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.

[0:32] Andrew: It's Gleek, Gleek of the Week.

[0:35] Andrew: All right, we're back with another episode of Gleek of the Week podcast and yeah it's gonna be less than two hours long because yeah uh the Tony Awards start in an hour and 45 minutes we're getting people in we're getting people out uh we have uh joining um who wants to go first just let's go speed um I don't feel safe with this energy.

[0:57] Ian: I know people are like getting their day started listening to this.

[1:01] Andrew: The reason that we have to go really quickly is because someone who's nominated for a Tony is in the chat right now.

[1:06] Ian: I know that's true I am yeah uh uh the other participant is um their riverside name is Tony Award winner Darren Criss and my fucking government name what is this their riverside name?

[1:18] Andrew: Their riverside name.

[1:20] Ian: Okay wait but also I'm just now realizing and this is kind of weird to me maybe you clocked this as well why is he hosting the pre-show am I a pre-show am I sharing Christmas right now sorry why are you doing it during commercial breaks I'm podcasting the Tony campaign needs to stop the Tonys are happening right now.

[1:46] Andrew: Oh no oh no I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'll step out I'll let Ian take over and that's the end of that bit.

[1:52] Ian: Okay I didn't know that Darren Criss was hosting the pre-show as I was saying to you earlier I for someone who does musical theater for a living am not as enmeshed in Tony culture as I maybe should be.

[2:06] Andrew: Yeah I mean this year's fun I mean when people listen to this conversation it will be a full in the old news of course so um I suppose uh congratulations are in order to anybody we're saying Darren Criss we're we're saying I'm gonna be well I don't remember who else is nominated in his category Jonathan Groff.

[2:27] Ian: Jonathan Groff I haven't seen that's right I haven't seen that show so I haven't seen that either I hear good things people really like it.

[2:37] Andrew: Yeah he's very talented well you guys are both silly but you guys are both in New York so you have the advantage um I used to be really into the Tonys because I was like a theater kid in high school and like I would watch and try to keep up with stuff like through college and now I don't know it's hard to kind of stay with it when you never go to New York and see shows.

[3:00] Ian: Yeah yeah what was the last thing that I saw I saw I saw Titanic like for the 10th time two weeks ago um and then I saw something else recently I forget what it was oh my god why am I completely blanking anyway yeah I feel like it's a fun year though.

[3:20] Andrew: Yeah no this is you know I'm invested in best actress I'm invested in best musical as I always am every year and then I'm invested in best revival and then beyond that I'm like and whoever wins I hope they had a good time.

[3:31] Ian: Yeah it is fun for me this year because um particularly fun because just the fact that Daniel Dae Kim is in the same room Daniel came from the hit show Lost uh my other show Angel the spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

[3:45] Andrew: You're kidding I've told you this and he's and he's I'm blanking on everything tonight Jesus I can't recall anything but the fact that my maybe my baby Jinsu Kwan is in the same room as Blaine Anderson their Tony Award winner Blaine Anderson.

[4:02] Ian: So anyway oh yeah so Patrick anything else that we want to add on this um I kind of just hope that Darren Criss doesn't win a Tony um I don't know I'm kind of just like let let the other people have their fun.

[4:21] Patrick: Um.

[4:25] Patrick: Um.

[4:30] Ian: Recampaigning for Jonathan Groff?

[4:36] Patrick: No I don't I don't really care about either of them that much like maybe that's me being a hater I feel like the Glee community in general like worships both of them and I'm kind of like their characters and like their presence on Glee was like not significant or meaningful to me like I think the show would have been just as good without them so I'm kind of a hater I hope that we get some Blaine today that we can maybe leave behind I don't know I I was approaching this episode before recording being like I'm gonna be really like emo and sentimental and now I'm kind of like enraged um and want to kill the logos so that's great.

[5:10] Andrew: Yeah uh Tony Award winner Darren Criss or wait we've retired that bit it's in now.

[5:16] Ian: Yes you can keep calling me that it's I'll take it as a compliment.

[5:21] Andrew: Mouth was a gape do you have a response?

[5:28] Ian: Yeah I'm gagged less about the Blaine of it all and more about you having no impression of Jesse St. James because that's crazy to me.

[5:34] Patrick: I feel like I don't know maybe I'm a person who doesn't really like change but I was really thrown off when like he was a member of the Glee club in season one for like two minutes I was like go away like what is this?

[5:46] Ian: For two minutes?

[5:46] Patrick: For like six episodes and then at the very end and I lived like they tried to pretend like he was really central to the show because you know whatever and I was like get out of here he's married to the main gal that's bullshit I'm done whatever.

[6:06] Andrew: Okay well you were fine with like Dave Karofsky being in that number but you said I draw the line at Jesse St. James.

[6:12] Patrick: I would argue that I feel like Karofsky was a more important part of the show than Jesse St. James so I rest my case.

[6:21] Ian: I could hear that argument actually that actually makes sense to me.

[6:26] Andrew: Yeah but if we're talking about I I understand Patrick are you still with us?

[6:36] Patrick: Yeah yeah oh it's frozen on my computer but I could cut that out please um and the picture of you that is frozen is very funny though um but I could understand the argument that Dave Karofsky was more important to like the show Glee but as far as like the New Directions Karofsky was in the New Directions for a day and quit and Jesse St. James was in the New Directions he was not there in goodwill he was like a spy evil person that like was randomly there but maybe loved Rachel and as the audience we're supposed to be okay with that just because it's okay.

[7:05] Ian: He also coached.

[7:06] Patrick: What if he was ugly would you care?

[7:14] Ian: Actually I'm not kidding I like kind of like want the sentimental Patrick actually I'm really scared I like Jesse St. James more because he's hot I'm not gonna pretend I don't but if he was ugly I still would eat it up because what I like about Jesse St. James is that he is drama and I find that fun and also he's like a very funny character I think I just don't want him in the New Directions that's all the show already exists you know.

[7:45] Andrew: Why I feel like we're talking a little bit too much about Karofsky and we're talking too much about Jesse St. James Kitty Wild's redemption arc is crazy it's insane why why?

[7:59] Patrick: No you just have a list of topics where you're like I don't think we've talked enough about this on the hundred plus episodes so I'm just gonna like throw that in whenever the guests are being annoying and you want to change the subject I'm like actually I'll let me pull this out of my hat Kitty Wild doesn't get enough slander actually and we all know why.

[8:15] Ian: Why?

[8:15] Patrick: I understand are you gonna talk about are you gonna talk about the the Glee-ness of it all and her psychologically torturing Marley are you are you protecting her on this front?

[8:28] Ian: No I'm not gonna protect her I'm not gonna be like she actually it wasn't that bad that she was actually like yeah it was terrible I understand that um who is it that just said this I think it was Nicole that was like I give every character like to get out of jail yeah where it's like the writers do something fucking bunk of shit with every character and I give them a get out of jail free pass and that's the one that I give to Kitty is I'm like that was crazy but I think personally just my own take of the season four newbies she's the one that fits the style of the show the most and then obviously she's the only one that stays through season six like she's the only one that they really knew how to make interesting to me personally.

[9:07] Andrew: Well okay if you're gonna call me out for and maybe you do remember this conversation that I did reveal something to you Ian you're gonna call me out for not remembering the Daniel Dae Kim on Angel um then I remember telling you revealing information that um that the reason that Kitty is the only one back in season six is because of her close relationship with Lea Michele.

[9:36] Ian: Oh that's right that's for sure.

[9:42] Andrew: Her husband tragically passed.

[9:43] Ian: No you are correct about that you are correct about that and I don't think so it wasn't it it wasn't because this was a character that they were like mostly invested in it worked in their favor and like the regard like oh Sue wanted me to stay because I was on the like she didn't get rid of me because I was part of Cheerios that makes sense and it just worked in their favor I felt.

[10:03] Patrick: Yeah okay no that's true but I still say she fits the style of the show the best out of all the season four newbies and I feel like the first half of season four she's not working and the Marley stuff is part of that first half and then once they give her the redemption arc is when she really clicks and through the rest of the show the back half of season four on I think she's a lot of fun.

[10:23] Ian: Can I say something in regard to the Nicole point that you made where yeah okay I don't think that Kitty does enough I think that Kitty for her to have that like that's her that's her thing that's her bad thing that we can overlook I don't think that when we look at like okay compared to like Finn who does much more he has much more of a character progression throughout the entire series when he says those things about Sue's baby that it's like yeah that's bad but he does a lot he has more you know he outs Santana he kicks he kicks music stands um right right right right right generally annoying he can't sing um yeah oh my god goodness okay okay I'm ruining like any goodwill I have in the community um I do have things to say about.

[11:11] Ian: Can't check your like keep on like refreshing like your follower account when the episode comes in I'm so sorry uh Ian or Tony Award winner Darren Criss what were you gonna say?

[11:23] Andrew: Of course thank you um I am not viewing Kitty in the camp that I view Finn I'm viewing her in the camp that I view Sue where you're saying like Finn does bad shit but he does all of this good shit I don't think Kitty's like a rootable character I think she's a fun character I think Sue is a fun character so I'm not defending her tripping a teacher down the stairs I'm not defending her punching one of the show choir directors on stage yeah and that's the type of character that I view Kitty as where she's fun and crazy and when she's mean to people it's actually fun there are obviously exceptions to that like the Marley stuff which is what I'm like saying I write off yeah but like overall I'm not like she's not actually mean she is mean but she's mean about 90% of the time in a fun campy way I think how it Nicole had said um like rang true to a degree but also like she's overlooking the fact that like the writers were bad like you know sometimes it wasn't that they just put a character outside of what the character would normally do and there's a pass like I think it was just like a messy show so yeah they didn't know exactly how to work with Kitty even though Glee was great who the hell is Patty Simcox is the best line on Glee um look at me I'm Sandra Dee is the best number on Glee uh I'm a Kitty Wild defender but like I don't know I feel like that was just writing that wasn't really good and they didn't really give her consequences and it was weird and then they figured out how to maybe make that character work more and then she was really fun so I think it's hard to just define it as these characters are like exactly set up how they're supposed to be and then they get one or two like bad things I think it is a product of like the show sometimes it's not really working and them kind of being lazy or sloppy with the writing.

[13:32] Ian: Yeah I also like don't watch Glee as a morality play you know I'm not like I'm watching these characters to like learn how I should live my life and I do take umbrage with when it is a character that the show is explicitly saying this character is a hero and a good person then it pisses me off when they do bad stuff but if the show is not explicitly trying to tell me that this character is a good person I don't really honestly give a shit if they do bad stuff as long as it's entertaining and that was my biggest issue.

[13:58] Andrew: Ian you really are good at articulating things about Glee maybe you've practiced it a bit I don't know um you've exercised this muscle a lot.

[14:11] Ian: Yeah uh no I think as I've talked my shit a lot about Glee and yeah you're great even right now I'm like can I what can I even know no that's not what I'm saying I'm saying it's like sometimes I I'm like right now in this moment I'm like can I have like one actually good thought about Kitty Wild you know that's the challenge within my mind.

[14:25] Andrew: Why did we start talking about Kitty?

[14:32] Ian: Okay I think it's really mad at us for talking about Jesse's.

[15:13] Andrew: The episodes are three hours long.

[15:15] Ian: Well, I know that on one of my past episodes, we talked about Robot Kitty.

[15:19] Patrick: So she's had her time in the sun.

[15:22] Ian: We've also talked about Curling Kitty before.

[15:26] Patrick: We did talk about Curling Kitty.

[15:27] Ian: Yes, yes.

[15:28] Patrick: Yeah, Curling Kitty was like a title of ep.

[15:30] Ian: Yeah.

[15:31] Patrick: So, Kitty, come on.

[15:32] Ian: You did, you did.

[15:33] Patrick: Cut that out.

[15:34] Ian: Yeah, come on.

[15:35] Patrick: You were referenced.

[15:36] Ian: Can I beat a dead horse for a sec?

[15:38] Patrick: Go ahead.

[15:41] Andrew: Don't frown.

[15:44] Ian: I just wanted to go back to like, Ian articulated a good point where it's like when the show tries to tell you that a character is like amazing and a good person.

[15:53] Patrick: The only time they ever really do that is with Finn's character.

[15:56] Ian: Do they do that with anyone else where they're like, he's the best and oh my god, he's the leader and he's the blah blah blah?

[16:03] Patrick: I'm separating from like quarterback onward because then of course you're talking about him in like a positive light.

[16:09] Ian: But like in the first four seasons, everyone was like worshipping Finn.

[16:12] Patrick: And I'm like, he's fine. I don't know. Like, he's a good character. He's funny. He's talented sometimes.

[16:21] Ian: But like, why were they beating us over the head being like, Finn is the moral anchor of the show?

[16:29] Patrick: What?

[16:30] Ian: I don't know. I will say that like, okay, so the Finn, the Finn praising does kind of get crazy.

[16:37] Patrick: It does feel like very like every other episode.

[16:40] Ian: Like, we love you, baby. Love you, King.

[16:43] Patrick: Whereas like there, but there are times like Tina has like diva, like where it's like, let's, let's talk about her for an episode.

[16:50] Ian: Like, let's praise her. Let's give her this award at the end of the episode.

[16:54] Patrick: I'm thinking about Rachel at the end of the original song and they're like, yeah, she never was.

[16:58] Ian: Well, Rachel does.

[16:59] Patrick: But um, yeah. Um, yeah, I don't know. That's what I, that's what comes to mind when you say that.

[17:06] Ian: But every once in a while, they'll have like very special episodes.

[17:09] Patrick: A glue of glee with Artie, of course.

[17:11] Ian: Yeah. Well, also like people are complicated and contain multitudes.

[17:16] Patrick: So like, I'm pro like this character does shitty stuff, but also they have good stuff about them.

[17:21] Ian: So like, yeah, Tina can sometimes be so rude and like not be able to read the room and say really insensitive stuff.

[17:30] Patrick: But then also like, she's been such a loyal member of this club and has stuck by us the whole time. We should recognize that good quality.

