Tag: ryan murphy

Glee’s Cory Montieth Tribute — A Moving Masterpiece

I stopped watching Glee a few seasons back. That’s not because the show lost its quality, I just simply grew out of it. But when Ryan Murphy announced a tribute episode devoted to Cory Montieth’s passing, I had to tune in. Though I didn’t know him personally, I felt connected to his story. I watch the Glee pilot, and I remember following Montieth’s career as he went from anonymity to fame with his humility intact.

The task of addressing a character’s death when they have also passed-on in real life seemed insurmountable. How can you address real-life events without exploiting them? How can you pull at the heart-strings of the audience without seeming like a vulture who has capitalized on someone else’s tragedy? Somehow — Ryan Murphy found a way. The episode was beautiful. There was no talk of how Finn Hudson died, which was a smart move. This was meant to be a celebration of life, and a moment to grieve, not a discussion of death. And in a move I never thought possible, there were moments of humor sprinkled throughout. Every song was more moving than the next, but Lea Michele quite obviously moved me the most. She was heartbroken and beautiful, singing, ‘Make You Feel My Love.’ As for the critics who have complained that Murphy dodged the opportunity to address the perils of drug use, this wasn’t the time. There might be a time, but this wasn’t it. I want to remember Cory for how he lived, and the art he produced during his short time on earth. Not how he died. Watch Lea Michele’s performance below.

Ryan Murphy Cancels Glee Spin-Off — Blames His Actors

Has your poor behavior ever pissed someone off, yet their reaction is far worse than your original misstep? Such is the case with the consistently temperamental Ryan Murphy, the creator of Glee. Murphy isn’t pleased with his three key players, which includes Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Montieth. In case you have not heard, Murphy announced to the press that Colfer, Michele, and Montieth would be “graduating,” thereby taking them off the show (or at least seriously reducing their services on the show). The press got wind, and said the actors had been “fired,” and Chris Colfer subsequently claimed to have found out about this news via twitter. Murphy wasn’t pleased about Chris’ claim, presumably because it made Murphy look like a heartless prick who talked to the press before notifying his actors. Predictably — Murphy is firing back — and I can only assume these actors are running for cover. According to Murphy, they knew all along, and he was even in talks to do a spin-off with them after Glee. They were therefore aware that they were leaving the show, and were not “fired via twitter.” As a result of their alleged misrepresentation, Murphy and the powers-that-be over at Fox have decided to punish them by nixing the spin-off. I have a few things to say about this. Ryan Murphy might need some anger management counseling. Second, Having said that, he’s still the creator of the show, which means it’s extremely disrespectful and stupid to publicly insult him. But why should Lea Michele and Cory Montieth be punished for what Chris Colfer said? They smartly kept their mouth shut. Should the entire class be punished for the actions of that one student who throws paper airplanes at the teacher?

Ryan Murphy Fires Lea Michele, Cory Montieth, & Chris Colfer — Negotiating Ploy?

There’s something suspicious about Ryan Murphy’s recent announcement that he’ll be letting go of his three choice players after Season 3 of Glee. First, all three actors are up for a contract renegotiation, and everyone knows that actors on a hit-show play hard-ball on Season 3 (remember Katherine Heigl’s Grey’s Anatomy debacle?). Second, they are three major stars, and despite Murphy’s proclamation that it’s the right creative choice, there is a huge risk of axing your primary series regulars. Does he seriously think that he can get three more unknown actors to duplicate the current lightning-in-a-bottle success of the show? All signs point to no. Third, what about Mark Salling? Why did he only announce that Lea, Cory, and Chris are leaving and neglect to mention Salling? Is it because Mark is less expensive, and Murphy knows he doesn’t require the same game of hardball? And lastly, the show barely tracked the years of its students, which means Murphy could easily stick to his real-time formula and keep these cast members on for two additional years (presuming they started as freshman). Instead, Murphy insists that “everyone knows they started as sophomores.” Really Mr. Murphy? I guess “everyone” doesn’t include The Dishmaster, because I was under the impression they all started as freshman, which gives them four years on the show — not three. His assumptions are certainly financially convenient — and suspicious.

Glee’s Heather Morris Shows Off Hot Dance Moves for Esquire Magazine

If you watch Glee, then you know about Heather Morris. She was hired by Ryan Murphy to teach the cast the choreography for Beyonce’s Single Ladies video, and Murphy was so impressed by her, he hired her as a series regular for the show. If you watch closely during Glee’s dance routines, you’ll notice how Heather Morris outshines the rest of the cast, which was certainly most clear during the Britney tribute week. In the video below, Heather Morris rocks out to some different songs, and her body is hypnotizing. I realize the hypocrisy of this post, given that I often insult the Glee kids for inappropriately sexualizing their images. I’ve made an exception for Heather Morris though. When you’re that good, general rules don’t apply.

