The Power of Madonna
Encyclopedia
"The Power of Madonna" is the 15th episode of the American
television series Glee
. The episode premiered on the Fox
network on April 20, 2010. When cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester
(Jane Lynch
) demands that Madonna
's music be played over the school intercom system, glee club
director Will Schuester
(Matthew Morrison
) sets the club a Madonna-themed assignment, hoping to empower the female club members. "The Power of Madonna" was written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, and serves as a musical tribute to Madonna, featuring cover version
s of eight of her songs, with the singer having granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music. Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
, an album containing studio recording
s of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010.
The episode was watched by 12.98 million American viewers, and was generally well-received by critics. Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly
and Aly Semigran of MTV
both deemed it the best episode of the show thus far, and the Houston Chronicle
Bobby Hankinson called it potentially "the most-enjoyable hour of television of all time." Other reviews were more mixed, with Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
criticizing the increasing number of musical performances for disrupting the tonal balance of the show, and IGN
's Eric Goldman questioning the series' writing. Madonna herself approved of the episode, calling it "brilliant on every level".
The episode won "Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)" at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, while Jane Lynch
won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in this episode.
has her cheerleaders, or Cheerios, emulate Madonna
, so that they will be more empowered in their cheerleading routines. Continuing her blackmail of Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba
) from "Hell-O
", Sue has Madonna tracks played over the school intercom throughout the day. Glee club director Will Schuester
overhears the girls in the club discussing difficulties they are having in relationships and life. Rachel (Lea Michele
) asks the other girls for advice on a boy pressuring her to have sex, while Tina
(Jenna Ushkowitz) tells them that Artie
(Kevin McHale) has asked her to start wearing more revealing clothes if she wants to be with him. When Will observes the Cheerios performing a routine with stilts to "Ray of Light
", he is inspired to set a Madonna-themed assignment to restore the girls to equal status. The male club members are unimpressed (except for Kurt), even when the girls perform "Express Yourself". As club co-captains, Rachel and Finn
(Cory Monteith
) also perform a mash-up
of "Borderline
" and "Open Your Heart
".
When Will ridicules Sue's fashion sense, club members Kurt
(Chris Colfer
) and Mercedes
(Amber Riley
) give her a makeover, recreating Madonna's "Vogue" video. Guidance counsellor Emma Pillsbury
(Jayma Mays
) is inspired by Madonna's example, and tells Will that she intends to lose her virginity
to him that evening. Santana
(Naya Rivera
) offers to take Finn's virginity, and Rachel and her boyfriend Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff
) also decide to have sex, leading to a dream sequence performance of "Like a Virgin
" between all three couples. Ultimately, Emma and Rachel do not go through with it, but Finn does have sex with Santana. He later hides this from Rachel, having concluded that the sex was meaningless, and that he truly regretted it; this is contrasted with Rachel, who despite not going through with it, claims she did as she realized it was no big deal.
Jesse transfers to William McKinley High School, leaving his rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline to join New Directions, so that he and Rachel can be openly together. There is resistance from the group, who believe that this will result in fewer solos, and suspect that Jesse is a spy for his former club. In retaliation, Kurt and Mercedes join the Cheerios and perform "4 Minutes
" with them during a school assembly. They tell Will that they were unhappy about never having solos, and will be in both groups. The boys sing "What It Feels Like for a Girl
", and decide to treat the girls better. Artie apologizes to Tina for his prior misogynistic behavior, and they kiss. The episode ends with Finn welcoming Jesse into New Directions and letting him and Rachel know he won't interfere in their relationship, despite the fact that the two still have feelings for one another. The entire glee club sings "Like a Prayer
" backed by a gospel choir, with Kurt and Mercedes each having a solo in the song.
granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music, and the producers planned an episode which would feature Madonna songs exclusively. Series creator Ryan Murphy had worked with Madonna in the past, and wished to produce a Glee tribute to her. Madonna agreed and "cooperated in every way possible." The episode was filmed in January 2010. Lynch performed Madonna's "Vogue", her first vocal performance on the show. Rehearsals for the routine began in December 2009. It was filmed in black and white, with the original video playing in front of the performers as they worked. Lynch also wore a conical bra in the episode, emulating Madonna's image.
