Top Ten ‘Glee’ Performances – Season 2
#3 – ‘Teenage Dream’ – Blaine & The Warblers
At times Darren Criss threatened to completely take over Season Two of ‘Glee.’ The show was already suffering from too little Kurt with him leaving New Directions, and when we followed him to the Dalton Academy, it wasn’t him but Blaine who got all the solos. We got Blaine and The Pips, as Kurt put it.
I can understand the show runners’ desire to put Blaine front and center. He’s a dynamic performer, charismatic as hell and catnip to girls and boys alike. But he was also a guest star on a show with too many stars to feature already.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the decision to throw so many performances Blaine’s way came after today’s clip, his first on the show. Kurt visits Dalton to spy on his competition for regionals and walks into this bubble-gum perfect rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Teenage Dream.’
He falls for the school, and Blaine, on the spot. Who can blame him?
I was all right
But things were kinda heavy
You brought me to life
Now every February
You’ll be my valentine, valentine
Let’s go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I
We’ll be young forever
You make me
Feel like
I’m living a Teenage Dream
The way you turn me on
I can’t sleep
Let’s run away
And don’t ever look back
Don’t ever look back
I might get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
My heart stops
When you look at me
Just one touch
Now baby I believe
This is real
So take a chance
And don’t ever look back
Don’t ever look back
I might get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well I don’t blame him…. 😛
And I’m glad this made the top three, as it would be around this ranking for me too. Maybe even one…
This was one of the best introductions to a character on any show. (I’m not just saying that because I anticipated it and had been watching this teaser clip for a week before the show aired).
The scene is just as good, if not better, upon further watching. Because it is made of awesome. Just like Darren.
That’s a prize for actually reading this rant. XD
Also he wrote that at 15… ya
I’ve never watched Glee before but I like this song. Human. spot on.
Who can blame him indeed!
As far as I’m concerned, Chris Colfer could submit this scene for Emmy consideration. He’s that good.
Yes, I agree that there is little doubt that the explosive way Darren Criss arrived on the Glee scene, along with the amazing iTunes sales of this song, cemented (much to Maddie’s glee) how many more songs Criss would get to sing during the season.
Still, for me, this scene is all about Kurt. Since first seeing this clip, a couple of days before it aired during the show, I’ve probably watched it a dozen times. Each time, my cheeks ache from smiling so wide each time the camera focuses on Kurt. Everything he is feeling in these first minutes at Dalton – concern about not fitting in, excitement about joining the Warblers, a quickly escalating CRUSH on Blaine, a just as quickly forming realization that he can have such a crush in this new environment – all plays out on Chris Colfer’s face in just a handful of close-ups.
He is one of the most naturally gifted actors I’ve ever witnessed. I just love him.
Oh, and this version of “Teenage Dream” actually made me a Katy Perry fan.
Nice original, Maddie. Thanks for sharing. I still can’t get over Criss with that hair. I like his Blaine cut, though I know you miss the ‘fro 😉
For any other SOTD, I’m fairly assured that I will be the first comment by 10AM. Not so with Glee week:)
I run hot and cold on Katy Perry–I mostly find her songs catchy and, at times, addictive. However, some of the more recent releases, “Fireworks” and “E.T.,” really just annoy me (I do like Fireworks performed by others, including on Glee, better—it may just be Perry’s voice feels to strained in the chorus for my taste) But “Teenage Dream” falls more on the addictive side for me and, as much as I like Perry’s version, I probably like the Glee version even more–perhaps because of all that was being shown in this scene as already discussed above.
So, good pick, and I will be getting up at 6AM tomorrow to be the first commenter:) (doubtful)
Glee!! The name of the show says it all with regard to this clip – this scene was pure Glee! The song was brilliant, Kurt was brilliant, the story arc it set up was (and still is) brilliant! What can I say that hasn’t already been said? I love the song (this version, in particular), I love the characters, I love GLEE!! 🙂
Dad I beat you to it.. It is Darren after all 😛