RICKY MARTIN ON THE SET OF "GLEE"

Ricky Martin on the set of Glee

How awesome is this? International Megastar Ricky Martin just wrapped his first day on the set of Glee and Tweeted the above Photo. The Singer is filming a Spanglish-themed episode which also will feature Gloria Estefan. The role of Spanish Teacher seems to be a recurring hotspot for Celebrities with Gwyneth Paltrow previously playing the role of Holly Holliday on the Series.

The Cast of the Show also got a little starstruck with Lea Michele Tweeting a Photo together with Martin, praising "He's seriously the sweetest and such a great fit for our show!". Michele has known Martin since she was eight years-old when they were both in Les Miserables together.

Cory Monteith took to Twitter expressing his excitement, "We have a new Spanish Teacher".

ENTER TO WIN A "NEW YEAR'S EVE" MOVIE PRIZE PACK

New Year's Eve Official Artwork

Sofia Vergara. Ashton Kutcher. Michelle Pfeiffer. Lea Michele. Jessica Biel. Hilary Swank. Sarah Jessica Parker. Josh Duhamel. Katherine Heigl. Abigail Breslin. Zac Efron. Jon Bon Jovi. Robert De Niro. Alyssa Milano. What do all these Stars have in common?

Well, they all star in the Holiday Opus known as New Year's Eve from Director Garry Marshall.  The mega-Romantic Comedy, which tells the heartwarming stories of various Couples in New York City, opens in theatres December 9, 2011. Warner Bros. & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven want to give you a chance to win a New Year's Eve Prize Pack, which includes the following:

2 Champagne Flutes

2 Party Favours

1 New Year's Recovery Kit

1 Ice Bag

2 Tins of Breath Mints

1 Jumbo Tote Bag

1 Pair of Run-of-Engagement Passes to see New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve Prize Pack

To qualify for the win, click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook or Retweet the following: RT @MRWILLW wants me to win a "NEW YEAR'S EVE" Movie Prize Pack.  http://tinyurl.com/7sc5zuc #MRWILLNYE  

Your deadline is December 8, 2011.  Toronto area Readers only, please.  Winners are responsible for pick-up.

Watch the Trailer for New Year's Eve:

"GLEE" CAST IN SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF "VOGUE"

Cast of Glee

Lucky New Yorkers! The third annual Fashion's Night Out will be taking place on Thursday, September 8, 2011 in New York City, allowing Fashion-conscious Shoppers to mingle with Celebrities and Designers and also watch some performances.  Among those taking part this year are the Cast of Glee!

In the September 2011 issue of Vogue, you will find an awesome Photo of the Glee Cast by Norman Jean Roy for the Event itself.

Glee Creator Ryan Murphy tells Lynn Yaeger, "When I met Lea (Michele), she was only sort of interested in clothes¬but in the last two years she’s become a Red-Carpet Star. I think what happened is Lea went to an event, and someone said, ‘Oh, you look pretty.’ It was an interesting moment for her.”.

Chris Colfer admits in his younger days to shopping pretty frugally, but now on the Series he is the only Cast member who gets to wear Designer labels. Colfer says, "I did all my shopping at my small-­town Target. Maybe if I dressed better I wouldn’t have had such a hard time in school.".

Read the Piece in full here.

(Photo credit: Norman Jean Roy/Vogue)

LEA MICHELE COVERS SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF "HARPER'S BAZAAR"

Lea Michele on September 2011 Issue of Harper's Bazaar

Say what you will about Glee’s Lea Michele but the Girl definitely has Style. She never ceases to amaze me on Red Carpets and despite only having been a major star for less than two years, she already is teaching Starlets who’ve been in the game much longer than her, exactly how it’s done. Either that, or her Stylist is just amazing and deserves all the credit.

Michele covers the September 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar and looks absolutely amazing in Photos by Mark Selliger. Although the reaction to her in a turquoise Gucci dress seems to be quite positive, I think she totally pulled off a $6k floral print Lanvin number best. Not everyone can make it work, trust me.

The 24 year-old Actress/Singer tells Marshall Heyman admittedly she isn’t a big spender, opting for shops like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters for everyday wear. She also admits to being a huge fan of her Glee Co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, subscribing to her GOOP Newsletter.

NEW TRAILER FOR "NEW YEAR'S EVE"

 "There's nothing like New Year's Eve in New York City.".

While we're waiting on the official Artwork for Warner Bros.' New Year's Eve from Director Garry Marshall, let us feast our eyes on this just-released Trailer for the All-star Cast Rom-Com.  Following the same formula as last year's Box Office hit Valentine's Day also from the same Studio, this forthcoming release follows the intertwined stories of various New Yorkers leading up to that one big night in the year where we let go of the unhappy and ring in new hopes and aspirations.

