Category: TV

Jane Lynch Talks About ‘Glee’s’ Big Super Bowl Special

Glee finally returns for a special episode after Super Bowl XLV this coming Sunday. Jane Lynch, who plays fan favorite Sue Sylvester, talked during a conference call earlier this week about the upcoming episode, which she described as “on steroids and writ large,” the different sides of her character, and how playing Sue Sylvester influences today’s girls.

It’s always a big deal for the show that gets to follow the Super Bowl every year, and this year Glee is taking the bull by the horns for it’s biggest episode, yet. Lynch commented on the two opposite TV forces coming together this Sunday.

“Football is very masculine and basically, to me, anyway, a metaphor for war. You’ve got your air game and your ground game. And you’ve got these “light in your loafers” guys, and I’m talking about even the straight guys, singing and dancing. I think it’s a terrific world we live in and I love seeing these two things come together,” she said.

The cast of Glee started filming the episode after the holidays, yet were seen only a couple weeks ago shooting footage during New Directions’ half-time performance. Lynch told us that it was all for additional footage.

“This is a big episode. It’s kind of like the Madonna episode. It’s like the episode we for four months, like it drags on that long. I think we started actually after the holidays, but we needed to pick up a couple of really quick reaction shots during the “Thriller” song. They were really quick and fast, and everybody had to get back into everything. You know, the zombie makeup, etc. So, it was a big deal for two shots,” she explained.

This season on Glee, the audience has seen two different sides of Sue Sylvester; the side where she’s terribly mean and is shooting off some of the funniest one-liners on the show, and she has also shown a softer side when visiting her sister in the rest home. Lynch filled us in about which side of Sue we would be seeing Sunday night.

“Sue Sylvester is a little bored with her routine, even though she has kids riding around on BMX bikes and jumping through fire. And this one routine with Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” she wants to top herself, so she finds out there’s a human cannon in town, she buys it, and wants to shoot Brittany out of it,” Lynch said.
Continue reading Jane Lynch Talks About ‘Glee’s’ Big Super Bowl Special

Idol Wired >> Is The Torture Over, Yet?

When I first sat down to talk American Idol, I had just the worst migraine, which was caused by the auditions in Los Angeles that aired last night.

No, I’m not kidding. The L.A. auditions were by far the worst auditions that I have ever taken the time to sit and watch. I seriously want that hour of my life back.

This is season 10 of American Idol. I expected better than Thursday night’s episode. I guess I should have known better.

Before I get ahead of myself, let’s talk about Wednesday night’s auditions in Austin, TX. Even though the episode was so much better than the L.A. auditions, there were only a couple singers that I would consider being actual contenders in this season’s competition. Those singers are 21-year-old Jaqueline Dunford from Scottsdale, AZ and 19-year-old Casey Abrams from Idlywild, CA.

Jaqueline Dunford auditioned for the show with her boyfriend, 19-year-old Nick Flint. Dunford, who sang Duffy’s “Mercy” was in my opinion the best of the female singers in the Austin. She took that Duffy song and really in the ridiculous words of Randy Jackson, “blew it out the box.” I really like the tone of her voice, and appreciated her demonstration of vocal control.

My other favorite from Austin, Casey Abrams sang “I Don’t Need No Docter” by Ray Charles. This dude can sing. And scat. I love it! I am sensing a trend with the male singers with the soulful, raspy voices this season, but Abrams infused his audition with so much personality, that he set a nice tone for himself going into “Hollywood Week.”

The L.A. auditions episode that aired Thursday night was hands down the worst episode of Idol I’ve ever watched, and I’m saying this as someone who watched the train wreck known as season three in its entirety.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> Is The Torture Over, Yet?

Music Review >> Glee Cast – “The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle”

Glee returns this Sunday for a special episode that’s airing right after Super Bowl XLV. This new episode contains four brand new tracks from the Glee Cast.

Lea Michele (Rachel) and Mark Salling (Puck) duet on the popular Lady Antebellum song, “Need You Now.” I have always wanted to hear these two sing a duet together, so it is such a treat to have it happen. The two singers were given a great track to sing, that fits pretty perfectly with their ongoing storyline.

I really liked that Michele and Salling didn’t try to do carbon copies of the original vocals for this track. Michele has a beautiful voice for ballads. I feel like sometimes she does struggle with the more contemporary tracks, but “Need You Now” fits her voice like a glove. Salling really adapts his voice well for this track, and really shows a softer side of his vocals that the audience doesn’t hear too often from him. Singing together on the chorus, both singers sound fantastic. The singers’ vocals compliment each other, and have personally left me wanting another duet from them.