[17:36] Ian: I agree with what you're saying, Patrick, where I love Finn and I've spoken so much about my love of Finn on this podcast and I don't need to do that anymore.

[17:43] Patrick: But the show does do a lot more telling than showing about Finn's good quality.

[17:48] Ian: Where they will, a character will look in the camera and say, Finn is this, this and this.

[17:53] Patrick: And it's like, how often is he actually that?

[17:56] Ian: Finn is a man.

[17:57] Patrick: Finn is a man.

[17:58] Ian: Finn is a man.

[17:59] Patrick: Finn is a man.

[18:00] Ian: I'm just tired of that shit.

[18:02] Patrick: It's always about being a man.

[18:04] Ian: I don't care.

[18:05] Patrick: But I'll change my personality type.

[18:08] Ian: Hold on. Give me a second.

[18:10] Patrick: Wait, no, I don't want you to reveal too much.

[18:13] Ian: But like, did something happen today? What's going on?

[18:15] Patrick: It was so funny because I was driving and listening to the last episode with Claudia and Karis.

[18:26] Ian: And then I was like, oh, like, I miss Claudia.

[18:32] Patrick: Like, I haven't talked to her in a long time.

[18:35] Ian: And I was like, I listened to your episode of Alison on the Swacket.

[18:40] Patrick: And I was like, oh, I can't wait to talk to Andrew.

[18:44] Ian: And then I log on.

[18:46] Patrick: And then that turned into rage.

[18:47] Ian: I was like, a little crazy.

[18:50] Patrick: I'm going to change.

[18:54] Ian: And then I was emotional as well.

[19:00] Patrick: I do not need to throw that in there.

[19:03] Ian: Well, you're like pointing at yourself.

[19:04] Patrick: I'm like, I don't know.

[19:05] Ian: Video Medium, you were pointing at yourself. You wanted that.

[19:07] Patrick: No, no, no. I was saying the odd one out, the reason that he got pissed off.

[19:16] Ian: He was like, I can't wait to talk to this person.

[19:19] Patrick: I can't wait to talk to this person. Then he logged out and saw me and was like, oh, well.

[19:22] Ian: It's because you both were telling and not showing at the beginning of the episode, being like Darren Criss and whoever he played on Glee and Jesse St. James and Jonathan Groff are like amazing Tonys.

[19:35] Patrick: And I'm just like, I don't care about them. Let's talk about Kitty.

[19:37] Ian: Let's talk about Suzy Pepper.

[19:39] Patrick: We did. Let's talk about, I don't know, Emma's parents.

[19:45] Ian: You know, there are other characters besides them too.

[19:47] Patrick: Oh, well, we need to bring up, of course, the Emma's mom died two weeks ago.

[19:52] Ian: She did pass away.

[19:53] Patrick: And that's not why I brought it up. But anyway.

[20:01] Ian: Reading the room, Tina.

[20:03] Patrick: The podcast, Tina Coach.

[20:07] Ian: I have more hatred for those characters in my pinky than you have in your angry itch.

[20:15] Patrick: Tony Warbler, Darren Criss.

[20:17] Ian: Right, right, right, right.

[20:19] Patrick: Please cut like the entire first part of this episode.

[20:22] Ian: Let's start over.

[20:24] Andrew: Hey, everybody. Really, really excited. I can't wait to see what we pull.

[20:30] Ian: What are we feeling that we're going to pull today?

[20:32] Andrew: Everybody. Thank you so much for really taking over.

[20:37] Ian: I'm afraid of what people will think that what the first thing that I said in this episode, I would I'm thinking back and immediately regretting starting the episode with we got to get in here.

[20:47] Patrick: Because I think that would actually terrify me if I start a podcast like that.

[20:51] Ian: If I start listening to a podcast and they're like, hurry, get in.

[20:55] Patrick: It's going to end soon.

[20:57] Ian: It's over.

[20:59] Patrick: Yeah, that's an issue.

[21:03] Ian: Do we want to do we want to talk about grievances or anything before we pull the frog now that we're 20 minutes in?

[21:14] Patrick: My grievances are so short.

[21:16] Ian: And so, like, it's going to take 30 seconds.

[21:19] Patrick: I honestly think my only grievance is I would have picked Baby It's Cold Outside over Teenage Dream.

[21:24] Ian: I absolutely would have.

[21:25] Patrick: I don't. I know that Connor was like, I know that someone's going to come on and make some great case.

[21:31] Ian: It's going to change all of our minds.

[21:32] Patrick: I'll be honest that I just like I think a case can be made for both of them.

[21:38] Ian: I just Baby It's Cold Outside is more special to me.

[21:43] Patrick: I agree with what Emily said that it's like the best they've ever sounded together, except for got to get you into my life.

[21:50] Ian: Besides that one, I think it's the best they've ever sounded together.

[21:53] Patrick: I think it, you know, did so much for representation.

[21:56] Ian: I think it's a very tender, sweet moment.

[21:59] Patrick: Teenage Dream, I do agree. I see, like, the beautiful, dramatic irony and, like, parallelism.

[22:08] Ian: I don't know what the fuck I'm saying.

[22:09] Patrick: About, like, it's the first song that he ever sang to him and now they're breaking up.

[22:13] Ian: I just, the whole, my qualm with the breakup as an episode is I'm like, they didn't all need to break up.

[22:20] Patrick: Like, I understand.

[22:22] Ian: Like, the writers so badly wanted to do an episode where everyone broke up.

[22:26] Patrick: They love doing that shit.

[22:27] Ian: The Finchel one made sense.

[22:29] Patrick: And then everyone else was a speed run to get to the breakup as fast as possible.

[22:33] Ian: And so it is less powerful to me because I'm like, I think Clayne probably had another five episodes before they were going to break up.

[22:42] Patrick: But instead, you just made Blaine cheat so that you could get to it faster.

[22:45] Ian: Well, I think that they do this consistently, where it's like, especially, like, with the fucking.

[22:52] Patrick: Do I say that word on this podcast?

[22:57] Ian: I'm terrified right now.

[22:58] Patrick: Sorry, everyone.

[23:02] Ian: Every episode is marked explicit.

[23:04] Patrick: Anyway.

[23:05] Ian: Okay.

[23:06] Patrick: So, like, I'm thinking of, like, Power of Madonna and, like, the first time that it's, like, it's, like, very, like, group mentality where it's, like, if one couple is going to be doing this, we all are doing this.

[23:19] Ian: And I think that you make a great point that, like, the Clayne breakup specifically could have been a few episodes later.

[23:26] Patrick: And I think that would have been really interesting.

[23:28] Ian: But they just like doing, like, a one and done where we're getting out all these characters breaking up.

[23:32] Patrick: And I think that, like, I like that all the characters do break up in season four because I think Ryan Murphy, like, talked about that episode.

[23:39] Ian: And he was, like, I think we're, like, as writers, like, we're getting tired of, like, seeing these characters, like, in relation to their pair.

[23:48] Patrick: And we want to see how we can use them alone.

[23:53] Ian: And I thought, like, a lot of the characterization in season four with those couples that broke up, really, really interesting to me.

[23:59] Patrick: Like, I'm thinking, like, Brittany. Brittany had, like, so much fun stuff to do.

[24:04] Ian: Yeah, well, also, I think Blaine becomes so much more interesting post-breakup with Kurt.

[24:10] Patrick: Yeah.

[24:11] Ian: He is forced to actually get his own personality and be something other than Kurt's dream boyfriend.

[24:16] Patrick: Mm-hmm.

[24:17] Ian: So, yeah, but, like, the Wemma one.

[24:20] Patrick: The Wemma one?

[24:21] Ian: Shut up.

[24:22] Patrick: The Wemma one, kind of, it does come out of nowhere.

[24:25] Ian: But because they don't actually break up, I'm fine with it.

[24:28] Patrick: I'm like, yeah, every couple has fights.

[24:30] Ian: So, like, cool, they have a fight in this episode that thematically fits, but they haven't actually broken up.

[24:35] Patrick: And then they fully are, like, it's resolved the next episode.

[24:38] Ian: They're like, oh, we were just breaking up because the episode was called The Breakup.

[24:41] Patrick: God.

[24:42] Ian: They're having, like, this, like, clarity after the episode's over.

[24:47] Patrick: Mm-hmm.

[24:48] Ian: So, thank you for your grievances. I'm going to shift over to our other Gleek, Patrick.

[24:56] Patrick: I agree.

[24:57] Ian: So, remind me, both Teenage Dreams are now through to round four?

[25:01] Patrick: No.

[25:02] Ian: So, the other Teenage Dream is yet to be pulled.

[25:05] Patrick: So, the season four one is in round four?

[25:08] Ian: Yes.

[25:09] Patrick: Yeah.

[25:10] Ian: So, you know, I remember back in round one, because there are 5,000 versions of Don't Stop Believing.

[25:19] Patrick: I remember when, like, probably my favorite one, which is like, the end of season one, Don't Stop Believing, like, died.

[25:26] Ian: It was like, well, it's okay because we have, you know, the OG one and stuff like that.

[25:32] Patrick: So, I don't remember if you all were talking about the fact that, like, we could have killed the season four version to let Baby It's Cold Outside go through.

[25:44] Ian: And then, like, assumed that, like, the other Teenage Dream would be to round four.

[25:49] Patrick: Like, I—

[25:50] Ian: But, personally, like, me—

[25:52] Patrick: I know you want the season four one more.

[25:54] Ian: And I'm, like—

[25:55] Patrick: I want to punch him in the face.

[25:58] Ian: Like, I hate this—

[25:59] Patrick: I think it's stupid.

[26:00] Ian: I think it's fun.

[26:01] Patrick: Well, it's just, like, it's so—

[26:02] Ian: I mean, I went to the LMDC tour, and I am traumatized by him singing that version because he was really annoying about it.

[26:12] Patrick: Well, he's not going to bring out all the fucking warblers.

[26:17] Ian: I don't— I don't know.

[26:20] Patrick: I think it's just kind of, like, cringey.

[26:22] Ian: Like, I get that some people like it.

[26:24] Patrick: But, Ian, to your point, Baby It's Cold Outside, I think it's, like, a really, really, really significant, like, piece of glee.

[26:35] Ian: I think, one, yeah, it's because Clayne actually sounds good.

[26:39] Patrick: Clayne's actually likable.

[26:41] Ian: Clayne's actually exciting.

[26:43] Patrick: That doesn't last forever.

[26:45] Ian: But then, to me—

[26:47] Patrick: But then, I think, yeah, it was, like, a cultural thing.

[26:51] Ian: It was, like, two men singing this song to each other, and it's, like, a standard, like, love-ish song in the Christmas season.

[27:02] Patrick: I think that's, like, a really—

[27:04] Ian: I was really, really sad to see that go, especially for, like, a second version that wasn't as good of, like, a more—

[27:12] Patrick: of, like, a powerful glee song.

[27:14] Ian: So, I really didn't agree with that decision at all, and that's really my only grievance as well.

[27:21] Patrick: Okay. Heard.

[27:23] Ian: Hey.

[27:24] Patrick: I'm so sorry. Can we be friends again?

[27:27] Ian: Uh.

[27:29] Patrick: Maybe.

[27:30] Ian: Okay. I'll agree with your decisions today.

[27:33] Patrick: I'll consider.

[27:34] Ian: I promise.

[27:35] Patrick: Please.

[27:36] Ian: But all the songs that I want to go through will go through.

[27:38] Patrick: And then maybe just pouring one out for Diva.

[27:40] Ian: I would have picked Diva.

[27:42] Patrick: Yeah.

[27:43] Ian: I was kind of surprised it went that way.

[27:45] Patrick: That's crazy to me.

[27:46] Ian: I'm, like, I don't know.

[27:49] Patrick: Like, I brought it up in the episode.

[27:51] Ian: I'm not looking forward to talking about Problem again.

[27:54] Patrick: Yeah.

[27:55] Ian: Really?

[27:56] Patrick: I'm just, like—

[27:57] Ian: Let's not do that.

[27:58] Patrick: It's reverse time.

[28:00] Ian: Let's turn back time.

[28:06] Patrick: When we get to Problem in round four, you're not getting a peep out of me.

[28:08] Ian: But then you randomly, like, made, um, Come See About Me catch a stray.

[28:12] Patrick: Like, you were talking about Problem, and you're like, do you know what's a sucky song?

[28:17] Ian: Come See About Me.

[28:18] Patrick: And I was like, what?

[28:19] Ian: So, I don't know.

[28:21] Patrick: There were a few little things in the last episode where I was like, mm, Andrew.

[28:25] Ian: I'm not sure about that.

[28:28] Patrick: I feel so—

[28:29] Ian: No, because I agree. I've been catching myself while editing that I'm like, I don't even agree with the things that I'm saying.

[28:35] Patrick: Like, that was—

[28:36] Ian: Blinkin' too hard.

[28:37] Patrick: Wow, that was kind of, like, out of hand.

[28:39] Ian: Yeah.

[28:40] Patrick: I need to take a step back.

[28:42] Ian: Um, so, what are we manifesting?

[28:45] Patrick: What do we want?

[28:46] Ian: Do we want to fight?

[28:47] Patrick: I feel like we already are, so I feel like now we chill.

[28:49] Ian: Contention's in the chat.

[28:50] Patrick: Yeah.

[28:51] Ian: The chat's going wild right now.

[28:53] Patrick: They're like,

[28:54] Ian: The live chat.

[28:55] Patrick: The live chat's popping up.

[28:56] Ian: No, I don't know.

[28:57] Patrick: Well, Ian, I remember we've done this dance before, but only at the very end of the round two final competition.

[29:04] Ian: So, we already knew.

[29:05] Patrick: But, like, I remember that episode.

[29:08] Ian: I was, like, kind of tired because we were the last competition, and we were waiting for, like, two and a half hours.

[29:14] Patrick: And then, like, by the time it was our turn, it was, like, we already knew what the two songs would be.

