THE GLEE PROJECT: ‘Sexuality’

Holy second-hand embarrassment, Batman! I knew we were in for quite the episode when the theme was revealed to be “sexuality” and I knew the music video would be “Teenage Dream,” but boy, I was not prepared for what was in store! Plus, one contestant chose to leave the competition! So much going on in Sunday’s episode!

Let’s get to it, shall we?

THE GOOD

• Mark Salling (Puck) and Ashley Fink (Lauren) were the guest mentors during the homework session where the contestants sang “Like a Virgin.” Mark didn’t seem too in to it, but Ashley was loving it! Even though I thought the contestants were going to break out into an orgy on the piano during the performance, I thought it was one of the best homework sessions the whole season. Their six voices sounded really good together and no one tried to out-do the other contestants. I will give Mark credit during the mentoring session later, though – he was laughing and joking around and seemed to loosen up a bit, which made for a cute segment.
• I don’t think Damian should have been in the bottom three and I also don’t think his last chance performance of “Danny Boy” was as bad as Ryan Murphy made it out to be. But Ryan’s a drama queen so I guess it’s just best to ignore him and celebrate the fact that Damian is back for another week, thanks to Cameron (but more on that later).

THE BAD

• I wasn’t happy with “Teenage Dream” as the choice of song for the music video. To me, it’s one of those GLEE songs you don’t touch. I would be saying the same thing if THE GLEE PROJECT contestants broke out into “Don’t Stop Believing” next week. When Darren Criss sings it at his concerts – so sweetly and sincerely – I forget the song is about sex. During the music video, all I could think of is how uncomfortable the contenders were making me by trying, and ultimately failing, to be sexy. I think Lindsay and Damian got the closest, but that could just be because I think they look cute together. I noticed a little chemistry between them in last week’s video, so I was glad they were paired together and one couple was at least slightly sexy.
• I know last week I said Alex wasn’t annoying me as much as he had been — which still holds true about his attitude — but good lord did his singing voice sound screechy. It also seemed like he was trying to play up the gay, which he shouldn’t have. It didn’t do him any favors acting-wise. Speaking of acting, wouldn’t it have been more of a challenge for him to be paired with a girl and have to act straight?
• Also, why do they keep giving Alex sassy, “I am woman, hear me roar,” songs for his last chance performances? Not that he doesn’t sing them well, but two weeks ago with “I Will Always Love You,” last week with “…And I Am Telling You,” and this week with “I Will Survive,” they’re going to run out of gay bar karaoke staples soon!

THE CAMERON OF IT ALL

• Cameron is probably going to get a lot of flack this week from other blogs about his attitude and the choices he made, but not from me. I understand GLEE is about acting and playing a character, but I don’t think he should have to dismiss his ethical beliefs to get a job. Judging should just come down to his acting and singing performance, both of which he nailed, and not his stance on sexual situations.
• I LOVED his rendition of “Blackbird” during the last chance performance. I loved they used the backing track (minus the Warblers!) Chris Colfer sang with on GLEE and Cameron sounded flawless. He should just sing Beatles songs all the time.
• I respect Cameron’s decision to leave the competition. Does that mean I’m happy my favorite is gone? No, it doesn’t, but if he didn’t feel like THE GLEE PROJECT and subsequently GLEE was something he could do, I’m OK with that. I see him more as a singer/songwriter anyway, and I’ll be keeping up with his career for a while. If you want to get started early, you should pick up his EP on iTunes called “Love Can Wait.”

So what did you guys think of tonight’s episode? What’s your opinion on Cameron choosing to leave? And how do you feel about two contestants going home next week?