This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Andrew: We've got a mission to find the best song that's ever been on Glee.

[0:09] Andrew: There's no rhyme or reason to it, so don't get mad at me.

[0:18] Andrew: Glacket by Glacket, we'll rank everyone to see which song will move closer to spot number one.

[0:26] Andrew: Gleek of the Week, Gleek, Gleek, Gleek of the Week. It's Gleek, Gleek of the Week.

[0:34] Andrew: Okay, well, it's the, it's officially the penultimate episode of round two of the Glacket.

[0:40] Andrew: Somehow we made it here.

[0:41] Allyson: Penglultimate.

[0:42] Andrew: With a what?

[0:44] Allyson: The penglultimate.

[0:45] Andrew: The penglultimate. Okay, Gleek reveal. Um, who the heck are you?

[0:52] Allyson: Um, it's Allyson Alamode. How are you?

[0:55] Andrew: Hello, hello, I'm good. How are you?

[0:58] Allyson: I'm doing well. I'm getting a little scenty about end of round two because I know that the future rounds are just going to be a little snapshot of a moment, you know, and it's just going to get shorter and then the Glacket will be over and now I'm going, I'm spiraling. Anyway, um, also joined, joining today is from TV's Recovering Gleek, Lena Conatser.

[1:23] Lena: I can't relate to the spiral at all. My Gleek podcast will live forever.

[1:29] Allyson: I'm sure.

[1:32] Andrew: Meanwhile, mine is on its deathbed. Um, no.

[1:35] Lena: Not yet. Not yet. Don't say that.

[1:37] Allyson: No, not at all.

[1:38] Andrew: I don't, I don't know how much longer. Um, but anyway, enough about me.

[1:43] Andrew: Um, I guess how, what we do every episode is get into Glacket hot takes. Allyson, do you want to start off because I hear that you've been, you've been sitting on some information.

[1:51] Allyson: Well, okay. So they're not exactly Glacket hot takes, but like when you gave us a little briefing, like these are the only songs left.

[2:04] Allyson: There's only 12.

[2:05] Allyson: I felt like Elle Woods studying for her LSAT.

[2:09] Andrew: Oh.

[2:10] Allyson: Like I have been listening to that. Well, I, uh, in last week's episode when Allyson was like, oh, I listened to the playlist and just thought about what I thought. And I'm like, that's exactly what I was doing.

[2:22] Lena: Yeah.

[2:22] Allyson: So I listened to the playlist so I can form opinions, but there are some songs that I have very strong opinions for.

[2:30] Allyson: And then there's some that I'm like, you know, whatever.

[2:32] Andrew: Okay.

[2:33] Allyson: But.

[2:34] Allyson: Are do you want, are we revealing these or are we just keeping them in our minds?

[2:39] Allyson: I am only manifesting one song that I've been manifesting for the entire life of your podcast.

[2:46] Andrew: Okay.

[2:46] Allyson: Because it is my favorite MP3 on the entire show.

[2:50] Allyson: Um.

[2:51] Andrew: I feel like a bad Gleek for not immediately knowing.

[2:54] Allyson: It's will you love me tomorrow?

[2:56] Lena: Oh, hell yeah.

[2:59] Allyson: I go up for Jagged Little Tapestry. Like I think every episode I've been on, I'm like Jagged Little Tapestry.

[3:06] Allyson: You had in your live stream episode, Allyson, you had, um, in my pocket, I feel the earth move if I'm not mistaken, right?

[3:10] Andrew: It was either that one or.

[3:19] Allyson: It's too late, maybe not.

[3:21] Andrew: No, it's too late, didn't make it out of round one.

[3:24] Allyson: Oh, okay.

[3:25] Allyson: Then, well, I just meant like in one of the episodes I was on.

[3:28] Andrew: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[3:29] Allyson: But I couldn't remember, but.

[3:32] Lena: Yeah.

[3:33] Allyson: I think it was hand in my pocket and like, oh, just well, first of all, that episode is the only episode with any mashups in season six.

[3:41] Allyson: It is the only mashup representation.

[3:43] Andrew: Yeah.

[3:44] Allyson: So we have to keep the mashups alive.

[3:46] Allyson: And it's not even for the sake of the mashup.

[3:48] Allyson: It's good.

[3:49] Allyson: It's a good mashup.

[3:50] Lena: Oh, yeah.

[3:50] Allyson: And like also like season six is like they they don't do a lot of mashups.

[3:54] Allyson: And they also don't do a lot of like musical theater for some reason.

[3:57] Allyson: It's like very heavy radio, very like heavy, like pop, like hardly any.

[4:05] Allyson: Like the only one that's coming to mind right now is like Suddenly Seymour.

[4:09] Lena: Suddenly Seymour.

[4:11] Allyson: I guess like the trolley song.

[4:13] Lena: Are we saying that?

[4:16] Allyson: Oh, God.

[4:17] Allyson: That's one of those songs that I'm like, I erased from my memory.

[4:21] Lena: You know what?

[4:22] Lena: Hear me out.

[4:22] Lena: It's kind of good.

[4:24] Allyson: It's kind of a sleeper hit.

[4:25] Allyson: I mean, I'm also very thankful for Allison's last episode because she got all the songs that I absolutely did not want.

[4:30] Allyson: It was like, oh, my gosh.

[4:35] Allyson: It was like the worst, like all these terrible mashups, which I'm like makes it really, really, really scary going forward in these last two episodes.

[4:44] Allyson: But like all the songs that I was like, I really hope I don't get it.

[4:48] Allyson: And I really wanted some of the songs that we have left.

[4:51] Allyson: And I was like, oh, this episode is going to be hard.

[4:54] Lena: Yeah.

[4:55] Allyson: I was like listening to songs and then the next song would play.

[4:58] Allyson: And I'm like, OK, what would I pick between these two?

[5:00] Allyson: And kind of like making.

[5:03] Lena: Right.

[5:03] Allyson: I was studying.

[5:05] Allyson: I'm telling you, I was preparing for this episode.

[5:10] Andrew: Wait, so Glacket Hot Takes.

[5:13] Allyson: Do you have any or no?

[5:15] Lena: Nothing that hasn't already been said because sometimes like a lot of.

[5:20] Lena: I have to remember that there's stuff that's important to me, but maybe it's not like a popular opinion.

[5:26] Lena: Maybe it's not.

[5:27] Lena: So it's like, you know, I love.

[5:30] Lena: Well, it's not pulled yet.

[5:32] Lena: I love as long as you're there.

[5:34] Lena: But nobody else does.

[5:35] Allyson: Nobody else does.

[5:36] Lena: Yeah, nobody else is rising for that.

[5:38] Lena: If I had to let go of it, that's OK.

[5:40] Lena: And I feel like that's something a lot of Gleeks need to work on.

[5:46] Lena: Just because it's important to you doesn't mean it's important to Gleeks as a whole.

[5:51] Andrew: I'm just saying.

[5:54] Andrew: Lena, what do you have to add to this conversation?

[5:58] Lena: Honestly, been loving Glacket recently was looking over it today and I was like, honestly, I feel like I would make all of the same choices.

[6:07] Lena: And I'm here today to only make everyone happy.

[6:10] Andrew: So I love that everyone.

[6:13] Lena: I love every single person and a plus on my Glacket.

[6:16] Lena: It's like sometimes when I come on, I'm like, I walk away and I'm like, I really failed the Glacket.

[6:22] Andrew: So I would love Lena was a pretty major episode.

[6:30] Andrew: Yeah.

[6:30] Andrew: For those playing at home, Paradise by the Dashboard light versus Survivor, I will survive.

[6:35] Lena: I'll never forget my living room and I like was vacuuming and stopped when I was doing and I was like, oh, no.

[6:41] Andrew: I think it's so funny when people are like when they tell me where they were when these big things happen.

[6:46] Andrew: And it's like, that's so funny.

[6:50] Andrew: Everyone remembers where they were.

[6:52] Andrew: Where exactly they were.

[6:53] Allyson: Wait, Alison, how did you feel about it?

[6:55] Allyson: It was one of those kind of like with the pretty and pretty faithfully where I'm like, well, there it's probably going to come back.

[7:04] Allyson: So I'm like, yeah, this is how the Glacket works.

[7:08] Allyson: Some things die.

[7:10] Allyson: A lot of them have to.

[7:12] Allyson: And so it's either now or later.

[7:14] Allyson: It's not going to hurt any less, whether it is now or later.

[7:17] Lena: That's so true.

[7:18] Lena: There can only be one winner of the Glacket.

[7:20] Andrew: Only one.

[7:21] Allyson: I do have.

[7:22] Allyson: OK, I don't know if this is new, but it's on my for you.

[7:26] Allyson: It was on my for you page yesterday.

[7:27] Allyson: OK, waiting.

[7:28] Allyson: And it was perfectly timed.

[7:30] Allyson: I'm like, I'm going to bring this up.

[7:31] Allyson: And I don't know if we've already discussed this.

[7:33] Allyson: Have you seen that they're resurfacing the clips from High School Musical of Vanessa Hudgens solo song?

[7:39] Lena: Yes.

[7:42] Allyson: Oh, my gosh.

[7:43] Allyson: And how it's very obviously dubbed.

[7:45] Lena: People are saying that it's Naya.

[7:47] Allyson: People are saying it's Naya.

[7:49] Lena: I saw that.

[7:50] Lena: But by people, I just mean the comments.

[7:52] Lena: And I cannot find a credible source.

[7:55] Allyson: I feel like I would recognize her.

[7:57] Allyson: Because she was canonically also up for that role.

[8:02] Lena: Wait, so I haven't actually.

[8:05] Lena: I haven't done the on ground on the ground research with this.

[8:09] Lena: So when you listen to it, does it?

[8:11] Lena: It doesn't sound to you, Allison.

[8:13] Allyson: Oh, you listen with your adult ears.

[8:18] Allyson: It is very clearly.

[8:19] Allyson: It's like Hilary Duff in the Lizzie McGuire movie where it's clearly her sister singing over her.

[8:24] Allyson: It's when there was me and you.

[8:28] Allyson: And it's like, it's funny from the outside.

[8:33] Allyson: Like, it's clearly two different people.

[8:37] Lena: I feel like even my childhood years, I was like, um, something is amiss here.

[8:42] Allyson: I wait, I feel like but we've never had like any like Naya discourse in the past about it.

[8:49] Allyson: But then for some reason, in every version of this video where they're making fun of Vanessa Hudgens, like the two different voices in the comments, people are like, yeah, crazy.

[8:58] Allyson: It's Naya Rivera.

[8:59] Allyson: This is how I'm finding out that it's Naya Rivera.

[9:01] Allyson: And I'm like, your sources, please cite your sources.

[9:04] Lena: I know that your brain.

[9:06] Allyson: Yeah, I'm nervous.

[9:07] Allyson: It's a rumor.

[9:08] Lena: It is exciting to think about.

[9:10] Lena: I didn't realize she was also up for that role.

[9:13] Lena: Like, that's something I recently learned, which I was like, oh, that.

[9:16] Allyson: Wait, but also not to be like, cite your sources, cite your sources with you.

[9:19] Allyson: But like, wait, where are the sources with the fact that she was up for Gabriella?

[9:24] Lena: It's kind of like, oh, I read an article.

[9:26] Lena: I saw it.

[9:30] Allyson: But now I'm like, oh, my God, I was trying to Google it.

[9:35] Allyson: And I'm like, I can't trust the Google AI.