[29:20] Ian: So, I listened back to that the other day, and I was, like, oh, like,

[29:25] Patrick: I was so polite and just like was like listening to it like Ian and Andrew had to say and then I'd like chime in and then maybe this is how like a true episode with the three of us will go. Like I will come out of the gates being a little excited to talk about Gleek.

[29:39] Ian: We needed that. We needed the little like polite get-together the first time around.

[29:44] Patrick: Yeah it was also like it was you know it was like a benchmark episode. It was the end of round two. We had to be on our best behavior. Andrew actually sent each of us a private DM being like do not fuck this up for me.

[29:56] Ian: Oh he hired someone to mess me around a bit.

[30:02] Patrick: That's why you were late. And they did.

[30:05] Ian: You were like you were coming from a reversal but really like.

[30:08] Patrick: That's why I had a black eye. What am I looking forward to today?

[30:14] Ian: Yeah.

[30:15] Patrick: I don't know like Ian I know that like I feel like you've been around for some like really intense competitions. I think there was a string of episodes that you were on where you were saying like people keep getting mad at me. I wouldn't mind like kind of a harder competition. I think those are fun. So yeah I just want I want some like significant songs not to say that I want them to be pulled so they die. I just I want to talk about some of like the Glee royalty today.

[30:45] Ian: Yeah we already did talk about our Queen Kitty though.

[30:48] Patrick: Kitty Wilde. Yes and I know you're joking but I'm serious. Kitty Wilde Glee royalty. I love her.

[30:56] Ian: Is there anything specific that you would like Mr. Ian?

[31:00] Ian: I kind of I agree with Patrick. I you know I want heavy hitters. I always want heavy hitters.

[31:05] Patrick: Yeah and you got like you do have some. I'm like Smooth Criminal Imagine was one of your competitions last round. What other ones like.

[31:14] Ian: Well the one that always haunts me is when it was Claudia and I. Claudia and me. It was Claudia and me. It's for Crack Grammar and it was drama versus all coming back to me now. That one was crazy and I would have gone the other way.

[31:29] Patrick: Hey that was like literally oh you can check Elijah's stats with this one. It's absolutely insane. When the Instagram poll for that competition was had it was 50 50 and literally down to like the same exact amount of people. Crazy. So that was insane. I do. I was like thinking about it's all coming back to me now today and I was like that's really insane. She should still be around.

[32:04] Ian: I know it's it's sad when like she got dropped out. You know maybe if there's like different combinations of people different songs would go through. I just think that maybe I'm not always satisfied enough with like the amount of fanfare something gets like it's all coming back to me now just kind of died and then people are like that was crazy competition but like oh well and like I just I kind of want to talk about it like let's make a group chat to talk about how awful that was. Same with Valerie like people like oh that was a sad competition but the right song went through I'm like I want to like beat a dead horse and like talk about it for 15 minutes. So I want like one of those competitions where like we have to make a decision but like I'm so heartbroken that the other one didn't go through.

[32:44] Patrick: Yeah. I don't like the the like the nights that I have to go to bed after the recording and I'm like fuck that was that was really hard. I'm tossing and turning in bed. Did I make the right decision today?

[32:54] Ian: Yeah. I don't want that today. I need to wake up at 4am tomorrow morning.

[33:01] Patrick: Oh my god. Why?

[33:01] Ian: I am working a golf tournament. I'm so sorry. Upstate and I need to be in Midtown at 6am.

[33:10] Patrick: Oh hell yeah.

[33:10] Ian: And so yeah and then I get back at 11pm.

[33:18] Patrick: Oh. Oh.

[33:18] Ian: He's working overtime. So I'm working overtime. I'm getting that golf money. Anyway so I have a cup here. It's full of songs that are still left in round three of the Glackett and I'm gonna pull one and we're gonna watch it.

[33:25] Patrick: Oh my gosh I can't wait.

[33:32] Ian: Yeah. I hope it's Valerie. I don't know why I had that reaction. Please do the game where you show the first frame. I love trying to guess.

[33:37] Patrick: Me too. It's good and it's it works even better with an audio medium.

[33:42] Ian: All you're hoping that this episode there is a video medium.

[33:51] Patrick: Oh. All yeah. But um you'll get it. You will get it.

[33:57] Ian: Oh okay. Oh there's no there's no chance that you won't. Let's see. It's just Rachel holding a sign that says the name of the song. Here's the song. I'm about to sing.

[34:03] Patrick: Oh my god. Is it Last Christmas? I love this one. I love it.

[34:10] Ian: Oh it's Wham. Yeah that rocked. I love that.

[34:18] Patrick: Yeah. So much. I think we should do a bit where we act like we said a bunch of stuff during the recording to get people to subscribe to Patreon. Just keep reference to be like we were going crazy and just like start mid-conversation to make people think.

[34:30] Ian: I love that. Yeah. We really talked our shit.

[34:39] Patrick: Yeah. I've said all I need to say. I'm ready to vote.

[34:39] Ian: Me too. Let's go. I'm not gonna repeat myself.

[34:48] Patrick: Okay. Wait I do want to bring the legal note of that comes with this performance. This as well as Christmas wrapping are now the last two Christmas songs in the Glockett because of course I don't know if you heard but Baby It's Cold Outside did pass away a few episodes back.

[35:05] Ian: And I would be scared if this song of course we don't know what it's against yet but I would be scared if this song did go through during the month of June what is that saying at a larger scale about straight couples and gay couples you know if this song goes through or not.

[35:30] Patrick: And you know what you have to live with that whatever it is because Ian and I would have done what was right for the culture.

[35:38] Ian: I'd like to start the discourse on this one. For one I feel like this is the most popular Glee Christmas song. Is that right? Like that's one this is the one that's on radio like during Christmastime. I feel like I hear this in stores the most. Right. What this has to be the this has to be the like the most accessible like touchstone.

[36:04] Patrick: This is the one that people think of I would assume the one that I think it's like the most radio play like I think to this day if you turn on a Christmas tunes radio station like they won't really play any other Glee song but they'll play this one. So I kind of view this as like the single of like the Glee Christmas albums. It's kind of like the most popular one.

[36:21] Ian: I love that. I think that like Extraordinary Merry Christmas does get some airplay.

[36:27] Patrick: Oh yeah it does. That's maybe the number two in public.

[36:32] Ian: That's number two.

[36:32] Patrick: Yeah. I really love this one. It kind of like this brings me back to high school and like being done with your semester and then like you go home like I specifically remember this like this episode came out and then I had like finals or something and then I was like re-watching this episode like in my basement and like the TV room like I don't have school tomorrow because it's Christmas break and like Glee's the biggest thing ever and they finally did a Christmas album like I love the energy and like kind of the memory that's attached to this song a lot and man I kind of really really hope we can put this one through especially because I love the Christmas songs and I feel like I've been on I think a few times when we pull Christmas songs and usually I advocate for them because I love you know the last one that was pulled when I was on was um the Kurt Chilpanna song that actually you and I killed Andrew and Matt was sad about.

[37:29] Ian: Oh here comes Santa Claus. But in general like I think sometimes especially in round one some of the Christmas songs were paid just like a little bit of dust and there are some really great ones and this is one of them and I'm glad it's still here and I hope that we kind of get a dud because I want to advocate for this one. I love it.

[37:45] Patrick: Yeah this is so special to me and I do think that like I would be I don't know between like this and Christmas wrapping what would you rather have like as the yeah this being the sole Christmas yeah this definitely this actually yeah um Ian what are you thinking?

[38:10] Ian: I can't say that I agree.

[38:19] Patrick: Oh okay.

[38:19] Ian: I mean in fairness I have never been a Glee Christmas streamer. I watched the episodes but like as far as Glee music you will not catch me streaming the Glee version of Christmas songs. I don't know why I just don't really um but I like Christmas wrapping more personally and if it was between this and Baby It's Cold I would send through Baby It's Cold.

[38:43] Patrick: Oh me too.

[38:43] Ian: But yeah but like so I don't have the the love for this song that the two of you do. I do agree it probably is the most played. I think this is like the only one I've ever heard just like playing in a store somewhere. But like also I just know that people are listening with with this Spotify legal note um that like Jingle Ball Rock is like randomly like in the top five most streamed Glee numbers.

[39:11] Patrick: That is so weird.

[39:11] Ian: And I'm just like what what are we even doing? That is so a lot of bram shippers out there. I'm just like how did we get to this point as a culture that like that's part of the top five? That's why I started the episode the way that I started it.

[39:30] Patrick: Darren Criss is a plague.

[39:30] Ian: What are you talking about? Jingle Ball Rock is the core to Overstreet Babe.

[39:35] Patrick: You said Bram.

[39:35] Ian: Yeah I said yeah that's Britney and Sam.

[39:46] Patrick: Oh shit sorry cut that out.

[39:46] Ian: Because Am is singing Convert. I was like oh that was a that was a Blaine and Sam song. I don't remember that but like another opportunity for me to sit on Blaine? Sure.

[39:51] Patrick: Oh the Blaine the Blaine shippers.

[39:57] Ian: Wait what what is Blaine and Sam's name?

[39:57] Patrick: That's Blam.

[39:57] Ian: Just one consonant difference so it is Blam. I'm so sorry. It is close. All right continue discourse please I will not talk.

[40:04] Patrick: Blaine is not catching strays. Can you say one nice thing before we continue the discourse about Blaine?

[40:08] Ian: Um I liked him for his first set of episodes in season two. I like season two Blaine.

[40:18] Patrick: That's so interesting because I feel the opposite. I'm like when he is just like a figment of Kurt's imagination the ideal boyfriend I'm like happy that we have this representation sure but like whatever and then as the show goes on and he becomes like really needy and controlling is when I like him more. As I already said I'm watching this show to be entertained. I don't want these characters to be good people. I want them to be interesting.

[40:47] Ian: I think my issue with Blaine and when people are like it's so interesting when they delve into his character later on is because like the writers fucked up the show so much to that point where they're like hmm everyone is kind of sick of this show but people the straight girls like Darren Criss so let's play around with his character.

[41:03] Patrick: They don't keep the ratings up.

[41:10] Ian: Yes let's let's give Blaine more and more and more. That's when I was kind of like god like can can we get something else like that's that's why I don't really like it.

[41:21] Patrick: I agree he was for sure stealing a spotlight. He became the second most prevalent character after Rachel and it was a little crazy.

[41:25] Ian: And I did appreciate hearing from like Ian Brennan speaking with um Kevin and Jenna about like what why are you putting your hands up?

[41:32] Patrick: Because I want to talk about this interview.

[41:36] Ian: Finish your thought.

[41:42] Patrick: Okay yeah can you please stop talking? I want to talk about this.

[41:51] Ian: I said shut up my turn.

[41:51] Patrick: Oh we're talking about this? I will talk about this.

[41:55] Ian: Like he talks about like being um you know swayed uh in the later seasons by the the fan service of the all which was really a yes. I'm glad that he acknowledged it.

[42:03] Patrick: So anyway your your point.

[42:06] Ian: I mean we don't need to talk about I mean we might as well we already brought it up and I do want to talk about it. That interview I was texting Lena listening to the interview. I literally said I feel like my skin is on fire. This is the most validating thing I've ever said.

[42:20] Patrick: Yeah like shout out to Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy and I do think they're responsible for a lot of what makes Glee special. But Ian Brennan I've always felt like is the heart and soul of Glee. Like Ryan Murphy gets all the credit but it is Ian Brennan's show. It was his idea initially and I've always felt like he got the show more than the other two did.

[42:35] Ian: And listening to that interview I was like every complaint I have ever said about this show he is calling out in this interview and saying like we paid too much attention to fan feedback. We were treating the characters as too as like too mature. I don't know why we decided to have all of them have sex in season one. We were leapfrogging all these stages and kind of ignoring other teen dramas.

[43:03] Patrick: He's saying the show worked the best when it was small stakes treated like big stakes and once they were out in the world and booking TV shows. I think he specifically acknowledged one thing that you brought up before like the duets episode where it's like the stakes of just like Olive. I think he referred to it as Olive Garden.

[43:18] Ian: Yes.

[43:23] Patrick: But yeah like that he's like that's fun and I'm like thank you. You're right. Yes.

[43:31] Ian: And then him saying if I could end the show again how I would end it is that they don't want to live spectacular lives. He was like the thing that's interesting about show choir is just kind of like when it's over it's over. So I would end it with they're living a normal life and maybe their kid is in show choir and the final shot is just like them at the grocery store and they hear Don't Stop Believing playing over the radio.

[43:50] Patrick: Literally go listen to the Recovering Gleek episode about the finale. We talk so much trash about that finale and how if the show was true to what it set out to be it would end with them as normal people who are just grateful to have had the art in their life. It haunts me.

[44:08] Ian: Mercedes gets out of her car in the finale, runs into Tina and Artie, and Artie is like, "Mercedes, are we allowed to use your number one hit song in my new movie starring Tina?" So fucking stupid, it pisses me off. Kill me! Can one of you be a loser? And just to remind you, you're getting out of your car so we can go watch Rachel win a Tony Award tonight. Like, it's so dumb! And Clayne has new haircuts because they're successful. Oh my gosh, I hate the finale of the show. Like, I can't describe it. It pisses me off so bad. But anyways, that interview, I just like, he gets it. He's always got it. And it was so validating. I need to kiss him on the mouth. So bad. Exactly. I have to. It's actually... I need to. I'll die if I don't.

[45:00] Patrick: Yeah, I have something to say about it too. I liked that interview quite a bit as well. And I feel like, unfortunately, Glee just got too big and they kind of had to do all of those fanservice-y things and stuff. Like, it's kind of one of those things when something becomes, like, too popular, it gets not as good. Like, right now, if Glee was put on some type of streaming service, and it was like a condensed amount of episodes per season, I feel like they wouldn't let it become the damn it that it was. They kind of would have contained it more because there's so much more media now. I think it kind of becomes harder for something to become a cultural phenomenon in today's day than it was in the early 2010s. But yeah, I mean, I think sometimes when I think about that show, I approach it with, or that show, Glee.

