Topic: Glee

Actress Lea Michele issued a lengthy apology after former *Glee* co-star Samantha Ware accused her of making the set a "living hell." The conflict began when Michele tweeted in support of Black Lives Matter, prompting Ware to reveal an alleged threat involving a wig. The discussion analyzes the apology as a "non-apology" and explores the racial undertones of the specific insults reported in the media.

The NBC television series "Smash" is analyzed as a failure of network interference over creative vision. While the show initially attracted a loyal audience interested in the "singing and dancing" aspect of Broadway, network executives attempted to force more traditional plot structures, leading to its decline. This is contrasted with the success of "Glee" and reality competitions like "America's Got Talent," which prioritize performance over complex narratives.

The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards featured a viewership of 30 million, a significant drop from previous global claims. Controversy arose when the Fox network used a tribute to the late Corey Monteith to immediately transition into a commercial for the season premiere of Glee. Critics argue the network exploited the actor's death for promotional purposes.

A controversy has emerged regarding the Emmy Awards' "In Memoriam" segment, where Glee actor Cory Monteith is receiving an extended tribute following his heroin overdose. Critics, including the family of veteran actor Jack Klugman, argue that legendary performers are being sidelined in favor of younger stars. The hosts suggest the focus on Monteith serves as a form of drug propaganda.

The death of Glee star Cory Monteith in a Vancouver hotel is linked by the hosts to the promotion of the movie "Pacific Rim." They note that Monteith's body was found on the 21st floor of a hotel and that many news reports repeatedly mentioned the film's title, suggesting a "Hollywood Whacker" marketing tactic.

NBC is premiering a new sitcom titled "The New Normal," created by the producers of Glee. The show is criticized for pushing specific social memes regarding non-traditional family structures and surrogacy. The program's marketing uses the phrase "different is the new normal" to frame its narrative on modern cultural shifts.

The media's use of celebrity tragedies and blockbuster film releases to distract the public is examined. Examples include the timing of a Bee Gees tribute on "Glee" following Robin Gibb's illness and the heavy promotion of Disney's "The Avengers." The hosts recall the "Mothman" media blitz as an earlier example of news outlets manufacturing interest to support a film release.

The sudden death of Whitney Houston is analyzed as a potential marketing event for her final movie and the upcoming Grammy Awards. Speculation centers on the rapid turnaround of a Glee tribute special and the career boost for Jennifer Hudson.

A coordinated media push for Alzheimer's awareness is identified, including a Larry King special and a plotline in the film "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." The hosts suggest the pharmaceutical industry is "gearing up for a bonanza" by lowering diagnostic thresholds for the disease. They also play a clip from the TV show Glee that portrays parents who don't vaccinate their children as "hippies."

A clip of Gwyneth Paltrow on the show "Glee" sparks a debate on the "culture of insults" and the anonymity of the internet. While Bill O'Reilly's audience labeled her a "patriot" for the sentiment, other media outlets attacked her for being a wealthy celebrity complaining about public perception. The hosts mention that "Dilbert" creator Scott Adams wrote a piece defending Paltrow's right to address the issue.

The Super Bowl XLV pre-game ceremonies featured heavy military presence and performances of both "America the Beautiful" and the national anthem. Christina Aguilera notably flubbed the lyrics to the national anthem during her performance. There is speculation that a movement exists to replace the current national anthem with "America the Beautiful" to move away from the violent imagery of the original song.

A report from Haiti indicates the tourist board is hiring photographers to capture "happy families" to improve the country's image. Meanwhile, the TV show Glee is analyzed for its "gay bullying" storyline, which the hosts suggest promotes the meme that all bullies are secretly gay.