Emily Vasquez was the third elimination on the Glee Project which is a search contest for a new cast member of Glee. Vasquez is a former schoolmate of American Idol's Pia Toscano - Oxygen Photo

Video Beat - THE GLEE PROJECT PUTS IT ON THE LINE - Part 1

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

In the producers search for cast replacements for the TV musical GLEE the Glee Project was created. In the process 12 contestants were encouraged to reveal who they really are and bring that forward in their performances. The result being there were some break downs along the way - THE GLEE PROJECT IS A WORTH WATCH - Recommended TV Listings

Thursday August 18, 2011

GLEE IS LOOKING FOR A STAR

During the summer months there is a lack of decent television programming. The shortage is caused by season series ending which gives networks in Western world a chance to test and televise new programming. July is the worst month of the year for first run TV programming resulting in reruns or replacements.

In East Asia the void is now being filled by an offshoot of the TV musical Glee. In its search for new talent The Glee Project (TGP) was created. Via Internet video auditions 40,000 applications were received for applicants over 18 years of age that look young enough to still be in high school. That list was trimmed down to the Top 12 that made up the cast of the TGP series.

The show airs in East Asia on the Star World channel Mondays through Wednesday at 7:55 and 8:55 PM Bangkok and Hong Kong time zones respectively. Only nine contestants remain after this week's three episodes were aired. In North America the show is televised in advance and is currently down to the final four thus the program is televised in East Asia five weeks behind making it only down to the final 9.

The purpose of finding replacements for the Glee cast is that since the show is based on a high school theme students graduate thus there is a need for new talent. The program is now entering its third season.

The underlying reasons for the three eliminated was due to poor attitudes and not being their true self but trying to please the producers. Some contestants are trying to be what they thought the producers wanted as opposed of being themselves and letting their true talent out. The producers are quick to call them out on the matter and encourage them to dig down and do some soul searching and release their true talent.

The Glee series has a focus on underdog stories of students who are outcasts and don't fit in with the in-crowd. They are verbally and physically abused while in school. That results into the student being an outcast. Many become loners which inadvertently transforms into their developing a talent. Glee tells today's Cinderella stories.

The Glee Project shows just what it takes for a talent to be a part of the Glee cast. Above all is a good attitude from a person who won't be a problem on the set in telling producers and directors what they think and giving their non requested thoughts of how to produce the program. Insecurity has emerged in being another negative in qualifying to be selected as a new cast member.

Each episode of The Glee Project is given an overall theme and covers events that have taken place in about the time span of a week.

Homework assignment

Contestants are given a "homework assignment" that entails learning and practicing segments of a chosen song. At the beginning of each episode, contestants perform their respective parts of the song in front of a mystery guest judge from the Glee cast. The contestant that completes the homework best is given a one-on-one session with the guest star and a principal part in the music video.

Music video (group performance)

Contestants then create a music video "inspired by the performances on Glee". In preparation for the music video, contestants record parts of a song in a professional studio with vocal producer Nikki (née Hassman) Anders. They also learn choreography from Zach Woodlee and/or Brook Lipton, his assistant. The entire process is overseen by Glee's casting director Robert Ulrich.

Callbacks

During callbacks, the bottom three are revealed. They are critiqued by Robert Ulrich and Zach Woodlee (in Ep. 8 replaced by Nikki Anders) about their performances. They are then assigned a song that they will perform in hopes of being "saved".

Last chance recital

The bottom three of the week perform their assigned songs in front of Ryan Murphy himself. With input from Woodlee and Ulrich, a decision is made and one of the bottom three is eliminated.

Last night the Guest judge/mentor was Dot-Marie Jones who is Coach Beiste on Glee. The homework assignment was Pink's "Please Don't Leave Me." The music video was "Mad World" by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules.

Prior to the video each contestant wore a signboard in front of a Universal City crowd that revealed their vulnerabilities and personal matters that bothered them in their life. Most of their thoughts usually resulted from taunts and ridicule from their real life schoolmates. Though the contestants are 18 and over some are still in high school.

The contestant's signboards depicted words describing their personal problems. Separately the signs included the words FAT, Fake, GAY, rejected, abused, small, misunderstood, numb, anorexic and black & white.

Emily Vasquez 22 from New York, New York was eliminated yesterday at the 10th position. Vasquez was a schoolmate of American Idol's Pia Toscano at LaGuardia High School aka the Talent School. Vasquez is a talented singer but her personal life was vulnerable to abuse. During the interview process of what in their lives bothers them the most she revealed that she was taken advantage of and sexually abused by music producers.

CONTINUED Part 2 - More Vasquez - Disgraceful Khmer Music Videos - Cambodia's Sabay Contest is for the young and old

National Radio text is published in five languages, English, Thai, French, Russian and Khmer (Cambodian language). Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns is legally available ONLY on our National Radio site. Our sports, entertainment and feature programming has been broadcast on over 1000 radio stations.

TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com All rights reserved.