In less than two weeks, on May 24, the Glee season finale will premiere, and we’ll no longer have to keep guessing about the gossip that’s been floating around about what we can expect to see. we Gleeks will actually KNOW what happens to our favorite glee club at Nationals in new York … we will actually have seen whether the show marks the reunion of Finchel (yes, please!) … we will also know who dies.

But if you cannot wait ’til the 24th for details on your favorite show’s finale, then a new article in The Hollywood Reporter was written just for you, fellow Gleek. The “First Look” story gives an in-depth, behind-the-scenes account of the finale shoot.

If you fall into the camp of fans who don’t mind spoilers (which are pretty harmless and not at all related to major plot lines, I promise!), read on …

-The cast will be performing a mashup of Madonna‘s “I love new York” and On the Town’s “New York, new York.” a fan in Central Park actually caught some video of this particular performance being filmed a few weeks back.

-Finn, Rachel, Puck, and Lauren will all have a scene at celeb chef Todd English’s Ça Va Brasserie. two of them will try to order Manhattans. It’s a no-brainer which two, right?

-Rachel and Kurt will sneak into the Gershwin Theater to sing “For Good” from Wicked on the famed stage. Lea Michele told the Reporter: “We feel like we’re Elphaba and Glinda … Chris likes to be called Guylinda, though.” Adorbs!

-Broadway legend Patti LuPone makes a cameo in the episode. The scene features Rachel and Finn, who have a “work date” (which hopefully turns into more) at the famed Theater District eatery, Sardi’s. LuPone (as herself) is seated in the restaurant, and when she gets up to leave, Rachel nervously blocks her path and says, “Um, excuse me, miss LuPone? You’re my idol.” LuPone tells her to “never give up.” she also improvised some of her own lines (about Finn!), which may or may not make the final cut.

-Will, standing alone on a Broadway stage (re-created at downtown L.a.’s Million Dollar Theater), sings the single “Still got Tonight,” off of Matthew Morrison‘s own debut album (out may 10). “It’s about aspiration,” Murphy says. “We’ve seen will be this dreamer.”

Even though I just spilled all of these secrets with you all, I have a feeling there are plenty of other surprise moments we totally won’t expect come the finale.

What are your predictions for the finale?

Image via The Hollywood Reporter

tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://thestir.cafemom.com/entertainment/120252/glee_season_finale_spoilers_to Thu, 12 May 2011 19:08:03 GMT 00:00“>’Glee’ Season Finale Spoilers to Know Now!

Hugh Jackman is one action hero who really knows how to give ‘em the old razzle-dazzle.

Clearly in his element on the stage, the Aussie megastar quickly reveals himself to be an old-school entertainer, a shameless ham and a hard-core booty shaker in his new solo, “Hugh Jackman in Performance,” which opened a 12-day run at San Francisco’s Curran Theatre on Wednesday.

Jackman gamely hustled his way through almost two hours of classic show tunes, power ballads and chorus-girl-worthy hoofing. If the Hollywood gigs ever dry up, the A-list hottie can definitely fall back on his cabaret chops. While the world premiere of this one-man show may not have been flawless, it was quite a hoot to spend the evening in the hands of a master showman.

To be sure, the actor knows how to make an entrance. He begins the show singing “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” off stage so that we hear him long before we see him. And, as if there were any doubts after his Tony-winning turn in “The Boy from Oz,” this dapper leading man soon proves he can sing and dance, as well as act. He was a Broadway baby long before he donned the metal-claws of Wolverine, and he obviously relishes a chance to get in touch with his inner gleek.

Indeed, at one point, Jackman did the hip-grind so hard that he ripped the seat of his pants. much to the delight of the opening night crowd, he took off the aforementioned trousers on stage. As one theatergoer shouted, the only pity was that he didn’t rip his shirt as well. Alas.

(For the record, the whole britches-striptease may well have been staged down to the last stitch, but Jackman is debonair enough to pull it off anyway.)

Of course, those in the crowd hoping to catch Wolverine in full-on mutant super freak mode were likely sorely disappointed. Jackman left his kick-ass moves at home and broke out the jazz hands big time.