[45:57] Ian: That show? This show. We're famously here to talk about a different show. I kind of just get it. It's like, season 5 and 6 blew because Corey passed. I get it. The show kind of got off the rails because they had to make it bigger than life, and they were kind of forced into that corner because of capitalism. I get it. I think I really still... I understood what the show could have been and was supposed to be, despite all the different directions that it went. And I don't know, I don't have that relationship with any other type of show that I watch. If a show gets bad, I'm like, yeah, the show kind of fell off and got bad. With Glee, I kind of like, I'll give any excuse to explain why it got bad, but it just kind of did, but I still loved it. But I kind of knew what it was supposed to be, and I don't know, I can sleep at night because of that, I think. Did that make sense?

[46:54] Patrick: That did make sense.

[46:56] Ian: Oh, good. I'm very forgiving of the show kind of taking a teeter, of course. Yeah, it makes sense. And also, I think, as it relates to my other baby show, the hit ABC show, Lost, that it's like, I think the big similarity is because, of course, people say the series does fall off considerably as the series continues. But it's really toxic to think that maybe the show was as popular, these two shows were as popular and as good as they were, because the people creating it were working so fucking hard on it. And it was like, they were exhausting themselves, and it was very finite, the amount of people that were working on it as well, that it was like, oh, I only want our fingerprints, this select group of people, our fingerprints on every single thing to do with it.

And that is just unfortunately, like, we humans can't do all of that for years on end. And so bringing in new people, unfortunately, like, fortunately, you can sleep at night and you have less responsibilities. But unfortunately, you lose some of kind of what the original show's DNA is, because you have so many other people working on it. And so I don't know, that's kind of what I need to live with, that it's like, yeah, you were working really hard. And it was exhausting. And I really liked the work that you did when you worked yourself to death.

[48:36] Patrick: The one thing that still bothers me, though, is that I remember some type of interview at the end of season six, I think it was Ian Brennan, not Tony Warburton or Darren Chris Ian, but Ian Brennan, said, I think he said, well, this show, you know, has always just been about like arts education and stuff like that. And I'm like, the one critique I still have is like, they could have just still told the writers like what the thesis of the show was, because it became about like, your dreams coming true. And then it became about like radical acceptance. And then it became about like, for them to say it was always about arts education is like weird, because they just randomly like killed the Glee Club in season five, so they could go to New York. Like, I don't know, it was weird. So that's my one final comment about that is that like, I kind of trust his vision so much, but like, he says things that aren't consistent with like what they ended up doing.

[49:34] Ian: Um, I think why he has such a clear vision of it now is because he's 10 years removed from the fact. And when it is like, when you're so deep in it, it's hard to kind of give it an eagle eye view anymore. You know, like, I agree with what you were saying, Patrick, that it kind of, it fell prey to being a massive hit. And yes, you start out with a thesis statement. But I don't even think like, the new writers came in and they didn't get the thesis statement. I think like the R.I.B. kind of got lost in what they wanted the show to say, because they were so focused on like deadlines and making money for the network and keeping the ratings up. And everyone on Twitter is talking about this. And also, we want you guys to tour.

And it just turned into when the deadlines are bearing down on you, you can't think of like, what is the overarching story of this season? It's just like, what are we doing next week? And so I agree. I don't really fault them for stuff that happened. I think it was an incredible, incredibly stressful show to make. And goodness knows, the shows that get talked about having a big fall off, get talked about having a big fall off because they were so high concept and so good to begin with. No one is talking about like some mediocre sitcom having a big fall off.

[51:56] Patrick: So yeah, very good point. Yeah. Overall, I love the show. And I love all 100. Yeah, I love that show. I love every episode of it. But I do also think that Ian Brennan, 10 years removed, makes some amazing points about the show.

[52:18] Ian: Um, I just want to acknowledge that show is a reference to and I think that you'll enjoy this reference if you don't. I'm gonna be really, really upset. Um, it's from What Would You Do? And I've watched that shit so much. I love What Would You Do? And there was like, there was like these people that were in a scenario. And like, the girl is like, I feel like we're on that show right now. And then it cuts to John Quiñones like in the back room. And he's like, that show.

[52:48] Patrick: I've never seen that. That's so funny.

[52:54] Ian: I need to, it's so fucking funny.

[52:57] Patrick: Mon Carousel.

[52:59] Ian: That Oh, but I like find exactly what what I I should have like clipped it when I watched it. But I need to find exactly what should I have the foresight? Yeah, yeah. Fuck. I knew that we would be here. Anyway, last Christmas. Um, of course, further to say about that song, I have one other thought. That's song.

[53:05] Ian: No, no, like it came out during the airing of season one, like they recorded it and they just like, like Leah and Corey recorded this. And also, I believe that Amber Riley does like the backing vocals for like the MP3. And then they just like, had it in the vault, essentially. And they were like, Oh, we like they didn't record it for this episode specifically. They just similar to like, Oh, holy night. Yeah, yeah. So crazy. So I don't I feel like they were like, trying to see like how like a Christmas song would do they release it to radio and stuff before this. I forget. I feel like that this was something that I learned through Allison Dodge had this legal note, I did not know about this this legal note until she she presented the legal note on my desk.

And I was like, Oh, this is interesting. It doesn't surprise me that much, though, because it they for sure were like, okay, we're gonna do Christmas album, and we need to like make the units and like, push it out before, you know, Christmas. So that doesn't like super surprised me. But it is an interesting fact. Thank you. Last Christmas was indeed last Christmas, especially because it works so well. Yeah, feel shoehorned in. Speaking of things in Oh, yeah, we do. I don't think I don't think that do we do we want to watch the Tony's already told you I could watch the opener on Twitter. Yeah, I don't care. Fine. I'd rather be my friends. Exactly.

[53:24] Patrick: My remaining thought is a lot of the Glee Christmas songs are them being like, this will sell a lot of records. So let's put this song in. This one obviously sold a lot of records, but thematically makes sense. During the fall finale of season one, she did, in fact, give Finn her heart. And then in the opener of the spring section of the of season one, that was such a weird way to say that the first episode of the back nine, he breaks up with her. So I do think that it's a it's a smart song choice. It makes sense. Do you the situation? Do you know the the, like the history of this of this Gleecast version of my Gleecast? Because it is really interesting.

[54:42] Ian: So this next song is everyone's rooting for this song to be involved in a competition that unfortunately, it's just not now because it's in this competition. Oh, no, I take that back. Um, is that is that a weird way of I have no idea what you're saying. It's like a it's a good song. People want this song. You're gonna know exactly what I mean by that when you see what song it is. Is it lose my breath? No. Oh, uh, not what competition people want. Oh, I hate that. Oh, my God. It's Oh, my God. drop. It's Santana's drop and people really obviously want the drop off. But um, no, it's just not happening today. Maybe next round. I should have said I wanted a droppy drop.

[55:37] Patrick: Yeah, that's on you.

[55:40] Ian: Okay, sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Those were the Tony awards. We just watched it right now. No, no, no. No, no, no. No, no, no really incredible stuff. I really like this. I really like that one, actually. Anyway, who wants to start the discourse here? I did it last time. So one of you can. I'm breathless. I'm speechless. I don't have anything to say. One of you can go. I'm thinking, of course, about our conversation earlier about like, the Glee Club being wildly successful. I was just like thinking I was like, would I would be more interested? Curious your thoughts would be more interested if this was like a smaller production of funny girl that Rachel is the lead of, like, just like, you know, I don't I don't I don't have the the words and maybe what with like, you know, just like a, they were they referenced like the New Jersey.

Like regional theater, like, yeah, Rachel, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That like a regional theater, like production of funny girl, Rachel's the lead. I would be more interested in seeing that this kind of showdown, just like not specifically Broadway. You know what I mean? But I'm like, or no, I do know what you mean. And as a whole, I wish that for the New York plot. I wish it was all a lot smaller and over stuff like some weird, you're not getting paid anything and it's yeah, like the basement of a bar in Brooklyn and we're doing funny girl and I like we're fighting over this like really like similar to like fighting over breadsticks. Yeah. Yes. This moment though. I don't mind like I do mind overall that this plot line is a Broadway show and I wish it wasn't but if they're going to go big and then also go full camp with the big, the big bothers me less.

You know what I'm saying? And this is like really campy and over dramatic and ridiculous that like Santana strolls in to the understudy tryouts that are for some reason happening in the theater with full band and lights singing the song that Rachel's like in high school. I kind of eat it up comically upset about it. She's like oh god Rachel Rachel is whipping her hair back and forth. She like peeks back peeks forward peeks back peeks forward head down head up. It's ridiculous and so well I don't like the whole her being in a Broadway show at 19. I am kind of like I'm okay for this one scene for it to be Broadway personally. Wait why specifically why this scene? Just because it's so campy. I think if if they treated the post high school stuff and they do treat a lot of it with a touch of camp but if they committed more to that I still would feel like it kind of lost sight of what the show is supposed to be, but I would mind it less. It's just like the show evolved into something.

[58:49] Broadway Podcast Network: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week!

[59:19] Broadway Podcast Network: Today, we’re diving into some exciting topics, including Lea Michele's solo music and Ian Brennan's recent interview.

[59:49] Broadway Podcast Network: We also have some great songs lined up for discussion.

[1:00:19] Broadway Podcast Network: So, let’s get started!

[1:00:39] Ian: I’m really excited to talk about Lea Michele's solo music today.

[1:00:59] Patrick: Yeah, it’s been a hot topic among Gleeks lately.

[1:01:19] Ian: I think her voice has really evolved since Glee.

[1:01:39] Patrick: Absolutely, and her solo work showcases that growth.

[1:01:59] Ian: Speaking of growth, did you catch Ian Brennan's interview?

[1:02:19] Patrick: I did! He had some interesting insights about the show.

[1:02:39] Ian: Right? It’s fascinating to hear his perspective on the creative process.

[1:02:59] Patrick: And how he feels about the legacy of Glee.

[1:03:19] Ian: Exactly! It’s a show that has had such a lasting impact.

[1:03:39] Patrick: For sure. And it’s interesting to see how fans still connect with it.

[1:03:59] Ian: Speaking of connections, let’s talk about some of the songs featured in this episode.

[1:04:19] Patrick: Yes! The first one is "Barely Breathing."

[1:04:39] Ian: Such a classic!

[1:04:59] Patrick: And it really highlights the emotional depth of the characters.

[1:05:19] Ian: I agree.

[1:05:39] Patrick: Next up, we have "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Season 5.

[1:05:59] Ian: That performance is iconic!

[1:06:19] Patrick: It really is. Lea Michele just brings so much energy to that song.

[1:06:39] Ian: And the staging was fantastic too!

[1:06:59] Patrick: Definitely!

[1:07:19] Ian: Then we have "Don't You Want Me."

[1:07:39] Patrick: A fun throwback!

[1:07:59] Ian: It’s such a catchy tune.

[1:08:19] Patrick: And it really captures the spirit of the show.

[1:08:39] Ian: Lastly, we have "Last Christmas."

[1:08:59] Patrick: A perfect song for the holiday season!

[1:09:19] Ian: It’s always a fan favorite.

[1:09:39] Patrick: For sure!

[1:09:59] Ian: So, which song do you think should move forward on the Glacket?

[1:10:19] Patrick: That’s a tough choice!

[1:10:39] Ian: I know! They all have their merits.

[1:10:59] Patrick: Let’s break it down one by one.

[1:11:19] Ian: Sounds good!

[1:11:39] Patrick: I think "Don't Rain On My Parade" has to be a contender.

[1:11:59] Ian: Agreed! It’s such a powerful performance.

[1:12:19] Patrick: But "Barely Breathing" has its own emotional weight.

[1:12:39] Ian: True!

[1:12:59] Patrick: This is going to be a tough decision.

[1:13:19] Ian: It really is! Let’s keep discussing and see where we land.

[1:13:32] Andrew: Thank you. All right, we're all on the same page. That's a weird thing to do.

[1:13:36] Ian: That is weird.

[1:13:38] Patrick: I'm obsessed with, like, the glisteners who are going to start this episode hearing us frantically say, like,

[1:13:49] Andrew: It's always so fun to think about, like, obviously right now I don't know how long the episode's going to be, but everybody listening does.

[1:13:57] Ian: Four hours.

[1:13:57] Patrick: Yeah.

[1:13:58] Andrew: That's exciting. Hey. Um, so I think that we've, oh, I just, like, have one last, two last final things to say about Santana Drum. Um.

[1:14:10] Patrick: I like her dress.

[1:14:11] Ian: I like her dress. She's stunning. Those heels were healing.

[1:14:17] Andrew: And, um, last time we saw this was in the Adam and Nicky Anders episode in round two. And, um, maybe glisteners will recall that during the performance, um, Adam turns over to Nicky and says, that's your vocal right there as she's doing the, like, the belt toward the end. I forget specifically. You can go, like, re-listen to the episode because it's right where they say it, obviously. Um, but, um, yeah.

[1:14:50] Ian: No, and I think I, like, have a follow-up question where I'm like, wait, what do you mean by that? And she's like, oh, like, sometimes, like, they, because of, like, uh, scheduling conflicts or whatever, like, we wouldn't be able to, like, get Naya to, like, do that or, for any reason. And with any cast member, not just specifically Naya, um, that, like, Nicky would go in and be like, yeah, I'll just, I'll provide that, that little run right there. So not to discredit the performance, of course. I believe that Naya could do that. Um, but I think it's interesting.

[1:15:21] Patrick: And also, uh, I had a conversation around that performance that I really, really liked. Um, like, because I asked Adam about, like, this new arrangement of Drump as opposed to the, like, tried and true Rachel version that, uh, is true to Broadway. Um, that he described it as, the Santana version, as, like, rock opera vibes. And I'm like, ooh, I like that.

[1:15:48] Andrew: Do not, you're giving me a furrowed brow.

[1:15:50] Ian: Um, no, no, me.

[1:15:54] Patrick: I'm currently trying to confirm a suspicion, but I do have thoughts on that.

[1:15:57] Ian: And I think my suspicion might be wrong.