The Cast of New Year's Eve is extraordinary: Zac Efron, Sarah Jessica Parker, Yeardley Smith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher, Josh Duhamel, Jessica Biel, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro, Sofia Vergara, Abigail Breslin, Halle Berry, Alyssa Milano, Ludacris, Sienna Miller, Ryan Seacrest, Seth Meyers, Ludacris, Russell Peters and Jon Bon Jovi are some of the names seen.  Kutcher to clarify, does not play the same character he did in Valentine's Day.

New Year's Eve opens in theatres December 8, 2011.  Although I didn't particularly enjoy Valentine's Day for the same reason I don't usually enjoy movies with All-star Casts, as their stories often are written too thinly, I'd be willing to walk in with a clean slate on this one!

Watch the Trailer in full below:

CAST OF "GLEE" APPEAR AT COMIC-CON 2011

Cast of Glee in Toronto - June 2011

The Cast of Glee hit-up Comic-Con in San Diego earlier today and it's safe to say that some fears have been alleviated, namely the possible exit of Lea Michele, Chris Colfer and Cory Monteith upon their impending Graduation.

"Just because they're graduating, doesn't mean they are leaving the show," Glee Writer/Co-creator/Producer Brad Falchuk told conference attendees. "It is not our intention to let them go ... they are not done with the show."

Other revelations were made about the forthcoming season of Glee, including a new love interest for Amber Riley's Mercedes.  In addition, Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester will be running for Congress possibly to put an end to all Glee clubs altogether.  We will also be seeing more of a focus on the relationship between Klaine (Darren Criss' Blaine and Colfer's Kurt) and a continuation of the love story between Artina (Jenna Ushkowitz's Tina and Kevin McHale's Artie).

"GLEE THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE" SOUNDTRACK TRACK LIST

Glee the 3D Concert Movie Motion Picture Soundtrack

If you had a blast at Glee Live! In Concert! like me, soon you'll be able to re-live the magic as Glee the 3D Concert Movie hits theatres on August 12, 2011! Preceding its release is the Motion Picture Soundtrack for the Movie, in-stores on August 9, 2011, featuring all tracks performed on the Tour.  To read my Review of one of their four Toronto Shows, click here.

The Track List for Glee The 3D Concert Movie (Motion Picture Soundtrack) is as follows:

LEA MICHELE, CHRIS COLFER & CORY MONTEITH NOT RETURNING FOR "GLEE" SEASON 4

Cory Monteith & Lea Michele in Toronto - June 2011

No!  Don't say it's so!  All good things must come to an end and The Hollywood Reporter just broke the most heartbreaking news.  In an exclusive, they had confirmed with Glee Producer/Writer/Director Ryan Murphy that Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith and Lea Michele will not be returning for a fourth season of Glee.  

In the Piece Murphy tells Lesley Goldberg, "You can keep them on the show for six years and people will criticize you for not being realistic, or you can be really true to life and say when they started the show they were very clearly sophomores and they should graduate at the end of their senior year.”.  Read more here.

In the v. least, we have one more season to enjoy the talent as Rachel, Kurt and Finn prepare for Graduation. The upcoming season premiering on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 on FOX.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!" AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE - REVIEW, PICS & VIDEO

Glee Live! In Concert! at Toronto's Air Canada Centre

At last, Torontonians have had a chance to witness the greatness that is the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour tonight at Air Canada Centre and it is everything I hoped it would be ...and more!  The 90-minute Show is a high-energy spectacle without a lull to be found. Taking the stage at 9:00 PM to roaring cheers, the Set began with The New Directions appearing on-stage performing what is now known as one of the Cast's signature tunes, Don't Stop Believin' (Journey).

Bridged by brief Video Montages of Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) hilariously expressing her distaste for the New Directions, an endless array of spirited Covers were delivered like Dog Days are Over (Florence & The Machine) by Jenna Ushkowitz & Amber Riley; a sultry delivery of I'm a Slave 4 U (Britney Spears) by Heather Morris; a soulful Ain't No Way (Aretha Franklin) by Riley; a Katy Perry one-two of Firework and Teenage Dream - the former sung by Lea Michele and the latter by Darren Criss & The Warblers; River Deep, Mountain High (Tina Turner) by Naya Rivera and Riley; Kevin McHale's wheelchair-free performance of Safety Dance (Men Without Hats); and group deliveries of songs like Born this Way (Lady Gaga) and Somebody to Love (Queen).

The Synergy felt from this extremely-talented Cast simply was magical. Although this evening's Setlist stuck mostly to Pop, steering away from some of the more Showtunesque moments found in the Musical Sitcom itself, this choice in Musical Direction was a right one considering the young demographic of the Audience.  Everything from the Singing to Choreography to Stage Production was tight and I contemplate myself wanting to see it allover again.  

