Britney 2.0

Last updated
"Britney 2.0"
Glee episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 2
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Written by Brad Falchuk
Featured music
Production code4ARC02
Original air dateSeptember 20, 2012 (2012-09-20)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The New Rachel"		Next →
"Makeover"
Glee (season 4)
List of episodes

"Britney 2.0" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee , and the sixty-eighth episode overall. Written by Brad Falchuk and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, it aired on Fox in the United States on September 20, 2012, and features Glee's second episode dedicated to the music of Britney Spears. This episode features the New Directions attempting to cheer up a depressed Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) with Britney Spears songs. Special guest star Kate Hudson returns as Rachel's dance instructor, Cassandra July.

Contents

The episode was watched by 7.46 million viewers, making it the most watched episode of the fourth season.

Plot

In New York City, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) rent a small apartment and move in together. At the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYADA), Rachel continues to be pressured by her dance instructor, Cassandra July (Kate Hudson), who refuses to teach Rachel tango because she thinks she lacks sex appeal. Kurt plays Rachel a video of Cassandra which reveals that ten years earlier, she used to be a promising star on Broadway but wrecked her first performance so dramatically due to pressure that no one wanted to hire her again.

Meanwhile, in Lima, Ohio, Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) once again finds her true identity as she performs Britney Spears's "Hold It Against Me" during cheerleading practice before being interrupted by coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), who kicks her off the Cheerios due to her bad grades and replaces her with Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin). This, in addition to the busy schedule of her girlfriend, Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera), who is attending University of Louisville, causes Brittany to become depressed. Hoping to cheer her up, guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) convinces glee club director Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) to have New Directions perform Britney Spears' songs. Subsequently, Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) and Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) perform a mash-up of "Boys" and Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend", for Brittany, and she is once more inspired by Spears.

New member Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist) confides to Wade "Unique" Adams (Alex Newell) that she is interested in troublemaker Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist), leading to a performance of "Womanizer", during which Jake invites Marley to "hang out". At the bleachers, Marley meets up with Jake and they perform a mash-up of "(You Drive Me) Crazy" and Aerosmith's "Crazy", as they share a romantic moment. Jake later hears two students mocking Marley and her mother (Trisha Rae Stahl) and confronts them, leading to a fight. Will interrupts the altercation and sends Jake to the choir room, where he's surprised to find his half-brother Noah "Puck" Puckerman (Mark Salling), who now lives in Los Angeles. Puck introduces himself to Jake and convinces him to join New Directions, so that the experience can help Jake just as it helped him.

In New York City, Rachel enlists the help of her friend, NYADA upperclassman Brody Weston (Dean Geyer), to prove to Cassandra that she can be sexy by performing a sultry rendition of "Oops!... I Did It Again"; however, the number fails to impress Cassandra. Rachel accuses her of picking on her students because they may have a future in show business, while Cassandra wrecked her future by becoming a "YouTube joke." Infuriated, Cassandra kicks Rachel out of her class. Brody later comforts Rachel and tries to kiss her, but she refuses, as she is still in love with Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith). Brody agrees to respect Rachel's relationship, but admits he has feelings for her. Rachel apologizes to Cassandra and Cassandra allows her to come back to class. Cassandra then explains that show business is a world with harsh realities and that although she did not realize that ten years earlier, she knows it now and she wants Rachel to know that as well and that is why she's hard on Rachel and the other students.

In Lima, Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) performs an acoustic version of "3" with Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) and Joe Hart (Samuel Larsen). Brittany attempts to shave her head and is stopped by Will, after which she walks into the hallway, only to be provoked by Jacob Ben Israel (Josh Sussman), who she beats up with an umbrella in front of the student body. To cheer Brittany up, New Directions members suggest she should lead the school assembly. Brittany objects that her voice is not up to par, and suggests they lip sync, an idea they rebuke at first, but she manages to convince them. New Directions performs "Gimme More" at the school assembly, but the performance is a disaster due to Brittany's lack of motivation, leading the student body to discover that Brittany was lip-synching to the song. They are booed off of the stage and reprimanded by Will in the choir room. Brittany resigns from the club and marches out of the room.