[1:15:59] Patrick: What do you mean?

[1:16:00] Ian: Go ahead.

[1:16:01] Patrick: Oh, I was right. And when Patrick was talking about the dress and I was like this, a picture of her from this scene in this dress is what Variety used for the 100 best performances, television performances of that. Yeah, there she is in the dress.

[1:16:18] Ian: She is.

[1:16:18] Andrew: Um, no, I agree. I, this is a big conversation. That's why I think a Drump be Drump is interesting. Because it is a unique take on this song that I think really is, like, exciting and cool and works in this song. But if I went to see a production of Funny Girl and Fanny Bryce sang every song like this, I'd be like, so what the fuck is this show then?

[1:16:44] Patrick: Oh, what a great point.

[1:16:46] Ian: What does her, like, Sadie Sadie sound like?

[1:16:49] Patrick: Yeah, her singing Sadie Sadie, Married Lady, like this?

[1:16:53] Ian: Yeah, no, this is a conversation. I actually kind of need to hear that, actually. Yeah, this is a conversation I have with people all the time, which is like, it is one conversation to do which Drump is better. It is a completely different conversation to say whose Fanny would be better. And I'm all for, like, Drump be Drump. There is a debate there. I have my opinion. But your opinion is just as valid. And, like, I think both amazing points can be made on all sides.

[1:17:21] Patrick: Personally, I think there is zero case that Santana Lopez would be a better Fanny. I think she is horribly miscast in the role. Just, like, as Fanny Bryce.

[1:17:27] Ian: I think that she could have, like, mimicked—

[1:17:37] Patrick: Is she a funny girl?

[1:17:39] Ian: She's a funny girl. I think that I always assumed that she had to do the role like Rachel.

[1:17:48] Patrick: Yeah, I mean, she would have to.

[1:17:51] Ian: So then, I don't know, like, the only thing we really saw her do from Funny Girl is, like, the Santana Lopez-ified version of the song. But I never really thought about it. But yeah, like, it doesn't make sense for her to be cast as Fanny. It doesn't make sense for Rachel to be cast as Maria.

[1:18:13] Patrick: Are we going to have that conversation?

[1:18:15] Ian: But I'm saying, even beyond, like, Fanny as Jewish, I'm saying, like, Fanny is a funny girl. Santana Lopez is a funny girl. Santana Lopez is funny because she is incredibly blunt. She's incredibly dry. She's incredibly sarcastic. Fanny is funny because she's, where, where, where? I'm on vaudeville, and I'm going to be a little cartoon character. I'm falling on my face.

[1:18:36] Patrick: Yeah, like, they are. She's like, throw a pie at me. Like, that's Fanny Bryce. They are completely different versions of comedy. And, like, maybe Santana can do that. But based on this audition, she's not doing that. She's doing her Santana shtick. And that's not going to work for this show.

[1:18:54] Ian: Um, I do want to, like, just call out, um, Patrick. The audition process for, like, okay, I'm just like, I feel like I'm just, like, playing devil's advocate, kind of. But, like, the audition process that we know up until this point for Funny Girl doesn't make any fucking sense. Like, she, she booked this role, Rachel, with Don't Stop Believing in To Love You More. Girl, I want to see you. I want to see you do something from the show. I want to see you do, like, okay, the music that makes you dance. Come on, we were robbed of that Glee cast. Where's my Glee cast?

[1:19:27] Patrick: So anyway, I don't know. It's just, like, I could fall on either side of the argument. I'm just, like, the argument that I'm saying right now. Is there an argument that I'm making? Like, you're like, let me explain something to you, Patrick. And I'm like, what are you explaining, Patrick? You claim to have watched the show, but I don't know who you are. That, like, they made Santana do it like Rachel because she was her understudy. And then you guys are like, well, actually, in case you didn't remember, she's in Don't Stop Believing's audition. She booked the Celine Dion song! I got it, got it.

[1:20:03] Ian: Um, yeah, no, I, and you put it really well. Like, it's fun within the context of Laglacut to be able to do Drop Me Drump because for me, it's kind of depending on what day it is. Like, I love both of them. And I think that I'll always kind of have a little bit of a bias to Naya Santana songs because we miss her bad. And, like, that was such a, you really weren't expecting that. Like, when we saw that live, we were all definitely gagged. So, like, it's kind of just, like, fun. But, yeah, I don't think, like, Santana would be a great Fanny Bryce. I agree with that. Don't have to convince me.

[1:20:40] Patrick: Stop arguing!

[1:20:42] Andrew: Hey!

[1:20:43] Ian: What?

[1:20:49] Andrew: Anyway, I remember when the spoilers came out for this episode and we got the songs first before we had any, like, plot details. And so, like, when it was, like, revealed that Santana would be singing Drump, I remember, like, because I was, like, I was constantly on the Glee Wiki and people, like, were, people were logging hours on there saying, like, every thought that came to their mind. And I remember, like, one specific thought that was, like, oh, if Santana's singing Drump, maybe Rachel will be singing Songbird. Maybe it'll be, like, an episode where they're just, like, singing the other songs.

[1:21:24] Patrick: Rachel's Valerie, baby.

[1:21:26] Ian: Glee 100! We had our chance!

[1:21:29] Patrick: We will have our chance.

[1:21:31] Ian: But now, now that I'm saying it out loud, Songbird was a song off of her Lullaby album in 2021.

[1:21:39] Patrick: So, we did get it in the end.

[1:21:41] Ian: Hey!

[1:21:42] Andrew: She was, like, I gotta, I gotta put my own voice on this track. Can I ask a question?

[1:21:48] Patrick: Yeah.

[1:21:48] Andrew: On this damn Glee podcast?

[1:21:50] Patrick: Yes.

[1:21:50] Andrew: I, Lea Michele's album, Louder, is so fucking good. I have to be so real, and you already know what I'm gonna say.

[1:22:00] Ian: You don't listen to it, so I wanted to know, like, Ian, have you listened to that album?

[1:22:04] Ian: No, I haven't. I'm so sorry.

[1:22:05] Patrick: They're, oh my god, guys. Can we put this on the carousel? Cue the rain and Don't Let Go are really good.

[1:22:13] Andrew: What is the carousel edition?

[1:22:15] Ian: I don't know.

[1:22:15] Patrick: What is it?

[1:22:17] Ian: I'm trying to think of, like, what's the carousel from this episode so far, and I have no idea.

[1:22:23] Andrew: It's Patrick with a gun, and it says, listen to Cue the Rain.

[1:22:27] Ian: Finally, a vision! Songbird on her Lullaby album. I'm like, why haven't you listened to her, like, actually, like, trying to be a pop star album? Where were you?

[1:22:37] Patrick: I like this book, Jokely, because they do covers. I don't have any context for these original songs. Uh, and so with the Lullaby album, they're all covers, and I like that.

[1:22:48] Ian: I'm not afraid to say it. Gleeks, stream Cue the Rain. And everyone's heard If You Say So, but you couldn't be bothered to hear the other songs on that album?

[1:22:58] Patrick: I'm clocking it. Hello.

[1:23:01] Ian: That's a big streamer for me.

[1:23:03] Patrick: Then listen to the rest of the album. It's just, like, shitty, like, b-side pop from, like, 2014.

[1:23:09] Ian: I believe you. I do believe you.

[1:23:12] Patrick: Um.

[1:23:12] Ian: The selling point of this album, why you have to listen to it, is that it's shitty b-side pop.

[1:23:20] Andrew: You guys don't know what you're missing. Watch, watch the Don't Let Go music video.

[1:23:25] Ian: I will watch it, okay?

[1:23:26] Patrick: Please.

[1:23:28] Ian: I'll do a live watch.

[1:23:31] Andrew: No, this drives me crazy. You're like, I'm the Glee Wiki, but you didn't listen to the main character of Glee's studio album?

[1:23:40] Ian: What more do I need to do to prove?

[1:23:43] Patrick: It's just, like, people who are, like, I don't know. You know me well enough where I'm just, like, gatekeeping about random shit. And I'm like, how have you not listened to this?

[1:23:54] Ian: That's what I always say about you.

[1:23:55] Patrick: That you're gatekeeping about random shit.

[1:23:58] Ian: Not exclusive to shitty pop music from 2014.

[1:24:04] Patrick: B-side pop music.

[1:24:05] Andrew: Okay. Yeah. Do we want to vote? Or do we have anything?

[1:24:10] Ian: I really like the discourse that we just had. I just want to say one positive thing. I really like the discourse that we had.

[1:24:14] Patrick: About the album?

[1:24:18] Ian: Where we were mostly being mean to you.

[1:24:20] Andrew: Yeah.

[1:24:22] Ian: Go ahead, Ian.

[1:24:23] Ian: I just feel extremely strongly about how this competition should go, and it's going to kind of break my heart if it doesn't go that direction.

[1:24:31] Andrew: Okay, so I can read between the lines. I think we're on the same page.

[1:24:35] Ian: We are?

[1:24:35] Patrick: Okay.

[1:24:36] Ian: But, like, let me then just, like, say goodbye to last Christmas.

[1:24:39] Patrick: Okay.

[1:24:40] Ian: Oh, you're calling it out.

[1:24:42] Andrew: Okay.

[1:24:44] Ian: So, so, so beautiful to me.

[1:24:47] Patrick: Apparently not to Ian.

[1:24:50] Ian: Glee Christmas, we love you so much, even though Andrew always votes against you for some reason.

[1:24:56] Patrick: Always.

[1:24:56] Ian: Baby, it's cold outside. Where are you? We miss you so bad. We need you here. I hope that last Christmas keeps you company.

[1:25:07] Patrick: Um, I hope that Christmas wrapping soon joins you.

[1:25:10] Ian: We haven't even voted!

[1:25:12] Andrew: And it truly was your last Christmas.

[1:25:15] Ian: Oh my god, I wanted to say that!

[1:25:18] Andrew: I'm cutting that.

[1:25:18] Ian: Don't rain on your parade in round four!

[1:25:24] Patrick: No, I have something better for that.

[1:25:26] Ian: I'll cook up something better than that for a drop. Trust.

[1:25:30] Andrew: Okay.

[1:25:31] Ian: That was shit, is what I'm saying.

[1:25:34] Patrick: I'm so sorry.

[1:25:36] Ian: Okay, so I'm voting for Dromp Santana's version.

[1:25:40] Patrick: What was Samantha's Dromp?

[1:25:42] Ian: Isn't that the round one joke?

[1:25:44] Patrick: That was a round one joke. Big brain, right here!

[1:25:48] Ian: Yeah, big brain, real gleek, real gleek. I'm voting for that one. And the last thing I want to say is, like, I like when she gets on the stage and she goes, Mr. Arnstein! And she's, like, smiling. But she's, like, kind of, like, coyly smiling. I like that one. The end.

[1:26:04] Patrick: Yeah. Listen to it louder!

[1:26:07] Ian: That's the album I'm writing.

[1:26:10] Patrick: Green cue the rain! And watch the Don't Let Go music video.

[1:26:14] Ian: Thank you. Like, the context of, like, you making, like, like, an Instagram post where you're, like, I'm endorsing this candidate. And I think that, like, I voted for them. Also, stream my new album! Pick Friday's out! Everybody!

[1:26:32] Andrew: Enough about that! More about me!

[1:26:34] Ian: I feel insane right now. Ian, what are you voting? What are you doing right now?

[1:26:39] Ian: Oh, yeah. I just drop. And it's not even because I want to drumpy drop, which I do. But I just truly, I already said it last Christmas, I think it's fine. It doesn't speak to me. And this number is fun. And I love when Santana bucks at Rachel when she goes, I'm gonna have my bite, sir. I think that is hilarious.

[1:27:01] Patrick: Juicy, juicy, juicy, and you see.

[1:27:07] Ian: That is a consistent, that's part of Elias and I lexicon. That's like juicy, juicy, and you see.

[1:27:09] Patrick: Juicy, juicy, and you see.

[1:27:14] Ian: It's just so, it's just so stupid.

[1:27:16] Patrick: Lucy, kaboosie, juicy, juicy, you see.

[1:27:18] Ian: Juicy, juicy, Lucy, kaboosie, and you see.

[1:27:22] Patrick: Wait, what?

[1:27:22] Ian: Juicy, juicy, Lucy, kaboosie, and you see.

[1:27:29] Patrick: Do you want me to do it?

[1:27:31] Ian: You do it.

[1:27:31] Patrick: You guys don't like when I do the pity votes.

[1:27:33] Ian: I mean, I just say, vote what's in your heart. If you were the only one voting and the one that you picked went through, which one would you pick?

[1:27:43] Andrew: That's my mentality.

[1:27:44] Ian: Yes, I would vote for don't write in my parade.

[1:27:46] Patrick: Yes.

[1:27:47] Ian: I would vote for don't write in my parade.

[1:27:48] Patrick: Yes, I would vote for don't write in my parade.

[1:27:50] Ian: Yes.

[1:27:51] Patrick: Okay.

[1:27:52] Ian: But I just want to...

[1:27:54] Patrick: Give a pity vote to her because I love it so much.

[1:27:56] Ian: Kiss on the forehead. Last Christmas, you are really gorgeous.

[1:28:02] Patrick: Yeah, I mean that. And I do like the moment at the beginning of that song when Rachel is so desperate to find something to talk about that she goes, by way of...

[1:28:12] Ian: Oh, I love this song.

[1:28:15] Andrew: Just to be like, maybe he's a George Michael fan.

[1:28:19] Ian: Finn, it's Wham!

[1:28:20] Patrick: This is Wham! I'm not crazy, right? Come on!

[1:28:23] Ian: Well, it's also because they're trying to be like, remember I'm Jewish, so this isn't culturally significant to me?

[1:28:29] Andrew: Christmas song? Wham? Like, weird! I've actually heard this one!

[1:28:33] Ian: Wham?

[1:28:35] Patrick: Wham?

[1:28:36] Ian: Blam?

[1:28:37] Patrick: Blam?

[1:28:38] Ian: Or Wham?

[1:28:40] Patrick: Bram?

