Why Gwyneth Paltrow Might be the Best Thing for Glee
When it was announced that Gwyneth Paltrow had been added as a guest star on Glee, the Internet collectively shrugged. Sure, she's an Oscar-winner -- in that, "Hey, Halle Berry won an Oscar!"-type way -- but Paltrow's appearance was just more grist for the mill that Glee was succumbing to all the typical missteps that befall a hit show during its second season. Much like the idea of Javier Bardem appearing on Glee, this was stunt-casting of the highest order. A funny thing about that though: Gwenie might end up saving Glee's season.
Even the most ardent Gleek would admit that the Fox hit has been very hit and miss during year two. It's still Glee -- in that the show is schizophrenic and cuts corners when it come to legitimate emotions -- but the steady balance struck during season one has yet to materialize. Consider "Never Been Kissed" a perfect example of Glee's second season issues: The stuff that worked worked (the musical performances, Artie and Puck's friendship, Blaine); the stuff that didn't, did not (Kurt's bullying storyline, the closeted bullier, everything with Coach Beiste).
So, why might Paltrow be the Calamine lotion for growing rash surrounding year two? For starters, she appears to be a unifying presence in the plot. As Jessalyn Gilsig told Movieline, Paltrow's substitute teacher will share scenes with Terri Schuester, and she'll obviously have many interactions with Will, Terri and Emma. Call it getting the band back together: Whereas the first six episodes of season two have been "The Kurt Show," Paltrow's appearance seems to foretell the furthering of other storylines. Paltrow, despite only appearing in a few episodes, might wind up acting as a real fulcrum for the series. (That an outside character is needed for this job is certainly a problem with Glee, but for now, go with it.)
Furthermore, Paltrow's inherent charm might be able to rehabilitate Will Schuester. It's hyperbole, but now that Jack Shephard has reunited with his friends in the Lost church, Will might be the worst character on television. Only, he doesn't have Jack's maniacal tendencies. If Paltrow's Holly Holiday can ground Will, though -- if he's actually given something to do other than to lasciviously stare at his glee club and pity kiss the virgin gym teacher -- then maybe he can be saved. Maybe.
Of course none of this would matter if Paltrow couldn't actually perform. But apparently she can! Her CMA performance last night was well received, but it's the leaked samples of her Glee songs that have me more excited. Just listen to how she rips into Cee-Lo's "F--- You" (here rechristened as the radio friendly "Forget You").
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Like you aren't going to buy that on iTunes. Whether or not Paltrow can save this drifting ship obviously remains to be seen. But what started as a stunt just may have materialized into a life raft. I never thought I'd say this, but: Bring on the Goop.
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Comments
I really question whether you did any research on this before you wrote this article. There has been exactly one episode before "Never Been Kissed" that focused on Kurt in any real way (Grilled Cheesus).
The Season premiere, perhaps? Nope. Barely there.
The Britney episode? Kurt barely there.
Rocky Horror -- Kurt barely there.
It leads me to believe, Mr. Rosen, that you haven't actually been watching season 2. So the rest of your "Glee-experiences-season-two-rash" thing you've based the article around sounds hollow.
Sorry, Brian. If you don't think Kurt has been the focal point of this season on Glee, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. "Grilled Cheesus" and "Never Been Kissed" were pure Kurt showcases, and he's the only character this season -- other than the Britney/Brittany stunt episode -- that has really been featured. There have been 6 episodes, and Kurt has been the focus of 33 percent of them. You can't say the breakdown for Rachel, Mercedes, Quinn, Finn, etc. has been nearly as high.
I love the "I really question whether you did any research" dig, though: Nice completely nonsensical jab. Yes, I didn't do any research, other than watch the series. Thanks, though.
How dare you disparage the character of Jack Shephard Chris Rosen! How dare you even mention Lost in a post about freaking Glee?
I thought we had smoothed out our differences and were working on rebuilding trust after you essentially called Lea Michele a singing Christy Turlington but I see we are back at square one. Don't call me tonight and no, i will not be coming over for our weekly Outsourced viewing party. You're a jerk!
No, Allan! Jack Shephard is my favorite television character ever -- I say he's a maniacal a-hole in a good way. Please don't cancel our Outsourced plans!
