Image Credit: Michael Yarish/FoxGlee is heading back into the groove with Madonna.
The afterglow from last night’s smashing (and highly rated) Madge-themed episode has barely dimmed and already series creator Ryan Murphy is talking to the Material Girl about a sequel!
Murphy confirms that he’s in discussions with M’s camp and that “Madonna and her people are into it and want it to happen.” The follow-up would air early next season and feature six more songs from the pop icon’s immense catalog of hits. (There’s talk that fans might be able to vote on which tracks should be used via a poll on Fox.com.)
The Glee-Madonna marriage has already reaped huge dividends for both the show and the star. Tuesday’s episode attracted a potent 13.5 million viewers, down just 5 percent from last week’s record-setting spring premiere. Additionally, the soundtrack from the ep is currently No. 1 on iTunes, and two of the singles are in the top 20.
The power of Madonna indeed.
Thoughts? Is Glee smart to stay in business with Madge? And which hit should Sue tackle next? “Human Nature,” perhaps?
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This is exactly the problem with this show. The songs inform the storyline instead of the other way around.
Thank you! All of the Madonna songs drove the storylines to a place they probably shouldn’t have gone…let the songs support the plot, not the other way around.
I did LOVE the songs and the performances but I think one episode was just enough.
Finally! Am I the only one who didn’t really like that episode? Correction–I thought it was terrible! Not a fan of Madonna, please don’t put us through that again! If youre gonna do any episode with songs from one single artist, how about The Beatles, U2, or Michael Jackson? Any of those would be AMAZING!!!!!!!
No, you’re not the only one who didn’t like this episode. I like madonna and with the sole exception of Sue’s Vogue, I thought it was actually boring. It’s gotten very repetitive. Rachel does a big number (again!), the other whine about being given nothing to do (again!) Rachel and Fin dance down a hallway and look longingly (again). Switching that formula to Madonna doesn’t hide the formula.
Totally Agree.. I like much of Madonna’s music .. I thought Vogue was clever and loved “Like a Prayer” last night.. but OMG the rest of the show sucked.. if it wasn’t about how Maddona is some great spiritual / woman’s leader it was about sex… Which is of course the REAL message in much of Madonna’s music. Once was enough.. we watch for the story.. not for butt kissing of favored artists like last night. One more episode like that and we might be seeing a Shark Jumping coming and that would be too bad.
Yea, the episode/the music just felt forced. I like Madonna but this should not happen again.
I really hope this show doesn’t get over the top after 2 seasons. I love Ryan Murphy but see what happened to Nip/Tuck after season 2. The show just whimpered out. No more Madonna episode until like season 4!
are you kidding? NIP / TUCK season 3 was AMAZINGGG
Wasn’t my favorite either. Maybe because I’m not a big Madonna fan but the story seemed forced.
Agree 100% dude, please reconsider Mr. Murphy, love Madonna on your time not ours.
Please don’t use U2 either.
I didn’t like the episode much, either, probably because of all the Madonna-worship going on, which felt forced and silly. “I want to be strong and empowered like Madonna!” It was product placement to the nth degree. Conversely, the episode of Modern Family where Phil really, REALLY wanted an iPad was hated by many critics as being too heavy-handed in terms of product placement, but it made sense in the context of the episode and in regards to the character.
Did you really think that LIKE A VIRGIN didn’t fit in with that story-line? Really? I’m not disagreeing with you about the others (although seeing Jane Lynch do VOGUE – the original version of which I loathed -was more than worth suspending disbelief on that point), but that song was so on for the will they/won’t they dilemma.
And by the way, anyone surprised that the boy did and the girls didn’t??? Can we say… stereotyping?
I would disagree, Cricket Girl. The whole thing was about the virgins feeling the pressure to have sex…I think it would be more stereotyping for the girls to give in than the guy. The fact that the girls stood up for themselves while Finn caved worked for me.