[9:38] Allyson: I can't trust.

[9:39] Allyson: Google AI being the first thing that comes up and giving the most, like, wildly wrong answer consistently is so spooky, scary.

[9:47] Lena: I like was Googling one of my Peloton instructors because I was like, oh, he's a very attractive man.

[9:54] Lena: What does his wife look like?

[9:55] Lena: And then Google AI was saying, like, he was married to another Peloton instructor based off of the picture at that other person's wedding.

[9:59] Lena: But it was.

[10:02] Lena: It's like, no.

[10:04] Allyson: Oh, yeah, it was so weird.

[10:06] Andrew: Get it together.

[10:07] Andrew: We get Kenny Ortega on the phone.

[10:10] Lena: Kenny Ortega would reveal he's messy.

[10:14] Lena: He is messy.

[10:15] Lena: And he loves High School Musical.

[10:17] Andrew: Yeah, he loves talking about that.

[10:18] Andrew: Damn, damn.

[10:22] Andrew: If I like struck gold like that, you never hear the end of it.

[10:26] Allyson: No, but I weigh more than he does.

[10:29] Allyson: I do talk about High School Musical more than Kenny Ortega does.

[10:32] Allyson: I have to be completely honest.

[10:34] Lena: High School Musical, I feel like that came at a time in my life where I felt like I was better than it.

[10:42] Lena: Does that make sense?

[10:45] Lena: That when I was like, no, it was like, you know, guys, seriously, hear me out.

[10:50] Lena: When you're a child and you're like, you have that like four, like maybe like beginning third through like middle school.

[10:58] Allyson: Sure.

[10:59] Lena: There's a period of time where it's like you have to be very specific about the media intake that you're doing.

[11:04] Lena: And like that came at the time where High School Musical was very popular.

[11:09] Lena: And so like I did watch it and I remember like really enjoying it.

[11:12] Lena: But I knew that people were really obsessed with it.

[11:15] Lena: That that was not me.

[11:17] Lena: It was hard not to be.

[11:19] Lena: But then I wasn't sure if I was the target demographic.

[11:21] Lena: However, I'm the same age as they are.

[11:24] Lena: So like senior year came out.

[11:26] Lena: Oh, and so I'm like, I was full on upset.

[11:31] Andrew: Yeah.

[11:31] Lena: Yeah.

[11:32] Lena: And I'm from Utah and they filmed it here.

[11:34] Lena: So I don't I don't think anyone was feeling that even like because I felt that with, oh my gosh, several things and like several things I enjoyed and then became like too cool for.

[11:41] Lena: But High School Musical.

[11:49] Lena: It was like part of the it still is really part of the culture here.

[11:51] Lena: So but I guess I felt about Twilight because Twilight also came out when I was in high school and I was like a big High School Musical fan.

[11:58] Lena: But I was like, not Twilight.

[11:59] Allyson: Yeah.

[12:00] Lena: No, seriously, which is which I felt the same.

[12:03] Lena: I remember going to see.

[12:05] Lena: Oh, my gosh.

[12:06] Lena: I hate even admitting this because I'm such a Twihard now and like like a Twihard back then as well.

[12:12] Lena: But I remember I went and saw Breaking Dawn Part One in theaters and I remember getting out and like everyone was like, oh, that movie fucking sucked.

[12:20] Lena: And I was like, yeah, totally.

[12:22] Lena: I hated that.

[12:23] Lena: I wish I never even came.

[12:25] Lena: And then I like didn't see the second one in theaters, which like is so crazy.

[12:31] Lena: The last Twilight movie, I didn't see it in theaters.

[12:33] Allyson: Oh, my gosh.

[12:34] Lena: I can't even I can't even but Allison, I hear you.

[12:39] Andrew: Um, so where do we go from here?

[12:42] Andrew: Glee?

[12:44] Lena: Sure.

[12:45] Andrew: Any final notes on High School Musical Twilight?

[12:50] Lena: Oh, my gosh.

[12:50] Lena: Get to the bottom of it.

[12:51] Andrew: So any Gleeks, if you have any credible sources, please, we need to know.

[12:55] Andrew: I think it's maybe the first carousel edition this week of, you know, that tick.

[13:00] Lena: I'm telling you if it could be her.

[13:02] Lena: I mean, I it could be.

[13:04] Andrew: I'm not going to let us know.

[13:06] Andrew: I am very curious to actually listen.

[13:09] Andrew: So anyway, so what are we what are specifically manifesting out of the 12 songs?

[13:17] Allyson: We're manifesting Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

[13:19] Allyson: Head Over Feet.

[13:20] Andrew: Beyond that, do we want a spooky, scary episode or do we want a plus work across the board?

[13:28] Lena: There's a there's a mashup that I don't match up.

[13:31] Lena: Yeah, I don't want but it could spark some interesting discourse.

[13:35] Allyson: And you don't want to say that out loud, right?

[13:37] Lena: You don't want to manifest it.

[13:38] Lena: I could hint at it.

[13:40] Lena: It would be Sam Sadie's versus the Brevin's.

[13:44] Allyson: Oh, I already know what you mean.

[13:47] Lena: Yeah, right.

[13:48] Lena: And I already know my vote.

[13:52] Lena: I was listening to both.

[13:54] Lena: So what I what I did was I listened to all the music, but I did not watch any performances.

[13:59] Lena: So I could like have a fresh visual take on these songs.

[14:04] Lena: There are some songs that I would like to hear just because I have stuff to say about them.

[14:07] Lena: Like Whistle, My Love Is Your Love.

[14:12] Allyson: I don't know anything really.

[14:14] Lena: But keep on forgetting that Whistle is still around.

[14:17] Lena: Do people do people like that one?

[14:19] Allyson: Do you like that?

[14:21] Lena: I don't like it.

[14:22] Lena: I just have stuff to say about the Warblers.

[14:25] Andrew: All right.

[14:27] Lena Conatser: Any final notes, Lena? Man, there are some songs on here that I am very, very, very, very scared to see on an emotional level, on a Glee level, on a personal level, you know. But I'm excited. There are some jams in here, but I'm manifesting us having a good time. It's crazy to actually say out loud that there are three Santolos within the 12 remaining songs. So spooky. I would hate to see a Santolo v. Santolo. I know my ranking between the three Santolos that we have left. They are Nutbush City Limits, Back to Black, and If I Die Young. I already said my piece about If I Die Young. And I agree. I was thinking about that as I was listening to it, and I'm like, I think she has run her race. She's run her race, and she's a beautiful girl. But I already said my thing about that. But between Back to Black and Nutbush City Limits, there is a clear victor, I believe. I'm more concerned about that Santolo victor versus Arolo.

[15:44] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, sure. What is your victor in that?

[15:48] Lena Conatser: It's the latter. It's Nutbush City Limits.

[15:51] Allyson A La Mode: That's what I was going to say.

[15:53] Lena Conatser: Yeah, yeah. I agree. Yeah, Nutbush versus the one Rolo on here I'm making eye contact with would, I think, do me in. I'm here. We've already said it now. We were trying hard to skirt around it. I'm always doing that. That would bring me to tears. Jesus Christ. The Glads are like, oh, I'm listening. I didn't even say it. I just said the one I'm looking at. I didn't even say it. The Rolo that I'm looking at. And I think that they're, correct me if I'm wrong, only one Rolo?

[16:22] Allyson A La Mode: You don't know that.

[16:24] Lena Conatser: Wait, is there another Rolo in there? I'm staring at the remaining songs. Yes. There's only one.

[16:28] Allyson A La Mode: Okay.

[16:29] Lena Conatser: I'm just trying to guess what you know. A secret Rolo has entered the chat. Also, Andrew, when TikTok was ending and people were making their like, oh, I actually lied about my content. I was, even if it was a joke, was hoping you would make one like the cup is fake and like you would hold it up and there's a hole in the cup or something like that.

[16:46] Allyson A La Mode: Hole in the cup. I don't know how that would break anything. But yeah.

[16:49] Lena Conatser: But, you know, like one of those, like, oh, I have to make a confession. Like, this is not a real, I don't know. It's just all like pretty and pretty on every piece of paper. I can admit. Oh, is this crazy to actually reveal? Because you're asking me this prompt. This was very early Glacket day that it was the Harper Gray episode. I'm terrified. I would be terrified to listen back to this episode now because it was over. It was like four years ago.

[17:21] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, my God.

[17:22] Lena Conatser: But I did pull Superman and I just set it aside. And I was like, I don't think I'm ready to have a conversation about Blake Jenner with this person that knows Blake Jenner.

[17:39] Allyson A La Mode: No.

[17:40] Lena Conatser: And so Superman was supposed to be in that episode.

[17:43] Allyson A La Mode: That is, I'm obsessed.

[17:46] Lena Conatser: So that's my, that's my reveal. I just saw the timeline split. Yeah. And so I've been sitting on that. And honestly, good for you. And honestly, I think that was a good choice.

[17:58] Allyson A La Mode: Right, because it's like, what are you going to say? What there's-

[18:00] Lena Conatser: Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Oh, and especially like, oh, my God, four years ago, could not talk to anybody for the life of me in a recorded fashion. And so like, I didn't even like know, I wouldn't even know how to have a conversation. Ah, gosh, that would be so spooky. And I feel like she was already spilling tea. I feel like she spilled more tea with you, Lena.

[18:18] Allyson A La Mode: She spilled a lot of tea with Ian and I. And she was like saying people she, she was like, oh, yeah, I didn't fuck with this person. I was like, oh, my God. Which is a great little tease for that, for that episode. Do not listen to the Harper Gray episode of Gleek of the Week. Go to the Harper Gray episode of Recovering Gleek, where you actually got the tea. Because I think that the episode, Harper Gray's episode of Gleek of the Week-

[18:41] Lena Conatser: Maybe I'm conflating the two because I definitely, I was like, oh, she's spilling. So I think it was definitely Recovering Gleek.

[18:47] Allyson A La Mode: No, I, you got it. Yeah. The, the, her Gleek of the Week episode was fully 40 minutes long, which is actually scary to actually think about.

[18:56] Lena Conatser: Wow.

[18:57] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. It was like we were in and out.

[18:59] Lena Conatser: Yeah. Wow. Hey, efficient.

[19:02] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[19:02] Lena Conatser: I remember she really scared me too.

[19:05] Allyson A La Mode: What do you mean?

[19:06] Lena Conatser: I don't know. I was scared to talk to her. A, Recovering Gleek, we do not like interview people, period.

[19:12] Allyson A La Mode: How did that happen?

[19:14] Lena Conatser: So she was like spilling on TikTok and like had just like, like stitched a couple videos. And she was like talking about her, like her Glee experience.

[19:24] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[19:24] Lena Conatser: And then people had tagged us in the comments. And then she was like, hey, I'm down. Like, let's do it. And then she sent us a DM.

[19:32] Allyson A La Mode: Wait, so what happened was your listeners were like, go on Recovering Gleek.

[19:38] Lena Conatser: Yes.

[19:38] Allyson A La Mode: And then she was like, okay.

[19:40] Lena Conatser: Yeah. And she did. And this was like a week later, she was on.

[19:43] Allyson A La Mode: That's so, that's so funny. Wow. Harper Gray, lovely human.

[19:48] Lena Conatser: She was super nice, but really, it scared me.

[19:50] Allyson A La Mode: Love her. She's the best.

