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".

CHORD OVERSTREET POSSIBLY LEAVING "GLEE"

Chord Overstreet in Toronto - June 2011

Breaking news! It appears that Chord Overstreet will not be returning for a third season of Glee as a  Regular after it was just announced that Cast Mates Harry Shum, Jr. and Darren Criss were just added aboard as Regulars on the Series.  Overstreet who had been a part of the Transatlantic Glee Live! In Concert! Tour this Summer notably and perhaps surprisingly, was not promoted.

The second season of Glee had ended on May 24, 2011 and Overstreet who plays Sam Evans, may in fact still return occasionally on the Show this Fall, so don't fret yet if you're a Fan.

(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.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY SHUM JR.!

Harry Shum Jr.'s iPhone Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday, Harry Shum, Jr.!  Us Asians love our Gadgets, but this is just taking it to a whole new level!  Jon M. Chu, Director of Justin Bieber's Never Say Never 3-D, Tweeted this Photo of Shum's giant Birthday Cake, modeled after an iPhone.  Shum, who plays Mike Chang on Glee, celebrated his 29th Birthday this past Thursday.

Just one more month until Glee Live! In Concert! hits Toronto.  I cannot wait.  Got my Meet & Greet Pass and I'm good to go!

(Photo credit: Jon M. Chu)

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.