Glee Round Table: "The Substitute"
Gwyneth Paltrow + Glee = An amazing hour of television last night.
"The Substitute" was easily one of our favorite episodes in this show's history, as it was nothing but plain old fun. What stood out the most? We go over various aspects of the installment in this edition of the Glee Round Table...
What was your favorite quote from the episode?
Matt R.: Sue's advice to Will toward the end of the hour: "I suggest selling yourself on Craigslist under the heading of 'Men seeking Men with butt chins.'"
Steve M.: An easy choice with this classic from Brittany: "Mr. Schu taught me the second half of the alphabet. I stopped after M and N. I thought they sounded too similar and got frustrated."
Eric H.: Holly to Rachel: "You're like a total drag. Has anyone ever told you that?" Thank you! I love Lea Michele, but someone had to put this character in her place!
What was your favorite performance from the episode?
Matt R.: Forget You. So much energy, such a great idea to cover the Cee Lo song whose lyrics are a tad more racy. I loved every second of it.
Steve M.: I second that, Matt! Just sit back and watch this video and tell me it's not as fun-loving a song as the show has ever done.
Eric H.: Gwyneth was great, but she was even better when on stage with Rachel. Their dance number to, hand and cane in hand, must have been a hoot to practice. It certainly was for me to watch.
Choose a side in the Sue/Mercedes' tater tot feud.
Matt R.: I'm actually on Team Sue. She may come across as an antagonist, and she didn't seem to have many health concerns when she gave Figgins the flu... but the decision to ban tater tots was an inspired one. Many schools around the country have taken action against poor cafeteria fare and I'm on board with them.
Steve M.: Team Mercedes. Come on. She stuffed food into Sue's tail gate and ruined "Le Car." Hilarious!
Eric H.: Team What About the Homeless People Who Could Have Been Given Those Tots Instead of Them Going to Waste? I liked Sue's idea, just not its execution.
Compare Gwyneth Paltrow to past guest stars.
Matt R.: She was my favorite, (jazz) hands down. I've made it clear in my reviews that I adore Glee, but not as much when it takes the overly preachy, PSA-like route. This episode was utterly entertaining, while still managing to mix in commentary on the economy and teaching in the age of social media. Holly Holliday injected a breath of fresh, fun air in to what can sometimes feel like a stale high school. I adored her.
Steve M.: I enjoyed her a lot, but she was only my second favorite blonde to appear on the show. My clear cut number-one choice? Kristin Chenoweth. Why? Three words: bowling alley karaoke.
Eric H.: Mike O'Malley is still considered a guest star, right? He's deserving of an Emmy for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel. I'll also take John Stamos over Paltrow, as I'm yearning to see more of his dentist in the near future.
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
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Rank: Guest Star
January 24th, 2011 2:26 PM
BEST . SUBSTITUTE . EVER . . . !!!
November 25th, 2010 10:44 AM
I love make'em laugh
November 22nd, 2010 5:51 AM
Loved this episode! Especially the mash-up of Singing in the Rain/Umbrella. That was amazing! I think we need to see more of Finn and Rachel cuz they are ADORABLE!!!
November 20th, 2010 10:38 AM
The best quote is "Oh my God,I opened my mouth and a little purse fell out!"
November 20th, 2010 9:45 AM
Dont like the Ep, it seems like the sole purpose of this Ep is to showcase GP. All other character's continuity and development got pushed aside. GP sang OK but any of the guest star easily outranked her. Especially dislike Will/Terri's story arc, it's unnecessary and dragged the character down.
Dont want GP to come back. There are other more intersting Guest Star such as NPH.
Rank: New User
November 19th, 2010 1:02 PM
I liked the episode. I didn't like that Gwyneth had three songs, though, she's a great actress and she can sing, but she isn't that good. It's a bit weird that she had all those songs and so much focus on her character, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Mentzel, Neil Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff didn't and they're all AMAZING. I actually thought Hot Honey rag was cute, I liked to see Lea dance. She's adoreable.
I miss Rachel. She was so charming and amazing last season, with all the beautiful songs she did and all the amazing storylines. I don't get why she hasn't had a story yet this season, Lea Michele is amazing, and I sort of thought she (and Matthew and Cory) were the leads. I hope they will shift the focus back to these characters, and get some flow in the storylines. And, although I adore Kurt, I don't think the show should focus so much on him in every episode.
Rank: Regular Character
November 19th, 2010 12:15 PM
Honestly, I didn't like this episode at all. Gwyneth Paltrow is a great actress but Holly Holiday was a terrible character. Also I didn't like the song selections. As a Chigaco fan I was terribly disappointed in Rachel and Holly's number. First of all, Catherine Zeta-Jones did a way better version in the movie. Also, you HAVE to be able to dance to pull it off. Neither of them carried the routine. And when did they stop letting Lea Michele belt it? It seems to me that they're toning down her incredible voice when it's been a staple for the group. To be fair, it's not just this episode that I haven't liked. This season has been terrible. It just shows you what happens to a show's quality when it becomes super popular.
Other complaints for this episodes:
1) Principal Sue! No. The conflict behind Sue and Will needs a third party to play off of.
2) Mercedes just came off as desperate in this episode. The "tot" thing was silly. She could have just eaten them at home. Not a big dea
Rank: Regular Character
November 19th, 2010 11:25 AM
i love gwyneth and she was amazing in here! i hated the return of will's wife, gosh, how i hate her! ;< and the performance of chicago song was great, i love that movie, as much as that version of "hot honey rag".
November 18th, 2010 10:18 PM
Fav Quote: "Are you a porn star or a drag queen?"...lol hilarious!
Fav Performance: Singing In The Rain/Umbrella - loved the dance routines, loved the song.
Choose a side: Sue's all the way. She was funny.
Gweneth Paltrow so far is my fav guest star. The show was great, funny & entertaining. Let her stay!
November 18th, 2010 1:41 PM
Gosh, like the episode, i always do.
But i thought that it was a little bit TOO MUCh gwen.
Too much. No other glee-clubbers were singing except rachel,
and that's a pity!!!!!!!
cut off the celebrities and give the glee clubbers the power back