With a glint in his eye and an ache in his heart, the chatty crooner regaled the audience with banter and show tunes, including an indelibly tender “Soliloquy” from “Carousel.” He imbued barker Billy Bigelow with such a vivid sense of yearning and regret that you wanted him to perform the whole score. If he was serious about making a movie version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein gem, musical mavens have cause for rejoicing.

He also channeled his flamboyant alter ego, Peter Allen, for a suite of over-the-top numbers such as “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and “Rio.” the actor can shake his maracas and high-kick with the best of them.

But the real star of the show is his own irrepressible charisma. He exudes such a sense of joy in performance that even the cheesier parts of the evening (such as the weight-training gags and the audience participation shtick) were fairly fun. That adorable Down Under accent also goes a long way toward selling the comic bits.

Even the somewhat formulaic movie montage segment, which showcased scenes from his favorite on-screen romances, seemed sweet, because he took pains to include his wife, the Australian actress Deborra-Lee Furness. Aw.

His breezy wit and natural comic timing buoys every moment. when someone tossed a pair of handcuffs on stage, he quipped: “Eat your heart out, Tom Jones.”

When his childhood photographs went missing on screen, he ad-libbed through the snafu with ease. He’s a smooth operator who knows how to go with moment.

But he’s no glory hog. Jackman lets his backup-singers, Merle Dandridge and Angel Reda, shine in a diva standoff from “Rent.”

And he’s not afraid to be upstaged. when joined in the spotlight by guest star Richard Marx, Jackman lets the songwriter land all the punch lines. plus, no one sings “Right here Waiting” better than Marx, and Jackman graciously lets himself play second banana.

One quibble: the movie medley, where he bopped through numbers such as “As Time goes By,” “Staying Alive” and “Can you Feel the Love Tonight,” was too short to be satisfying. better to sink your teeth into one torch song than fast-forward through seven.

Also, the performer gives off such a candid, approachable air that you expect him to reveal a bit more of himself and his autobiography here. While the segment featuring aboriginal music was fascinating, the actor didn’t explain his love of the Outback to the audience with enough detail.

This reviewer wanted to come away from the show knowing a little more about what makes the star tick. instead, he burns brightest when losing himself in the lyrics. And that’s a teensy bit disappointing if you came longing for the inside dish.

Not that I have any desire to get on Jackman’s bad side, mind you. After all, he is Wolverine. As the pre-curtain speech reminds us, if he wants to, he will hunt us down and make us pay. (I wish.)

Contact Karen D’Souza at 408-271-3772. Check out her theater reviews and blog at mercurynews.com/karen-dsouza.

tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_18000355 Thu, 05 May 2011 18:26:34 GMT 00:00“>Top Classifieds

It’s the TV plot everyone is talking about — Glee’s bad boy Puck wooing voluptuous and spunky Lauren — and now actress Ashley Fink is discussing the storyline.

“I want to know who decided size [matters], I think it’s so much more about the person than it is about the outside. … People fall in love with people.”

Ashley says persistence paid off for her when pursuing her acting career: “If you’re overweight, if you’re ‘other,’ people will try to stop you. … I was always just really resilient and I wouldn’t let people tell me no.”

In fact, Ashley says “Lauren wasn’t necessarily written to be overweight. I went in and they liked me.”

Regardless, she says she feels “so honored to be representing for the big girls” and shares the advice, “Don’t give anyone else the satisfaction of taking anything away from you that you love.”

When it comes to her storyline with Puck, Ashley says, “We’re both total badasses … and there’s something so sweet about us together, which is something I didn’t necessarily expect.”

She says she loved filming the kissing scene with mark Salling: “It was hilarious, we were laughing the entire time. I thought it was funny that she was the aggressor and he was the lamb.”

Does Ashley have a love interest in real life? she says with a twinkle in her eye that she’s “single and available.” but she adds, “I’m married to ‘Glee’ right now.”

She also shares some exciting news – she’s most likely going to be joining the “Glee” tour this summer! “I freaked out, yeah it’s exciting,” she says.

