Glee Cast Reflects on Controversial Christmas Episode
Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz, beloved cast members of the iconic show Glee, recently revisited one of the series’ most contentious moments: the season 5 Christmas episode titled “Previously Unaired Christmas.”During their discussions on the podcast And That’s What You REALLY Missed, they candidly expressed their discomfort, admitting that this particular episode marked a significant low point for the cast.
Revisiting Glee’s Controversial Moments
Since its debut in 2009, Glee has been celebrated for its bold narrative choices and vibrant performances, capturing the trials and triumphs of a high school glee club led by Will Schuester, portrayed by Matthew Morrison. Despite its many accolades, including multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards, the show was not without its missteps. The rewatch offered insights into the chaotic filming process of “Previously Unaired Christmas,”characterized by awkward humor and highly polarizing musical selections. Key moments, like the living nativity scene with Becky (Lauren Potter) as Baby Jesus and Santana’s (Naya Rivera) provocative portrayal of Mrs. Claus, sparked particularly intense reactions from the cast.
Jenna: It was a Saturday morning. I’ll never forget it. We’re like, why are we here? Poor Wendey.
Kevin: That’s what it felt like, You’re here to do this?
Jenna: Yeah, that dress was so scratchy that we were in that I had full scabs underneath my arms after it. I have this photo from it. I can’t post because it’s just not appropriate. But I just remember shooting this number being like, wow, we’ve really hit our bottom, like birthing the baby, running around with the baby, and it was like you had to commit so hard because it was so bad. That’s what I felt like in this number. I’m like, I have to commit to this so hard because we know it’s bad.
Kevin: But that’s the thing. I don’t think it’s supposed to be bad. It’s supposed to be controversial. I mean, bad is good when it’s funny, but I didn’t think this was good. And this just felt like being controversial for controversial’s sake.
Despite their reservations, McHale and Ushkowitz commended director Wendey Stanzler and their fellow cast members for their effort in executing such a challenging episode.
Jenna: We didn’t want to be there for multiple reasons, but the most glaring one was like, I don’t think this is right. And then Lauren Potter came out with that outfit, and we were like, we really have to do this?
Kevin: Poor Wendey. You’re tasked with getting this job done, and then you have a bunch of —holes like us who were like, ‘we don’t like it, I don’t want to do it.’ Good on you and Melissa and Alex because you guys had some crazy sh*t to do, and you sold it.
Unearthing the Episode’s Most Shocking Scenes
The recounting of “Previously Unaired Christmas”highlighted some of its most cringe-worthy moments, garnering mixed responses from McHale and Ushkowitz.
Jenna: Santana as Ms. Claus probably was the worst of it all.
Kevin: I don’t even know. That’s up there with Becky being Baby Jesus and Kitty saying super racist and defensive things to Unique and Tina. What about Santana’s comments to children? Fat shaming, anti-Semitic remarks, all while Kurt faced sexual assault. So, okay, where do we go from there?
Jenna: Only up.
Analyzing Kevin & Jenna’s Insights on “Previously Unaired Christmas”
Investigating Glee’s Holiday Misfire
The nostalgia of McHale and Ushkowitz’s reflections provides a fascinating window into the risks that Glee took throughout its run. Known equally for pushing boundaries and exploring complex social topics—ranging from race and gender to sexuality—the series often aimed to challenge its audience. “Previously Unaired Christmas” specifically illustrates how even a groundbreaking show can stumble. The episode began with an announcement from Sue (Jane Lynch) stating it was “banned,”eventually airing after significant edits.
Despite its tumultuous reception, the episode attempted to capture the chaotic spirit of Christmas with plotlines featuring characters like Rachel, Kurt, and Santana taking on mall elf jobs, while the rest of New Directions created a controversial living nativity scene. Throughout the episode, a blend of misguided comedy and commentary resulted in moments that many viewers found embarrassing.
Our Reflections on Kevin and Jenna’s Take
Understanding the Context of Glee’s Sweeping Missteps
McHale and Ushkowitz’s nostalgic look back at one of Glee’s most controversial episodes illustrates how the series navigated both creative triumphs and failures. Their commitment, in the face of personal reservations, ultimately adds a layer of complexity to this notorious chapter of the show’s history. Compared to other notable episodes, including “The End of Twerk”and its surreal puppet hallucination sequence, “Previously Unaired Christmas”serves as a striking example of the highs and lows of Glee’s daring storytelling.
For further insights, you can check out And That’s What You REALLY Missed.
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