[1:28:41] Ian: Bram?

[1:28:42] Patrick: Sublame?

[1:28:42] Ian: Sublame is foul.

[1:28:45] Patrick: Give me some sublame!

[1:28:46] Ian: Sublame?

[1:28:48] Patrick: Give me some sublame in this next one.

[1:28:50] Andrew: Okay, thank you. Segway.

[1:28:53] Ian: That was a good competition.

[1:28:55] Patrick: Thank you.

[1:28:55] Ian: Yay! I had a feeling this song would be in this episode.

[1:28:59] Andrew: I didn't hear...

[1:28:59] Ian: Oh, it's sublame.

[1:29:00] Patrick: It's sublame!

[1:29:03] Ian: Oh, good! It's sublame!

[1:29:04] Patrick: Good.

[1:29:05] Ian: Blame feature, I'll say that much.

[1:29:07] Andrew: Oh.

[1:29:09] Ian: Is it, is it, um...

[1:29:10] Patrick: Me, me, me against them.

[1:29:12] Ian: That died in round one, baby.

[1:29:14] Patrick: Oh, it did?

[1:29:15] Ian: Fake. Gleek alert.

[1:29:17] Patrick: I don't listen to this podcast.

[1:29:19] Ian: You don't? It's okay.

[1:29:22] Patrick: No, it's okay.

[1:29:23] Ian: Just like you don't listen to Louder.

[1:29:25] Patrick: Okay, sorry. What's the song?

[1:29:27] Ian: No, we're being really...

[1:29:29] Patrick: Can we stop? Can we stop being mean?

[1:29:31] Ian: I'm not being mean!

[1:29:34] Patrick: I'm just saying facts.

[1:29:35] Ian: I'm being mean! I'm not proud of myself.

[1:29:38] Patrick: Really? Honest with people?

[1:29:41] Ian: I thought you said you listened to Louder!

[1:29:42] Patrick: Oh my gosh! I will pass out!

[1:29:50] Ian: This is significant, for sure. Wait, this is, this is maybe the craziest reaction.

[1:29:54] Patrick: I do not understand how much I love this song.

[1:29:59] Ian: It is maybe my second favorite duet in the show, period.

[1:30:04] Patrick: Second only to Last Christmas?

[1:30:06] Ian: Second only to Last Christmas.

[1:30:07] Patrick: No, second to Faithfully.

[1:30:08] Ian: Wait, what's number one?

[1:30:08] Patrick: Faithfully.

[1:30:10] Ian: Faithfully.

[1:30:11] Patrick: Oh, I love Faithfully.

[1:30:12] Ian: I am obsessed with this. I can't wait. Let's do it.

[1:30:16] Andrew: That is the, maybe the best reaction that I've ever seen on this damn podcast.

[1:30:21] Ian: Okay, here we go. The song that Ian is reacting to here is Don't You Want Me.

[1:30:27] Andrew: Okay, so Ian, you hated that?

[1:30:30] Ian: I... I'm gonna burst into tears.

[1:30:34] Patrick: That's what Glee is all about.

[1:30:39] Ian: I rewatched, I haven't watched Blame It on the Alcohol in a very long time, and I rewatched it like two weeks ago. I was like, oh, like, I remember it being good. I like ended the episode, I was like, that was like a really, really wonderful episode. Like, it's like top to bottom. Like, I just felt like every scene was so packed, and like they were doing so much, and I thought that like, this performance really highlighted how much coverage that they can get with like, all the characters as well. Everybody is like, kind of having their own little story unfold watching this performance. It's, it's crazy. Like, the room is like insane. I would not ever want to be in this room. I'm so sorry. Like, it actually feels like, so, I don't know. I just like, I was watching, I was like, oh, I don't, I, it's, it's too much for me to handle. But really, really great. Really loved it. I'll say that.

[1:31:38] Patrick: Oh, yeah. There's so much to love about this number. First and foremost, like you said, while it is a Rachel and Blaine duet, it is a showcase for the entire Glee Club. Everyone, like, every single character has a clear point of view, has, is highlighting an aspect of their character that is fun and interesting to watch. I think the mp3 is better than the original. I think I streamed this more than I streamed the normal version of the song. I think they sound amazing. And also, I love you, Rachel Berry, specifically when you are a huge loser nerd. Them having her wearing this, like, Victorian lace, long ankle length nightgown. Her, when she's, like, drunk and trying to be sexy, framing her face as her dance move.

I'm obsessed. I think it's so fun. Oh, my gosh. And just, like, both of them getting drunk and singing a song together and being like, oh, I think that we're in love is actually the gayest thing they could have done. And it works so perfectly. I just love this number.

[1:32:53] Ian: It's, like, I'm looking, let me share my screen again. I want to show you the last frame that I'm looking at of Rachel. Oh, she's in love. Leah's acting. She's in love. It's great. This is something, and I feel this way about a lot of stuff. Leah Michele's a complicated person, and people who have issues with her, it's, like, a thousand percent valid. And I'm not here to defend her. It's when people start being, like, and she's not even talented. I'm like, but you also don't have to lie. Like, you actually can just say the valid critiques. Because, like, the proof is in the pudding. She's an amazing singer. And at least in my opinion, she's a very good actor on this show.

[1:33:38] Patrick: No, it does haunt me. Our first conversation in person, Ian, where, like, you brought up, I feel, like, so fucking stupid. But, like, it's, like, it shows, like, growth on my part that, like, I was able to learn and grow. Because I, like, one of the things that you brought up was that, like, I, like, made a post about, like, seeing Funny Girl with Julie Benko. And I was, like, I think, like, I got a little Leah Michelle dig in there. That I was, like, I don't think Leah Michelle could do it, because I don't think that she's funny. Which is, like, it pains me to even, like, regurgitate that right now.

[1:34:15] Ian: I'm pretty sure you said that on the podcast, as well.

[1:34:18] Patrick: Yeah. Oh, my God. What was I on? Like, no, because, like, but then I think of, like, of course, like, Ian, you and Lena, like, talking about, like, the way that you talked about Glee at the beginning.

[1:34:29] Ian: Oh, I still, like, it haunts me to listen to the beginning of our podcast, and us talk such mad smack about this show. And I'm, like, you're just being annoying and dumb and trying to sound smart.

[1:34:39] Patrick: Yeah, no, like, there was a giant stick up my ass. It was just, like, what, that stick was doing the talking. And yeah, no, because, like, it's all right here. Those with eyes to see will see she's funny. She's hilarious. So funny. But, like, also, like, there's a difference between, like, okay, I think that, like, she can, she can, like, dial in and play a funny character.

[1:35:05] Ian: A funny girl.

[1:35:07] Patrick: A funny girl. But then there are times where, like, I watch interviews with her, and I'm, like, I don't know how she, where she gets the funniness from, because I'm, like, do you know what I'm saying?

[1:35:16] Ian: Yes, no, there are some recent interviews she's done, the interviewer hasn't always been able to draw out the best of her.

[1:35:25] Patrick: Oh, any, any interview is specifically you're thinking of?

[1:35:29] Ian: But, um, changing the subject. Sorry, but we can keep talking about this. Raise your hand if you saw this being sung live by these two people.

[1:35:37] Patrick: Oh, you went to LMDC?

[1:35:38] Ian: I went to the LMDC tour. But I'm pretty sure they combined this with, like, Make You Feel My Love or something.

[1:35:44] Patrick: I'm sorry, what?

[1:35:46] Ian: I need to, like, remember.

[1:35:47] Patrick: This song into Make You Feel My Love?

[1:35:49] Ian: Yeah, there's something strange about this. But, yeah, anyway, um, sorry. Don't you want me to make you feel my love?

[1:35:59] Patrick: And they transition.

[1:35:59] Ian: Oh, wait, that does sound right. Like, because, like, Theron is randomly, like, on it as well.

[1:36:07] Patrick: Make You Feel My Love.

[1:36:08] Ian: He's saying parts of it with her. Sorry, but Andrew, you were saying that you don't think she's funny when she interviews.

[1:36:15] Patrick: She's an actress.

[1:36:16] Ian: Yeah, she dials in. In the same way that there are people who are so naturally funny. And then you give them a script. And you're like, damn, you actually don't know how to perform other people's jokes. I think Leah Michele's the opposite. I think she is a very good actress who knows how to land a joke. But she's not quick on her feet. And so, like, her as a person, she's just kind of like, eh. But if you write, if Ian Brennan is typing a script, then she can be directed to, like, be.

[1:36:45] Patrick: Excuse me, can I call you mom from Scream Queens?

[1:36:49] Ian: Yeah, she's so funny, which I do remember. I do remember specifically this conversation we had. What I pointed to is I was like, watch her as Hester in Scream Queens. No one can tell me that shit is not funny.

[1:37:02] Patrick: There's the door, bitch!

[1:37:04] Ian: There's the door, bitch. It's so good in that show! In season two, season two is obviously not nearly as good as season one. But there's a scene where she's locked up in the cage for a lot of season two. And she's talking to Niecy Nash. And those two specifically playing off each other so well. Oh my god. Where I think she says, like, well, I want to go to the party! She's actually unhinged.

[1:37:31] Patrick: Oh my god. I haven't seen. I haven't seen most of season two because I heard it was terrible. And I wanted to just, like, keep season one in memory as amazing. But I have seen the clip where she's talking about what it was like being in prison. And she's like, I had no internet access. I had to draw my own pornography. And I'm a terrible artist. Like, that is so fucking good.

[1:37:54] Ian: There's someone that, like, made, like, a YouTube compilation of, like, each character from each season. And, like, oh, constant rewatch. Like, the Niecy Nash and Lea Michele. It's just, like, they understood. It was so good. There was a night when I was watching best of Niecy Nash and Nassim Pedrad in season one.

[1:38:19] Patrick: Yeah, yeah. Literally, there's one clip that I was crying. I was laughing so hard. I kept rewinding it. Which is when they're, like, searching the haunted house together. And they're all terrified because the murderer's in there. And then Niecy Nash goes, hey, if I were to cut one, you wouldn't tell anyone, right? And when I get nervous, I start farting. And the look on Nassim Pedrad's face.

[1:38:45] Ian: Oh my gosh, it's amazing. I love that show.

[1:38:48] Patrick: Okay, one last thing. Then we'll end Scream Queens talk. But in the pilot, when it's, like, a Niecy Nash debut scene. Where she's, like, talking about how to reach her. Where she's like, okay, you can call this number. There's a little bit of a wait time. But then once you get in, you can talk to them. And then they'll get to me. And then I'll arrive on the case in the emergency. But you can also try this other phone. And it's so good. I just, oh my god. Really obsessed with that show. I need a reboot of that.

[1:39:21] Ian: Well, I have an idea. Maybe Ian, you and Lena thought of this. But you should do a cover in Gleek Presents Scream Queens. So I feel like a Halloween special.

[1:39:29] Patrick: I've talked. Lena and I have discussed this before. Because it's, like, you know, it's the same showrunners. It has a lot. Not a lot, but it has a few of the same cast. I just Scream Queens is, like, the Glee writer. Specifically Ian Brennan at his most irreverent. And it sometimes becomes a minefield that I don't want to navigate, you know?

[1:39:59] Ian: That's true. I remember watching season one with, like, one of my friends. And being like, this show is really funny. And then, like, some of the things I was like, oh, like, I don't want you to think that I think this is funny. And I do. But, like, some of it, yeah, is, like, really. But also, I think that, not to say that, like, you should only, like, tap into, like, shows that are being, like, discussed currently. That, like, people are kind of wanting to have discussions about. But, like, I feel like Scream Queens, unfortunately, hasn't had their, like.

[1:40:29] Patrick: Yeah, it's been lost.

[1:40:29] Ian: Real day in the sun.

[1:40:30] Patrick: Yeah. It's just like, okay, you either watch it or you didn't. And the people that did watch it aren't really, like, thinking about that. Because season two fought so hard. Because John Stamos is in it. Get him away from your projects, people. But we did get Kiersey Alley in it. And she, you know, problematic R.I.P. Rest in power. But she was a good time. She was fun.

[1:40:53] Andrew: Oh, guys, we're past the hour 45 mark.

[1:40:57] Ian: Oh, we have the episode of the year.

[1:40:58] Patrick: Bye. We're going to watch the Tony Awards, I guess.

[1:41:01] Andrew: I guess it goes through. Just pull a random slip out and set it on fire.

[1:41:07] Ian: Wait, can we decide which song?

[1:41:09] Patrick: Oh, yeah, sorry. No, go ahead.

[1:41:11] Ian: I wasn't going to say anything.

[1:41:12] Patrick: Oh, please. I actually mean that that felt sarcastic. I was like, did we finalize the vote from the first competition? And then I'm like, oh, we already pulled the third song. I do love that song a lot. I think the Blame It On The Alcohol episode is great. But, Andrew, you're saying it's like an amazing episode during Pride Month. And that's famously the BioRazor episode. So check yourself before you wreck yourself. But, Andrew, you were, I forget the name of the podcast, but you were on a podcast where you picked three Glee episodes.

[1:42:44] Ian: Happy Media.

[1:42:45] Patrick: Yes. Happy Media. And I listened to it. You didn't pick Blame It On The Alcohol, but you did pick Duets as one of them, which is great because that's like my favorite episode. But you picked Duets because you were kind of saying the episodes that feature, like, the fact that it's an ensemble show are the ones that shine the most. And I think that a lot of people maybe don't realize why they love season two so much. It's like that's definitely the most ensemble-focused season. And they have the most episodes like that. And Blame It On The Alcohol is one of them. And the point that both of you are making where you can kind of see each character's reaction or what they're doing in that number does make it a high ranker for me because it's fun.

And it captures the essence of the ensemble show well, which I always love numbers like that. And also, going into this rewatch of Blame It On The Alcohol, I thought that Brittany had much more of a focus in the episode. She virtually doesn't do anything. She, of course, sings TikTok. But she doesn't really do anything. She doesn't have an overarching plot. She has all that to say.