[19:51] Lena Conatser: Yeah. She is the best. Um, but I do think it's funny whenever, like, I feel like for the lack of a better term, for the lack of a better term, the Glee Project contestants get, like, constipated with, like, thoughts about Glee Project that, like, they'll just do these, like, massive dumps on, like, Eileen did a massive dump on the Glee Reddit, and where she was, like, asking anything. And she just, like, revealed everything.

[20:17] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[20:19] Lena Conatser: I have to find it. I'm new to Reddit. I've been, I'm a Reddit, like, lurker now.

[20:25] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[20:26] Lena Conatser: Speaking of Glee Project alum, McKinley Abraham's husband just joined the Outsiders.

[20:32] Allyson A La Mode: Hell yeah.

[20:33] Lena Conatser: Wow, I didn't know about that.

[20:34] Allyson A La Mode: He was, I saw him opposite Kevin McHale at Spelling Bee. He was amazing.

[20:43] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[20:44] Allyson A La Mode: Incredible. McKinley also.

[20:46] Lena Conatser: Yep.

[20:47] Allyson A La Mode: I feel like she'll do an occasional dump.

[20:49] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[20:50] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Okay, well, now that we're here, now anything else?

[20:58] Lena Conatser: Love you guys. Allyson, I'm so happy to hang out with you.

[21:00] Allyson A La Mode: So happy.

[21:01] Lena Conatser: Andrew, you're cool too. This is a reunion. We have a picture, I will include it in the carousel, at Recovering Gleek's 54 Below Show.

[21:13] Allyson A La Mode: When was that?

[21:14] Lena Conatser: So I can tell you exactly when that was. That was September, because I flew to New York for exactly 24 hours to see Funny Girl.

[21:21] Allyson A La Mode: Oh yes, I remember.

[21:23] Lena Conatser: And then the 54 Below Show, and then I flew home literally the next day.

[21:27] Allyson A La Mode: Incredible.

[21:28] Lena Conatser: Jet set, I love that life.

[21:30] Allyson A La Mode: Did you plan that show around Funny Girl?

[21:34] Lena Conatser: No.

[21:35] Allyson A La Mode: That just happened?

[21:36] Lena Conatser: Yeah, well, I'm not really in the mix of when they planned that.

[21:42] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[21:42] Lena Conatser: So I just kind of got brought on, but it just kind of, because it was like, what, it was opening night?

[21:47] Allyson A La Mode: I think it was the day after.

[21:49] Lena Conatser: It was the day before.

[21:50] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, yes.

[21:51] Lena Conatser: Oh, sure. So, no, so she had her first show, and then yours was the next night, and I went to matinee, and then went to the show.

[22:01] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, that was just a coincidence.

[22:04] Lena Conatser: I mean, I'm sure it wasn't a coincidence, but at least on my end, I was like, oh, wow, what a coincidence.

[22:09] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, for all the Gleeks that are coming in. James Monroe Iglehart was randomly there, and I thought he was going to perform, and he was just there to see the show.

[22:18] Lena Conatser: Oh, I remember, we were walking out, and you were like, oh my god, I need to talk to this man.

[22:23] Allyson A La Mode: One of the girls who was in the show, like, he is her mentor, so he came to see the show.

[22:32] Lena Conatser: Oh, yeah, and it was, yes, let me find her name. She's, like, famous on TikTok.

[22:38] Allyson A La Mode: Is her name Alyssa?

[22:40] Lena Conatser: It might be.

[22:42] Allyson A La Mode: I'm not, I'm so dreadfully terrible with names.

[22:45] Lena Conatser: Because when I was scrolling, looking for our picture, I was scrolling through the videos, and she sang Don't Rain on My Parade, and it was crazy.

[22:51] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, it was her, she was amazing.

[22:55] Lena Conatser: Not Alyssa Rae.

[22:56] Allyson A La Mode: Okay.

[22:57] Lena Conatser: How could I find her? I went up to James, and I was like, hey, like, I'm a big fan, and a while ago, I went to your Billy Flynn debut in Chicago, and my friends and I, like, gave you a little gift basket, and I made these keychains of shows you were in. He goes, you mean these? And he pulls out his keys. And I was like, and I, like, we took a picture, and I'm, like, holding the keychains.

[23:23] Allyson A La Mode: That's so sweet.

[23:24] Lena Conatser: I still use the keychains you gave me. I love them so much. I was just thinking about your You're Born This Way, the one I made you. Likes Time Lords. People ask me about it all the time, and they're like, and I'm like, you wouldn't get it. I'm trying to find that girl's name, but anyway, I'll tell you later. She's, like, famous on the internet.

[23:44] Lena Conatser: Fuck. I need it. I need to know.

[23:47] Lena Conatser: In other news, I just released some more Glirch today on our bonfire.

[23:53] Allyson A La Mode: It's beautiful.

[23:54] Lena Conatser: I love it.

[23:55] Allyson A La Mode: So good.

[23:56] Lena Conatser: Thank you very much. With the help of loyal glistener Eduardo, he came up with a lot of those beautiful concepts, and they needed to be brought to fruition, and so if you would like some Glee of the Week merch, um, go check it out in the link in our bio. With that, let's get into song number one.

[24:17] Allyson A La Mode: Okay.

[24:19] Lena Conatser: All right, a season three. I already have my note about this one. I've been sitting on this, actually.

[24:28] Allyson A La Mode: Boom.

[24:29] Lena Conatser: We're looking at Clay and look at each other. Do we know what it is? I'm looking at the list of songs left, and I'm looking at this still, and I it's, you want the reveal?

[24:40] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[24:40] Lena Conatser: It's My Love Is Your Love.

[25:07] ♪ Musical number: "My Love Is Your Love" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[27:01] Lena Conatser: Who want to begin the discourse on that one? I do have things to say about this one.

[27:05] Allyson A La Mode: Uh-huh.

[27:07] Lena Conatser: First, Matt Rutherford's sighting. Ugh.

[27:11] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, I play Matt in the flesh.

[27:13] Lena Conatser: I know. I was like, what did I miss? Wait a minute, what?

[27:19] Allyson A La Mode: No, the picture in the locker.

[27:21] Lena Conatser: And it's like, I think, what's that, season one? And it's like Matt, well, obviously. And then the queen in the wheelchair jump scare. And then Joe wheeled her out and I was like, huh. Fresh off the Jonah touch, yeah.

[27:31] Allyson A La Mode: The Jonah touch.

[27:33] Lena Conatser: Oh my gosh, I'll never forget. So I listened to this version and the original version back-to-back today.

[27:39] Allyson A La Mode: Oh.

[27:41] Lena Conatser: But I grew up on the original Whitney version. So I was already familiar with this song. And this cover does it justice. I think this is a sleeper song that people don't really appreciate until they listen to it. There's a part in the opening where Artie goes like, sing mommy. And that, in the original, is baby Bobby Christina. And it's like, sing mommy! And I'm like, the choice of them to turn that ad-lib into Artie singing to Mercedes is a choice. Wait, is there any other version that Glee could have possibly taken on? For them to actually give Artie that lyric, are they replicating another cover of that song? That original song has a lot of ad-libs, and I think Glee did a really good job at, in the original song, the ad-libs are so in the background that you don't even really hear them unless you're listening for them.

And Glee did a really good job of bringing those ad-libs to the front and dividing them so everyone has a part to sing. And I think that's why it makes a really good cover. It's their own version and it's not Kidz Bop, I like it.

[28:54] Andrew: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week! Today, we have a special episode with two of the Gleekiest girls I know, Allyson A La Mode and Lena Conatser.

[29:24] Allyson A La Mode: I'm so excited to be here!

[29:54] Lena Conatser: Yes, thank you for having us!

[30:14] Andrew: We have some amazing songs to discuss today, and I can't wait to see where they land on the Glacket.

[30:34] Allyson A La Mode: There are definitely some bangers in this lineup!

[30:54] Lena Conatser: I can't believe we have a surprise seventh song too!

[31:14] Andrew: I know, right? It's going to be a fun ride. Let's dive into our first song.

[31:34] ♪ Musical number: "Back to Black" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[32:14] Andrew: That was such a powerful performance! What did you both think?

[32:34] Allyson A La Mode: I loved it! The emotion was so raw.

[32:54] Lena Conatser: Absolutely, it really captured the essence of the song.

[33:14] Andrew: I agree! Now, let's move on to our next song.

[33:34] ♪ Musical number: "If I Die Young" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[34:14] Andrew: Wow, that was beautiful.

[34:34] Allyson A La Mode: It really showcased the vocal talent of the cast.

[34:54] Lena Conatser: And the storytelling was just on point!

[35:14] Andrew: Definitely! Now, let's discuss our next performance.

[35:34] ♪ Musical number: "My Love Is Your Love" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[36:14] Andrew: Such a great rendition!

[36:34] Allyson A La Mode: I loved the harmonies in that one!

[36:54] Lena Conatser: Yes, it was so well done.

[37:14] Andrew: Now, moving on to the next song.

[37:34] ♪ Musical number: "My Man" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[38:14] Andrew: That was a showstopper!

[38:34] Allyson A La Mode: I was completely captivated by the performance.

[38:54] Lena Conatser: Same here! It was so emotional.

[39:14] Andrew: Now, let's get into our next song.

[39:34] ♪ Musical number: "Nutbush City Limits" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[40:14] Andrew: That was such a fun performance!

[40:34] Allyson A La Mode: I loved the energy!

[40:54] Lena Conatser: It really got me moving!

[41:14] Andrew: Now, let's wrap up with our final song.

[41:34] ♪ Musical number: "Summer Nights" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[41:54] Andrew: What a great way to end the episode!

[42:14] Allyson A La Mode: Absolutely! This was such a blast.

[42:34] Lena Conatser: I had so much fun discussing these performances!

[42:54] Andrew: Thank you both for joining me today!

[44:22] Allyson A La Mode: I'm telling you, the side-by-side recreations in Glee sometimes are so fun to watch. And especially musical theater high school songs. This one is kind of one of the... It's it, you know? So I don't know. I think they do something special with it in... Like, they're recreating the movie in a really fun way. But also, I don't know. I think they just do something special with it. I think it's sweet. She's on my heart. I really love this one. And it's also like, at this point in the series, this is obviously like right at the beginning of if you were to divide season three into thirds. This is the beginning of the second third where it's like, okay, they're back from hiatus. First episode in January.

Before we get to the last third of the series, this second third is so packed with Sam Sadie's. We get a song, at least one song for them each episode. It's packed. It is really interesting to re-watch those episodes. Whereas I feel like in an earlier season, it would be so much more finchel or claim, you know? Where it's so fascinating to see week after week, Sam Sadie's having like the me of the relationship drama. If it's good representation, I'm not sure. Because it's just like, she is just like cheating on her man. And then it just like, they kind of get together in the end, right? So they're together, her and that grown man.

[46:04] Lena Conatser: Yeah, the grown man.

[46:05] Allyson A La Mode: Somebody's dad.

[46:06] Lena Conatser: What's his name? Sean?

[46:07] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Shane?

[46:09] Lena Conatser: Shane. Shane.

[46:10] Allyson A La Mode: Somebody's dad is crazy.

[46:13] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[46:15] Allyson A La Mode: Robert Ulrich, what were you thinking? I'm sorry. That was really wild. And like, had like, oh, bless him. Not a good actor. You know how Britney goes, Mr. Shoe, is that your son? It's like, Mercedes, is that your dad?

[46:29] Lena Conatser: Yeah. It's like, what? It was the choice here. And also like, I have to like, question, like, do they have like a singing arc, like, planned for him? Like, could he sing, but we just never got to see that, which would justify the casting, you know?