Before the episode's track listing was announced, Morrison hoped that his character, glee club director Will Schuester, would sing "Like a Virgin", believing it befit Will's relationship with guidance counsellor Emma Pillsbury. TV Guide
William Keck later confirmed that Emma would be involved in the staging of "Like a Virgin", with Mays' agreement that the song is "very appropriate and fitting" for her character.
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
, an EP
containing studio recording
s of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010. Its tracklist encompasses "Express Yourself", a mash-up of "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart", "Vogue", "Like A Virgin", "4 Minutes", "What it Feels Like for a Girl", and "Like a Prayer". The iTunes
edition features a bonus track, "Burning Up
", which was not performed in the episode. Although they were not performed by the show's cast, Madonna's "Ray of Light
", "Burning Up", "Justify My Love
", and "Frozen
" were also used as backing track
s in the episode. All songs on the EP apart from the bonus track were also released as singles
, available for digital download
. In its first week of release, Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna reached number one on the Billboard 200
, with 98,000 copies sold.
. It attained the highest audience share in the 16–34 demographic in its timeslot. In Canada, "Hell-O" was watched by 2.096 million viewers and was the sixth most-viewed program of the week. In Australia, Glee attained a new ratings high, winning its timeslot in all key demographics. It was watched by 1.42 million viewers, making Glee the eleventh most-viewed show of the week.
Lynch received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in the episode. At the 2010 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Phillip W. Palmer, Doug Andham and Joseph H. Earle won the "Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)" award. Lou A. Eyrich and Marisa Aboitiz were additionally nominated for the "Outstanding Costumes for a Series
" award. Competing against the Glee episode "Hairography
", Stacey K. Black, Mary G. Stultz, Roxanne N. Sutphen and Gina Bonacquisti were nominated for "Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series", and competing against the episode "Theatricality
", Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kelley Mitchell, Jennifer Greenberg, Robin Neal-Luce, Kelcey Fry and Zoe Haywas were nominated for "Outstanding Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)".
Madonna approved of the episode, telling Us Weekly
that she found it "brilliant on every level", praising the scripting and the message of equality. The episode also received positive reviews from critics. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly
called it "one of the best hours of TV you’re likely to see all year", writing that the episode pays Madonna "the highest compliment possible" in not just expressing admiration for the singer, but "demonstrat[ing] a potent understanding of why Madonna matters." Fellow Entertainment Weekly writer Tim Stack deemed it the best episode of Glee thus far, grading each of the songs performed "B+" through to "A+". Stack felt that the episode lived up to its hype, an opinion concurred with by Aly Semigran of MTV
, who also deemed "The Power of Madonna" the show's best episode to date. Bobby Hankinson of the Houston Chronicle
went further in his praise, calling "The Power of Madonna" potentially "the most-enjoyable hour of television of all time." Kevin Coll of Fused Film felt that the episode redeemed the series following its "dismal comeback" with "Hell-O
", calling it "a great story that explored the characters of Glee in much better depth than they ever have."
Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
graded the episode "B", however was less positive than other critics. While he stated that the musical numbers were "among the best things the show has ever done", he felt that "just about everything else around them gets short shrift", criticizing the increase in performances on the first half of the season for upsetting the balance of the series. Eric Goldman of IGN
rated the episode 8/10, observing that while he was in the minority of reviewers for not "absolutely loving it", he found "The Power of Madonna" to be "a bit messy in the writing department, even while it delivered several really great scenes and moments along the way."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
. The episode premiered on the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network on April 20, 2010. When cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester
Sue Sylvester
Susan "Sue" Sylvester is a fictional character of the Fox musical comedy-drama series, Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Jane Lynch, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Sue was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian...
(Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch
Jane Marie Lynch is an American comedian, actress and singer. She gained fame in Christopher Guest's improv mockumentary pictures such as Best in Show and is currently best known for playing the role of Sue Sylvester in the television series Glee...
) demands that Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's music be played over the school intercom system, glee club
Glee club
A glee club is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs—glees—by trios or quartets. In the late 19th Century it was very popular in most schools and was made a tradition...
director Will Schuester
Will Schuester
William "Will" Schuester, often referred to as Mr. Schue, is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Matthew Morrison and has appeared in Glee since its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Will was developed by Glee...
(Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison
Matthew James "Matt" Morrison is an American actor, director, musician, and singer-songwriter. He is best known for starring in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway, and most notably for his Emmy and Golden Globe nominated...
) sets the club a Madonna-themed assignment, hoping to empower the female club members. "The Power of Madonna" was written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, and serves as a musical tribute to Madonna, featuring cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of eight of her songs, with the singer having granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music. Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna is the first extended play by the cast of the musical television series Glee. It contains eight songs from the season one Glee episode, "The Power of Madonna", which was a tribute episode dedicated to American recording artist Madonna...
, an album containing studio recording
Studio recording
The term studio recording means any recording made in a studio, as opposed to a live recording, which is usually made in a concert venue or a theatre, with an audience attending the performance.-Studio cast recordings:...
s of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010.
The episode was watched by 12.98 million American viewers, and was generally well-received by critics. Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
and Aly Semigran of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
both deemed it the best episode of the show thus far, and the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
Bobby Hankinson called it potentially "the most-enjoyable hour of television of all time." Other reviews were more mixed, with Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
criticizing the increasing number of musical performances for disrupting the tonal balance of the show, and IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Eric Goldman questioning the series' writing. Madonna herself approved of the episode, calling it "brilliant on every level".
The episode won "Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)" at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, while Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch
Jane Marie Lynch is an American comedian, actress and singer. She gained fame in Christopher Guest's improv mockumentary pictures such as Best in Show and is currently best known for playing the role of Sue Sylvester in the television series Glee...
won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in this episode.
Plot
Coach Sue SylvesterSue Sylvester
Susan "Sue" Sylvester is a fictional character of the Fox musical comedy-drama series, Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Jane Lynch, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Sue was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian...
has her cheerleaders, or Cheerios, emulate Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, so that they will be more empowered in their cheerleading routines. Continuing her blackmail of Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba
Iqbal Theba
Iqbal Theba is a Pakistani-American actor. Theba currently has a recurring role as Principal Figgins in the show Glee.-Life and career:Theba became a familiar face in the 1990s when he appeared in various TV shows and commercials in the United States....
) from "Hell-O
Hell-O (Glee)
"Hell-O" is the 14th episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on April 13, 2010. It was written by series creator Ian Brennan and directed by Brad Falchuk. In "Hell-O", cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester attempts to sabotage the relationship between...
", Sue has Madonna tracks played over the school intercom throughout the day. Glee club director Will Schuester
Will Schuester
William "Will" Schuester, often referred to as Mr. Schue, is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Matthew Morrison and has appeared in Glee since its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Will was developed by Glee...
overhears the girls in the club discussing difficulties they are having in relationships and life. Rachel (Lea Michele
Lea Michele
Lea Michele Sarfati , known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress and singer. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Ragtime and Les Misérables. She originated the role of Wendla in the musical Spring Awakening and currently plays...
) asks the other girls for advice on a boy pressuring her to have sex, while Tina
Tina Cohen-Chang
Tina Cohen-Chang is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Jenna Ushkowitz, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Tina was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian...
(Jenna Ushkowitz) tells them that Artie
Artie Abrams
Artie Abrams is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Kevin McHale, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Artie was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan...
(Kevin McHale) has asked her to start wearing more revealing clothes if she wants to be with him. When Will observes the Cheerios performing a routine with stilts to "Ray of Light
Ray of Light (song)
A high-speed electronic dance song, "Ray of Light" has received stylistic comparisons to rave, psychedelic and acid music. The track contains strong techno elements, as well as disco, trance and Eurodance influences, and it sees Madonna deepen her dance roots and go for a more electronic sound...