And she also shares her dream “Glee” guest star: “I would love to see Roseanne on the show, playing like, my mom or something. … Roseanne was a funny woman when that wasn’t popular and she took no prisoners. … she was a really big inspiration for me.”

TheGleeSource: Head Gleek in Charge Ashley Fink Talks Life, Love and Who She Wants to Play Lauren’s Mommadukes

Adam Rose/FOX

Cheers, Gleeks! We got through quite the eventful episode together. and by eventful, I mean full of people puking and riding bulls. Add will Schuester in a cowboy hat, and we’ve got ourselves a lot of recapping to do.

Still feeling tipsy after watching all the New Directions kids throw back a few? Hold onto something steady to stop the spins and let’s try and decipher what went down in “Blame it on the Alcohol.”

MORE: TV’s top couples 2011: Vote for your fave in our elite eight round!

WHAT WE LEARNED

Popping Bottles is a good idea: the Rachel Berry House Party Train Wreck Extravaganza (its full name) was pure comedy Glee gold. Once I got past Rachel’s creepy nightgown/dress disaster, I decided that we’ll always need more drunk Blaine, that Santana is scarier sober, and that the Berry basement is awesome. and in case anyone is wondering, my drunk girl category is somewhere between “weepy, hysterical drunk” and “girl who becomes stripper when drunk.” see? Learning new things is fun.

Sue, will and Emma Scenes are Always amazing: I’m not sure if it’s just because it’s so season one-esque, but Sue dissing will and calling Emma “Ella” is downright hilarious. every. Single. Time. and who doesn’t love a little will and Emma interaction to set the tone for Holly’s return in two weeks? also, I am totally in love with the fact that Sue pushed the Aural Intensity coach down the stairs not once, but twice. Regionals, here we come.

Mike Yarish/FOX

Sharing is Caring: Getting will Schuester drunk leads to a declaration of feelings…among other things. after grading papers while hammered (which wasn’t the most thought-out idea he’s ever had), will went and drunk-dialed someone whom he thought was Emma. You know the old saying that “a drunk person’s words are a sober person’s thoughts”? Well, by that law, will still loves Emma—or at least he wants to roll around in some hay with her. and who else caught the little Grease reference from Sue and Becky when they took over the intercom?

Rachel and Blaine Were not the worst Couple Ever: that Rachel-Blaine kiss had some heat, and “Don’t You Want Me” was downright amazing. I know Finchel fans are already sharpening their pitchforks as I say this…but I kind of loved Blaine and Rachel together.  after all, when’s the last time Finn made Rachel say “your face tastes awesome?” Sure, it didn’t work out. but those two being together led to Blaine’s reassurance that he’s 100 percent gay. good news for Kurt-Blaine fans! #onestepcloser

HeMo Continues To Be a Badass: “Tik Tok” was my favorite number of the episode, mostly because Heather Morris owned that Ke$ha song. Or as both Figgins and I refer to her as: Ke-dollar sign-ha. Glad the Glee kids tackled that jam, because it’s due time. after all, Ke$ha’s been an “icon for weeks.”

Burt and Kurt make TV Magic: We kind of already knew this, but the scene in the kitchen just cemented how much we love to see Mike O’Malley and Chris Colfer work together. It’s always a perfect blend of genuine emotion and awkward comedy.

Michael Yarish/FOX

WHAT LIES AHEAD

It’s About to Get Sexy: the next episode is called…”Sexy.” but we also get the return of John Stamos and Gwyneth Paltrow, who aren’t too hard on the eyes. also, Emma is going to head up the school’s celibacy club (bring back the balloon exercise!), which could mean that her bedroom activities with her new husband aren’t exactly smoking hot. Enter Mr. Schue to fix that right up?

And if you need a visual, John posted a promo pic from the episode, which features Puck and Carl in powder-blue shirts as part of a…jazz ensemble? Hot.

Education makes People more Smarter: will and Holly will be teaching the kids about sex and safety, which will lead one of the New Directioners to make a revelation. and that discovery is a pretty awesome callback to season one.