[1:42:57] Ian: As the ensemble, they're all doing these little things that have such impact that it's like, you feel Britney is way more present in the episode just because of her stripping on top of the washing machine, you know? And doing all these, like, oh my, that's so racist to Mercedes after, not to call the pot, call the kettle black, then she turns to Mercedes, that's a racist. So good. Because she tells us the thesis of the episode, which is, everybody drink responsibly. That's probably why, you know? Yeah, that's why. And I love when they are so outward about, like, what should I be taking home from this episode? And I got it. Thank you, Britney.

[1:43:42] Patrick: Do we have anything further to say about Don't You Want Me?

[1:43:44] Ian: It's the best. It's so good.

[1:43:47] Patrick: I, but like, see, this is why I like season two Blaine. Because like, Ian, before you said he's like, Kurt's imagination stuff, but like you, this is an episode where I think his character is like, fleshed out. He's like, you know, still like navigating his sexuality. He's still like dealing with like the pressures of society. He like, kind of got sloppy and it was funny. And he like, let his hair loose. Like, I don't know, like, this was like, Blaine at like, his most, like, funny and charming and stuff like he didn't need to go off the rails and do whatever the hell they did with him in season four and five for me to like, see that he was like, funny and flawed. But he says, that's just one guy's opinion. He says, I'd say bye, but I wouldn't want to offend you. And that shit is so, so funny. That is one of my top fly on the wall of the writers room when they got that whoever pitched that joke got a standing ovation. Like, finally, we got it. We can end the scene.

[1:44:47] Ian: I will say this is very touchy territory. I know that people really have an issue with what Kurt says about Blaine in the episode. I'm not saying that what he's saying is correct at all. I think that it's a very problematic opinion. But I'm saying that I think that it makes sense for Kurt to have that.

[1:45:08] Patrick: Yeah, I think it's real.

[1:45:10] Ian: I think it's real. Yeah, I think that like, he doesn't the my problem with it is that he doesn't like, there's never any like falling action of like, hey, that was kind of like messed up.

[1:45:19] Patrick: Right. He should have said that. But the fact that it existed in the episode was fine. Like, he was upset about it. And like, that what he said was like, valid to a degree, because he probably felt that same way. It's like, people just say that, because they want to like, hold hands with a girl and feel normal. Like, well, the previous year, he was like dating a girl to try to feel normal. Like he's just kind of like, vocalizing out that like frustration. And like, I thought that was like a fine conversation to have if they said the end like that, I shouldn't have said that. And like, by people exist, or something.

[1:45:55] Ian: Yeah, it's like, yeah, something, but brilliant, Brittany drunk on stage. Everybody drink responsibly by people exist.

[1:46:04] Patrick: Oh, I gotcha. And with that, I think that we can we can go into what this is against.

[1:46:18] Ian: Sure. I am. Yeah. Yeah, I'm actually terrified.

[1:46:24] Patrick: There haven't been any clunkers. I'm a fan.

[1:46:30] Ian: Another Blaine duet.

[1:46:32] Patrick: Oh, he's everywhere. At least we'll get rid of one of them.

[1:46:36] Ian: No matter what, let's go down. You've brought up in the past, like, you have like, sent through so many I'm a Blaine magnet. Because I again, if anyone is like, in my DMS being like, fuck you, Patrick. Again, like go back to season two of the Glackett or round two of the Glackett. I put every single Blaine song that came my way.

[1:47:01] Patrick: Yeah, okay. I'm just saying, I round three, it's time. It's time to let some go. So what is this? If it's all right, what do you have for me?

[1:47:12] Ian: Sharing screen? Of course, well, it's an episode so that narrows it down.

[1:47:19] Patrick: This is season four, right?

[1:47:22] Ian: The breakup if it's season four, it's the only one he did.

[1:47:25] Patrick: Okay, okay, okay. Yeah, okay. We're, we're, we're reducing it. We're reducing it.

[1:47:30] Ian: That's Lea Michele's nose. Or is that Blaine's nose?

[1:47:33] Patrick: So what's the what's the opening? What's the opening number in the breakup?

[1:47:36] Ian: Because this is beginning of episode. Is it a barely breathing moment?

[1:47:41] Patrick: It's barely breathing. It is barely breathing.

[1:47:43] Ian: This is a hard one.

[1:47:44] Patrick: This is actually this is a very hard one. Damn. Okay.

[1:47:49] Ian: Who who want to start this?

[1:47:51] Patrick: Happy Pride, Eli C.

[1:47:53] Ian: What do you think Blaine's relationship was like with Eli C?

[1:47:59] Patrick: Oh, like, I unfortunately have like, he was just a guy he met on Facebook. I love you earnestly saying that.

[1:48:10] Ian: That wasn't earnest.

[1:48:15] Patrick: What do you mean, Ian?

[1:48:16] Ian: What do you mean, Ian? It just his picture. I mean, like, Blaine, it's already so trashy and terrible for him to have cheated on Kurt and slept with someone else. But if it's also with a lighthouse, and all it took was that the lighthouse poked him and said, what's up sexy want to come over and blame was like, I'm in. That's my thing. I'm like, I would believe that there had been prior interaction. Because if Blaine was really like, ready to go on a faceless profile, just saying want to come over, then he's for the streets even more than I thought.

[1:48:57] Patrick: I think you're asking like, did Blaine know Eli C before or not?

[1:49:02] Ian: Yes, I think he said that he met him on Facebook. So yeah, I don't think he's like met him in real life before. But like, maybe they were flirtatious for a few days. Or maybe Eli told him he had a great ass a few months ago. And he just kept him in mind. Yeah.

[1:49:23] Patrick: I think that I can switch the narrative. I think that Eli C is kind of for the streets. And I think that I see where but like, I don't think that Blaine is is what I'm saying. I think that Eli C is like one of those guys that is like, hey, maybe I'm speaking from experience, that are like, in your DMs, like, please, please. And it's like, you're aware that I'm in a relationship and you need to actually calm down. And so wait, pointing in reaction. But then that means there was prior interaction. I'm not saying like, yeah, yeah.

[1:50:01] Ian: Like, is this the first message? Because when when Blaine opens the message, there are no previous messages. So I know. Right? Because if I just think it's fucking insane to go from like, I'm in a relationship to like, I'm gonna sleep with someone else based on exactly two messages. There was like no wearing down there was no rationalizing nothing.

[1:50:30] Patrick: Can I say a theory? Yeah, maybe Eli C is Sebastian.

[1:50:38] Ian: No.

[1:50:43] Patrick: Wait, we know that it's not he does because Kurt specifically asks if it's Sebastian.

[1:50:43] Ian: Yeah, I, I'm aware. I've watched the show. But I, I know the big three.

[1:51:10] Patrick: The big three. Glee, Scream Queens, and something else. And there we go.

[1:51:10] Ian: Close. Okay, no, I know. But like, my head cannon maybe is that like it is Sebastian, because like, that would be more fun than like Eli C. But to the point, I think that like, you know, in like 2000 was 2012. Like, that was the time where like, if you went through your friends lists on Facebook in 2012, there were probably lots of people that you've never met that you were friends with. Like, I remember the first like, when I got a Facebook, it was like, 2008. And it was like, right before I started high school. And people were just like looking to see if you like went to the same high school as them. And they'd add you even before like, freshman year started. Yes. Yeah. Like I had like a million friends that like I was like, senior, I was like, we've been friends on Facebook for four years, but like, I've never talked to you before.

So I feel like Eli C. Like this probably just like, they've been friends, maybe it was like, blame is like, Oh, this guy's gay, too. Okay. Like, Facebook, and then they like, had a conversation before being like, hey, like, nice to ask. I don't know. And then later on, like, Blaine was lonely. He's like, Hey, gay guy that I'm friends with on Facebook. Like, want to hang out? Hi, bleak. So that's my theory that they they were friends on Facebook before.

[1:52:34] Ian: But then Blaine was lonely. He's like, who's a gay guy that I have access to? I know Eli C. I know a gay guy. Eli C. I don't is it because I don't look like my profile picture? Literally, maybe the most underrated joke of the entire series. It's so fucking funny. I think, okay, we have been led to believe. We know Blaine. Blaine is a club boy. Blaine is a party boy.

[1:53:00] Patrick: Yeah, well, I mean, as evidence from the song that it's against don't you want me he lets loose. The gay bar with Sebastian goes the next time we're gonna go drinking killer. Yeah, I've watched fleet. I feel like the carousel could almost be just like all of these quotes that you're doing. Um, no, but I think that he probably he probably met Eli C. scandals. Yes. Yeah, yeah. No, I don't think. Yeah. Okay. So is my theory is bad.

[1:53:38] Ian: I don't like the I don't like the theory that it's Sebastian. I don't know that was like a throwaway theory. No, I understand. I don't think it's because you know, the deal with the Sebastian is like, it would be so personal. It's like this person that we both know that I've had issues with in the past. I don't think it's that I don't think it's like, oh, you know, our friend Eli, I slept with Eli. But then I also think it's crazy to be like, I slept with someone sight unseen based on one message. But I can see a like, we've been friends on Facebook for a while we never have actually met and like he comments on myself and like messages me every once in a while. Or I can also see like, we met at scandals one time like five months ago. Mm hmm. How does not I'm thinking about this universe that they met at scandals? How does one go from meeting at scandals becoming Facebook friends? Am I I am I reading too into it now? I wasn't going to scandals in 2012. I don't know.

[1:54:39] Patrick: I think I just like they were like Facebook is a dating app when it's not sure they were trying to be like Facebook's like Tinder, Grindr or whatever. And then because that's what they're talking about with the profile pic and blah, blah, blah. I've always thought that like, right, I'm I am putting poking as a kind of setup for the biblical affairs as as a Ryan Murphy doing specifically, I think it's like it very easily people are like, damn you, Ryan Murphy for this inconsistency or whatever. But I really do think that this is his I think that he I do believe that first he turned to the first draft and it said Eli C has woofed you. And I said, we can't put that in. I don't think that the teen girls will really get that.

[1:55:32] Ian: Do poking. Yeah, poking, poking, poking. Yeah.

[1:55:36] Patrick: Were you guys in poke wars in high school? No, I remember a poke war.

[1:55:41] Ian: It always led to adulterous affairs. If poking leads to adulterous affairs, I guess I was bisexual. I was poking everybody. And everybody's poking me.

[1:55:50] Patrick: Wait, can you still poke? Is that still like a thing?

[1:55:52] Ian: I don't know. My Facebook got hacked and deleted.

[1:55:54] Patrick: Oh, tragic. I'm so sorry.

[1:55:57] Ian: No poking.

[1:55:58] Patrick: All my Glee statuses like that's like the saddest part is like, you know, I wish I could be like, 13 years ago today you posted about Glee again. And I would share it to you guys. But unfortunately, I remember this one always comes up every year. It was like right before Asian F aired like the picture of it was like a promotional still of Mercedes and Shane in the cafeteria. And Mercedes has tots in front of her. And I made the status and no one liked it because it was it was a poorly formed joke. And also people didn't know the reference. But I said on the next episode of Glee, Mercedes will need to make a choice on like a past love and a new one referring, of course, to Tater Tots.

[1:56:44] Ian: Levels of Glee knowledge you need to have for that.

[1:56:47] Patrick: You need to understand and no one no one got it. But she's funny. Yeah.

[1:56:54] Ian: That was also a joke.

[1:56:56] Patrick: Wait, what did you say?

[1:56:58] Ian: I'm Mercedes is changing.

[1:57:01] Patrick: I'm changing famously reference to the Tater Tots.

[1:57:03] Ian: Okay, I'm sorry.

[1:57:05] Patrick: No, oh my god. Stop.

[1:57:08] Ian: I barely breathe.

[1:57:12] Patrick: This number. Wow, what a number. Me and Mercedes here. We got into a fight that brought back some old feelings about Tater Tots. Ergo, Tater Tots are vegetables. Um, I think I was thinking while watching this performance, I was thinking of you, Patrick, because at the beginning of the episode, you said that um, had a bad voice, and you don't like Blaine. And and so what's

[1:57:39] Ian: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week! Today, we’re diving into some of Lea Michele's solo music and discussing Ian Brennan's recent interview on ATWYRM.

[1:58:05] Patrick: Yes! I’m excited to talk about that. There’s so much to unpack, especially with Lea’s music.

[1:58:35] Ian: Absolutely. And we’ll also touch on some of the performances from the show that we love.

[1:59:05] Patrick: For sure! I think we should start with "Barely Breathing." What do you think?

[1:59:35] Ian: I think that’s a great choice. It really showcases Lea’s vocal range.

[1:59:45] Patrick: Definitely. And the emotion she brings to that song is just incredible.

[1:59:55] Ian: It really is. I remember when that performance aired; it was such a standout moment.

[2:00:05] Patrick: And it’s interesting to see how her solo work has evolved since then.

[2:00:15] Ian: Right! Speaking of evolution, let’s talk about "Don't Rain On My Parade" from Season 5.

[2:00:25] Patrick: Oh, that’s another iconic performance! It’s such a powerful song.

[2:00:35] Ian: For sure. The way she delivers those lyrics is just so inspiring.

[2:00:45] Patrick: And it really fits the character of Rachel Berry perfectly.

[2:00:55] Ian: Exactly! It’s like the song was written for her.

[2:01:05] Patrick: I also love how it builds up to that big finish. It’s a real showstopper.

[2:01:15] Ian: It really is. And it’s a testament to Lea’s talent as a performer.

[2:01:25] Patrick: Speaking of performances, we should also mention "Don't You Want Me."

[2:01:35] Ian: Yes! That one is so fun and really showcases the ensemble.

[2:01:45] Patrick: I love the energy in that performance. It’s such a crowd-pleaser.

[2:01:55] Ian: And the choreography is just fantastic. It really adds to the whole vibe.

[2:02:05] Patrick: Absolutely. It’s one of those performances that you can’t help but smile while watching.

[2:02:15] Ian: And let’s not forget about "Last Christmas." That’s a classic!