", he is inspired to set a Madonna-themed assignment to restore the girls to equal status. The male club members are unimpressed (except for Kurt), even when the girls perform "Express Yourself". As club co-captains, Rachel and Finn
Finn Hudson
Finn Hudson is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Cory Monteith, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Finn was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan...
(Cory Monteith
Cory Monteith
Cory Allan Monteith is a Canadian actor and musician, best known for his role of Finn Hudson on the Fox television series Glee.-Early life:...
) also perform a mash-up
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
of "Borderline
Borderline (song)
"Borderline" is a song by American pop singer Madonna from her self-titled debut album. It was released on February 15, 1984 as the fifth single from the album, by Sire Records. Written and composed by producer Reggie Lucas, the song received remix treatment from Madonna's then boyfriend John...
" and "Open Your Heart
Open Your Heart (Madonna song)
"Open Your Heart" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the fourth single from her third studio album True Blue on November 12, 1986, by Sire Records. It has since appeared remixed on the compilation albums The Immaculate Collection and Celebration...
".
When Will ridicules Sue's fashion sense, club members Kurt
Kurt Hummel
Kurt Hummel is a fictional character and one of the male leads in the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. Series creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan initially conceived of him as a fashionable gay countertenor who is routinely bullied at school...
(Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer
Christopher Paul "Chris" Colfer is an American actor and singer known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the television series Glee, for which he won a 2011 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and was also nominated twice for an Emmy...
) and Mercedes
Mercedes Jones
Mercedes Jones is a fictional character from the Fox popular musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Amber Riley, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Mercedes was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and...
(Amber Riley
Amber Riley
Amber Patrice Riley is an American actress and singer best known for her role on the series Glee as Mercedes Jones.-Early life and career:...
) give her a makeover, recreating Madonna's "Vogue" video. Guidance counsellor Emma Pillsbury
Emma Pillsbury
Emma Pillsbury is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. Portrayed by actress Jayma Mays, Emma has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Emma was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan...
(Jayma Mays
Jayma Mays
Jayma Suzette Mays is an American television and film actress, and singer. Mays' most prominent roles include that of Emma Pillsbury on the American television series Glee, recurring appearances on Ugly Betty and on Heroes as characters named Charlie.- Life and career :Mays was born Jamia Suzette...
) is inspired by Madonna's example, and tells Will that she intends to lose her virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
to him that evening. Santana
Santana Lopez
Santana Lopez is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Naya Rivera, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Santana was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan...
(Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera
Naya Marie Rivera is an American actress and singer known for her role in the musical comedy television series Glee, as cheerleader Santana Lopez.-Early life:...
) offers to take Finn's virginity, and Rachel and her boyfriend Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Drew Groff is an American singer-songwriter, stage, television and film actor. He originated the role of Melchior Gabor in the stage musical Spring Awakening and appeared as Jesse St...
) also decide to have sex, leading to a dream sequence performance of "Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin
Like a Virgin is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on November 12, 1984 by Sire Records. It was re-released worldwide in 1985, with the inclusion of the bonus track "Into the Groove". In 2001, Warner Bros. Records released a remastered version with two bonus...
" between all three couples. Ultimately, Emma and Rachel do not go through with it, but Finn does have sex with Santana. He later hides this from Rachel, having concluded that the sex was meaningless, and that he truly regretted it; this is contrasted with Rachel, who despite not going through with it, claims she did as she realized it was no big deal.
Jesse transfers to William McKinley High School, leaving his rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline to join New Directions, so that he and Rachel can be openly together. There is resistance from the group, who believe that this will result in fewer solos, and suspect that Jesse is a spy for his former club. In retaliation, Kurt and Mercedes join the Cheerios and perform "4 Minutes
4 Minutes (Madonna song)
"4 Minutes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her eleventh studio album Hard Candy. It was released as the lead single from the album on March 17, 2008, by Warner Bros. Records. The song's development was motivated by a sense of urgency to save the planet from destruction, and...
