Gleek Out: Home

Last night's episode of Glee found Kristin Chenoweth reprising her role as alcoholic diva April Rhodes, providing an excellent follow-up to the previous week's "The Power of Madonna". Chenoweth obviously stole the show in every one of her scenes, but luckily there was some focus on two characters we'll never get enough of–Kurt and Mercedes.

In a rare occurrence for the series, Lea Michele didn't touch the microphone once for an entire episode. Don't get me wrong, because I think she's utterly fabulous… but it was nice to hear some other voices for a change!

Next week, we'll have a guest appearance from Molly Shannon, and Jane Lynch will be following up her epic "Vogue" performance with a take on Olivia Newton-John's "Physical". Sounds like a recipe for amazing!

– Dewitt

To watch the episode, read more and hear the songs, follow the JUMP:

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FULL EPISODE:

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NEXT WEEK:

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Fire (Kristin Chenoweth & Matthew Morrison): Sue Sylvester and The Cheerios block the glee kids from using the auditorium, so Mr. Schuester heads out to find a new location for rehearsals. While scouting out a nearby roller rink, he runs into his old crush April Rhodes. She makes some embarrassing drunken comments on the microphone, and then they sing about their sexual tension.

The original version of "Fire" is one of the sexiest songs in Bruce Springsteen's catalogue. I'd normally take points off for turning this into a completely sexless karaoke disaster, but this worked because they were actually doing karaoke. However, I will take points off for Matthew Morrison diluting the magic of Kristin Chenoweth. (3 Points)

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A House Is Not A Home (Chris Colfer & Cory Monteith): Finn isn't too happy to discover that his mother considered selling his father's armchair, and he's even less happy to discover why she's selling it. Ms. Hudson began dating Kurt's father after they were introduced during a parent-teacher conference. Kurt is excited about the prospect of having a new roommate, so he sings to sooth Finn's concerns about their parents' relationship.

If anyone on this show can fuck with Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach, it's none other than Chris Colfer. He turns out a lovely rendition of the song, but it's tainted by a gut-wrenchingly awful solo by Cory Monteith. At least the "chair is just a chair" line was particularly relevant to the episode? (3 Points)

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One Less Bell To Answer / A House Is Not A Home (Kristin Chenoweth & Matthew Morrison): Since Schuester is looking for someone to sublet his place, April sleeps over to get a feel for the place. He's uncomfortable with the whole situation, but he gives in when she agrees to sleep on the couch. Though she eventually winds up in his bed, nothing happens between the two of them. Except singing.

This scene seemed a little superfluous to the general plot, and it's clearly just a ploy to get Kristin Chenoweth singing another song. This would annoy me in any other circumstances, but it's fucking Kristin Chenoweth. Even if she sang about swirling poop in a toilet, it'd be amazing. (4 Points)

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Beautiful (Amber Riley): To prepare for an incoming journalist, Sue Sylvester urges Mercedes to lose ten pounds by the end of the week. She winds up fainting in the middle of the cafeteria after starving herself, and former cheerleader Quinn steps in for a Hallmark Channel moment. After realizing her own beauty, she performs this song during a pep rally.

This was sappy as fuck, and I hate the original Christina Aguilera version. Yet the message negates the downright cheesiness in this case, and it's always a treat when they give Mercedes some time to shine. More moments like this, please! (4 Points)

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Home (Kristin Chenoweth): April had become the mistress of a wealthy strip-mall tycoon, and she somehow receives a two-million dollar payoff after he dies in front of her. She buys the auditorium in honor of the glee club, with plans of running off to New York to stage an all-white production of The Wiz.

This one didn't have enough punch for the episode's finale. It seemed more like the conclusion of Act One than Act Two, yet it's still Kristin Chenoweth which makes it automatically better. (3.5 Points) 

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BREAKDOWN OF POINTS SYSTEM:

• 5 Points = Excellent or exceeding expectations in regards to vocal performance, choreography and arrangement. Fits well within the context of the episode, and potentially better than the original version.
• 4 Points = Not too shabby! May not be entirely on par with the original, but a fantastic effort by the actors and vocalists.
• 3 Points = Tolerable. Did not induce eye rolls or kept them to a minimum.
• 2 Points = Could be a variety of factors, including poor song choice or lackluster performance. Boring or uninspired. May be an insult to the original artist.
• 1 Point = Absolutely painful. Couldn't wait for it to be over.