Some of the episode felt forced for me too…still loved it though. But I agree with the others, this should not be attempted again for a long time. The songs should be secondary to the story, but this episode was very Madonna centric. And I really hope they don’t start doing this for other singers on a regular basis. No Jennifer Lopez episode please! Though I would be wuite happy with a Beatles episode.
EXACTLY! And if the fans vote then it is over. Dear Glee – meet the shark.
I enjoyed the episode quite a bit. I thought the whole “Like a Virgin” sequence, while a bit more risque than normal, was actually a really nice way to deal with the pressure to lose your virginity and I liked that those involved decided NOT to, but not in a preachy way. So, I’ll take a wait and see attitude about revisiting the Madonna songbook. A Beatles hour, though, is a MUST DO. With the songs being creatively reinterpreted, a la Across the Universe.
I agree. This is why it’s hard for me to get in to this show. The story/characters/episodes jump all over the place with little rhyme or reason. But I still enjoy the music numbers.
characters jump all over the place with no reason? sounds just like high school to me
I agree. One day a character is the villain, next episode not so much. The stories in Glee are always so forced.
AGREE. This is not good news at all.
I was about to say the same thing, except it hasn’t been a problem in the past. Letting the viewers pick the songs and having an episode written around it though, that’s bad mojo right there, and I’m not ok with it. I AM ok, however, with more Madonna music, but for God’s sake, let the writer pick the songs!
I have to agree. This was one of the worse episodes for me. The performances were still good but I didn’t like the way a few of the songs were used. It was a let down from last week’s excellent episode.
are you kidding me?! last week’s episode was so boring. Everything about the Madonna episode was pure perfection minus Finn losing the big V to Santana (not cool @ all).
I agree with Nicole, even though I enjoyed last weeks episode, it was disappointing, but I LOVED the Madonna episode. I would like to see what else they could do with Madonna…but Sue Slyvester doing Human Nature – Scary thought.
I agree– it felt too forced and predictable — one is enough.
Are you kidding? The songs always sync up perfectly with the emotional beats of the storylines. It’s one of Glee’s biggest strengths.
Agreed, this is the one huge flaw I have against Glee. I feel that the storylines are either repetitive or forced when it is being driven by song choices rather than the development of the characters. The songs should be an asset to the storylines not the other way around. On that note though, I can’t help but fall in love with Glee whenever I hear the music come on. It’s infectious!
Finally! Am I the only one who didn’t really like that episode? Correction–I thought it was terrible! Not a fan of Madonna, please don’t put us through that again! If youre gonna do any episode with songs from one single artist, how about The Beatles, U2, or Michael Jackson? Any of those would be AMAZING!!!!!!!
I can’t imagine sitting through and entire show of Beatles or U2 songs, but I could definitely handle MJ.. or even Janet. – As for the Madonna episode, i loved the numbers themselves, but I do agree that it could have been written a bit better!
Finally! Am I the only one who didn’t really like that episode? Correction–I thought it was terrible! Not a fan of Madonna, please don’t put us through that again! If youre gonna do any episode with songs from one single artist, how about The Beatles, U2, or Michael Jackson? Any of those would be AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
uh….Madonna is in the same CATEGORY as Th Beatles and Michael Jackson. go to billboard and look at what this woman has accomplished in 25 years. Icon bordering on legend. And like she so famously said…absolutely no regrets.
Wow did I seriously just read something that read that Madonna is on the same level as The Beatles?! Thats just nuts…
also I gotta say, I LOVE Jon Groff in this show! He and Lea have so much chemistry and you can tell they really like working together
And I thought this ep was so-so I agree it felt forced at times but that wont stop me from watching next week
Jules, you’re absolutely right. Madonna is not on the same level as the Beatles. She has gone well beyond them. Yes, the Beatles were/are iconic, but they lasted less than a decade. Madonna lasted well into 3 (80′s, 90′s, 00′s). I do not like the woman all that much, but you have to admit that she is talented and she knows how to change with the times. In 1984, she said she was wanted to rule the world, and I think she may have gotten her wish.
