Glee Episode 5 Latest Kristin Chenoweth Showcase

Glee Episode 5 was the first Glee episode to guest star. Granted, Glee Episode 5 came two weeks after Josh Groban came on, but Groban spent too much time with blousy alcoholics to sing. For Glee Episode 5, the glee club welcomed a new member - albeit one who was over 30, drunk, and a disruptive replacement for Rachel. But Will ignored that as best he could, since Glee Episode 5 brought in Kristin Chenoweth to play this troublesome former glee club - and had her nearly cause as much damage to the glee club than Sue Sylvester ever could.

Glee Episode 5, a.k.a. "The Rhodes Not Taken" cast Kristin Chenoweth as ex-glee star April Rhodes well before she tearfully accepted an Emmy for Pushing Daisies over a week ago. Given Chenoweth's well known vocal talents, it was inevitable that Glee would come calling for her. Will, in particular, was eager to have Chenoweth's April on board, even if it meant cutting a few corners and reflecting on his own road not taken with his former crush.

To mark the occasion, Glee Episode 5 gave Chenoweth three songs of her own to belt out. Most notably, she soared with a rendition of Cabaret's "Maybe This Time" that was also performed by Rachel, who had her own difficulties in the new school musical.

While April's drunken habits were bringing the club down under Will's nose, Finn was focused on getting Rachel back into the club. In another example of the road not taken, Finn and Rachel's forbidden possible love resumed - at least until Rachel discovered Quinn's bun in the oven.

But of course, all the cut corners, lies and compromises couldn't stop the club from putting on a show at the end, with the full gang back together. Along with Chenoweth's three numbers, including "Alone" and "Last Name", Queen's "Somebody to Love" got the Glee cover treatment at the end. Even "Don't Stop Believing" was reprised briefly to start Episode 5.

Glee Episode 5 was the first time a guest star was as prominent as the regulars - with even Sue reduced to a cameo - which may have been distracting to some. But when that involves Kristin Chenoweth belting out numbers, it's a little harder to mind. After introducing even more love connections last week, the show returns to the original ones with Rachel and Finn, and even has Will and Emma in each other's orbits again.

Next week, Sue's new plan involves bringing up Will and Emma's connection to Terri - which eventually leads Ken Tanaka to make a big decision.

Sources

Television Without Pity- "Glee: The Roades Not Taken" www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show/glee/the_rhodes_not_taken.php

YouTube- "Glee - Maybe this Time (Lea Michele & Kristin Chenoweth)" www.youtube.com/watch