ALL-STAR READING OF "8" IN LOS ANGELES: GEORGE CLOONEY, BRAD PITT, MATT BOMER, CHRIS COLFER & MORE SHOW SUPPORT

AFER presents a live Reading of 8

An all-star Cast Reading of Dustin Lance Black's Play 8, took place this evening in Los Angeles with the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matthew Morrison, Matt Bomer, Martin Sheen, George Takei, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly, Chris Colfer and many more taking part.  

Directed by Rob Reiner, 8 is based upon Court Transcripts and actual Interviews chronicling the landmark Federal Trial of California's  Prop. 8, which served to prohibit Same-Sex Couples from marrying. The Reading was presented by the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

Watch the one-night-only Reading below:

For more, visit AFER's Official YouTube Page here.

(Photo/video credit: AFER)

"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)

CALGARY GIRL MEETS "GLEE" CAST AT LOS ANGELES MOVIE PREMIERE

Chris Colfer at Los Angeles Premiere of Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie

Congratulations to Calgary's Marilyn Cameron who got to fly to Los Angeles earlier in the week for Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie's big Premiere.  Acting as an Entertainment Tonight Canada Correspondent on the Red Carpet, the 13 year-old got to meet her Idol, Kurt (Chris Colfer)!  And any of you Gleeks who've ever tried to meet the Cast will know that he's pretty much the most difficult one to meet.

Jayne Cameron, Marilyn's Mother, says “We watch the show every Tuesday as a family. So it brought tears to my eyes to watch her dreams come true… she was crying after she met the Cast of Glee at the Movie Premiere!”.  She adds, “She won’t let me wash the pink sweater she had on that night…ever.”. 

Learn more about Glee: The 3-D Concert Movie here!  The Movie opens this Friday via 20th Century Fox!

(Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

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.)

"KLAINE" & "BRITANNA" DOUBLE-KISS AT "GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!" DUBLIN

Heather Morris & Naya Rivera kiss in Dublin

Dublin Gleeks got "duble" the shock last night with the conclusion of the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour!  In a skit where Heather Morris' Brittany is to seduce Darren Criss' Blaine, then being confronted by Chris Colfer's Kurt, the audience saw both Kurt and Blaine (known affectionately by Fans as Klaine) go in for a kiss, asserting their love for one another before a sea of screams.

Brittany however definitely wasn't left-out this time either, with Naya Rivera's Santana arriving on-stage and surprising just about everybody by kissing Brittany, adding further to their simmering romantic story line on the Series. Will we be seeing more of Britanna in the coming third season of Glee? Les wait and see!  How fitting for Pride Weekend!

In the meantime watch the exchanging of kisses below:

ALLISON JANNEY CAST IN CHRIS COLFER MOVIE "STRUCK BY LIGHTNING"

Chris Colfer in Toronto - June 2011

Great news, Kurt Fans!  Golden Globe Award winner Chris Colfer's self-written project titled Struck by Lightning is already beginning its casting process and first-up is the hilarious Allison Janney who has been chosen to play his Mother in the Movie.  

The Comedy is said to be about over-achieving High School Kids who are under-appreciated. Brian Dannelly who directed 2004 Teen Comedy Saved! will be helming this 2012 release.

How do they find the time?

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JON HAMM, JIMMY FALLON, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & CHRIS COLFER SURPRISE ON ED HELMS EPISODE OF "SNL"

Ed Helms on Saturday Night Live

In what was one of the best Saturday Night Live episodes in quite some time, all stops were pulled for this taping hosted by The Hangover star Ed Helms. Guest appearances from Glee's Chris Colfer, Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, Mad Men's Jon Hamm and former SNL alumni Jimmy Fallon, plus Musical Guest Paul Simon not only surprised - they impressed!

Long-running Animated Sketch The Ambiguously Gay Duo which hyperbolizes the Homoeroticism of Comic Hero Duos (i.e. Batman & Robin), has been a favourite of mine for quite some time. Last night they decided to throw in an extra wist and give it the Live Action treatment.  And the results were hilarious.  Watch below as Hamm and Fallon team-up in an eye-popping way to save the world.

Watch The Ambiguously Gay Duo below:

TIME MAGAZINE REVEALS ITS MOST INFLUENCIAL PEOPLE OF 2011

May 2011 issue of TIME

TIME Magazine has announced its annual TIME 100, honouring the most influencial People in the World. whose ideas have sparked dialogue and even revolution.  Included on the list this year are Arianna Huffington, Bruno Mars, Chris Colfer, Blake Lively,  Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Mark Zuckerberg, Colin Firth, Sting, Amy Poehler, Michelle Obama and more!

Check out the complete list here.

(Photo credit: TIME)

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).

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.

SHOCKING GAY KISS ON "GLEE"

Max Adler plants a shocking kiss on Chris Colfer on Glee

Everyone's talking about last night's Never Been Kissed episode of Glee on Fox.  Penned by Brad Falchuk, the episode touched upon the theme of Gay Bullying and threw in a shocker where Kurt (Chris Colfer) after being harassed by Jock Dave Karofsky (Max Adler) the whole episode, decides to confront the Bully in the Locker Room.  In a heated moment, Karofsky plants a big, wet one on Kurt.  Embarrassed by his explosion of passion, Karofsky then runs off. Matters are complicated further as Kurt's character appears to be developing an interest in vibrant and grounded Blaine (Darren Criss) who is openly Gay and secure about it. 

To keep in line with the theme of Kissing, Falchuk writes in a scene with the super-butch Football Coach Shannon Bieste (Dot Marie Jones) who admits to never having been in love.  Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) consoles her in her sadness and grants her a first kiss at age 40.

Once again, Glee is marred by forced moments and really is reaching far to get a bit of shock value.   I do appreciate where Falchuk is going in helping us understand the psyche of a Bully as often is the case, violence and aggressiveness is a manifestation of a lack of power and self-esteem.  But seriously, I wish I too were smooched by my Bullies in High School!  Wouldn't that be lovely?  I can just hear all the discussions going on at your Office today: "Yeah, all people who pick on Gays have to be Gay".

If you're nodding your head at me, then how do you think I felt when I was subjected to this randomness on TV?

(Photo credit: Fox)

NEW MUSIC: CAST OF GLEE - TEENAGE DREAM

Still from Never Been Kissed episode of Glee

For those of you who can't get enough of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, you will be able to hear it with the Glee Makeover on next Tuesday's Never Been Kissed episode. This will be the much-talked about episode where Kurt (Chris Colfer) meets potential lover Blaine (Darren Criss), whose vocals are featured on the song. I love this version and I'm sure Perry would approve.

Listen to it fully below, courtesy of Sony Music (Flash Player required):

(Photo credit: Fox)

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.

TV GUIDE PREVIEWS PHOTOS FROM GLEE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW EPISODE

Chris Colfer as Riff Raff

Season Two, Episode Five of Glee is going to be a tribute episode to Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest running theatrical release in history.

TV Guide has posted a few exclusive pictures as a sneak peak of what to expect on the episode and the costumes look fantastic!  Among others, Cory Monteith will be playing nerdy Brad, Diana Agron will be playing Magenta and Chris Colfer will be playing Riff Raff, brother of Magenta.  I cannot wait for this to air on Fox/Global (Canada) Tuesday, October 19th!

Visit TV Guide's website for more photos from the episode.

(Photo credit: Adam Rose/Fox)