No, I have disliked both of these new episodes. The characters are going from flawed to just unlikeable, and as someone else said they are making the plot fit the songs, not the other way around. And to see the critics rave and the numbers up, really irks me. I’m so bummed. I want my show back!
Dear Glee Writers,
Please read these message boards and see that a lot of you fans don’t want more episode themes! We just want our show back. Although I would love to hear more Beatles or Michael Jackson, I don’t want an episode with everyone wearing sparkly gloves. Its just too much. Let the characters steer to storyline not the music!
Sincerely, fan
Sorry, didn’t mean to post that 3 times…
Apology not accepted you giant hater…
I agree completely. I didn’t like episode at all and actually thought it was the worst yet. It was just a commercial for Madonna and nothing else. Do we really need another one? I don’t think so.
MY biggest issue with the Madonna show’s premise is that if Madonna is indeed this amazing girl-power, respect-yourself cultural icon whose music has the power to sway, then why are the teenage girls, having this music at their fingertips all their lives, apparently not ABLE to stand up for themselves. What we saw in the episode, with the only exception of Rachel, was not the girls standing up for themselves, but rather waited until the boys deciding on their own to give the little women a break and be nicer to them. Once again, boys rule the situation. Kinda a mixed message.
And a 50 year old s-l-u-t should not be the role model for your high school girls to look up to in any case.
The girls didn’t all wait for the boys to come to them, look at how Tina stood up to Artie? And Rachel and Emma both took control of their own bodies by NOT giving into sex even though they, especially Rachel, felt pressured to.
I was shocked to find it my favorite of the series.
It all depends on how you look at it. If you truly think the songs determine the storyline, think again. I think they add to it. Obviously the creators think of ways to use the songs, but they have plotlines they work with first. This isn’t Mamma Mia.
Oh, EVERY episode of this show blows.
That was our feeling exactly.
They wrote this episode around the songs instead of the other way around. I hope Glee isn’t becoming hostage to it’s own hype.
Though I loved the episode, and though I thought there were many other Madonna songs that I think the Glee cast would sound amazing performing, I hesitate to say doing another Madge-theme ep is a good idea. I’m apt to say “go out on top” as opposed to “beat a dead horse”. Unless they were able to score Madonna for the episode (how they’d write that in, I do not know), I would quote Madonna and say: The show is over, say goodbye.
Yeah If they could Madonna as a guest I say go for it if not try some other artist dedicated episodes
Agree! It was enjoyable, but once is enough.
Exactly what I was thinking Stefan. I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s episode, but once was enough.
I agree, if they’re going to do another artist-themed episode, I’d love to see something different…I could see Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, or Prince being fun. Or what about Aerosmith, Journey, or Van Halen?
I would LOVE to see Artie rock out to ‘Dream On’ in the episode that deals with his emotions about being in a wheelchair. But the only ones who can hit that incredible screech at the end are either mercedes, rachel or Jesse.
but how awesome would an aerosmith episode be?? ::sigh::
They should totally bring in Madonna as a guest star… as a vocal coach or head of a rival glee club or something. And it’d be brilliant if they pitted her against Sue as well, with the underlying idea being that this “character” totally looks like Madonna, but she’s not playing Madonna.
Frankly, I thought the Madge ep. was genius.
my thought exactly. I liked the episode, although the Like a Virgin Scene creeped me out until I realized it was a dream–at least on Rachel’s part. I don’t think that they should do another Madonna episode, but another artist would be interesting. Maybe Elton John.
Now they need to do Jimmy Buffet. I can see the Cheerios singing “Cheeseburger in Paradise”
That would be super sweet! I can see it now – Fins, Changes in Lattitudes…, Margaritaville (I could see Sue doing that one).
I see Sue more as “Pencil Thin Mustache”, Puck “Rag Top Day” and Principal Finmigans as “Volcano”.
Boy I miss my hearing … gonna go read some lyrics now …
Viva Margaritaville!
I personally loved the Madonna episode, but I think one is enough. I like when the show features songs that I wouldn’t normally expect. Another episode devoted to Madonna might feel too forced and might not live up to the hype of the first one.
