First she sold her country-music song on the CMA Awards; then Gwyneth Paltrow helped make this week’s Glee crisp, fresh fun. Her turn as substitute teacher Holly Holiday was a hoot — Paltrow played her commitment-phobic character with total commitment, without ever making it seem like a straining effort.
Glee always benefits when strong actors invade its space, and Paltrow is one of the first guest stars to go toe-to-toe with Jane Lynch and come out looking refreshed, not squashed. As they sat side-by-side watching Animal Hoarders, they made the script sound like swift improv, and earlier, Paltrow had handled the obligatory Glee-style put-down — “You’re, like, 40″ — by delivering the retort with a wet-towel snap: “Top 40, sweet cheeks.”
Your full Glee TV Watch, courtesy of Glee-master Tim Stack, is now available for your enjoyment. But I’m on Paltrow Watch this week. When her Holly took down Rachel (“You’re a total drag”), Paltrow executed a 180-degree mood swing, from sarcasm to enthusiasm, with the sort of ease the rest of the cast deploys during the musical numbers.
Speaking of which, Paltrow’s performances were fun — literally kicky. But it was the quick, carefully-thought-out throwaway moments — Holly dressed as Mary Todd Lincoln, with Paltrow doing effusive “bipolar” shtick — that made this episode one in which the guest star both stood out and meshed with the cast.
Agree? Disagree?
Twitter: @kentucker
Loved it.
agreed. make GP a regular.
I was surprised by Gwyneth’s take on Glee.
I never really thought she could be a “funny” girl. No offense, but she looks so boooring.
I hope she’ll be back from time to time. Schuester and her have great chemistry.
I agree. Loved it! Gwyneth was great, as was Jane, Chris, and Amber. Lots of fun.
I agree. I was way skeptical when I heard she was gonna guest star but I actually really liked her character.
Highly disagree. Chenoweth and Mendel are WAY better.
Remember people. SHE has an OSCAR at home!
Liked Gwenyth a lot. She brought a new, different energy to the show and her character was totally likeable. Mr. Shue continued his move in the opposite direction, sleeping with his vulnerable wife who appears to be trying to better herself. Never thought I’d feel sympathy for awful Terri.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED GP. And I was not a fan of her previously. And I agree with you completely about Will…his downward spiral and infantile behavior continues. I hate Terri and yet I, too, felt bad for her.
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Will is a creep. I love Terri and was rooting for her to get her husband back, but she deserves better. Hopefully she’ll have better luck with the coach of Vocal Adrenaline.
I will bet money that Terri is now pregnant with Will’s baby!!!
Wow Dustin that would be amazing if that happened. I don’t know if that is a good amazing or bad, but amazing.
Dustin I was thinking the exact same thing lol
I totally thought the same thing, Dustin!
I hope so, Dustin! That will teach that creep Will.
We get it, Flip. YOU LOVE TERRI! You were all over these stories yesterday fawning all over her. WE GET IT!! Now, take your meds & toddle off to beddy-bye…..
@ Dustin…ugh I hope not. There was WAY too much baby drama last season.
I don’t love Terri, but I thought Will was incredibly cruel to her last night when he said “I was lonely. You were there.” Between that, and his humiliating Sue last season when he flirted with her then stood her up, I’m just waiting for him to get his comeuppance.
Totally agree. Gwyneth was fabulous and she really can sing.
Thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s Glee.
loved the acting, hated the singing. Autotune Gwyneth much? It was out of control on Umbrella/Singin’ in the Rain. I HATED that part of it – it’s much worse than the autotune’s been so far this season.
I think that may have been a stylistic choice. Rhianna’s super auto-tuned, too. But usually I’m anti-auto-tune for sure. It gets pretty obnoxious.
Glee is FUN again! I’m just so…GLEEful!
loved it. especially all the old standards.
She was great. Episode was great… A bit creeped out by the big football player, though.
Loved tonight’s episode. Mr. Shue and Ms Holly make a cute couple.. ;-D
She is obviously not a good dancer….but her singing was pleasing. I thought the Chicago number was a bit random and didn’t fit, but the rest of the episode was fun.
i thought th samething about the chicago number. even considering what rachael said….the number still didnt fit to me lol
“Sister Are Doing It for Themselves” maybe?
I thought they were going to end up doing “No More Tears (Enough is Enough)” since Rachel seems determined to go through the entire Barbra Streisand songbook.
Might be my fav episode of the year. Gwen was fantastic, and I loved that it was a joyful episode with ALOT of humor and lighter than the heavier tones of the last few weeks. Britney and the alphabet line slayed!
I caught most of it and while singing in the rain/umbrella was not my favorite mash up. Gwyneth Paltrow seemed to be having fun. Sigh Will…needs help, i liked him better last season. oh well
I was surprised by how much I liked Gwyneth in this – I didn’t really expect to for some reason. I thought she did very well, and I liked the whole storyline with her. LOATHED how the show treated Mercedes this episode …but I’ll save those complaints for the recap!
Not a big fan of Gwyneth, but thought she was hilarious on this ep of Glee!
Gwyneth is SO funny; I’d love to see her take on more comedic, eccentric roles. What a nice surprise also to hear her singing voice, it’s pretty good. But she got rightfully drowned out on the Chicago number with Rachel.
Gwyneth should be on all the time.
Yes, so she doesn’t ruin anymore movies for me.
Gwyneth is fabulous in The Royal Tenenbaums and The Talented Mr. Ripley. I haven’t figured out why so many people don’t like her.
Loved Gwyneth, one of the best episodes yet!