I think Cory Monteith sounds good on lead vocals on the Glee version of The Zombies’ “She’s Not There.” The tone of his voice was really nice. However, during the chorus with all the guys from New Directions singing together, I felt like I was being yelled at. That doesn’t work for me. I don’t want to sing-a-long when I feel that I am being yelled at.

In the upcoming episode, we once again hear from Dalton Academy’s Warblers who sing Destiny’s Child hit song, “Bills, Bills, Bills.” The song features cast member Darren Criss (Blaine) on lead vocals.

Criss is showing some vocal versatility on his part with this track. If you’ve listened to his EP, you kind have the idea that he’s more of a folk-pop singer. He really embraced the spirit of this track and infused the attitude of the lyrics into his vocal. I really liked hearing Criss on an R&B track, because it allowed him to show a more soulful side to his voice.
Continue reading Music Review >> Glee Cast – “The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle”

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “When I Get You Alone”

Apparently it’s “Darren Criss Week,” and we’re being spoiled with interviews and Glee clips. I’m definitely not complaining!

Check out Darren as Blaine with the Warblers performing Robin Thicke’s “When I Get You Alone” in a clip from Tuesday night’s upcoming Glee episode, “Silly Love Songs.”

I absolutely love this! Probably my favorite song the Warblers have done this season!

Video source: 1

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “Need You Now” & “Bills, Bills, Bills”

There’s only a few more days til Glee returns on a special night after Super Bowl XLV.

To tide you over, check out a clip of Rachel (Lea Michele) and Puck (Mark Salling) singing Lady Antebellum’s huge hit, “Need You Now”!

Also, here’s a short clip of Dalton Academy’s Warblers performing Destiny’s Child’s hit, “Bills, Bills, Bills”! Blaine (Darren Criss) is featured on lead vocals.

Video source: 1, 2

Kris Allen Performs the National Anthem at the Pro Bowl

Kris Allen did a fantastic job singing the National Anthem a little while ago live at the Pro Bowl.

Check out his performance below!

He sounded great!

Can’t wait for new music from him!

What did y’all think?

Video Source: MjsBigBlog

Follow me on Twitter! @KirsCoachman

Idol Wired >> NOLA Has Talent!

American Idol headed to New Orleans for the next batch of auditions, and to my delight there was talent to be found! Now, we’re not talking like an overabundance of talent, but there were a few good voices that left me overall feeling pretty good.

My personal favorites from the auditions in New Orleans were Brett Loewenstern, Jacee Badeaux, and Sarah Sellers.

Sixteen-year-old Brett Loewenstern from Boca Raton, FL sang Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” His voice is fantastic. The kid has got some pipes. Plus, he has this crazy awesome curly red hair. His look and his voice don’t seem like they would match up, but that’s what we all said about Clay Aiken back in season two. I like contestants like Loewenstern, because just when we are ready to judge a book by it’s cover, they just go ahead and surprise the heck out of you.

Another one of the contestants that I really enjoyed was 15-year-old Jacee Badeaux from Lafayette, LA. He sang Otis Redding’s “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” His voice is incredible for his age. That said, Badeaux being all of 15-years-old makes me wonder what happens if he goes far in the competition and his voice starts changing? I don’t know how well that would work in his favor.

I am concerned about Badeaux’s age. I’m not sure if lowering the age limit for Idol auditions was the best decision. I see the show’s motive behind it. They’re definitely looking for the Idol this year to be the next big thing. Badeaux just seems like a sweet kid, and I truly fear that he’s going to buckle under the pressure and stress of “Hollywood Week.” I know there have been younger contestants on the show before, including season six’s winner Jordin Sparks, who won when she was 17-years-old, but somehow they seemed a little more mentally prepared and ready to be thrust into the Idol machine.
Continue reading Idol Wired >> NOLA Has Talent!

‘Idol’ Contestant Luke James: “Third time’s a charm!”

I was browsing the videos at AmericanIdol.com of contestants that have made it through to Hollywood and came across a familiar face from last season, Luke James.

Check out his season nine audition below.

Luke was an early favorite of mine last season, I was super bummed when he didn’t make the Top 24 during “Hollywood Week.” The guy is super talented and I am stoked that he’s back on the show this season. I would really love to see him make at least the semi-finals.

Here is Luke covering Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.”

Yeah, another guy with a guitar. I obviously have a type. ;) But, on a serious note, he’s pretty talented, and his voice is really radio friendly. You can see more performance videos of Luke at his YouTube channel.

Check out Luke’s interview with AmericanIdol.com where he talks about why he decided to try out for Idol again!