I think it felt forced the first time.
I like the idea of artist themed episodes (only one per season though, preferably), but I think they should do someone else next season.
Yeah, too many themed episodes is not a good idea at all. And the Madonna episode was good for this one time. Not another one though.
I agree 100%
I love this idea. Madonna has more hits from her backcatalog then any other female artist and more then most iconic males (even MJ). I’d love to see Into the Groove, Hung Up, Take a Bow, Power of Goodbye, Don’t Tell Me, Material Girl or Dress You Up incorporated into the plot.
wow, more than MJ ??? I do not think so Sir !! But an episode of Glee with MJ’s songs ? That would be awesome !!
Sorry..Shurly..but…Madonna has way more back catalog hits than Michael Jackson!! MJ is a bit overrated. Really…what did he do after “Bad”? And that was like 25 years ago!!! Madonna’s had over 30 top 10 hits and many more top 40 hits..not to mention countless stellar album tracks.
Look it up Surely… Madonna has 37 TOP TEN songs on Billboard (only Elvis comes close)… Madonna kicks MJ’s asswhen it comes to back-catalogue.
Last night was good, but I was hoping it would be a stand-alone episode. There wasn’t enough plot development, and while the music was amazing, there was too much of it packed into one episode. I love the show and can’t wait for more, but I hope they go back to 2-3 songs an episode. Those fewer songs seemed to hinge on the plot versus, as topher noted, the plot hinging on the songs.
I agree 100%
Agree! There so few actual scenes when anything actually happened. It was fun, but once is enough thanks.
i agree also.
Power of Goodbye
Yes to more Madonna! But can we please get some Elton John on the show?!!
I think I would die of happiness if they did some Elton!!!
I would die of absolute happiness if they did some Elton!!!
I’ve been wondering if they’re ever gonna do some Elton!
The musical numbers were good – episode was lacking in storyline last night though. I felt it was a bit of a snoozer…
I love this idea, but quite a few of her best songs were used in this episode what are they going to use next?
What about “Material Girl”, “Take A Bow”, “Hung Up”, “The Power Of Goodbye”, “Live To Tell”, “Beautiful Stranger”, “Secret”, “I’ll Remember”, “Causing A Commotion”, “Holiday”, “Lucky Star”, “Dress You Up”, “Don’ Tell Me”, “Music”, “Deeper and Deeper”, “Rain”, “Into The Groove”, “Crazy For You”. See..phew…I could go on but I’ll run out of space. Just sayin’ to all you haters.
“Don’t tell Me” and “Beautiful Stranger” are my favorite Madonna songs, and I wished they were performed. I don’t want another Madonna-themed episode, just some of her songs scattered throughout the season. Loved the episode though.
How about Will singing “This Used to Be My Playground”!!!! SO good!!!!
They NEED to do Material Girl! Perferably sung by Kurt.
that would have been amazing!
what Topher said.
this show while enjoyable, is sloppily written and itll probbaly beat Modern Family for EMMY which is wrong
Will and Emma need to do Crazy for You. Rachel can do Material Girl.
Brittney should do Material Girl. Lea Michelle is great and all, but they need to start showcasing some of the others. They keep going this road of Finn and Rachel solos and it’s going to get tired real fast
See, I would have much rather Will & Emma sung Crazy for you, and just them singing it to each other. The song they did was cute, and all, but it was other people singing with them too.
Kind of simple, IMHO. Some in Madonna’s camp see’s them perform one of her songs (at Regionals?), goes back, sings the praises of New Dimensions and she decides to investigate. Maybe asks them to open for her at one of her conerts.
ugh lemme try again:
.
Sorry meant to hit reply … for Stephan’s comment (#2)
Try firefox, it has a built in spell checker and is simply a good browser.
Hey GimplyGump, it’s New Directions, not Dimensions…
I know, I saw that after I posted. I pre-write in my word processor to catch as many typos I canm (poor fingers). I guess it swapped by accident. Oops.