Britney/Brittany
"Britney/Brittany" | |
---|---|
Glee episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 2 |
Directed by | Ryan Murphy |
Written by | Ryan Murphy |
Featured music | "I'm a Slave 4 U" "Me Against the Music" "...Baby One More Time" "Sailing" "Stronger" "Toxic" "The Only Exception" |
Production code | 2ARC02 |
Original air date | September 28, 2010 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Britney/Brittany" is the second episode of the
Following the
The episode features seven musical performances, six of which were released as singles. It was watched by 13.51 million American viewers, Glee's third largest audience ever, and attracted mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
Glee club director Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) attempts to set New Directions an easy listening adult contemporary assignment, but Kurt (Chris Colfer) informs them there is a Facebook group petitioning the club to perform a Britney Spears number at the McKinley High homecoming assembly. Will refuses, stating that Spears is a bad role model. He is supported by club member Brittany (Heather Morris), who reveals that her full name is Brittany Susan Pierce (calling herself Brittany Spierce) and as such she has always been dismayed that she will never be as successful as the similarly named pop star.
Will then discusses Spears with school guidance counselor
Rachel feels threatened by her boyfriend Finn's (Cory Monteith) desire to re-join the school football team, fearing that their relationship will not work if he becomes popular again. After visiting the dentist and experiencing her own hallucination, in which she performs "...Baby One More Time", Rachel begins dressing more provocatively. Her new look is received positively and cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) finds school blogger Jacob Ben Israel (Josh Sussman) masturbating to a video of Rachel in the library. Rachel relents and encourages Finn to re-join the team. Artie's dental visit results in a hallucination of "Stronger" in which he is also a member of the football team. Football coach Shannon Beiste (Dot-Marie Jones) accepts both Finn and Artie, despite the fact Artie is in a wheelchair. Rachel becomes jealous of the attention Finn is receiving now that he is back on the team and to test Finn's fidelity, she has his ex-girlfriend Quinn (Dianna Agron) attempt to seduce him. She is relieved when Finn turns Quinn down, and sings Paramore's "The Only Exception" to him in apology.
Advised by Emma to relax, Will learns that Carl recently purchased a new Chevrolet Corvette and buys one for himself. He is confronted by his ex-wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), who insists that he return it and cease wasting their savings. Seeing the positive effect Spears has had on the glee club members, Will relents and allows them to perform a Bob Fosse-inspired rendition of "Toxic" at the homecoming assembly, joining them on stage in an effort to impress Emma. When multiple students, including Jacob and Lauren Zizes (Ashley Fink), become sexually aroused by the performance, Sue sets off the fire alarm and has the student body evacuate the auditorium. She later threatens to sue Will after being injured in the stampede. Emma tells Will to stop trying to be someone he is not, and he returns his new car. He also tells the club they will not be performing any more Spears numbers.
Production
During the first season of Glee, the show paid tribute to Madonna with the episode "The Power of Madonna". Murphy planned two tribute episodes for the second season: "Britney/Brittany", and a second, originally planned to air after Super Bowl XLV in February 2011.[1] Many of the show's young cast members were inspired to pursue musical careers by Spears. Murphy stated that it was Spears' idea for Glee to use her songs, explaining: "I think she loves what the show's about, paying tribute to pop culture in a very loving, respectful, kind way. She responded to that." He described Spears as "arguably the most important female [musician] other than Lady Gaga in the last 10 years," commenting that the episode is not only concerned with her music, but also her public image.[2]
In May 2010, Morrison told
The cast received their scripts for the episode on July 26, 2010,[6] and Murphy began directing it on August 2, 2010.[2] Spears filmed her guest starring scenes on August 18 and 19, 2010.[7][8] Murphy commented that: "At the heart of it, it's a show designed to show off the skills of Heather Morris".[2] Prior to appearing in Glee, Morris was a back-up dancer for Beyoncé. She was originally hired as a choreographer to teach cast members Colfer and Jenna Ushkowitz the "Single Ladies" dance. A week later, she was cast as cheerleader Brittany.[9] Morris had a recurring role throughout the first season, and was promoted to a series regular for season two.[10] At the 2010 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, Murphy stated that Brittany would have "big storylines" in the new season, as viewers want to know more about her.[1]
Stamos makes his first Glee appearance in "Britney/Brittany" playing Carl Howell, a dentist and Emma's love-interest.
