Why Has Glee Forgotten About Its Emmy Nominees?
When the Emmys were held back in August, it was a forgone conclusion that Jane Lynch would win Best Supporting Actress for her work on Glee. As Sue Sylvester, Lynch was the breakout star from season one, the one Glee performer offered unanimous public and critical support. You know the story, of course: Lynch won, the order of the universe remained intact, and despite losses to Modern Family, Glee was able to head into season two with the label of "Emmy winner" (Ryan Murphy won as well for directing the pilot). So consider it more than a little disconcerting that just two months later, the Lynch has become so unnecessary to the plot of Glee, that she went entire episode without appearing. Worse, she wasn't even missed.
Besides all that weird Finn homophobia, that was the craziest part about "Duets." I get that everyone wants to see Sue Sylvester drop a bunch of inappropriate one-liners on Mr. Schuester and New Directions, but at no time during this week's episode of Glee was her disappearance detrimental to the plot. In fact, what little plot there has been during this season has found Sue shoehorned in like some afterthought or, worse, wet blanket -- her main job this year has been to issue red-cheeked complaints about the sexual nature of Britney Spears songs and the existence (or lack thereof) of God. In that regard, it was a relief that "Duets" didn't even bother. ("I hate duets, they're bad for kids!" Yeah.)
Though at least Lynch isn't as hard-up as Matthew Morrison and Lea Michele. Whether their lead performance Emmy nominations were deserved is certainly up for debate, but what can not be argued is that the two stars were the real focal points of season one; Glee was the story of wannabe star Rachel and earnest teacher Will. Yet here in season two, they're being treated like second tier performers at the tail end of their careers. Michele's Rachel, once a complicated diva in the vein of Tracy Flick, has been reduced to singing one or two songs per episode, mostly while crying. (The lack of screen time aside, Michele's vocals remain impeccable.) Remember when Rachel really wanted a mother-figure? Neither does Glee.
Meanwhile, Morrison is barely there at all; only during the Britney Spears episode was he featured, and while it was embarrassing ("Toxic," shiver), at least it was something. At this point, I'd even accept Mr. Schuester white-rapping -- anything to integrate him into the story. If it seems like Ryan Murphy and his writing staff are just going to twiddle their thumbs until Mr. Schue has an affair with an of-age student in season three, that's probably because they are.
Here's the thing: I understand that the second season of a show needs to round out the cast and branch out to ensure narrative arcs for seasons three, four, five and beyond. (Lost did this during season two with Desmond and Ben and it's hard to imagine the show existing without their contributions down the line.) So yes, fleshing out characters like Santana, Brittany, Sam, Mike Chang and Tina will probably be beneficial to the long-term success of Glee. The difference though is that Lost and other series were able to integrate their additional characters without giving their leads the short-shrift. That simply isn't the case on Glee. At this rate, Matthew Morrison will get a Best Guest Actor Emmy nomination in 2011.
In the end, only Emmy nominee Chris Colfer has seen his season one success translate into season two story -- if the first season was The Sue Show, then consider this year Kurt's Playhouse. Colfer has been given the heavy-lifting this fall, first saddled with religion and then with tolerance. That he's handled everything with aplomb, grace and flair (all while remaining as wonderful as ever; "Le Jazz Hot, swoon!) could easily translate into an Emmy win next summer. Of course, as Jane Lynch has proved thus far this season, maybe that isn't the reward on Glee that it really should be.
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
Matthew Morrison is definalty underused- and he is the most talented there- he's the reason ppl over 18 watch glee- not becaue the high school kids
unfortunalty it had become the chris colfer show-and all the stories are about the gay issue ok it's an issue- but there are more things to talk about...
glee can fly high with the OCD for example- look the Emmy nods the multiple personality brought to Terra
I am over 18 and the adult storylines bore me to tears. The real storyline should go to Lea Michele she has more than proven yourself worthy. The writers gave her one good storyline and then rushed it. She did everything she could with it.
Why they are screwing up on this great character si beyond me. Rachel Berry is the most interesting character on the show and Lea Michele is trying her best to make the most out of the crap they are giving her.