" with them during a school assembly. They tell Will that they were unhappy about never having solos, and will be in both groups. The boys sing "What It Feels Like for a Girl
What It Feels Like for a Girl
"What It Feels Like for a Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was the third and final single released from her eighth studio album Music on April 17, 2001 by Maverick Records. The video mix of the song is a trance song, while the album version is a more demure pop and...
", and decide to treat the girls better. Artie apologizes to Tina for his prior misogynistic behavior, and they kiss. The episode ends with Finn welcoming Jesse into New Directions and letting him and Rachel know he won't interfere in their relationship, despite the fact that the two still have feelings for one another. The entire glee club sings "Like a Prayer
Like a Prayer (song)
"Like a Prayer" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna on her fourth studio album of the same name . It was released on March 21, 1989, by Sire Records as the album's lead single...
" backed by a gospel choir, with Kurt and Mercedes each having a solo in the song.
Production
In 2009, MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
granted Glee the rights to her entire catalogue of music, and the producers planned an episode which would feature Madonna songs exclusively. Series creator Ryan Murphy had worked with Madonna in the past, and wished to produce a Glee tribute to her. Madonna agreed and "cooperated in every way possible." The episode was filmed in January 2010. Lynch performed Madonna's "Vogue", her first vocal performance on the show. Rehearsals for the routine began in December 2009. It was filmed in black and white, with the original video playing in front of the performers as they worked. Lynch also wore a conical bra in the episode, emulating Madonna's image.
Before the episode's track listing was announced, Morrison hoped that his character, glee club director Will Schuester, would sing "Like a Virgin", believing it befit Will's relationship with guidance counsellor Emma Pillsbury. TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
William Keck later confirmed that Emma would be involved in the staging of "Like a Virgin", with Mays' agreement that the song is "very appropriate and fitting" for her character.
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna
Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna is the first extended play by the cast of the musical television series Glee. It contains eight songs from the season one Glee episode, "The Power of Madonna", which was a tribute episode dedicated to American recording artist Madonna...
, an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
containing studio recording
Studio recording
The term studio recording means any recording made in a studio, as opposed to a live recording, which is usually made in a concert venue or a theatre, with an audience attending the performance.-Studio cast recordings:...
s of songs performed in the episode, was released on April 20, 2010. Its tracklist encompasses "Express Yourself", a mash-up of "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart", "Vogue", "Like A Virgin", "4 Minutes", "What it Feels Like for a Girl", and "Like a Prayer". The iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
edition features a bonus track, "Burning Up
Burning Up
"Burning Up" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's second single on March 9, 1983, in some countries as a AA side single with "Physical Attraction"...
", which was not performed in the episode. Although they were not performed by the show's cast, Madonna's "Ray of Light
Ray of Light (song)
A high-speed electronic dance song, "Ray of Light" has received stylistic comparisons to rave, psychedelic and acid music. The track contains strong techno elements, as well as disco, trance and Eurodance influences, and it sees Madonna deepen her dance roots and go for a more electronic sound...
", "Burning Up", "Justify My Love
Justify My Love
"Justify My Love" is the first single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her 1990 greatest hits compilation The Immaculate Collection and was released on November 6, 1990, by Sire Records. It caused international controversy due to the accompanying music video which was sexually explicit...
", and "Frozen
Frozen (song)
"Frozen" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her eight studio album Ray of Light. It was released as the lead single from the album on 23 February 1998 by Maverick Records...
" were also used as backing track
Backing track
A backing track is an audio or MIDI recording that musicians play or sing along to in order to add parts to their music which would be impractical to perform live.-Uses:...
s in the episode. All songs on the EP apart from the bonus track were also released as singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, available for digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
. In its first week of release, Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna reached number one on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, with 98,000 copies sold.