[46:48] Allyson A La Mode: I always think of him in Cool and like his like, two second thing of him like lifting up Mike. And I'm like, or yeah, no. I feel like he talked about, I remember, for some reason, I remember like this interview that he gave where he was like, yeah, there was like more planned for me to do. But then like, Kord came back. And then like, it was like, cut, cut short. And I'm like, curious, like, what that would have been, this juicy Shane Sadie's plot line that we just never got.

[47:23] Allyson A La Mode: It's giving almost like, never been kissed, like he's undercover.

[47:32] Lena Conatser: I don't know.

[47:33] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, that would be wild.

[47:34] Lena Conatser: That would be wild.

[47:35] Allyson A La Mode: A fully grown man. That's the one.

[47:37] Lena Conatser: Dating like a junior in high school.

[47:42] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[47:44] Lena Conatser: What Sam Sadies are in round three?

[47:46] Allyson A La Mode: So, I mean, we have the Sam Sadies duet, Human Nature in round three. We have like, Natural Woman in round three. Trying to think.

[48:00] Lena Conatser: What other like, Mercedes, more solos do we have like, where she's singing about Sam?

[48:05] Allyson A La Mode: Like Colorblind.

[48:06] Lena Conatser: Let's wait a while, Colorblind.

[48:07] Allyson A La Mode: Oh yeah, both of those are done. I know, I want to know what Love is also done.

[48:15] Lena Conatser: Oh, what other like a Bumbleleo hero mashup done, don't want to lose you done.

[48:21] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, I will always love you.

[48:23] Lena Conatser: I will always love you also done.

[48:26] Allyson A La Mode: I'll always love you, I think Lost to like, Time Warp.

[48:28] Lena Conatser: Does that sit right with your spirit?

[48:32] Allyson A La Mode: Yes, because I feel like we've, me and Matt talked about this in our episode, like sometimes Mercedes does songs that are just like, exactly like the original, but like, that's a compliment. But like, it's...

[48:46] Lena Conatser: Is it just me? Or is that Whitney Houston?

[48:50] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Like, I'm like, I don't know, it's very like status quo, but it's still really good. But like, I don't know. I don't know why I'm holding Mercedes to such a high standard.

[49:00] Lena Conatser: No, it's true. I've had this conversation so many times. And like, I feel like I'm digging myself into a grave again, having it again, potentially, because like, people are like, what do you mean Mercedes solos are like, too good to, you know, qualify? It's, oh, you know, where it's like, I Will Always Love You is like the ultimate example of that, I feel.

[49:21] Allyson A La Mode: But I'm like, there's... A lot of Mercedes songs, they have her sing it straight. So it does sound exactly like the original. But then when she really stands out is like, when she's on group numbers, and they have her do these crazy adlibs that are different than the original. So that's why she stands out to me more on group songs or duets, because they're using her crazy range to make it different.

[49:42] Lena Conatser: What are you thinking of?

[49:43] Allyson A La Mode: So like, Somebody to Love, that's not going to sound like Queen, but Mercedes makes it over the top and good. But then when I'm thinking of a solo like, I Will Always Love You, it's just kind of exactly... And then even Natural Woman, really.

[50:02] Lena Conatser: Natural Woman for me is different, because I do... Ooh, do I want to say this?

[50:10] Allyson A La Mode: Where I'm like, Aretha Franklin?

[50:13] Lena Conatser: No, I can't. I can't say it.

[50:16] Allyson A La Mode: Say it into the mic.

[50:17] Lena Conatser: Amber Riley, better singer than Aretha Franklin.

[50:22] Allyson A La Mode: I'll say that!

[50:25] Lena Conatser: No, I'll do...

[50:28] Allyson A La Mode: No, don't look at me like that.

[50:30] Lena Conatser: I think it's hard comparing people from different generations.

[50:36] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[50:38] Lena Conatser: Because they...

[50:39] Allyson A La Mode: That's such a good thought.

[50:39] Lena Conatser: I'm not disagreeing.

[50:41] Allyson A La Mode: I'm not disagreeing.

[50:42] Lena Conatser: But it's like when people try to be like, Oh, so like, compare people like Michael Jackson or like album sales. And it's like, it's a different time. And like, music is differently. And people are able to learn to do crazy ass things with her voice. Like, I'm...

[50:57] Allyson A La Mode: I don't know.

[50:59] Lena Conatser: I don't know why I said that.

[51:00] Allyson A La Mode: But here we are.

[51:01] Lena Conatser: But objectively, I'm sure Amber Riley can do a million more things than Aretha Franklin can now. Because it's 2025. Versus like, Aretha Franklin, like in her prime, was doing crazy ass things for that time.

[51:15] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, yeah.

[51:16] Lena Conatser: And let it be clear. Aretha Franklin was on heavy repeat growing up. Raised by this woman.

[51:25] Allyson A La Mode: Anyway, that's the final thing I want to say. Sorry for anybody that I offended.

[51:29] Lena Conatser: Um, all right.

[51:31] Allyson A La Mode: Do we want to...

[51:32] Lena Conatser: All of that.

[51:32] Allyson A La Mode: Honestly, all of that didn't help me make a decision.

[51:36] Lena Conatser: I know, we're talking about Aretha Franklin when we should be talking about Whitney Houston and Grease.

[51:43] Allyson A La Mode: Huh. This is tugging at me because I'm a Broadway person and I'm an R&B person. And I...

[51:51] Lena Conatser: I don't know.

[51:52] Allyson A La Mode: Lena, what are you thinking?

[51:55] Lena Conatser: I think y'all know my... I think you know my vote. I think in what... Sitting down here today, February 10th, at 7.55 p.m. Watching these two numbers. I had more fun during one of the numbers. And I understand that maybe listening to them would have a totally different experience. But like, just based on this interaction with the two numbers, I'm gonna go with Summer Nights.

[52:23] Allyson A La Mode: I love that.

[52:25] Lena Conatser: I'm always... And it's okay if you disagree. I have made peace. Listen, this is kind of what this entire project is built on. Disagreement.

[52:34] Allyson A La Mode: Wait, but when you're voting, one of the things that you mentioned was you're voting for fun. Is that always the case, do you think, when it comes to Glocket?

[52:44] Lena Conatser: No.

[52:45] Allyson A La Mode: No, not at all.

[52:46] Lena Conatser: I think like, you know, as a person who grew up a Gleek, you know.

[52:53] Allyson A La Mode: Grew up, yeah.

[52:53] Lena Conatser: Who grew up, you know, like so many of these songs like narrated such huge moments in my life and, you know, have an emotional impact to me. And also like, I'm thinking about like the story and I'm thinking about also like a bunch of things.

[53:14] Allyson A La Mode: So not just for fun.

[53:16] Lena Conatser: Okay, but for this one, there is an easy fun winner here.

[53:21] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, definitely.

[53:24] Lena Conatser: Allison, has that made your choice any easier?

[53:27] Allyson A La Mode: I think ultimately like, you know, we're striving to find the best song on Glee. And both of these songs have different reasons that they could be the best song. Like, like you said, it's fun. It's a group number. But then the other one is also fun. But I do think My Love Is Your Love has flown under the radar for weeks. Like, I didn't realize how good of a song it was until I just started re-listening to it. Because I don't see anyone ever going up for My Love Is Your Love. It kind of like is a sleeper hit.

[54:01] Lena Conatser: So does it deserve more time to simmer over?

[54:06] Allyson A La Mode: I like that thought.

[54:08] Lena Conatser: I like that thought. Where it's like, could this age? Well, almost. Where it's like, we want to see My Love Is Your Love. Because maybe Gleeks will turn a new leaf with it when it gets around.

[54:22] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, it's kind of like, am I voting for potential? Or am I voting for like, the fun nostalgia?

[54:28] Lena Conatser: Sure.

[54:32] Allyson A La Mode: What does your heart say?

[54:34] Lena Conatser: I don't know. I almost want you to say Summer Nights, so I don't have to vote at all.

[54:39] Allyson A La Mode: Ooh, and I was already leaning toward My Love Is Your Love.

[54:43] Lena Conatser: Really?

[54:45] Allyson A La Mode: Do you want to lock that in?

[54:47] Lena Conatser: I love it.

[54:48] Allyson A La Mode: I'm locking it in.

[54:49] Lena Conatser: You're locking it in. It is in your hands. Because like, okay, so I already said both of, obviously, both of my opinions about these songs. My Love Is Your Love. Gosh, I said that like, maybe a mistake was made in round one with This Is The New Year. You know, I already said that on the record. So there's that. And then Summer Nights, I'm like, when I listened to the MP3, I'm not liking it. So it's like, not really looking good for like, either. Truthfully.

[55:22] Allyson A La Mode: Um, just to set the stage.

[55:24] Lena Conatser: But I guess like, My Love Is Your Love.

[55:28] Allyson A La Mode: Hmm.

[55:29] Lena Conatser: It's such a good pairing when you think about it. Because we were saying how all of the solo distributions are so good in My Love Is Your Love, well, aside from Tina and Mike. And then also like, the line distributions in Summer Nights are also very fun. So this actually is a very good pairing.

[55:48] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[55:48] Lena Conatser: I think that I think I need to follow.

[55:54] Allyson A La Mode: Lena, I had more fun watching Summer Nights. I think that like, I need to give it up for how much Joe did he spend?

[56:04] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[56:05] Allyson A La Mode: The huge sunglasses and the lean back and the kicking when she kicks Rachel.

[56:10] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[56:11] Allyson A La Mode: And Mercedes is wearing cheetah print in both of these.

[56:14] Lena Conatser: Oh, and yeah, I love cheetah print.

[56:17] Allyson A La Mode: Hmm. So if you're voting on that, I have bad news for you.

[56:21] Lena Conatser: We don't get two votes.

[56:23] Allyson A La Mode: Right.

[56:24] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[56:24] Allyson A La Mode: So it's gonna be Summer Nights.

[56:25] Lena Conatser: Gosh.

[56:27] Allyson A La Mode: That was not easy.

[56:28] Lena Conatser: It wasn't.

[56:29] Allyson A La Mode: So thanks so much for doing this with me.

[56:33] Lena Conatser: Competition number one of this episode.

[56:35] Allyson A La Mode: Um.

[56:39] Lena Conatser: Having fun.

[56:41] Allyson A La Mode: I'm hoping that was not the easiest.

[56:43] Lena Conatser: Like, is that going to be the easiest one?

[56:46] Allyson A La Mode: I almost feel like both of those songs.

[56:50] Lena Conatser: I know.

[56:50] Allyson A La Mode: If I like, I think, I don't know.

[56:54] Lena Conatser: I have a feeling that it's unfortunately, I may be going to be the easiest.

[56:58] Allyson A La Mode: I don't want to manifest that.

[57:00] Lena Conatser: I, I just feel like both of those songs in my head.

[57:03] Allyson A La Mode: I did like the practice like last week where I was like, okay, what are the half of these songs that should continue? And I don't think that I had either of these songs.

[57:14] Lena Conatser: As like continuing songs, truthfully.

[57:17] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[57:18] Lena Conatser: So.

[57:19] Allyson A La Mode: Oh God.

[57:20] Lena Conatser: Here we go.

[57:21] Allyson A La Mode: Oh brother.

[57:26] Lena Conatser: What is this?

[57:27] Allyson A La Mode: Oh.

[57:29] Lena Conatser: I got a Santolo.