Sam later invites Brittany to meet him at the auditorium, where she admits she staged her breakdown in order to have a more effective comeback, and tells him that she misses Santana. Sam tells Brittany that he will be her friend. Brittany later asks Sue to reinstate her on the Cheerios, and shows some marginal improvements on her grades. Sue agrees on the condition that Brittany's grades continue to improve so she can graduate.

The following day, Jake tells Marley he is going to join New Directions, and she learns that he is now dating Kitty. Jake joins New Directions, and an upset Marley performs "Everytime" in the choir room. As this plays, Brittany pines alone in her bedroom for Santana who is offline on iChat, and Rachel paints over a drawing of Finn's name that she had made on her apartment's wall.

Production

The episode is the second to feature the music of Britney Spears; the first was the second season's second episode, "Britney/Brittany", which remains one of the show's highest-rated episodes. It was initially reported on May 15, 2012, that this episode would feature eight of her songs; the report also noted that Spears was one of the new judges on the show that would be preceding Glee in its new Thursday night slot, The X Factor . [1]

In a July 2012 interview with E! News , Colfer said he hoped to perform a song from Spears' 2011 album, Femme Fatale , since he did not get to sing one of her songs during the show's first Spears tribute episode. [2] Overstreet revealed that on July 22, 2012, he was recording for this episode. [2] Overstreet spoke to the same publication, "It's probably one of her most recent singles. We're doing a really cool version of it. It's going to be a little group number. It's going to be fun." [2]

Eight songs featured in the episode have been released to iTunes as an extended play album entitled Britney 2.0, though not also as individual singles. [3] [4] Details on most of these have been reported: Morris sings "Hold It Against Me" and "Gimme More" by Spears, [5] Michele performs "Oops!... I Did It Again" as a big production number, [6] McHale and Criss perform a mashup of "Boys" and Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend", [7] a stripped-down acoustic version of Spears' "3" is performed by Ushkowitz, Overstreet and Larsen, [8] "Everytime" is sung by Benoist, [9] and a second mashup features "(You Drive Me) Crazy", called "U Drive Me Crazy", and Aerosmith's "Crazy", sung by Benoist and Artist. [10] The eighth song is "Womanizer", performed by Newell, Benoist and Ushkowitz. [3]

Returning recurring characters in this episode include special guest star Kate Hudson as NYADA dance instructor Cassandra July, McKinley's guidance counselor and Will's fiancée Emma Pillsbury (Mays), glee club members Joe Hart (Larsen), Wade "Unique" Adams (Newell) and Marley Rose (Benoist), new McKinley student Jake Puckerman (Artist), Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba), cheerleader Kitty (Tobin), NYADA upperclassman Brody Weston (Geyer), McKinley gossip blogger Jacob Ben Israel (Sussman), and Marley's mother (Stahl). [11] [12] [13] [14]

Reception

Ratings

"Britney 2.0" received a 2.9/8  Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic and attracted 7.46 million American viewers during its initial broadcast. [15] In Australia, the episode was broadcast October 31, 2012 on Network Ten and received 598,000 viewers, making it the 18th most watched program of the night. [16] This number was up by 46,000 viewers in comparison to the previous episode "The New Rachel" which had an audience of 552,000. [17] The episode was the most watched episode of the fourth season of Glee.

