THE GLEE PROJECT Premiere: Highs and Lows
June 13, 2011 by Haylee Fisher
So what did you think of last night’s premiere of THE GLEE PROJECT? I don’t know about you, but I have some contestants I’m loving already. Let’s discuss the good and the bad, shall we?
THE GOOD
- I thought Darren Criss made a great mentor. I may be a little biased because I just love him to death, but he genuinely seemed like he wanted these kids to succeed. And I thought he gave good dancing advice to the winner of the “individuality” challenge, seeing as how he himself is an adorably awkward dancer. And how cute did he look with his scruff, bed-head, old man cardigan and glasses? He looked the complete opposite of always-dapper Blaine, but it worked for him!
- As much as I love Darren, though, I didn’t agree with his choice of a winner. I would have gone with Samuel, even though it was hard to get a clear picture of the contestants’ individuality with them singing only one line of “Signed Sealed Delivered.” In the end, Matheus won and got one-on-one time with Darren. (I’d like to have some one-on-one time with Darren, too, if you know what I mean. HE-LLO!)
- Cameron. Oh, Cameron, you are my early favorite. I have a thing for nerdy guys who can sing (see: Darren Criss. Also, Zac Levi) and I thought Cameron was fantastic. Hopefully in later weeks, we’ll get to see him and the other contestants sing more than one line in a song, but I loved what we did briefly hear from him. It worries me that he got so much camera time, though. It makes me think he’s either going to go really far or he’s getting kicked off next week.
- I also really liked Samuel. He’s got a different look and sound from the kids currently on GLEE, which makes him stand out. I thought he had a great voice and I’m looking forward to hearing more from him. (Side note: did you know he was a contestant on AMERICAN IDOL in season 9?)
THE BAD
- While I liked their version of Katy Perry’s “Firework” and thought it worked better in this instance than it did on GLEE (ie: showing off your uniqueness vs. Rachel singing it when Finn said he saw fireworks when he kissed Quinn), I wasn’t a fan of the whole “yearbook photo shoot” thing. It seemed like classic GLEE “let’s throw a bunch of stuff against a wall and see what sticks.” Casting director Robert Ulrich and company had them portraying the character they think they would want to play on GLEE while still being themselves? And then flat-out naming their class superlative in the video? Ouch. And what was with that awful green-screen? I know this show doesn’t have the budget GLEE does, but come on! All in all, I just found it kind of weird. And obviously Bryce did, too, since he was supposed to be playing “The Heartbreaker” but wasn’t given much to work with. When he suggested bringing another girl into the scene, I agreed with him. I didn’t think he was giving off an attitude, like the director Erik White and choreographer Zach Woodlee thought he was. I think the guy was just confused and was trying to show the character to the best of his ability, like he was told to do. I know for a fact the actors on GLEE have input on what their characters do, so I don’t know why it was such a big deal for Bryce to throw in his two cents.
- Emily made me uncomfortable with her overly flirty attitude toward Darren (and even towards Zach!) and her confidence to the point of conceit. Plus, wondering out loud when she gets to wear a bikini? Girl, no.
- I am not a fan of Alex. I thought he had way more of an attitude problem than Bryce did, but obviously the mentors didn’t feel the same way. And I think his singing voice is less-than-stellar. Honey, I know you said you sing girl parts in songs, and while that may work for Chris Colfer, it doesn’t work on you. (And I’m even tired of Chris singing them! And I love Chris!)
So has this show sucked you in already? Did you think the right contestant went home? Who are some of your early favorites and maybe not-so-favorites? Do you think you’ll be tuning in every week? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Filed under The Glee Project
Bruce never should have been kicked off. He had a decent voice and like you said, I didn’t think he had an attitude at all. Alex sounds like he is screaming rather than singing and the red-hair girl can’t sing at all. I forget her name but I really dislike the 18 year old who acts like a child. Any of those three should have been eliminated before Bruce. It makes me not want to watch the show because they clearly know who they want and they don’t really care if the person just isn’t a good singer or likable.
I really didn’t want to like this show. I think Glee has been trying to capitalize on the show/name too much and had lost some of its original charm. But I do kinda have to like Glee Project. At first I watched it for our boy, DCriss. But by the end, I was really routing for Samuel and Cameron, as well as Damian. I was really annoyed with the flirty girl and childlike girl (I’m bad remembering female contestant names for any show!).
I agree. Bryce shouldn’t have gone home. It was kinda funny, when he was singing for his survival I could actually picture him on GLEE as the heartbreaker. Ellis should have been the one sent home. Emily annoys me to no end and I’d love to see her go, though I do think she does have an amazing voice. My early favorites are definitely: Damian, Cameron, Lindsay and McKynleigh (though we didn’t see much of her last night). I like Samuel but for some reason I’m just not into the whole rocker look this year. Maybe a couple episodes in I will like him more.
My favorite was mathues, I think a lot can be written into a part for him on Glee, the guy can sing, watch a few of his youtube videos. Samuel needs a complete makeover, dreadlocks are fine for a homeless street person in NY. Cameron is also pretty awesome , great voice but also reminds me a lot of the guy in Rent. Damian is just too cheesy for the show, could be Allen thick’s long lost son. The black gay guy is way over the top, maybe watches Rupaul to much.Ellis, well is just annoying. And Emily is to phony, we already have a Santanna. The black girl has potential , I think we may see more out of hannah, but not my fav to watch.
To call Damian McGinty “cheesy” is a bit much, unless you define cheesy as respectful, professional, and courageous. Damian was the only one of the bottom 3 who did NOT cry, and took it all as a new challenge, and nailed it. He comes from a tradition where the music is the “star” and he is not used to putting himself forward. The irony, of course, is that he has already sold more records than the combined 11 contestants ever will. Damian is going to win this thing, and probably double the Glee audience with his European, Oceanic,and African following. If Damian is cheese, he’s a tasty slice of brie.
I think the whole thing doesn’t work because it contradicts what’s great about Glee thematically. Glee is about a show choir, not individuals. Time and time again when New Directions breaks down it’s because the kids are going at each other instead of pulling together as a team. A much better format would be a “Battle of the Bands,” thing, like real show choirs of America do every week all over the country. Choose some great talent, assign them to teams, and throw them together to develop teamwork, bonding, and all the other things Glee is about. Let us watch them grow week to week as they work with the mentors and guest mentors. The original Glee kids grew over time as well. We’ll all get off on the songs and watching how it’s done. the competition whould be all about between the teams. at the end, the judges can choose some “MVP’s” to appear on the show based on what they have observed over the 12 weeks. Now, THAT would be s show worth watching, not this one with all its tears, jeers, stabs, and whining.
Okay, I think Jesse is right except about the whole cheese metaphor, that was kinda disturbing. I’m obviously behind Cameron too because we have the same name and I don’t understand why no one likes Ellis (girl who looks like a child) I don’t hate her or like her but i have to admit she is pretty good she just went over the top with the child thing for the vid.
i wish i was damians girl 🙂
(since 2008)