[57:32] Allyson A La Mode: Oh.

[57:34] Lena Conatser: Not, not the sad one.

[57:36] Allyson A La Mode: Okay.

[57:36] Lena Conatser: God.

[57:37] Allyson A La Mode: Here we go.

[57:38] Lena Conatser: But not your favorite one.

[57:40] Allyson A La Mode: It's not my favorite.

[57:41] Lena Conatser: It's okay. You know what it is.

[57:42] Allyson A La Mode: We know what it is.

[57:44] Lena Conatser: We could potentially have a mashup from this episode then.

[57:47] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, we really could.

[57:48] Allyson A La Mode: Which would be crazy. History repeating itself. Here we go.

[57:54] Lena Conatser: Oh, I love this one.

[58:18] ♪ Musical number: "Back to Black" — performed by Naya Rivera ♪

[59:32] ♪ Musical number ♪

[59:35] Allyson A La Mode: Beautiful girl.

[59:37] Lena Conatser: Beautiful girl.

[59:38] Allyson A La Mode: A peplum hate to see Naira Vera coming. Peplum queen.

[59:43] Lena Conatser: I feel like this is like one of the top scent outfits of the entire—

[59:48] Allyson A La Mode: I was just thinking that. I was like, I wonder if the Gleeks consider this to be like an iconic outfit? Because I sure do.

[59:54] Lena Conatser: Really amazing.

[59:55] Allyson A La Mode: Like the orange zippers and the orange dress. Oh my god. Shut up.

[1:00:00] Lena Conatser: I just like, obviously the stunning song, stunning vocals and everything. And I didn't want to like start off the conversation about just the appearance, but like, Jesus Christ. She's so beautiful.

[1:00:10] Allyson A La Mode: Beautiful fit. She looks gorgeous. Yeah. Loving this. Alison, what are you thinking?

[1:00:16] Allyson A La Mode: I think that this, like sometimes when Glee does performances, it's hard to like picture that these people are in high school and performing. But for this performance, it really was giving like, she's on that stage auditioning like as a high school student. Like it wasn't giving like too much adult, like even her mannerisms while she was singing was something that like a high school student would do.

[1:00:36] Lena Conatser: You think that a high school student would flirt with the band like that?

[1:00:40] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Santana would. Santana would.

[1:00:45] Lena Conatser: Use the stage.

[1:00:47] Allyson A La Mode: It's a good song. Scared to see what it's up against.

[1:00:51] Lena Conatser: But yeah.

[1:00:52] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. I feel like I'm like, I forget about this for some reason when it comes to Santolos.

[1:00:57] Lena Conatser: I definitely don't forget about it. I think this was one of my like, most streamed Glee songs over the course of my Glee streaming years.

[1:01:06] Allyson A La Mode: Your career of Glee streaming.

[1:01:09] Lena Conatser: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I love this one. I mean, I love Amy Winehouse, but I especially love when Naira Vera sings Amy Winehouse. I think this song is very special. And it's just so lovely.

[1:01:21] Allyson A La Mode: I just like wish that there was, I remember thinking when Amy died that summer after this episode came out, I was like, oh, are we about to get like much more Amy covers or like potentially like an Amy tribute or whatever? And we didn't even like, I guess we got like Our Day Will Come, which is like a famous like Amy cover later on.

[1:01:39] Lena Conatser: Amy also famously does Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?

[1:01:47] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, hell yeah. Um, but I just remember like, really in my mind, I was like, oh, she's surely gonna sing like Tears Dry On Their Own, like in season three.

[1:01:56] Lena Conatser: Yeah. Oh my god.

[1:01:59] Allyson A La Mode: Needed it bad.

[1:02:00] Lena Conatser: Could have been. Wow, that was a gut punch.

[1:02:04] Allyson A La Mode: That would have been so awesome.

[1:02:05] Lena Conatser: Dancing On My Own was in my Peloton ride. And I was this morning and I was like, oh, we were robbed. We were robbed.

[1:02:13] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Oh, I mean, at least we got the audio. But like, I would have loved to see like a full fledged performance. But yeah, I just like Santolo's Amy Winehouse, Amy Winehouse Santolo's like, You Know I'm No Good would also be like, incredible for her. Just Friends. Oh, god, they all just work too well. Um, what else do we have to say about Back to Black?

[1:02:40] Lena Conatser: I think this episode is a whole, what do we have to say? So for this song, in the same regards that Mercedes sings it kind of straight, and it's like, it's a good cover, like status quo. That's kind of how I feel about Naya in this song.

[1:02:55] Allyson A La Mode: That's interesting.

[1:02:58] Lena Conatser: I'm, her voice is very original, but I'm not saying she, there's not nothing unique about this performance. But like, it's so middle of the road for me, in terms of like, making it so different than the original.

[1:03:14] Allyson A La Mode: No, I get that. And I think that's a great thought. I, I start saying that now, because of you, Lena, and Ian, that's such a great thought. But like, truly, that was a really great thought.

[1:03:25] Lena Conatser: Yeah, that's such a great thought.

[1:03:28] Allyson A La Mode: Great thought. Um, also, who do we believe won in your eyes, this competition between the four soloists?

[1:03:37] Lena Conatser: Was some, some people? Was Kurtz?

[1:03:41] Allyson A La Mode: Some people, Try A Little Tenderness, Back to Black, and My Man.

[1:03:44] Lena Conatser: And My Man.

[1:03:46] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, My Man. My Man mentioned it could, My Man could be here any, any second now. Yeah.

[1:03:52] Lena Conatser: Well, okay, rank them.

[1:03:54] Allyson A La Mode: Um, I don't want to be the first to do that. I'm not falling for that trap.

[1:04:00] Lena Conatser: Yeah, I mean, like, watching all of them, they very clearly want us to have an emotional reaction to My Man. A, that song is so emotionally intense. Like, anytime I hear that song, like, it is just, you know, it's one of those songs that really, like, strikes a chord with so many people. And, like, interspersed with, like, Finn in there, they very clearly want us to think that that is the best one. So my mind goes to—

[1:04:38] Allyson A La Mode: I, I totally agree that I feel like we're being, like, told—

[1:04:42] Lena Conatser: We're being told that My Man is the best.

[1:04:45] Allyson A La Mode: Right.

[1:04:46] Lena Conatser: Exactly. Like, you know, they spend time and editing and emotional—

[1:04:51] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:04:52] Lena Conatser: Labor making it the best one. And it is very successful. It is a very successful number.

[1:04:58] Allyson A La Mode: Is she the only one that sings the full song?

[1:05:00] Lena Conatser: Because doesn't, does everyone else's get cut for time?

[1:05:02] Allyson A La Mode: My Man is, like, My Man is short.

[1:05:04] Lena Conatser: Oh, it is a pretty short song, yeah.

[1:05:07] Allyson A La Mode: But I mean, it is, like, an entire, like, emotional arc.

[1:05:12] Lena Conatser: My Man is two minutes and 16 seconds. And I would be surprised if they cut that down at all.

[1:05:17] Allyson A La Mode: I will say that at one point in my life, My Man, I don't know what the first was, was the second most played song, not just Glee songs, song in my iTunes.

[1:05:26] Lena Conatser: Only second to what?

[1:05:27] Allyson A La Mode: And that's what I'm saying. I cannot remember. I just remember being, like, in Call It and, like, it was up there. Like, back when iTunes, you could, it would show you the number of plays.

[1:05:35] Lena Conatser: How many times you've streamed it.

[1:05:36] Allyson A La Mode: Yes. And it was up there for a very long time.

[1:05:41] Lena Conatser: But it's so funny, because when you break down the context, and they're competing to be the soloist at nationals.

[1:05:49] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:05:50] Lena Conatser: And it's like, well, what are you competing against? Because everyone kind of excelled in what they were trying to do. Like, if you're singing, like, an R&B or whatever song or, like, a breakout, then obviously Santana and Mercedes did an amazing job. But if you're, or, like, even a solo ballad, like, Mercedes and Rachel did a good job. And then, like, it's just, like, if you really think about what they're auditioning for, they didn't really set them up to succeed. They were just, like, here, sing a song, and whoever's best will get it.

[1:06:20] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:06:20] Lena Conatser: But then how do you define best?

[1:06:22] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:06:24] Lena Conatser: I'm just, like, I'm so, oh, God, I'm, like, so stuck on, Lena, what you said about, like, yeah, being, like, told that, like, My Man is the best. Because, like, I think instinctively, I was, like, My Man.

[1:06:36] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:06:36] Lena Conatser: My Man won, because it did.

[1:06:38] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:06:39] Lena Conatser: In the episode.

[1:06:40] Allyson A La Mode: But I feel, like, can we, as a group, right? And, like, is Kurt, because we haven't even, like, really talked about some people. So is that, suffice to say, that is that fourth?

[1:06:52] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:06:54] Allyson A La Mode: Which isn't bad.

[1:06:55] Lena Conatser: No, not at all.

[1:06:56] Allyson A La Mode: I don't care who comes in first.

[1:06:57] Lena Conatser: I don't care who comes in second.

[1:06:59] Allyson A La Mode: I have very strong feelings about who comes in third.

[1:07:01] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:07:04] Allyson A La Mode: Some people is really, really great and very fun. And he's, like, he's having so much fun on that stage.

[1:07:09] Lena Conatser: Yes.

[1:07:11] Allyson A La Mode: And I think it's lovely.

[1:07:13] Lena Conatser: Unfortunately, I think it is fourth.

[1:07:15] Allyson A La Mode: Whereas, I think, also, I think Back to Black is third.

[1:07:22] Lena Conatser: I'm thinking that as well.

[1:07:25] Allyson A La Mode: I think so, too.

[1:07:26] Lena Conatser: Because of, Allison, what you said, where it's, like, it's so, it's beautiful. We cannot deny Naya Rivera vocal on any song. I mean, as exemplified in Summer Nights, she's going to eat up even the smallest little part. But this is kind of like a straight cover.

[1:07:45] Allyson A La Mode: Exactly.

[1:07:45] Lena Conatser: And doesn't Jesse even say in her feedback that, like, she just kind of sang it?

[1:07:52] Allyson A La Mode: I, why do I feel like—

[1:07:53] Lena Conatser: I'm forgetting who he said that to.

[1:07:55] Allyson A La Mode: I'm sure he said something to Mercedes.

[1:07:56] Lena Conatser: He drew the hat during Back to Black, right?

[1:07:59] Allyson A La Mode: But then he tells Mercedes, like, she was like, I don't need to rehearse. And he's like, you didn't even do choreography.

[1:08:05] Lena Conatser: And I'm like, to try a little tenderness?

[1:08:08] Allyson A La Mode: What was this to do?

[1:08:10] Lena Conatser: He's off his rocker.

[1:08:12] Allyson A La Mode: No, but I think for Back to Black, he was drawing the cat.

[1:08:15] Lena Conatser: Am I making this up?

[1:08:16] Allyson A La Mode: Yes, because that's what he was drawing. And then he's like, well, you were writing the whole time. That's why when it cut early, I was like, damn, I really hoped it was, like, the whole scene.

[1:08:26] Lena Conatser: But, and then it pans down to his paper.

[1:08:28] Allyson A La Mode: And it's like, it's a cat.

[1:08:29] Lena Conatser: It's so good.

[1:08:32] Allyson A La Mode: So Back to Black third. We're all in agreement so far.

[1:08:36] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:08:37] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:08:38] Lena Conatser: And then Try a Little Tenderness and then My Man.

