Gleecast members Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz have recently revisited the show’s controversial season 5 Christmas episode, “Previously Unaired Christmas,” which they admitted was a low point for the cast. The hit jukebox musical series, created by Ryan Murphy, followed the lives of a high school glee club and their tumultuous personal and musical journeys under the guidance of their teacher, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison). Known for its bold humor, heartfelt drama, and extravagant performances,Gleewas a ratings powerhouse and a cultural phenomenon for Fox, winning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards during its six-season run.
However, not every moment in the show’s history hit the right notes, as McHale and Ushkowitz recalled on theirGleerewatch podcast,And That’s What You REALLY Missed. Thetwo delved behind the scenes into the chaotic filming processfor the episode’s awkward humor and controversial musical numbers, such as the living nativity scene with Becky (Lauren Potter) as Baby Jesus, Santana’s (Naya Rivera) abrasive Mrs. Claus performance, and Unique’s birthing of baby Jesus during a rendition of Dianoa Ross' “Love Child.” Here’s what the two had to say about being on set that fateful day:
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. It’s supposed to be bad. If I don’t commit to this, it actually will make it worse.
Kevin:But that’s the thing. I don’t think it’s supposed to be bad. It’s supposed to be controversial. I mean, like bad is good when it’s funny. But I didn’t think this was good. It’s, you know, it’s like I’ll lose a friend, but I won’t lose the joke.And this just felt like being like controversial for controversial sake.
Jenna:And it was to get Kittie to do this part, to offend her. I watched this with my hand in front of my mouth the whole time. I will say the song is good.
Kevin:The number, actually, is a good time, and I love watching the three of you.
DespitetheGleecast’sdiscomfort during filming and their struggle to take these performances seriously enough to act in them, McHale and Ushkowitz nonetheless praised director Wendey Stanzler and their co-stars for their dedication to making the episode happen:
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 she comes out, Lauren Potter comes out with that thing on, and we were like, we really have to do this, We really have to do this now, we really have to do this.
Kevin:Poor Wendey. Because you’re at the Helm, you’re tasked with getting this job done, of making this work, and then you have a bunch of —holes like us who were like, you know, ‘we don’t like it, I don’t want to do it.’ I will say good on you and Melissa and Alex because you guys had some crazy sh-t to do, and you sold it.
Jenna:Just have to commit.
TheGleestars didn’t hold back when recounting some of the most controversial and shocking moments from “Previously Unaired Christmas,” highlighting the following scene:
Jenna:Santana as Miss Claus probably was the worst of it all.
Kevin:I don’t even know. I think that’s up there with, like, Becky being made Baby Jesus. Kitty saying super racist and defensive things to Unique and Tina. And then Santana saying all these insane things to children, to, like, actual children. Being like fat shaming, anti-Semitic, talking about porn. And then Kurt was sexually assaulted. So okay, where do we go from there?
What Kevin & Jenna’s Response To “Previously Unaired Christmas” Means
GleeStars Talk Baby Jesus And Chaotic Music Numbers
McHale and Ushkowitz’s reflections on “Previously Unaired Christmas” shed light on the history ofGlee’s storytelling approach and its willingness to push boundaries. Since its premiere in 2009, the showhas unabashedly faced social issues surrounding race, gender, and sexualitythrough its diverse set of characters,such as McHale’s Artiewho has a physical disability, and Ushkowitz’s Tina, who fakes a stutter. The episode, which aired as part of season 5’s fall finale, began with an announcement from Sue (Jane Lynch) that the episode was “banned,” but was able to air on Fox after some severe cuts.
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Though the hit TV show Glee ended in 2015, many Gleeks have created ideas for episode themes they wish would make it to the small screen.
Nonetheless,Gleestill featured a mix of chaotic musical numbersand over-the-top antics in the spirit of Christmas, as Rachel, Kurt, and Santana find work as mall elves, and the remainder of New Directions put together a controversial living nativity scene. McHale and Ushkowitz’s experience presents the challenge faced by the cast when navigating the show’s sincerity and edge. As Tina, Marley, and Unique throw around a plastic baby Jesus, and Kurt is found bound and gagged after “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” the episode’s attempt to blend comedy withcommentary falls into a mixed bag of embarrassment and discomfort.
Our Take On Kevin And Jenna’s Perspective Of “Previously Unaired Christmas”
Let’s Understand Glee’s Holiday Flop
McHale and Ushkowitz rewatching one ofGlee’s most controversial episodes is a fun glimpse into the creative risks and missteps that defined the show. While the show often thrived on its ability to challenge norms and convention, “Previously Unaired Christmas” exemplifies how a groundbreaking series can misfire. The cast’s commitment to their roles, despite their indignation, saves the episode from being an absolute burn in the show’s history. Although, in comparison to otherGleeepisodes, such as “The End of Twerk,” where the kids' teacher gets them to twerk at their Nationals or their bizarre puppet hallucination sequence, “Previously Unaired Christmas” doesn’t look so bad.
Glee
Cast
to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s glee club. Fox’sGleewas created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk,and Ryan Murphy, with Leah Michele, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.