Reception
In its original broadcast, "The Power of Madonna" was watched by 12.98 million American viewers and attained a 5.3/13 rating/share in the 18–49 demographic. In the United Kingdom, the episode was watched by 1.98 million viewers, and was the most-watched show of the week on the non-terrestrial channelsDigital television in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom now has three major forms of broadcast digital television , a direct-to-home satellite service from the Astra 28.2°E satellites provided by British Sky Broadcasting and Freesat, digital cable television services provided by Virgin Media and WightCable, and a free-to-air digital...
. It attained the highest audience share in the 16–34 demographic in its timeslot. In Canada, "Hell-O" was watched by 2.096 million viewers and was the sixth most-viewed program of the week. In Australia, Glee attained a new ratings high, winning its timeslot in all key demographics. It was watched by 1.42 million viewers, making Glee the eleventh most-viewed show of the week.
Lynch received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in the episode. At the 2010 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Phillip W. Palmer, Doug Andham and Joseph H. Earle won the "Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)" award. Lou A. Eyrich and Marisa Aboitiz were additionally nominated for the "Outstanding Costumes for a Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Series
This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Series.-1980s:-1990s:-2000s:-2010s:- External links :*, Information Please Database, Pearson PLC...
" award. Competing against the Glee episode "Hairography
Hairography
"Hairography" is the eleventh episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on November 25, 2009. It was written by series creator Ian Brennan and directed by Bill D'Elia. The episode introduces New Directions' rival glee clubs, the Jane Addams Girls Choir...
", Stacey K. Black, Mary G. Stultz, Roxanne N. Sutphen and Gina Bonacquisti were nominated for "Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series", and competing against the episode "Theatricality
Theatricality
"Theatricality" is the 20th episode of the American television series Glee. The episode was written and directed by series creator Ryan Murphy, and premiered on the Fox network on May 25, 2010. In "Theatricality", glee club member Tina Cohen-Chang has an identity crisis...
", Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kelley Mitchell, Jennifer Greenberg, Robin Neal-Luce, Kelcey Fry and Zoe Haywas were nominated for "Outstanding Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)".
Madonna approved of the episode, telling Us Weekly
Us Weekly
Us Weekly is a celebrity gossip magazine, founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986. The publication covers topics ranging from celebrity relationships to the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and entertainment...
that she found it "brilliant on every level", praising the scripting and the message of equality. The episode also received positive reviews from critics. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
called it "one of the best hours of TV you’re likely to see all year", writing that the episode pays Madonna "the highest compliment possible" in not just expressing admiration for the singer, but "demonstrat[ing] a potent understanding of why Madonna matters." Fellow Entertainment Weekly writer Tim Stack deemed it the best episode of Glee thus far, grading each of the songs performed "B+" through to "A+". Stack felt that the episode lived up to its hype, an opinion concurred with by Aly Semigran of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, who also deemed "The Power of Madonna" the show's best episode to date. Bobby Hankinson of the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
went further in his praise, calling "The Power of Madonna" potentially "the most-enjoyable hour of television of all time." Kevin Coll of Fused Film felt that the episode redeemed the series following its "dismal comeback" with "Hell-O
Hell-O (Glee)
"Hell-O" is the 14th episode of the American television series Glee. The episode premiered on the Fox network on April 13, 2010. It was written by series creator Ian Brennan and directed by Brad Falchuk. In "Hell-O", cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester attempts to sabotage the relationship between...
", calling it "a great story that explored the characters of Glee in much better depth than they ever have."
Todd VanDerWerff of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
graded the episode "B", however was less positive than other critics. While he stated that the musical numbers were "among the best things the show has ever done", he felt that "just about everything else around them gets short shrift", criticizing the increase in performances on the first half of the season for upsetting the balance of the series. Eric Goldman of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
rated the episode 8/10, observing that while he was in the minority of reviewers for not "absolutely loving it", he found "The Power of Madonna" to be "a bit messy in the writing department, even while it delivered several really great scenes and moments along the way."
External links
- "The Power of Madonna" at Fox.comFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...