Glee’s Ryan Murphy Apologizes — Listens to Dave Grohl

Leave it to Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters to knock Ryan Murphy off his judgmental throne. After months of lambasting artists who refuse to release their songs to Glee, Murphy finally apologized. His apology followed Dave Grohl’s recent comments about Murphy, stating that musicians have every right to turn down his show, and they shouldn’t be personally insulted for doing so. In an  interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Murphy said he “didn’t speak with as much clarity as he would have liked.” He said he “completely understands when artists don’t want a show or another artist to interpret their songs. In fact, [he] respect[s] it.” Wow — that’s quite a change in “clarity” from his original “f–k you” to the band. At least he learned his lesson. I’d like to give Dave Grohl some much-deserved kudos for putting Ryan Murphy in his place. The drummer for Kings of Leon tried to do the exact same thing, and he failed miserably. In fact, the press called him anti-gay at the time, and he was forced to issue an apology. By the way, have I mentioned my huge crush on Dave Grohl?

Dave Grohl Calls Glee Creator Ryan Murphy a “Jerk” — Makes a Good Point

Dave Grohl has joined the list of musicians that refuse to feature their music on Glee, and he insulted Ryan Murphy in the process. Though I usually come to Ryan Murphy’s defense, Grohl has officially changed my mind. He said that he has no interest in featuring his songs on the hit show, and he, along with other musicians who feel the same way, should not be attacked for their choice. He referenced Slash who turned down the show because he “hates musicals,” which subsequently led to Ryan Murphy calling him a “washed up old rock star.” According to Grohl, every musician has a right to reject the show without Ryan Murphy attacking them for doing so. Murphy’s personal attacks also include Kings of Leon, who he called “arrogant a*sholes.” Murphy has always said that his show is about musical education, so it’s terrible when musicians don’t want to be included in something with such a positive message. Though I see his point, Dave Grohl has a better one. Just because someone as legendary as Slash doesn’t want his music on your show, doesn’t warrant you bludgeoning him over the head with your anger. May I also point out that I’m a huge Dave Grohl fan? There’s no better guy to interview. To read one of his greatest interviews, click the link below.

DAVE GROHL — ROLLING STONE INTERVIEW

Kings of Leon Drummer Tells Glee’s Ryan Murphy To “Buy a Bra” — Anti Gay?

I’m not one to arbitrarily call someone out for being politically incorrect.  But when the drummer for Kings of Leon attacked Ryan Muprhy on twitter, telling him to “get a manicure” and “buy a bra,” I became enraged.  The feud began when Kings of Leon turned down the request to have their song, Use Somebody, featured on Glee.  When asked about their rejection, Glee Creator Ryan Murphy called the band “self-centered assholes,” who “missed the big picture.”  He accused the band of hating on a show that promotes arts education, and missing the point that a “7-year-old kid can see someone close to their age singing a Kings of Leon song, which will maybe make them want to join a glee club or pick up a musical instrument.” Kings of Leon originally issued an appropriate statement, saying that they were over-promoting Use Somebody at the time, and they weren’t interested in having the song featured on a television show.  Just when I thought they handled this mess with class, their “asshole” drummer confirmed Ryan Murphy’s point, issuing a statement on twitter, saying, “Dear Ryan Murphy, let it go. See a therapist, get a manicure, buy a new bra. Zip your lip and focus on educating 7yr olds how to say f—.”  Need I point out that it’s completely disgusting to tell the openly homosexual Ryan Murphy to “get a manicure” and to “buy a bra”?  It’s a gay attack, which is far worse than calling someone an “asshole.”

UPDATE: Ryan Murphy responded to Nathan Followill’s tweet, calling it “homophobic” and “mean-spirited” at a time when “young gay men all over the country are killing themselves over hatred like this.”  Followill subsequently apologized.

UPDATE #2: I certainly hope that Kings of Leon plan to feature their songs on Glee, because no tweet on the planet will fix the PR mess Followill created for the band.

Golden Globes Recap: Glee’s Chris Colfer Wins the Night

Out of all the wins at the 2011 Golden Globes, Chris Colfer was my favorite.  Sure, I’m a biased Glee fan.  But he was both shocked and humble, which made me love him even more than I love his character on Glee.  Ryan Murphy recently said that he was most surprised by Colfer’s nomination, which explains Colfer’s exasperated look when they announced his name.  I really don’t think he expected to win, especially considering who he was up against.  But if you’ve paid any attention to his storyline this season, his character addresses gay bullying, which has been brought to our attention after recent tragedies in the news.  He deserved the win.  Congrats, Colfer.  Watch is speech below.

Ed O’Neill Insults Jane Lynch’s Emmy Award — Is Scrooge Here Early?

Can someone please explain to me why celebrities need to be complete assholes and insult other celebrities?  Modern Family’s Ed O’Neill recently said, “I love Jane, honestly I do . . . but I don’t think she should have gotten the Emmy for that part.  [Sue Sylvester] is just a one-note character.”  So who put the stick in O’Neill’s ass, and why did he feel the need to gratuitously insult Lynch (who I have on very good authority is one of the nicest women in the business)?  Here’s my educated guess: Ryan Murphy (the creator of Glee) recently insulted Modern Family for their portrayal of the gay couple on the show, saying it’s ridiculous that the two men never kiss.  Modern Family creators were pissed at Murphy for his statements, though they suspiciously executed a gay kiss shortly thereafter.  Perhaps O’Neill wants to keep the war going, and therefore decided to take a dig at Glee?  Oh yeah — and Sofia Vargera lost the Emmy to Jane Lynch.