Okay, my bad. Thank you for the explanation Chris Rosen. Besties once again! See you for Outsourced.
Maybe I can do Outsourced recaps for Movieline! We could share a cubicle.
Yes, it has been a LOT of Kurt this season (he is the stand-in for Ryan Murphy). Last year it was a LOT of Rachel. I still like Glee and I've got friends who never watched last year who are totally enthralled. There have been some dips in quality, but I wonder if that isn't just a function of "settling in". I'm wondering why we aren't seeing more of Cheyenne Jackson over at Vocal Adrenaline? Another wasted talent.
Hmm yes everything has been the Kurt show this season. They should feature more on other characters, like Mr. Schuester, Mercedes and Mike and Tina.
Wow... two episodes. 33%. Two out of six. Yeah, he's dominating. Wow. I don't believe I'm sadly mistaken, sorry if you do. I believe you are reaching. And you haven't been paying a ton of attention to the season thus far if you think the focus hasn't been mostly on Will. It's been the Will Show.
But hey man, you go. Blame that 33% for the slide of quality of the show. It's your opinion, you're entitled to it. You're wrong. But entitled.
Saw the Gwynnie episode already. Hate to disappoint you, but Holly has one scene with Terri and I think there's only one line of dialogue between them. Mostly Terri is fighting with Will in that scene. But Holly does give Will something to do in the episode.
Wow, thanks for being so magnanimous Brian. You are truly a king among bloggers.
Will you two just make out already and get it over with?? Sheesh!
Yes this season has had a ton of Kurt, but it has all been necessary. All those story lines are covering big issues within society, and I really hope they keep doing them. However, I would like to see a major storyline about a couple other characters. But I feel all of the characters have had pretty equal screen time. Glee does a really good job of balancing the major story line of the episode with the minor story lines. I feel they are doing so much better with this than they did last season. "Never Been Kissed" was perfection! The songs were great (though the concept was a bit repetitive as Kurt mentioned) and the drama was beyond amazing! Chris Colfer is such a fantastic actor!
Yeah, I get what you mean when you say Season 2 of Glee so far has been the Kurt Hummel show. It's not tha Chris Colfer isn't a good actor or that Kurt doesn't deserve to be featured more. Of course not. He's great. The Kurt storyline is great...up to a point.
It's just that the other characters have been either shafted with no stroylines at all or their personalities have undergone a strange transplant.
Will needs to get back to the caring teacher that he was last season. This year, he has turned into an ineffectual buffoon. And please have Matt Morrisson sing a little more.
Finn needs to grow into a real leader of gleeclub, he's always given the most stupidest lines to say. Cory is a great comedian and pulls off the impossible gags, but come on. No one can be that dumb!
And...Rachel...ah, what can I say about Rachel. I loved her domineering diva personality with a passion last year. But now she is just the shrill abrasive girl who has no storyline except with her boyfriend. What happened to the ambitious little fireball we had last year?
Someone doesn't have to be in every scene to make them the focus of the season, and Kurt clearly has been. He's the only one to get anything resembling an actual story this year. Last year they were juggling Kurt's homosexuality, Will's flirtations with Emma, Terri's fake pregnancy, Emma's fake engagement, Quinn's pregnancy, Puck's attempts to do good for his baby mama, Finn's being torn between Quinn and Rachel, Rachel's mommy issues, and all the crap from Sue. What have they had this year? Kurt's daddy dying, Kurt being bullied, Kurt preying on the new boy... and then what? The only other notable development has been in the creation of Coach Beiste. Finn and Rachel's relationship has had about one issue. The new blonde boy and Quinn had one meaningful scene together. Will had one horrible episode suddenly devoted to his jealousy of Emma. Apart from finally allowing "other Asian" to talk this year, there hasn't been a lot of character or plot development outside Kurt. Does Mercedes just show up to wail in the musical numbers now? They need to get back to writing actual PLOTS and make the musical numbers fit those plots, and STOP doing these stupid tribute shows.
I think she will do well on the show. I was pleasantly surprised with her CMA performance. It seems like a lot of stars are turning to guest starring roles these days.