Fox Broadcasting

The Moment Wemma Fans have Been Waiting For: Holly and will cozying up does not sit well with the redhead. it does not sit well at all. and why not add an ex-wife into the mix? I wouldn’t be surprised if Terri popped up soon.

Brittana love: Holly won’t just be ruffling Emma’s feathers, she’ll also be playing a part in Brittany and Santana exploring their friendship/relationship a little deeper. Don’t expect a heated make-out session between the gals, but maybe a progression of sorts.

Original Songs: Rachel begged for it during “Comeback,” and according to the track listing for Glee: the Music, Volume 5, two original songs are coming up! “Loser Like Me” will be an ensemble piece, and “Get it Right” is a solo performed by, who else, Lea Michele. These songs will debut in the March 15 episode, titled “Original Song.”

Still fighting a hangover? Pop some aspirin and head downstairs to the comments so you all can speculate, beg for Finchel to reunite, and all that jazz. see you right back here in two weeks!

VIDEO: the Biebs ditches his famous do!

Glee-Dux: Teen Drinking Is Very Bad, and Who Gave Mr. Schue a Cowboy Hat?

Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products has teamed up with Sephora Americas to develop an exclusive collection of nail colours and prints for the ultimate pop culture phenomenon – GLEE. The “Sephora by OPI goes Gleek Chic” collection will feature a limited edition range of 10 new nail colour shades and three print nail design appliqués inspired by the show’s colorful cast, fantastic music numbers and comedic references that all Gleeks know and love. The collection will be available February 3rd exclusively at all major Sephora locations in the U.S and Canada including Sephora locations inside JCPenney’s. Its launch will coincide with the much-anticipated special episode of GLEE that will air following Super Bowl XLV on FOX.

Fans will also be able to catch a glimpse of the Sephora by OPI Glee polish during the series’ upcoming Valentine’s Day episode on February 8th, which will feature the characters Mercedes (Amber Riley), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Brittany (Heather Morris), Santana (Naya Rivera) and Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink) donning the colors.

The Sephora by OPI GLEE Collection Nail Colours will include individual full sized colours and a six-piece mini-set collection that will feature exclusive colours only available through purchase of the set. The Sephora by OPI GLEE Collection Chic Prints for Nails Design Appliqués are easy-to-apply, precut strips that will be available in three different GLEE-inspired designs.

“The Sephora collection takes the essential elements of the GLEE brand and incorporates them into the ultimate means of self-expression for fans of the show,” said Robert Marick, Executive Vice President of Fox Consumer Products. “this merchandising program continues our pursuit to bring Gleeks the very best products that will allow them to celebrate and live GLEE in every aspect of their lives.”

“Sephora is committed to bringing our clients what’s hot now, and there is nothing hotter or more culturally relevant today than GLEE,” said Michael McGeever, Senior Vice President of Sephora Originals. “our goal with this exclusive, limited-edition Sephora by OPI collection is to reflect the unique spirit of the show – vibrant, creative and bold – while bringing our consumer another exclusive must-have that they couldn’t find anywhere else.”

The collection will be supported through a multi-platform marketing campaign including key in-store placement, an in-store event, a national magazine advertising program, a spring catalog feature, and robust e-mail and online initiative.

Sephora’s celebratory in-store launch event will host Naya Rivera, who plays Santana on the series, alongside Eryn Krueger-Mekash, the show’s head make-up artist, at the beauty retailer’s Westfield Century City location in Los Angeles on February 12th from 2 pm-4pm. One lucky winner will be treated with an on-site make-over by Eryn as well as fun activities to help kick off the line’s debut.

As part of its online campaign, Sephora will host a “Nailed it! GLEEK out Photo Contest”, on Facebook urging fans to upload photos of themselves in GLEE inspired looks and a “Hide and Go Gleek” Twitter contest rewarding fans with prizes for correct answers to GLEE trivia questions.

Sephora by OPI Nail Colours and Chic Prints for Nails Design Appliqués will be available in all Sephora stores, as well as by calling 1-877-SEPHORA or logging on to sephora.com via computer or smartphone.

Sephora by OPI Goes Gleek Chic with Their New Glee Nail Polish Collection