Music
The episode featured cover versions of five Spears songs,[14] two of which were performed by Morris.[16] "Stronger", "...Baby One More Time", "Toxic", "I'm a Slave 4 U", and "Me Against the Music" (featuring Madonna) were covered. "The Only Exception" by Paramore and "Sailing" by Christopher Cross were also performed.[17] All songs except "Sailing" were released as singles, available for download, and all songs except "I'm a Slave 4 U", "...Baby One More Time", and "Sailing" are included on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 4.[18][19] Both Spears and Paramore's Hayley Williams praised the episode via the social networking website Twitter, approving of the use of their songs.[20] All singles managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 406,000 downloads collectively. The cast's cover of "Toxic" charted as the highest of the six, at number sixteen with 109,000 downloads.[21]
Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly felt that the performances of "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Me Against the Music" fell flat, opining that Glee's best musical numbers are the ones which twist, rather than imitate the original versions. Though he praised Morris' dancing, he felt the episode revealed her to be "not a standout vocalist".[22] Conversely, Erica Futterman of Rolling Stone enjoyed the direct recreations of iconic Spears moments in "I'm a Slave 4 U",[23] and MTV's Aly Semigran called it one of the best sequences in the show's history.[24] Futterman was also impressed by the "Me Against the Music" recreation, highlighting the way it played on the ambiguous Brittany/Santana relationship, complimenting Morris' dancing and Rivera's vocals.[23]
Raymund Flandez of The Wall Street Journal criticized Michele's rendition of "...Baby One More Time", writing, "Her earnestness, her adoring look and her intelligent voice bumps up against the breathless sound of breathy pop. It's like a YouTube spoof, an opera singer trying to make a barmaid's ditty on Oktoberfest more appealing—by shedding her clothes."[25] Futterman was left wanting by the number, feeling that "the tune lost all of its scandalous sexuality with Rachel's octaves-higher singing".[23]
Stack deemed "Stronger" his favorite performance of the episode, as well as the best incorporation of Spears' music, as the song served Artie's storyline. He praised the increased use of McHale as a vocalist in the second season, enjoying his soulful voice.[22] Flandez also enjoyed "Stronger", appreciating the twist of having males sing a feminist empowerment song.[25] Semigran wrote that it was "Toxic" which provided the best Spears cover of the episode, commenting that it "took on its own fresh sound all while honoring the original".[24] She disapproved of "The Only Exception" as the closing song, feeling that the use of another Spears song such as "Everytime" would have been more appropriate.[24] However, Flandez called Michele's Paramore rendition "suitably earnest",[25] Futterman described it as "gorgeous and tender",[23] and Stack felt it served as a "nice, emotional capper" to the episode.[22]
Ratings
During its original broadcast, "Britney/Brittany" was watched by 13.51 million American viewers.
Critical response
"Britney/Brittany" received mixed reviews from critics.
James Poniewozik of Time, who disliked the Madonna episode, was "pleasantly surprised" by "Britney/Brittany". He deemed it one of the funniest and most entertaining episodes of the series, crediting Morris' performance and the "fortunately limited" Spears cameos. Responding to criticism of the episode, Poniewozik conceded that the storylines were slender and Spears remakes dominated the episode, however felt that unlike "The Power of Madonna", it worked because "it owned its slightness: it kept the videos (and Britney's appearances) where they belonged as fantasy".[39] Bobby Hankinson of the Houston Chronicle described the episode as brilliant, and felt that presenting the Spears performances as a series of unrelated hallucinations was "an inspired choice".[40] IGN's Robert Canning rated "Britney/Brittany" 8/10, signifying an "Impressive" episode. He described it as fun, but close to being "too much of a gimmick", with incongruous song choices.[41]
VanDerWerff deemed Spears' cameo "totally useless", criticizing the singer's "flat, listless dialogue".