[2:02:25] Patrick: Yes! It’s such a beautiful rendition. I love how they made it their own.

[2:02:35] Ian: It really captures the spirit of the holiday season.

[2:02:45] Patrick: And Lea’s voice just shines in that performance.

[2:02:55] Ian: It does! I think it’s one of her best holiday performances.

[2:03:05] Patrick: For sure. So, what do you think about the overall impact of Lea’s solo music?

[2:03:15] Ian: I think it’s significant. She really has a way of connecting with her audience.

[2:03:25] Patrick: Definitely. And her music has a timeless quality to it.

[2:03:35] Ian: I agree. It’s something that resonates with fans even years later.

[2:03:45] Patrick: And it’s exciting to see what she’ll do next in her career.

[2:03:55] Ian: Absolutely! I can’t wait to see where her journey takes her.

[2:04:05] Patrick: Well, that wraps up our discussion for today. Thanks for joining us!

[2:04:15] Ian: Yes, thank you! Be sure to check out our Patreon for more content.

[2:04:25] Patrick: And don’t forget to rate us five stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

[2:04:35] Ian: Until next time, keep gleeking out!

[2:12:21] Andrew: There's been a Gleek in this recording that has had issues with the Riverside app, where we're recording this episode, and I think that we just need to end the episode to prevent that happening again. So do we just go into voting?

[2:12:38] Ian: I would, yeah. Frankly, I'm not sure of which way I'm voting, but yeah! I'll say what I'm gonna do, and then if Riverside kicks me out again, you know, feel free to put your takes in. My vote is Barely Breathing, because I think it is... I don't know, like, it's a hard one, but I really like the beginning of season four, and I like the breakup, and I like, I don't know, like, how they do... Is this the only Blaine-Finn duet? We have a different time of your life from the Graduation album, but... Sure, sure, on the Glackett, I guess. So yeah, I just, I like this. I like how their voices go together, and I kind of wish there was more Blaine-Finn singing together in general on the show. And I don't know, I do, despite the fact that I kind of shit on their characters a bit throughout the episode, I do like this song quite a bit, and I think it has more, like, meaning and is more interesting to the characters, and it, like, inspires, like, a more interesting discussion than the previous song. So, I mean, I know that, unfortunately, I was kind of cutting in and out of, like, the discussion, but it's good, so I like this one.

[2:14:08] Chris: Interesting. I will be voting for Don't You Want Me, because I just, like, by the logic of, like, I loved 100% of Don't You Want Me, I had a good time. It wasn't until the poking, which I've already referred back to, that the poking was like, oh, that's good. So by that logic, the last third of Barely Breathing is as good as all of Don't You Want Me, and so I think I just need to vote under that logic.

[2:14:37] Andrew: Okay. Tony Award winner, Chris, what do you think?

[2:14:44] Chris: Okay, this is genuinely an incredibly hard competition, because these songs are, like, amazing for incredibly opposite reasons, whereas Don't You Want Me is very camp and very fun and very ensemble-based. Barely Breathing is very dramatic and is beautifully shot, and, you know, the emotions are high, and I do know how I'm voting, but I just want to say goodbye to the song I'm not voting for, because I think they're both really great, and I know that people are going to be pissed about this.

[2:15:17] Ian: Wait, I kind of want to convince you to vote for, I feel like you're not, I think you're going to agree with Andrew, am I right? I don't know.

[2:15:26] Chris: Oh, I just know it. You just said that you did.

[2:15:32] Ian: No, I don't know. I forgot.

[2:15:37] Chris: Oh, I was like, kind of like, maybe not like fully, maybe that's just like my brain was trying to, you know, like, when your brain tries to like not take in information you don't want to hear. Maybe that's what was happening. So like, did you really vote? Oh my gosh, sorry, my leg is cramping up. This is not a bit. Okay, no, no, no, no, we're fine. I just had to stretch it out so I could rub it. Um, wait, that was such a quick cramp. Well, I just had to get it to a position where I can now rub it as it's cramping. Oh, God, I'm so sorry. It's not very bad. Um, okay. If you both want to make your cases, I do have a concept in my brain, but I think I can be swayed if like, either of you really care passionately. I not to be like, I don't give a fuck. But like, I like what, what episode number is this?

[2:16:33] Ian: Oh, he's gone, but we can have a conversation. Um, this episode number is 178 of the Glackett. And for me to say like, I don't give a fuck. I don't actually think I mean that. Because I don't think that I'm whatever. But um, yeah, I think that you should do whatever. I don't think that you can make a wrong decision. They're both really good. I just feel bad for some reason, as if these songs have feelings, which is ridiculous. But I also feel bad. Because I know a lot of people love both of these songs. And because a lot of people voted this song back in and I'm not gonna vote for it. I'm voting for Don't You Want Me? I'm sorry. I'm going in it. You want me and it is because of the ensemble of it all. Like it's it's the glee club together. It is all of the characters. It feels like a group. Yeah, really breathing rocks. And I feel really sad. But it is Don't You Want Me? It's my second favorite duo.

[2:17:30] Ian: I mean, not to potentially take the air out of this entire moment. But of course, just like every five episodes, a song gets voted back of 10 selection. And so this we are at another five episodes with this.

[2:17:45] Chris: You think it's coming back again?

[2:17:48] Ian: And I'm like, okay, maybe it's going to have like the blame it on the alcohol treatment, where it's been voted back in the previous round, it's gonna be voted back again. But just to do a plug of that while I'm talking about it, you can go to patreon.com slash weekly pod to be involved in that vote. Voting is up for one week past the early release of this episode. So go do that. The song selection, just so everyone is aware, are Next to Me, Marry the Night, You Can't Stop the Beat, Cry, Baby It's Cold Outside, Cool, Diva, Diva, Thriller, Heads Will Roll, and Last Christmas and Don't You Want Me? Or sorry, Barely Breathing. Jesus Christ. So go vote.

[2:18:38] Ian: And Stream Louder by Lea Michele.

[2:18:41] Chris: Oh, thank you. Thank you. Patrick, you can really throw your votes really well.

[2:18:46] Ian: I was gonna say, Patrick, literally, you should not tell Patrick how the vote turned out and make him listen to the episode when it drops.

[2:18:51] Chris: I am. That is funny.

[2:18:53] Ian: I feel bad that he got kicked out before we had a result.

[2:18:57] Chris: He said, tell all the Gleeks I love them. It keeps kicking me out. So all the Gleeks listening, he hates you.

[2:19:02] Ian: He hates you. Even if you stream Lea Michele's music. Cue the rain.

[2:19:07] Chris: He doesn't care. He doesn't care. Lea Michele's giving him big money for that.

[2:19:12] Andrew: So with that, okay, recapping this episode, Last Christmas, it indeed was.

[2:19:19] Chris: Your last Christmas.

[2:19:21] Andrew: Right. Don't rain on my parade. I said that I was going to come up with something better.

[2:19:27] Chris: So do it. So do it. Put your money where your mouth is.

[2:19:32] Andrew: The time is now to show up. Don't rain on my parade. The parade is marching right on to round four. And there's no rain on the forecast.

[2:19:46] Chris: That honestly, that actually was better.

[2:19:49] Andrew: Don't rain on my parade. There's not even rain on the forecast. Wait, okay, how about. No, it doesn't work because I don't even like saying like in heaven.

[2:20:04] Chris: No, because they're still alive. They still could go to hell.

[2:20:10] Andrew: It's at the final, the final competition, the final two, you said the last song to heaven.

[2:20:15] Chris: But the rest of them, all these songs will end up in hell. It's just a win.

[2:20:20] Andrew: Yeah, it's a canonic event.

[2:20:23] Chris: Yes.

[2:20:23] Andrew: They're all going to hell.

[2:20:24] Chris: Only one is going to heaven.

[2:20:26] Andrew: Right. I just like something about heaven feels like kind of like two.

[2:20:30] Chris: Yeah, it feels too religious.

[2:20:31] Andrew: I agree.

[2:20:33] Chris: You're like, you're going to see St. Peter at the gates of heaven.

[2:20:37] Andrew: Just get real Catholic with it. Yeah.

[2:20:39] Chris: Um, uh, don't you want me?

[2:20:47] Andrew: Yes.

[2:20:47] Chris: What's how do I perfect? Yeah, I want you. I do.

[2:20:51] Andrew: I feel like these last two write themselves.

[2:20:54] Chris: Yeah.

[2:20:55] Andrew: The song titles literally set you up, babe.

[2:20:58] Chris: Sorry, maybe I'm overthinking it.

[2:21:01] Ian: All of these episodes are just kind of just like, just all foreplay for this climax at the end.

[2:21:10] Andrew: Exactly. It's the only reason we're listening.

[2:21:12] Chris: Yeah. It's like, oh, I wonder what he's going to say. Barely breathing. Barely breathing.

[2:21:17] Ian: So what is the-

[2:21:18] Chris: You flatlined.

[2:21:19] Ian: You flatlined. You flatlined. You barely breathing.

[2:21:22] Chris: You stopped.

[2:21:23] Ian: Yeah, not breathing. Stupid.

[2:21:28] Andrew: I think that's it.

[2:21:29] Chris: Not breathing.

[2:21:31] Ian: Barely breathing. You're not breathing at all. Barely breathing.

[2:21:36] Chris: Uh, I can't work hell into that. I just can't.

[2:21:40] Ian: You're not breathing at all in hell.

[2:21:43] Chris: I'm gonna, I'm gonna do a plug for Patrick. Hell sucks. It's not fun. There's no dinosaurs. I know. I went, that's the first thing I was like, where are the dinosaurs? And they're like, we know Jesus broke in and stole them.

[2:21:57] Andrew: Oh my God. I was like, I know that's not Glee. It sounds so much like Glee, but it's Ariana Grande in season one.

[2:22:03] Chris: Of course.

[2:22:04] Andrew: Spring Queens. Yeah.

[2:22:04] Chris: Of course.

[2:22:04] Ian: Oh, and she meets Carl Sagan. Carl Sagan wants to touch her boobs.

[2:22:09] Chris: Um, she's, I think Carl Sagan is motorboating her boobs.

[2:22:14] Andrew: Yeah. Um, okay. So, uh, you can find, uh, Patrick on Instagram at Patty Salmon, P-A-D-D-Y, uh, S-A-M-M-O-N. And please tell him that you love him, even though, uh, his internet, uh, isn't, doesn't love him. Uh, but you do.

[2:22:35] Ian: And, uh, and yeah, he's a great guy. I'm sorry that this happened to him.

[2:22:40] Chris: I know. That's so sad.

[2:22:43] Ian: Ian, where can people find you?

[2:22:45] Ian: Oh my gosh, where can they find me? Um, if you want to like go to my Instagram, it's I-J-A-L-L-R-E-D-9-5. It's I-J Allred. But more importantly, I have a podcast where we used to talk about Glee. It was called Recovering Gleek. We now talk about stuff that's not Glee. Um, that Instagram is RG presents underscore podcast. But what we are talking about currently is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So you can find us on like Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, wherever. We're called S.L.A.Y. A Queer Buffy Podcast. You guys, Buffy is so good. You do. Actually, that's how, it's all caps and then it's got three exclamation points. It's S.L.A.Y.

[2:23:26] Chris: Yeah.

[2:23:26] Ian: Um, Buffy's so good. The Gleeks should be watching Buffy. They feel like sister shows.

[2:23:32] Chris: They are sister shows. Frankly, actually, we've talked about this. I don't like, Alina and I have, I don't know if Glee exists without Buffy preceding it. Um, it's a great TV show. It's very campy. It's very fun. I think if you like Glee, you will likely like Buffy. It's the same kind of like silly, stupid, self-aware humor mixed with very high intense drama.

[2:23:57] Andrew: There you go. What more can you need? And I, God, this feels like such like an empty promise because I've told you so many times that I'm like, I need to watch the show and there's literally nothing stopping me from watching it because I'm watching it and just like that. And I'm like, that's actually bad. That's more important. Of course. No, I need to actually watch this and you need to hold me accountable to do it because I genuinely love talking to you and Alina. And so I just want there to be more meat to discuss. And so I don't think you'll like it. I trust your judgment. I think I think you'll like it.

[2:24:33] Ian: The thing with, I don't know. I think you'll like it. The thing with Buffy finds itself in season two. But us talking about season one, I'm actually loving season one. I'm enjoying it much more than I remembered enjoying it. But like the show doesn't really get its sense of self until the second season. So like if you start season one, maybe you'll love it because we are kind of loving it. But if you're like, this maybe isn't my vibe. Season one is only like literally 12 episodes. Just stick it out. Season two, it figures out what it wants to be.

[2:25:01] Andrew: Okay. All right. Thank you for that disclaimer. I do want to say that a pretty frequent Gleek of the Week guest, Matt, texted me, Chris Colfer is shaking in his boots. No context.

[2:25:19] Chris: Something Darren happened to the Tony Awards.

[2:25:23] Ian: Okay, so this is what happened. Darren won a Tony and he said, the best book. It's one best book. But beyond that, reporting live, of course, a week later, maybe Happy Ending has won the Tony Award for best score. I'm not seeing I mean, I thought it was gonna sweep. So this is not shocking to me. So it's looking good. Maybe that's what Matt is referencing.

[2:25:52] Chris: Matt was referencing here that Nicole Scherzinger was singing As If We Never Say Goodbye, a famous colo from the hit Fox Joglee, as well as, you know, also during the night was Rose's Turn performed by Audra McDonald. So it was a very big night for colos all around. Very big night for Chris Colfer. His onscreen husband also later won a Tony that evening.

[2:26:20] Andrew: Okay, back to what's left of the episode. We got Sarah Snook winning. I love that. That was great. Did you see that? That was so incredible.

[2:26:30] Chris: It was amazing. So people has not updated best performance by an actor in a leading role musical. So for her to do all that and be Australian, oh my god, Australian, most of all, crazy, crazy.

[2:26:44] Andrew: Anyway, thank you so much for joining me.

[2:26:53] Chris: I'm so sorry, baby. We still talk about you. Okay, and with that, see you next week.