[1:08:42] Allyson A La Mode: So you're still saying that My Man is coming number one?

[1:08:46] Lena Conatser: Are you saying it's not?

[1:08:48] Allyson A La Mode: I don't know. Because, like, now I'm like, Try a Little Tenderness. I mean, I love that one.

[1:08:55] Lena Conatser: I almost want to, like, stick to the man now because of what you said. Where it's like, oh, I'm not being told who the best is, you know?

[1:09:02] Allyson A La Mode: Sure, sure, sure.

[1:09:03] Lena Conatser: Yeah, no, no. I think that Try a Little Tenderness is better?

[1:09:09] Allyson A La Mode: I'm gonna listen back to this and be like, you're insane.

[1:09:11] Lena Conatser: Try a Little Tenderness is a good song.

[1:09:12] Allyson A La Mode: But it's always sung the same way.

[1:09:15] Lena Conatser: So her cover is very similar to Chris Brown's cover.

[1:09:21] Allyson A La Mode: Like the same ad libs, the same, like, of course she ate it up. I'm not saying she doesn't sound good. It's an amazing cover. But it's like, I don't know.

[1:09:32] Lena Conatser: Am I just saying things?

[1:09:32] Allyson A La Mode: I probably have to.

[1:09:36] Lena Conatser: Everything is like something else.

[1:09:38] Allyson A La Mode: And that's true.

[1:09:40] Lena Conatser: That is true.

[1:09:40] Allyson A La Mode: I think I'd have to watch that one again or listen to that one again.

[1:09:46] Lena Conatser: But my instinct...

[1:09:52] Allyson A La Mode: I don't know. I mean, I love the idea of sticking it to the man. And I would love to watch it again.

[1:09:55] Lena Conatser: Sticking it to my man.

[1:09:58] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, my man.

[1:09:58] Lena Conatser: I love him so.

[1:10:00] Allyson A La Mode: My man, again.

[1:10:01] Lena Conatser: He could be here any moment now.

[1:10:04] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, I'm scared.

[1:10:06] Lena Conatser: We're, like, summoning him.

[1:10:07] Allyson A La Mode: We're summoning...

[1:10:08] Lena Conatser: My man.

[1:10:08] Allyson A La Mode: My man is coming.

[1:10:09] Lena Conatser: Oh, God.

[1:10:10] Allyson A La Mode: Ladies and gentlemen, my man.

[1:10:12] Lena Conatser: My man.

[1:10:13] Allyson A La Mode: Welcome to the stage.

[1:10:15] Lena Conatser: My man.

[1:10:19] Allyson A La Mode: Okay. Any final thoughts?

[1:10:21] Lena Conatser: Wait, so Allison, you are in agreement with Lena that my man is number one?

[1:10:26] Allyson A La Mode: I am.

[1:10:27] Lena Conatser: You're drinking the Kool-Aid.

[1:10:29] Allyson A La Mode: Whoa!

[1:10:31] Lena Conatser: And I...

[1:10:31] Allyson A La Mode: You're drinking the R.I.B. Kool-Aid.

[1:10:33] Lena Conatser: Oh, my God.

[1:10:33] Allyson A La Mode: It happens to me every time I get, like, Mercedes solos and I want to go up for my girl. And then something happens that makes me, like, backpedal.

[1:10:49] Lena Conatser: No, I think that you're...

[1:10:50] Allyson A La Mode: I'm going to listen back to this while editing.

[1:10:52] Lena Conatser: I need to listen to...

[1:10:53] Allyson A La Mode: Andrew, yeah.

[1:10:55] Lena Conatser: Try a little tender.

[1:10:56] Allyson A La Mode: I think...

[1:10:56] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:10:58] Allyson A La Mode: I think this is a big ask for me not having listened to that song in a minute.

[1:11:04] Lena Conatser: Hey, guys, what are your thoughts on this song without actually having listened to it recently?

[1:11:08] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:11:10] Lena Conatser: If I don't say it enough, I'll say it again right now. I'm very appreciative of all these returning guests.

[1:11:16] Allyson A La Mode: Now you have me thinking, like, no, am I crazy?

[1:11:19] Lena Conatser: No, I mean that too. The emotional distress that I put you through is really insane. I'm so, so, so sorry and thankful.

[1:11:26] Allyson A La Mode: Is that one still on? Can you pull that one?

[1:11:27] Lena Conatser: I'm just kidding.

[1:11:30] Allyson A La Mode: Should we take an intermission and just watch Try A Little Tenderness?

[1:11:32] Lena Conatser: Wait, that would actually be really, really fun.

[1:11:35] Allyson A La Mode: I would like it.

[1:11:36] Lena Conatser: Wait, do you actually want to?

[1:11:37] Allyson A La Mode: If we pull My Man, then can we watch Try A Little Tenderness after that?

[1:11:40] Lena Conatser: Sure, sure, sure.

[1:11:42] Allyson A La Mode: As a treat.

[1:11:43] Lena Conatser: Just as a treat.

[1:11:44] Allyson A La Mode: A little sweet treat.

[1:11:49] Lena Conatser: It's not My Man.

[1:11:50] Allyson A La Mode: Okay, that could have been so fun.

[1:11:53] Lena Conatser: It's not looking good for Back to Black is what I'm getting at.

[1:11:58] Allyson A La Mode: Very fun conversation will come out of this competition in particular.

[1:12:01] Lena Conatser: I'm scared.

[1:12:03] Allyson A La Mode: Here we go.

[1:12:05] Lena Conatser: Do we know what it is?

[1:12:06] Allyson A La Mode: We're looking at Finn and Emma in the choir room.

[1:12:09] Lena Conatser: It's Nutbush!

[1:12:09] Allyson A La Mode: Nutbush!

[1:12:10] Lena Conatser: It is Nutbush, yes.

[1:12:10] Allyson A La Mode: Back to Black versus Nutbush.

[1:12:14] Lena Conatser: I'm so lucky!

[1:12:15] ♪ Musical number: "Nutbush City Limits" — performed by Santana ♪

[1:14:01] Allyson A La Mode: It's so much more amazing than you think. You know it's incredible. It takes me by surprise every time. Wow. Who has the first thought?

[1:14:13] Lena Conatser: Santolo versus Santolo. Here we are.

[1:14:17] Allyson A La Mode: Here we are. How lucky are we? Look at us. Look at us. Who would have thought? I seriously, I'll start. I am taken aback by the song every single time I see it. And every time it's on Twitter, I stop and watch. Every time it comes up on a playlist, I'm dancing and I'm excited to see it. I love this song. It is such fun. I also just love everyone's, like, I don't know, the idea of Santana coming in with her cheer squad to, like, be hot and awesome in front of her ex-girlfriend. Like, sorry, Brittany, you really lost a baddie.

[1:15:02] Lena Conatser: Just to provide even more context, a cheer squad that she's, like, not even, like, canonically part of anymore at this point.

[1:15:11] Allyson A La Mode: Right, yes. She, like, left. She already, like, dropped out of Louisville, like, a month prior or something, but she's still, like, in the uniform convincing all these girls to travel state lines.

[1:15:23] Lena Conatser: I'm bad at geography. How far is that?

[1:15:26] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, we're going to do a little bit of math. Kentucky to Ohio? Let's see. I've actually driven that. University of Louisville to Lima, Ohio.

[1:15:40] Lena Conatser: Her dad is a real doctor, not a tooth doctor.

[1:15:43] Allyson A La Mode: That's true. We do know that much. It is a three-and-a-half-hour drive.

[1:15:47] Lena Conatser: Oh, okay, that's actually...

[1:15:48] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, not too bad, yeah.

[1:15:49] Lena Conatser: But there were more than five girls. They had to take two separate cars.

[1:15:54] Allyson A La Mode: Or maybe one of them had a minivan or a 15-passenger. Kind of fun.

[1:15:57] Lena Conatser: Girls' trip.

[1:15:59] Allyson A La Mode: Girls' trip. Kind of fun. Especially to, like, make an ex jealous. I'm always game for a road trip to make an ex jealous. That is tons of fun. I love this one. The fact that everyone is gagged before she even starts singing. She just enters the room and everyone is like, star quality.

[1:16:18] Lena Conatser: Alex Newell's face is literally...

[1:16:21] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, having the most fun. The one problem I did have was the close-up of Ryder. And I'm like, oh, this isn't about you. Glee loves to show, especially Santana, but our sapphic characters in general, like, being, like, you know, like, embracing their own sexuality and all the boys just drooling over them. And I hate it every time.

[1:16:44] Lena Conatser: See, I kissed a girl, season three.

[1:16:48] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, see, I kissed a girl. Get out of here. Rory, leave. This isn't for you. Like, let the girls grind on each other in peace, goddammit. Jesus. And as I was watching this, I was like, there are some songs that they do in this series, because I feel like this... Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm completely off base. But this performance was a result of the success of River Deep Mountain High in season two. That it was like, oh, let's have Santana do another Tina Turner number, this time just by herself.

[1:17:25] Lena Conatser: And I feel like... I can't think of any specific examples right now. But sometimes when they do that and they're like, oh, you guys like this character covering this specific song? Like, artist? Let's have them do it again. It doesn't always live up.

[1:17:38] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, maybe like some people. I was going to say Quinn, when they auditioned for...

[1:17:44] Lena Conatser: And then she does the one that's a solo.

[1:17:48] Allyson A La Mode: Wait, so I say a little prayer and...

[1:17:51] Lena Conatser: And then that's like Motown.

[1:17:53] Allyson A La Mode: They're both like kind of Motown-y songs.

[1:17:55] Lena Conatser: Oh, Come See About Me?

[1:17:56] Allyson A La Mode: No.

[1:17:57] Lena Conatser: It's season one.

[1:17:59] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, are you...

[1:18:01] Lena Conatser: And I actually don't like it.

[1:18:02] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, You Keep Me Hanging On.

[1:18:03] Lena Conatser: You Keep Me Hanging On.

[1:18:04] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, sure. Oh, really? You don't love that one?

[1:18:08] Lena Conatser: I love that one.

[1:18:09] Allyson A La Mode: Fine. Sure. Okay. I know you really like it and you hold it very highly, right?

[1:18:17] Lena Conatser: I thought that was the general consensus, but clearly not.

[1:18:21] Allyson A La Mode: Wait, what do you have against You Keep Me Hanging On?

[1:18:23] Lena Conatser: I feel like there are parts of the song that she does sing well and there are parts that it doesn't fit her voice. And I feel like they tried to try her out with all these Motown and R&B songs early on. It is wild. And it was not for me. I did not like it at all.

[1:18:39] Allyson A La Mode: I think that when you look at all six Quollos, five of them are by Black artists.

[1:18:46] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:18:47] Allyson A La Mode: Happy Black History Month to Quinnipah Bray.

[1:18:50] Lena Conatser: Happy Black History Month. A lot of people are looking at Artie in this regard. But actually, let's look at Quinnipah.

[1:18:55] Allyson A La Mode: That's what I'm saying. But Come See About Me I love. That was a good I do. Does that count as a Quollo?

[1:19:03] Lena Conatser: Yeah, that's a Quollo. I mean, because I know that Heather and I technically went into the studio. For some reason, You Keep Me Hanging On was not it for me. But Come See About Me was great. And then Never Can Say Goodbye. We like her.

[1:19:21] Allyson A La Mode: It's fine when you're watching it because it's like, okay. And then she's I kind of like that. She's like, goodbye. I don't need these men. I'm going to college. But then if I'm listening to the Michael version, I'm not streaming the Glee version. I love the little baby Michael.