Morris' performance attracted critical praise, with de Moraes calling "Britney/Brittany" a "great showcase" for the actress, praising her "spectacular dance moves" and "deadpan flare".[42] In her otherwise negative review, VanDerWerff deemed Morris "hysterical throughout" and the cast's best dancer. She stated, "Murphy seems intent on running this character into the ground, but Morris isn't going to have her stop being funny without a fight."[37] Mullins observed, "When Ryan Murphy said this episode was a celebration of Heather, he wasn't kidding", commending her musical performances.[43] Canning was initially concerned that the episode would diminish Morris' appeal by elevating her from a background role, but was ultimately pleased that it managed to retain her "fan favorite" secondary character status.[41]
References
- ^ a b Goldman, Eric (August 3, 2010). "Glee: More Whedon? More Brittany?". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Tribune Media Services. Archived from the originalon October 6, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Glee's Matthew Morrison Bashes Britney!". Us Weekly. May 6, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Young, John (July 25, 2010). "'Glee': Conic-Con panel reveals some spoilers for Season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Stanley, T.L. (September 30, 2010). "Corvette placement in 'Glee' hits right note for Chevy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ Dinh, James (July 26, 2010). "Britney Spears 'Glee' Episode Will Be 'Hallucinogenic,' Show Creator Says". MTV. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "New Britney Tweet and Photo from Glee Set!". britneyspears.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ "Britney Tweets About Second Day of Shooting GLEE". britneyspears.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- The Advocate. Archived from the originalon July 1, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- TV Guide Magazine. Archived from the originalon May 2, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
- ^ O'Connell, Mikey (August 10, 2010). "'Glee': Ryan Murphy says Britney Spears is '100 percent' appearing in her episode". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- Dos Santos, Kristin (June 8, 2010). "It's Official! John Stamos Will Come to Glee Next Season". E!. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
- ^ "(GLE-202) "Britney/Brittany"". The Futon Critic (Press release). Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ^ E! Online. E!. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (September 28, 2010). "Glee Episode Recap: "Britney/Brittany"". TV Guide. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
- ^ Martin, Denise (July 13, 2010). "Exclusive: Glee's Brittany Sings Britney Spears in Season Two". TV Guide. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Hensel, Amanda (September 28, 2010). "'Glee' 'Britney/Brittany' Recap – Season 2, Episode 2". AOL Music. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ "Top MP3 Downloads by Glee Cast". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ "Glee: The Music, Volume 4 Available November 30" (Press release). PR Newswire. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
- ^ Semigran, Aly (September 29, 2010). "Britney Spears And Hayley Williams React To Last Night's 'Glee' In Today's Tweet Dreams". MTV. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Stack, Tim (September 29, 2010). "'Glee' recap: Britney, Baby, One More Time". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Futterman, Erica (September 29, 2010). "Glee Playback: Britney Spears Makes for Mixed Results". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c Semigran, Aly (September 29, 2010). "'Glee' Recap: Episode 24, 'Britney/Brittany'". MTV. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Flandez, Raymund (September 28, 2010). "'Glee,' Season 2, Episode 2, 'Britney/Brittany': TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ a b Gorman, Bill (September 29, 2010). "Tuesday Finals: Glee, No Ordinary Family, NCIS, Dancing Up; Raising Hope, Detroit 1-8-7, Running Wilde Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 3, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Tribune Media Services. Archived from the originalon October 7, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ Gorman, BilL (April 14, 2010). "Broadcast Finals Tuesday: Dancing, Lost Adjusted Up; V Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
- ^ Tribune Media Services. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (February 8, 2011). "Sunday Final Ratings: Super Bowl Demos Galore, Plus 'Glee' 15 Minute Detail". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (September 29, 2010). "TV Ratings Tuesday: No Ordinary Family Premieres Well; Glee, Hope, NCIS:LA Up; Dancing, Biggest Loser, Parenthood Fall". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- e5 Global Media. Archived from the originalon October 1, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Star Media Group. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
- ^ Kendall, Jacqueline (September 29, 2010). "Glee wins Tuesday night nationally" (PDF). Canwest. Retrieved October 4, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Dale, David (September 27, 2010). "The ratings race: Week 40". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
- BARB. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ a b c VanDerWerff, Emily (September 29, 2010). "Britney/Brittany". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- Parents Television Council. October 1, 2010. Archived from the originalon October 11, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (September 29, 2010). "Glee Watch: Oops! They Did It". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- Hearst Corporation. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- ^ a b c Canning, Robert (September 29, 2010). "Glee: "Britney/Brittany" Review". IGN. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa (September 29, 2010). "Britney Spears on "Glee" – all that and less". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- E! Online. E!. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
External links
- "Britney/Brittany" at Fox.com
- "Britney/Brittany" at IMDb