"DOROTHY OF OZ" POSTER UNVEILED

This first Official Poster for 2012's Dorothy of Oz has just been released.  Starring a stellar Cast of Lea Michele (Glee), Kelsey Grammer, Dan Akroyd, James Belushi, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Dancy and Martin Short, the 3-D Animated Feature will follow Dorothy as she decides to return back to Oz one more time to save her Friends.  In all honesty, I thought in the spirit of the original The Wizard of Oz that this was a Live Action Film.  You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with this bit of news!

Dorothy of Oz is set tentatively for an April 30, 2012 release.  Summertime Entertainment oversees Production, although it is unclear which company will be handling its Distribution.

GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT! TO HIT TORONTO ON JUNE 11, 2011

Cast of Glee

Best news all year! Fox has announced today that the Cast of Glee will be heading out on the road again with their Glee Live! In Concert! Tour. And Toronto's Air Canada Centre will be one of their stop-offs on June 11, 2011! Yes!!!   Justice is served at last!

The Tour will be running from May 21 to June 18, 2011. Ticket prices have not yet been announced, but I will pay anything for these. ANYTHING.

Cast members who have committed to the Tour include: Lea Michele (Rachel), Amber Riley (Mercedes), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Kevin McHale (Artie), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina), Mark Salling (Puck), Dianna Agron (Quinn), Naya Rivera (Santana), Heather Morris (Brittany), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike), Chord Overstreet (Sam) and Darren Criss (Blaine).

NEW MUSIC: CAST OF GLEE - FIREWORK

After much anticipation, Lea Michele’s version of Katy Perry’s Firework has finally surfaced! The track which will be appearing on tomorrow night’s Valentine’s Day episode of Glee is pretty much identical to its original. Nonetheless, Michele still does a stellar job and I’m sure Perry is just excited to hear it, being the huge Glee Fan she is.

Give it a listen below (audio content owned by: Sony Music).

ROBYN JOINS KATY PERRY ON "CALIFORNIA DREAMS" TOUR

Katy Perry at eTalk Live

Great news, Katy Perry Fans! Those of you planning to see her California Dreams Tour which lands in Toronto on June 30, 2011 at Air Canada Centre, just may be getting an extra treat!  

Swedish Pop sensation Robyn who seems to be getting love everywhere but North America on wide scale, will be opening for Perry at select dates throughout the Tour.  You're getting two shows for the price of one as I've seen both Perry and Robyn live and they're both wonderful.  Really sweet Girls who love their Fans.

As a bonus, many of you Glee Fans will be happy to know that Lea Michele will be singing a cover of Perry's Firework on the upcoming February 8, 2011 episode of the Golden Globe-winning Series. 

  

For a complete list of California Dreams Tour dates, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

LEA MICHELE DENIES "TRUE GRIT" STAR HAILEE STEINFELD AN AUTOGRAPH

Hailee Steinfeld

This just breaks my heart.  I appreciate the fact that while an Entertainer is busy at work, it might not be a "good time", but honestly when there's no one else around and you have Security with you above that, an Autograph or a Photo with a Fan takes only seconds. Your making it to wherever you have to be at that moment should never come at the expense of a young Fan crying.

The tables have turned for Hailee Steinfeld, the 14 year-old Star of True Grit, a certified critical and commercial success and front runner for Best Picture this year at the Oscars.  Steinfeld was auditioning for the part of Mattie Ross (which she got eventually) on the lot of Paramount Studios, when when she had decided to ask Glee Star Lea Michele for an Autograph.  The Girl practically was ignored and told "Sorry, now's not a good time!" by Michele's Bodyguard.

GLEE CAST ON "THE X FACTOR"

Cast of Glee on The X Factor

Where is the justice? It was just announced this weekend that our friends in the UK will get to see the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour late June with stop-offs slated for Manchester and London. And Canada gets shafted yet again. 

The New Directions with the exception of Kurt (Chris Colfer) who was busy filming scenes, flew out to London this weekend for an appearance on The X Factor performing Journey's Don't Stop Believin' - making their first ever live appearance ever overseas.  Needless to say, the Brits loved it.  Have a look:

(Photo/video credit: ITV)

GLEE: THE MUSIC - THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM REVIEW

It was only a matter of time before it happened, but the Cast of Glee have gifted us with The Christmas Album. The collection of twelve Holiday classics as expected, is slickly-produced and makes some less-obvious song choices, livening things up with ample amounts of Gospel, Big Band and Swing.