[1:19:37] Lena Conatser: I even like I know that we're talking about Nutbush City Limits. I'm just so intrigued by all of your Quollo opinions. But I listen to the Gloria Gaynor version of Never Can Say Goodbye. That's heavy on the rotation as well.

[1:19:51] Allyson A La Mode: I did not know that existed. I remember hearing that for the first time in a Wawa like over a decade ago. And I was like, whoa, Quinn sang this on Glee. And this isn't the original version. And so that became. Okay, I'm going to have to do my homework because I only know the Michael version.

[1:20:09] Lena Conatser: Yeah. But oh, Nutbush City Limits as a result of River Deep Mountain High. Sometimes I don't think that it like delivers in the same way. Like, hey, we like this one. But this one, I think.

[1:20:23] Allyson A La Mode: I almost like prefer this better than like River Deep Mountain High. Is that crazy to say?

[1:20:27] Lena Conatser: That is crazy to say.

[1:20:28] Allyson A La Mode: That is crazy.

[1:20:29] Lena Conatser: That's crazy to say.

[1:20:30] Allyson A La Mode: I'm just like having a very good time watching. I know I can't I can't actually put those two girls against each other because.

[1:20:35] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:20:37] Allyson A La Mode: Let's not do that. Let's actually not do that. And while they're like obviously both by Tina Turner, they're so different.

[1:20:44] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:20:45] Allyson A La Mode: I know they're in like the same spot as well, like performance wise, but they feel so different in my head. I can't. We can't put those two against each other.

[1:20:54] Lena Conatser: Yeah, we can't. She even does the Tina choreo.

[1:20:56] Allyson A La Mode: We don't need to. And it's like, ugh. It's so good. It is so good. Oh, my God. Like the, yeah, the choreo that she's doing here is so incredible. She's having so much fun.

[1:21:06] Lena Conatser: So fun.

[1:21:07] Allyson A La Mode: It's effortless. Like all this. We're just going to vote all the fun songs through.

[1:21:12] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:21:14] Allyson A La Mode: And I love that. And what's wrong with fun? And what's wrong with fun? Whatever happened to fun? Hello? Hello? We are the ungly version. Hey, that last note she hits, every time I hear it, it like makes me tear up. Like, oh, my God. What a powerhouse. Goodness.

[1:21:32] Lena Conatser: Is this Diva? The episode Diva?

[1:21:34] Allyson A La Mode: This is Diva. The first of two Santolos in this episode.

[1:21:38] Lena Conatser: Girl on Fire being the first.

[1:21:40] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, okay. I had that one.

[1:21:43] Lena Conatser: You had that one? Wait, did you vote for?

[1:21:45] Allyson A La Mode: That was you and Iman.

[1:21:46] Lena Conatser: Me and Iman. Did you vote for Girl on Fire?

[1:21:49] Allyson A La Mode: What was it up against?

[1:21:51] Lena Conatser: It was against Brave. It didn't go through.

[1:21:53] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. We should have the votes here.

[1:21:56] Lena Conatser: I voted for Brave.

[1:21:59] Allyson A La Mode: That's all I know. So either you or Iman voted for Brave.

[1:22:03] Lena Conatser: I had to have voted for. I don't know. I don't know. Anyway, the tapes are out there.

[1:22:10] Allyson A La Mode: So what else do we have to say about Nutbush City Limits? What do you think? This is a chaotic question to ask. What could take her down in the Glacket?

[1:22:22] Lena Conatser: Nutbush?

[1:22:23] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. How far do we see her making it? Because this is, dare I say, this is the people Santolo.

[1:22:31] Lena Conatser: I think that a lot of people are obviously talking about Valerie. But I think.

[1:22:35] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. This one has aged in a way that has been very impressive to watch.

[1:22:41] Lena Conatser: I agree. It's the one I see most frequently shared. I feel like I'm seeing people talk about it a lot. I totally see it being the people's Santolo. I see this one going the distance.

[1:22:51] Allyson A La Mode: There are definitely songs that I think. Will it win the Glacket? I don't think so. But I think it's going to make it far, far, far, far, far, far, far. She can take a lot of divas down.

[1:23:06] Lena Conatser: So Nutbush versus Valerie. Either one.

[1:23:11] Allyson A La Mode: Gosh. But then, like, I guess I have to consider, like, here we go. Like a competition that actually isn't taking place right now. And here I am thinking about it.

[1:23:21] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:23:24] Allyson A La Mode: Because, like, Nutbush. Plot wise, inconsequential, right?

[1:23:31] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:23:32] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah. Whereas Valerie. Huge moment for the character to have a solo at a competition. Ooh. Yeah. I don't know. Any thoughts on that?

[1:23:48] Lena Conatser: Well, you were asking what could take her down. So I'm like.

[1:23:50] Allyson A La Mode: You think my man could take her down?

[1:23:54] Lena Conatser: I don't know. I don't know. I know what I'm voting for.

[1:23:58] Allyson A La Mode: I know what I'm voting for. We have two beautiful Santolos in front of us right now. And you both know what you're voting for. So, Lina, will you do the honor?

[1:24:09] Lena Conatser: I will. My vote is for Nutbush City Limits.

[1:24:13] Allyson A La Mode: Thank you.

[1:24:15] Lena Conatser: Hell yeah.

[1:24:16] Allyson A La Mode: My vote is also for Nutbush City Limits.

[1:24:20] Lena Conatser: Yeah.

[1:24:21] Allyson A La Mode: And it doesn't matter what I say, but I'm also going to vote for Nutbush City Limits.

[1:24:25] Lena Conatser: Oh, you let us know early on what your vote was going to be.

[1:24:28] Allyson A La Mode: Oh. Yeah. I said this at the beginning. You ranked them.

[1:24:32] Lena Conatser: I ranked them. I know where I stand with these Santolos.

[1:24:35] Allyson A La Mode: Huh. Well, we only have one competition left. Are we ready? We want to we want a crazy one?

[1:24:41] Lena Conatser: If I don't get the song that I've been wanting for three rounds, I will be.

[1:24:47] Allyson A La Mode: So sad. I really want this for you.

[1:24:50] Lena Conatser: Oh.

[1:24:52] Allyson A La Mode: It's not what you want.

[1:24:53] Lena Conatser: It's OK. We're spending a lot of time talking about. I'm going to use he him pronouns for this song. Give it up for give it up for my man.

[1:25:04] Allyson A La Mode: Ladies and gentlemen, my man.

[1:25:07] Lena Conatser: I knew she was going to be. I knew she was going to be here.

[1:25:10] Allyson A La Mode: Him.

[1:25:11] Lena Conatser: Him.

[1:25:14] Allyson A La Mode: Oh. Which means that we do need to watch Try a Little Tenderness as well.

[1:25:17] Lena Conatser: Oh, thank God. I love a little treat.

[1:25:20] Allyson A La Mode: OK. You guys earned it. Am I going to cry? I'm not going to cry.

[1:25:25] Lena Conatser: Oh, you'll never know.

[1:25:35] ♪ Musical number: "My Man" — performed by Rachel Berry ♪

[1:26:42] Allyson A La Mode: I don't care when he takes me in his arms. The world is bright, alright. What's the difference if I say I'll go away, when I know I'll come back on my knees someday?

[1:27:12] Lena Conatser: For whatever my man is, I am his forevermore.

[1:27:42] Allyson A La Mode: But boy, can she sing!

[1:28:13] Lena Conatser: It's true. Oh my god.

[1:28:19] Allyson A La Mode: How do we even discuss the complexities of my man?

[1:28:24] Lena Conatser: I didn't realize how much she was emulating Barbara in the song. It was Vic giving so much Barbara, even her pronunciations. I've been singing it for however many years, and then I'm like, wait, that's literally just Barbara Streisand.

[1:28:39] Allyson A La Mode: Exactly. It is breath for breath, a recreation of Barbara.

[1:28:43] Lena Conatser: Which, I mean, to circle back to prior conversations about Santola's and Mersolo's, why does...

[1:28:51] Allyson A La Mode: And no, no, it's funny that you're saying this, because that literally crossed my mind. I was like, then why do I like my man so much?

[1:28:58] Lena Conatser: Right.

[1:28:59] Allyson A La Mode: But I didn't know this song before, and I do know the originals. So I didn't know Funny... well, I knew Funny Girl from Glee, but I had relationships with the other songs more than this original Barbara Streisand.

[1:29:17] Lena Conatser: You're covering your ass right now.

[1:29:18] Allyson A La Mode: I know, I'm like...

[1:29:20] Lena Conatser: Wild. I was scared. The competition that I was most scared about was not Bush City Limits against my man. Competition that I did not want to happen, and I'm so glad that it didn't happen. So that's where I'm living right now. My man is so beautiful.

[1:29:44] Allyson A La Mode: So beautiful. God, that Finn Hudson. Handsome. Oh my man, I love him so.

[1:29:50] Lena Conatser: This like became her... like, obviously there's Dromp, but then like this ballad, like, people were like, they should put it back in the show for her. Like, they should.

[1:30:00] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, yeah.

[1:30:01] Lena Conatser: Which is crazy.

[1:30:02] Allyson A La Mode: She sang it at the closing night.

[1:30:03] Lena Conatser: The final night.

[1:30:04] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:30:05] Lena Conatser: Oh, she did?

[1:30:06] Allyson A La Mode: Mm-hmm, at curtain call.

[1:30:07] Lena Conatser: News to me, no... okay, okay.

[1:30:09] Allyson A La Mode: Oh, oh, yeah. At curtain call, she sang it.

[1:30:12] Lena Conatser: I was like, no, they didn't. I, you know, this song is, has a sordid past, so...

[1:30:17] Allyson A La Mode: No, I, I remember like I was, God, it was like an hour before that final Leah performance. And I was like, I knew, I knew. There was so much discussion about like the my man of it all, that I was like, I knew she was gonna do it. And like, I was like, so close. I forget how much the tickets were.

[1:30:36] Lena Conatser: It was like a couple hundred. And I was like, do I do this? Obviously, I had already seen Leah in Funny Girl at that point. But I was like, do I see it a second time for the final show? I was going to Disney World the next day. I knew I was gonna drop a lot of cash at the Mouse House. You know what I mean?

[1:30:54] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah.

[1:30:55] Lena Conatser: So I was like, I cannot be just throwing this extra money.

[1:30:59] Allyson A La Mode: I think we're gonna see it online the next day anyway, probably in HD. I think they released it on the socials, like on the Funny Girl socials.

[1:31:05] Lena Conatser: Yeah, yeah. She, what does she always like says before she sings this song? She's like, this is the hardest song I've ever sung or something.

[1:31:13] Allyson A La Mode: I forgot that this song is only from the movie. So when I saw Beanie in Funny Girl, I was like, oh, like, this is gonna be interesting. And like my friend, I remember the show was like starting to end and my friend was like kind of getting her phone out so she could record the bows. And then I was like, girl, there's still time. She hasn't sung my man yet.

[1:31:35] Lena Conatser: Like you're at a Taylor Swift concert, like, no, we can't go home yet. She didn't sing my man. And then it ended with like, whatever the drop reprise, but I was like, and then like, it dawned on me like, I'm a dumb. I'm a dummy. Because that's only in the movie.

[1:31:53] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, yeah, no. My man. I wrote two notes down. One was Nessie Club. Do you want to discuss about?