Music and performances

In December 2012, TV Guide named the mash-up "(You Drive Me) Crazy" / "Crazy" one of Glee's best performances, with the periodical commenting: "Fortunately, the producers weren't afraid to infuse the hour with some classic Aerosmith, which made a memorable combination years after it seemed the best mash-ups were behind Glee" and calling the arrangement "beautiful". [18]

Related Research Articles

"New Directions" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the one-hundred-first episode overall. Written and directed by series co-creator Brad Falchuk, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 25, 2014, and is the second part of a two-part anniversary episode that features the apparent end of New Directions after the club is shut down by principal Sue Sylvester. Many graduates of the glee club have returned, as have special guest stars Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes and Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday. This is the last appearance of Paltrow, Chenoweth, and Melissa Benoist on the series, although Benoist is still credited as a series regular throughout the remainder of the season.

"The New Rachel" is the premiere episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the sixty-seventh episode overall. Written by Ryan Murphy and directed by Brad Falchuk, it aired on Fox in the United States on September 13, 2012. The episode features Rachel beginning school at the New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts (NYADA), while at McKinley High, the national champion New Directions glee club must regroup after losing eight seniors to graduation. Special guest star Kate Hudson makes her first appearance as Rachel's dance instructor, Cassandra July, and Whoopi Goldberg returns as NYADA dean Carmen Tibideaux.

"The Break Up" is the fourth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventieth episode overall. Written by Ryan Murphy and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, it aired on Fox in the United States on October 4, 2012, and features the end of several long-established romantic relationships on the show: the couples Finn and Rachel, Kurt and Blaine, and Santana and Brittany all break up.

"Makeover" is the third episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the sixty-ninth episode overall. Written by Ian Brennan and directed by Eric Stoltz, it aired on Fox in the United States on September 27, 2012. In the episode, Brittany and Blaine go head-to-head in a debate for student council president, while Kurt lands an internship at Vogue.com and Rachel decides to give herself a makeover. The episode features the introduction of special guest star Sarah Jessica Parker as Isabelle Wright of Vogue.com.

"Glease" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-second episode overall. It aired on Fox in the United States on November 15, 2012, and features the McKinley High production of the musical Grease, and the return of special guest star Kate Hudson as Cassandra July. Kurt and Rachel have awkward reunions with their exes, Will prepares to leave for his vacation and puts Finn in charge of the Glee Club while he is gone. Rachel and Kurt sever ties with their respective exes and leave at the end.

"Thanksgiving" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-fourth episode overall. Written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner, and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on November 29, 2012. The episode features the return of many of the New Directions graduates to help in coaching the current glee club for Sectionals competition, which takes place on Thanksgiving, and the reappearance of special guest star Sarah Jessica Parker as Isabelle Wright, Kurt's boss in New York City.

"Glee, Actually" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-sixth episode overall as well as the show's third Christmas-themed episode. Written by Matthew Hodgson and directed by Adam Shankman, it aired on Fox in the United States on December 13, 2012.

"Swan Song" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-fifth episode overall. Written by Stacy Traub and directed by co-creator Brad Falchuk, it aired on Fox in the United States on December 6, 2012. The episode features the return of special guest stars Whoopi Goldberg as New York Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYADA) dean Carmen Tibideaux and Kate Hudson as NYADA dance instructor Cassandra July, on the eve of the school's Winter Showcase.

"Sadie Hawkins" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-seventh episode overall. Written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on January 24, 2013.

"Naked" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-eighth episode overall. Written and directed by co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, respectively, it aired on Fox in the United States on January 31, 2013.

"Diva" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-ninth episode overall. Written by co-creator Brad Falchuk and directed by Paris Barclay, it aired on Fox in the United States on February 7, 2013. Paris Barclay was nominated at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for this episode.

"I Do" is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eightieth episode overall. Written and directed by co-creators Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk, respectively, it aired on Fox in the United States on February 14, 2013, and features the events surrounding the long-anticipated wedding of Will Schuester and Emma Pillsbury.

"Girls On Film" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-first episode overall. Written by Michael Hitchcock and directed by co-creator Ian Brennan, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 7, 2013, and features the 500th musical number filmed by Glee since its inception.

"Feud" is the sixteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-second episode overall. Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 14, 2013.