Animated offerings of We Need a Little Christmas, The Most Wonderful Day of the Year, Angels We Have Heard on High, You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch are found on the disc, providing some Yuletide fun to the Listener. A Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)-like version of Deck the Rooftop is one of the stronger tracks here and finally we get a proper physical release of Lea Michele & Cory Monteith's Last Christmas (Wham!) which surfaced last Winter. Merry Christmas Darling, an obscure tribute to The Carpenters, is one of the few tender moments on the Collection, with Michele delivering a more understated performance than what we're accustomed to and know she is capable of.

Interesting is a male-male version of Baby, It's Cold Outside by Chris Colfer and Darren Criss, reminding us that we're definitely in 2010 despite all the Old School Charm here.  Perhaps a foreshadowing of their romantic storyline ahead? Of course, a Glee disc would not be complete without The Diva herself in a shining moment and Michele once again proves why she is the star of the show on O Holy Night, leaving a lasting impression.

THE CAST OF "GLEE" ON NOVEMBER ISSUE OF GQ

Dianna Agron, Cory Monteith and
Lea Michele on November issue of GQ

Help!  My jaw has dropped and I can't quite seem to pick it up.  GQ's Alex Pappademas chats with the cast of Glee on the magazine's November issue in an Interview which features some positively racy photos by the legendary Terry Richardson. 

Ryan Murphy tells Pappademas, "I didn't want to do a family show.  I wanted to do my version of a family show. But we try to be as responsible as we can, because we know some young people watch. Some of the humor goes over their head, hopefully."

I'm going to let your Mouses do the rest of the clicking here.  The photos get even racier, by the way.

(Photo credit: Alex Pappademas/GQ Magazine)

WHY SOME EPISODES OF "GLEE" ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS

Lea Michele (Rachel) and Kurt (Chris
Colfer) on Duets episode of Glee

You're going to think I'm all sorts of crazy, but I think I've finally pin-pointed the reason behind the quality inconsistencies from episode to episode of Glee.  This topic came up yesterday in a conversation I had with fellow Gleeks who also noted the same, so I decided to delve into this a little further. 

For those of you who have followed my Blog for a while, you'll know how I feel about its increasing dependency on celebrity-themed episodes and cameos. So much of late that I feel the plot lines have been sacrificed significantly. Case in point, the Power of Madonna episode had resorted to slapping on a gospel number at the end to showcase Like a Prayer, thematically having nothing to do with the episode. In the Britney/Brittany episode, we are forced to believe that the music of Britney Spears has caused the students of William McKinley High School to have a Sex Riot. Seriously?

After perusing the show's Writing Credits, we see that each episode is delegated to a different Writer and Director. Even though this shouldn't have too drastic an impact overall considering that Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are a team, the discrepancies are becoming noticable. I was shocked to discover that Producer/Writer/Director Ryan Murphy - gotta love him - is actually responsible for some of my least-liked episodes (i.e. the Madonna and Britney episodes). Brad Falchuk who also shares in the Directing responsibilities, claims the honour of writing the gem that was the emotional Season One Finale, culminating in The New Directions' show-stopping albeit uncelebrated performance at The Regionals.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH BRITNEY (BRITTANY)?

Heather Morris and Britney Spears on Glee

Okay - being brutally honest here.  Just when I thought things were looking on the up-and-up with Season Two of Glee, the much-hyped Britney/Brittany episode airs tonight and we're right back to square one again with what went wrong on the second half of Season One. That is, the episodes were revolving too much around Songs and Artists, instead of focusing on the characters and their running story lines.

I loved Heather Morris' dancing on Brittany (Morris) & Santana's (Naya Rivera) rendition of Britney & Madonna's Me Against the Music.  Like me, if you've hardly noticed Morris before, then take note because a star is born this season.  Lea Michele's rendition of ....Baby One More Time both one part mocked and one part paid homage to Spears' legendary debut single, but perhaps the episode's best Spears cover was that of wheelchair-bound Artie's (Kevin McHale) Stronger.  Even Spears herself had nothing but praise, Tweeting "I love this version of Stronger. Artie did a great job."

With nothing but more Celebrity Cameos lined-up this season, let's keep our fingers crossed that Ryan Murphy doesn't lose sight of why we loved the show to begin with: the laughs and the stories.  I could care less about marquee Guest Stars.  Okay, I lie.  I do care about the big names, but I want more story.

NEW MUSIC: THE CAST OF GLEE - ....BABY ONE MORE TIME (BRITNEY SPEARS COVER)

I'm sure many of you are excited to see the forthcoming Britney Spears episode of Glee next Tuesday on Fox, but for those of you who just can't wait, I've got a little preview of what we can expect. I've already checked out the cast's rendition of Toxic and it's wonderful. The episode will also feature a cover of Paramore's The Only Exception. Not sure about how they'll tie it in, or its place in an all-Britney episode, but I'm sure it'll work. 

Listen to ....Baby One More Time in full below (courtesy of Sony Music):