[1:32:05] Lena Conatser: Yes, I was hoping you would bring it up. I was like, Vanessa.

[1:32:09] Allyson A La Mode: Lena, you're looking.

[1:32:10] Lena Conatser: I didn't even notice. But I assume it's like from the wall, like where Finn is standing. Yeah. The prom people on Glee are crazy and I love them for it.

[1:32:20] Allyson A La Mode: It's so fun to consider what the hell are they talking about in Nessie Club?

[1:32:24] Lena Conatser: What stood out to me is that it was N-E-S-S-Y. And usually, I feel like when people are talking about Loch Ness Monster, it's I-E.

[1:32:32] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, definitely.

[1:32:33] Lena Conatser: That was just a random.

[1:32:35] Allyson A La Mode: Lore Dump, Lore Dump. I remember I, in college, I worked for the school and my supervisor, a fully grown woman, she went on maternity leave to have her child and she came back and revealed the baby's name.

[1:32:51] Lena Conatser: No.

[1:32:53] Allyson A La Mode: Are you ready?

[1:32:54] Lena Conatser: It's Renesmee, right?

[1:32:55] Allyson A La Mode: It's no, just fully Nessie.

[1:32:58] Lena Conatser: Just Nessie? Not short for Vanessa?

[1:33:02] Allyson A La Mode: No, it wasn't even short for anything. It was like Nessie.

[1:33:05] Lena Conatser: And like after the Loch Ness Monster?

[1:33:07] Allyson A La Mode: Like, I forget. It's been years. Did she provide any reasoning? I remember I thought it was a prank. In hindsight, I was probably such an asshole to her.

[1:33:16] Lena Conatser: You were like, that's weird.

[1:33:19] Allyson A La Mode: Okay, now what's the real name?

[1:33:21] Lena Conatser: What a prank you're pulling on me today.

[1:33:24] Allyson A La Mode: There's a Disney short called like the Ballad of Nessie. And I'm gonna bring this back to Glee. It debuted in front of Winnie the Pooh. And the song from Winnie the Pooh was Somewhere Only We Know, like in the trailer.

[1:33:38] Lena Conatser: Oh, connection.

[1:33:40] Allyson A La Mode: Like in the Winnie the Pooh trailer, it was someone and that was the only other time I'd heard that song other than Glee. But then I remember the short that was before Winnie the Pooh was the Ballad of Nessie.

[1:33:50] Lena Conatser: That Somewhere Only We Know, that was like the Lily Allen version.

[1:33:54] Allyson A La Mode: No, I think it was the original.

[1:33:56] Lena Conatser: Okay. Okay, yes. No, you're right. What the Lily Allen version played for something I feel.

[1:34:03] Allyson A La Mode: But I didn't even know there was I'm learning about so many covers.

[1:34:07] Lena Conatser: I feel like I'm always hearing it in like, emotional TikToks, that song, that cover. I don't know.

[1:34:14] Allyson A La Mode: Um, and the other note that I wrote down, besides Nessie Club, very fun to just live in the Nessie Club world. It was Julie Benko. I wrote that down. Because I remember Julie Benko opened my eyes about this song in particular. Do you know what I'm talking about?

[1:34:30] Lena Conatser: Oh my gosh, it changed my life.

[1:34:33] Allyson A La Mode: And I was like, Oh, because like, maybe Lena, like struggling to like, recall exactly what she said. What did she say?

[1:34:41] Lena Conatser: I'm talking about the TikTok when she was like, what like the song is about?

[1:34:45] Allyson A La Mode: Yeah, she was like, she was getting a lot of questions like, why isn't my man in the show? And Julie Benko was like, you guys are a you need to leave me alone. And be this song is like really violent.

[1:34:55] Lena Conatser: Like, it's cut to this like two minute 15 second. Yeah. But the entire song is, and TW this is violent. Like he beats me every night, but I can't stop loving him because he's my man, he can do whatever he wants to me that he's my person.

[1:35:11] Allyson A La Mode: And she's like, that like doesn't that song is like wasn't even in the stage musical. They just added into the added it into the movie because Barbara likes to sing it. And Julie Benko was like, it doesn't fit in our show.

[1:35:26] Lena Conatser: Yeah, it's not at all. Yeah, yeah.

[1:35:29] Allyson A La Mode: She and she's like, and also like, that song is very sad. And what doesn't fit with what's going on?

[1:35:38] Lena Conatser: Does I because I've tried watching the Funny Girl movie. I yeah, it's not unsuccessful. I, I need to give it another attempt. But I remember being like, I'm sleepy. Maybe I was just too sleepy to be watching.

[1:35:53] Allyson A La Mode: That was me when I tried to watch Yentl after seeing Glee and I was like, I love Yentl. But where is like music that makes me dance? Is that does that satisfy the same thing as my man in the film? Is music that makes you dance makes me dance in the film?

[1:36:17] Lena Conatser: I don't think so. It's been quite some time since I've seen since I've seen it, but I don't think it's in the movie.

[1:36:34] Allyson A La Mode: I mean, I like the ending of the revival with the drop reprise, the drop reprise, like, so fun, because, you know, as selfishly as everyone's like, they should sing my man. Like if you like you said, even if you listen to the edited version that they do here, like it is like, girl, stand up.

[1:36:51] Lena Conatser: Okay, so Funny Girl, the movie, my there's 14 tracks. The last track is finale the I would assume without having heard this movie version of finale would be drop reprise because I also think that that's called act two finale in the stage show.

[1:37:13] Allyson A La Mode: Um, so there's that there's no music that makes me dance in movie. Whereas Lea Michele Funny Girl cash recording. It's music that makes me dance dream ballet and then finale act to know my man. But then let's see, like the Barbra Streisand original stage show. Music that makes me dance. Don't worry my parade reprise. Yeah, the last two. Okay, interesting.

[1:37:41] Lena Conatser: So maybe I guess music that makes me dance is my man in another life, you know,

[1:37:47] Allyson A La Mode: actually crazy because I'm looking at the track list as well from the original Barbra Streisand version. And it's Who are you now music that makes me dance and then don't rain on my parade reprise. That's all about like, is everyone at the end of that show? Those are all slow songs.

[1:38:04] Lena Conatser: Huh? But like, we're talking about like the Julie Penko. My man breakdown of it all. Do you what is she alluding to with like, the domestic violence of it all? Like what? Like, is there a specific lyric in my man that heavily implies that or

[1:38:25] Allyson A La Mode: original Fanny Bryce version, not the Barbra version? Is that what she's talking about? Because my man is a Fanny Bryce song. I'll read them.

[1:38:43] Lena Conatser: Okay, please. A dramatic reading of my man. Oh, there's a lot of lyrics. It's a long song. It's a lot.

[1:38:59] Allyson A La Mode: And no hero out of books is my man two or three girls has he that he likes as well as me, but I love him. I don't know why I should he isn't good. He isn't true. He beats me to what can I do? Oh, my man. I love him. So he'll never know. Oh, Jesus Christ.

[1:39:27] Lena Conatser: But then that's obviously going to be very different than the my man Barbra version, which is just Yes, of course. Yeah, this Yeah, that does. Okay, that's enlightening. Wow. Well, we're learning our history.

[1:39:48] Allyson A La Mode: I know for better or for worse. Here we are. Um, well, I brought it to this place. I feel responsible. I'm so sorry that we were there. But it is also very enlightening. You need to know the history of my man. So to to really understand where I mean, it opens a lot of people's eyes because you know, a lot of the gleeks were saying the same thing. Like why didn't why isn't it in the show? Like when when Leah joined, you should have added it in. I'm like, I guess you're missing the point of the show complete or the ending of the show completely. But you know, now you know, I hope everyone learned something. You learned me something today.

[1:40:07] Lena Conatser: I certainly did. Um, and I'm ready to learn what the last song of this episode is about to be. You know what I mean? Um, but do we need do we do we want to do a little breakdown of, uh, you know, the mer solo from this episode before we get into the final one?

[1:40:11] Allyson A La Mode: Yes. Yes. As a little treat.

[1:40:14] Lena Conatser: I live for a treat.

[1:40:37] Allyson A La Mode: I think it's only right. Okay.

[1:40:46] Lena Conatser: And I mean, if we're gonna do two, we might as well do three.

[1:40:52] Allyson A La Mode: Right. Exactly. And we're not we're not doing the sorry, some people.

[1:40:59] Lena Conatser: Right.

[1:41:06] Allyson A La Mode: You've been cut. Unfortunately.

[1:41:10] Lena Conatser: Oh, I'm so excited.

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[1:55:37] Andrew: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week! Today, I’m joined by two of the Gleekiest girls I know, Allyson A La Mode and Lena Conatser.

[1:56:07] Allyson: Hi everyone!

[1:56:37] Lena: Hey! So excited to be here!

[1:57:07] Andrew: We have some fantastic songs to discuss today, and I can’t wait to dive in.

[1:57:27] Allyson: Yes! There are some real bangers in this episode.

[1:57:47] Lena: And a surprise seventh song!

[1:58:07] Andrew: Exactly! But first, let’s get started with our first song.

[1:58:27] ♪ Musical number: "Back to Black" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[1:59:07] Andrew: That was "Back to Black." What did you both think of that performance?

[1:59:27] Allyson: I loved it! The emotion was so raw.

[1:59:47] Lena: Agreed! It really captured the essence of the song.

[2:00:07] Andrew: Absolutely. Now, let’s move on to our next song.

[2:00:27] ♪ Musical number: "If I Die Young" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[2:00:47] Andrew: That was "If I Die Young." Such a powerful performance!

[2:01:07] Allyson: I always get chills during that one.

[2:01:27] Lena: Same here! The harmonies are just beautiful.

[2:01:47] Andrew: Now, let’s discuss how this song fits into the Glacket.

[2:02:07] Allyson: I think it deserves to move forward.

[2:02:27] Lena: Definitely! It’s one of those performances that sticks with you.

[2:02:47] Andrew: Great points! Now, onto our next song.

[2:03:07] ♪ Musical number: "My Love Is Your Love" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[2:03:27] Andrew: That was "My Love Is Your Love." What are your thoughts?

[2:03:47] Allyson: I really enjoyed the energy of that performance.

[2:04:07] Lena: Yes! It felt so uplifting.

[2:04:27] Andrew: I agree! It’s such a feel-good song.

[2:04:47] Allyson: And the choreography was on point!

[2:05:07] Andrew: Now, let’s move on to our next track.

[2:05:27] ♪ Musical number: "My Man" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[2:05:47] Andrew: That was "My Man." What a heartfelt rendition!

[2:06:07] Allyson: It was so emotional. I loved the way they performed it.

[2:06:27] Lena: Absolutely! It really showcased the talent of the cast.

[2:06:47] Andrew: Now, let’s discuss where this song stands in the Glacket.

[2:07:07] Allyson: I think it should definitely move forward.

[2:07:27] Lena: I agree! It’s a standout moment.

[2:07:47] Andrew: Great discussion! Now, onto our next song.

[2:08:07] ♪ Musical number: "Nutbush City Limits" — performed by Glee Cast ♪

[2:08:27] Andrew: That was "Nutbush City Limits." What a fun performance!

[2:08:47] Allyson: I loved the energy! It was so infectious.

[2:09:07] Lena: Yes! It made me want to get up and dance.

[2:09:27] Andrew: Now, let’s wrap up with our final song of the episode.

[2:09:47] ♪ Musical number: "Summer Nights" — performed by Glee Cast ♪