’ll figure it out.


In order of appearance:

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