"Guilty Pleasures" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-third episode overall. Written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner and directed by Eric Stoltz, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 21, 2013. Kelley Mitchell, Jennifer Greenberg, Melissa Buell, Tym Shutchai Buacharern, Paula Jane Hamilton and Darla Albright were nominated at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series for this episode.

"Sweet Dreams" is the nineteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-fifth episode overall. Written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Elodie Keene, it aired on Fox in the United States on April 18, 2013. Special guest star Idina Menzel returns as Rachel's biological mother, Shelby Corcoran. This is the last episode to feature Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson, who missed the remainder of the season because he entered drug rehabilitation the week after filming, then died of an overdose three months after the episode aired.

"Wonder-ful" is the twenty-first episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-seventh episode overall. It aired on Fox in the United States on May 2, 2013, and features the introduction of special guest star Katey Sagal as Nancy Abrams and the return of special guest star Kate Hudson as Cassandra July. The episode is a tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder.

"Movin' Out" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the ninety-fourth episode overall. It was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Brad Falchuk, and it aired on Fox in the United States on November 21, 2013. The episode is a tribute to the music of Billy Joel, and features seven of his songs. The episode features special guest star Tyra Banks as Bichette, the head of a modeling agency.

Loser like Me (<i>Glee</i> episode) 1st episode of the 6th season of Glee

"Loser like Me" is the premiere episode of the sixth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the 109th overall. The episode was written by all the series creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, directed by Bradley Buecker, and first aired on January 9, 2015 on Fox in the United States along with the next episode, "Homecoming", as a special two-hour premiere.

References

  1. ↑ Stack, Tim (May 15, 2012). "'Glee' scoop: New Britney Spears tribute planned for fall; plus details on Kate Hudson's role — Exclusive". Entertainment Weekly . Time Inc . Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Maldon, Mark (July 23, 2012). "Glee's Chris Colfer Wants "Drama" for Kurt & Blaine, Hopes to Sing Britney Spears in Tribute Episode". E! News . NBC Universal . Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Britney 2.0". iTunes. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Glee Cast – MP3 downloads". amazon.com. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  5. ↑ Murphy, Ryan (September 5, 2012). "MrRPMurphy: @Carlot_Heya HeMo has two big songs in episode 2. "Gimme More" and "Hold It Against Me"". Twitter . Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ Martin, Denise (August 20, 2012). "Vulture Visits Glee Set, Finds Show Not-So-Secretly Morphing Into the Fabled Rachel and Kurt Spin-off". Vulture . Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 5, 2012). "'Glee' Season 4 to Feature Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears Songs". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ Billboard Staff (September 7, 2012). "'Glee' to Strip Down Britney Spears' '3' on Upcoming Episode". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive: Listen To 'Everytime' From Glee's 'Britney 2.0' Episode". Britney.com. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  10. ↑ Busis, Hillary (September 18, 2012). "'Britney 2.0': Hear a 'Glee' mashup of 'Crazy' and '(You Drive Me) Crazy'". Entertainment Weekly . Time Inc . Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Britney hits the New Directions one more time on an all-new Glee" (Press release). Fox Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 2013-12-09. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  12. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (August 27, 2012). "Glee Hot Shots: Check Out the Season 4 Cast Portraits! Plus: New Directions Picks Its Star". TVLine . PMC . Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  13. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 14, 2012). "'Glee': Marley's Mother to Recur in Season 4". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  14. ↑ Sussman, Josh (September 20, 2012). "JoshSussman: I'm on Glee tonight getting beat up. Thank you middle school and high school bullies for the practice. Now I get paid for my beatings! Cool!". Twitter. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  15. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 14, 2012). "Final broadcast primetime ratings for Thursday, September 20, 2012". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Wednesday 31 October 2012 | TV Tonight".
  17. ↑ "Wednesday 24 October 2012 | TV Tonight".
  18. ↑ "The Best and Worst Glee Performances (So Far!)". TV Guide . December 26, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.