I am tired of their pet project of Kurt too. His after school special episodes are not why the majority of people watch glee. If you want Kurt so mcuh team him with with Rachel Beyrr and bring on her two gay dads. The people have wanted them on the show since the start.
See what Chris can do with crap like they are giving Lea. After what she did last season she deserves better treatment.
Give Lea Michele a good storyline already....
Instead they throw her a song that she hits out of the park each week.
Rachel Berry is a very compeeling complex charater yet we don't know why she is the way she is... where are her dads why is she so ambitous, why why, why??
Matt is always good but he is no more than a set up man for Sue. He just ins't as interesitng as Rachel or Kurt.
It's funny, because a lot of what fans and critics alike complain about is that the show just wasn't the same after the first 13 episodes. Those first 13 were all about Will and Rachel and their dealings with the Glee Club, with some Sue thrown in for comedic impact. I understand the need to flesh out the other characters, but Chris Colfer just isn't a strong enough performer to lead this show or to make it as compelling as Lea Michele made it. Thankfully, she seems to have had more to do this past week, and hopefully that continues.
Ryan Murphy seems to read through what critics say about Glee, so hopefully he'll take this article to heart because at this rate Glee is falling fast.
The sad thing is that since Matt and Lea are giving little or sad plot lines they won't get nomination and people will be like see.
I think they deserve them, especially Lea. She has to act, sing and dance in nearly every episode. She carried the show on her back and was one of the main reason for it success.
Lea still get screen time and songs but the first three episode they did nothing back back tracked on her character development from the first season. I think she was the true breakout star of the show and now I think these writers just don't know what to do with her.
Too Rachel Berry is a scheming, driven young woman who is forgiving, sweet and caring yet they forgot how to write for that complex young girl.
I am loving the Kurt storylines (though I didn't care much for Finn talking him out of doing the duet with the Sam dude), Chris Colfer keeps nailing every scene. Hope they keep it going, but hopefully with a few more happy stories for Kurt, he seems to be having a rough time too often.
And I agree about the lack of Sue, I don't mind not seeing her that much for a few episodes, but I hope they bring some spotlight back to her soon. I wanna see Sue and Will go at it like the old times.
I see where they're going- giving the other characters bigger story lines, but that doesn't mean dimming the shine of the stars so drastically.
You're right about Lea Michele- she's had barely no story focus, and neither has Sue. I miss these characters!
This article inspired my blog on season 2 :
http://oooshebop.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/is-glee-dare-i-say-it-losing-its-charm/
I don't consider Santana, Brittany, Sam and Quinn as interesting as the Glee writers find them. I am totally fine with them being secondary characters. Bring back Sue, Schu, Finn and Rachel (just dial down the pathetic a bit, Rach).
wow, who would have ever thought that a Ryan Murphy show would be inconsistent?
I'm actually glad the focus isn't on Lea Michele's character anymore. The girl can sing but she's not such a great actress. She's fine during the funny scenes but she's terrible during the dramatic ones. She has like two expressions and she overacts A LOT. Her fans defend her by saying that's it's all because of her Broadway background but that's no excuse. Just look at other Broadway actors: Kristin, Idina, Jonathan, Neil, Matthew... Jonathan's character, in fact, was just as melodramatic as Rachel but Jon never overdid it.
The bad part is that since she doesn't have a plot, she's singing much more than before. While she has a nice voice, she tends to sound really whiny and screechy. And what's with the "I'm about to cry" look? It's getting old and it's painful to look.
I do, however, agree with your comments about Jane Lynch. Now that's a good actress. She does deserve better plots.
I absolutely love Glee, Chris is my fav but I like all the characters actually, and I agree that Jane Lynch is awesome in pretty much everything she's in! Leas 'Rachel' is pretty whiny, so it would be nice to see them fix that. I am glad they are showing the hard stuff with Kurt coming out, I think it will help so many kids out there! And I do wish they'd have more of Rachels dads too! Rock on Glee!!!!!