THE SHOW "Glee" 
 WHEN|WHERE Tuesday night at 8 on Fox/5 
 REASON TO WATCH Returning from a monthlong hiatus, with the first episode featuring "Glee Project" winner Damian McGinty. 
 CATCHING UP The ties that bind are frayed, as Mercedes (<a href="/topics/Amber_Riley">Amber Riley</a>) leaves New Directions to join the new all-girl choir formed by Shelby Corcoran (<a href="/topics/Idina_Menzel">Idina Menzel</a>), while "West Side Story" now has its cast, with Rachel (<a href="/topics/Lea_Michele">Lea Michele</a>) as Maria. 
 TUESDAY NIGHT'S EPISODE Foreign exchange student Rory Flanagan (McGinty) comes to McKinley. Unicorn-crazed Brittany (<a href="/topics/Heather_Morris">Heather Morris</a>) decides he's a leprechaun. Sue's (Jane <a href="/topics/Jane_Lynch">Lynch</a>) congressional campaign continues. Songs include Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" sung by Blaine (Darren Criss), while McGinty's Flanagan does "Bein' Green" and "Take Care of Yourself." 
 MY SAY How do you get spilled milk back in the carton? Grab a sponge and soak it up, then squeeze the contents back in the spout. In other words, spilled milk's a lost cause. Best to buy a new carton. The "Glee" restoration project has been busy with the sponge, too, but this cause is not lost. Yes, the magic of the first season was squandered in the second and the third is still searching for its mojo (viewership still off about 20 percent), but what's bugging people now? In some respects, "Glee" has absolutely improved: It's calmer, saner, more grounded, while core character story lines have been dusted off, and cleaned up (as promised). Even Quinn's (<a href="/topics/Dianna_Agron">Dianna Agron</a>) pink-haired walk on the wild side felt true to who she was (her grief over the adoption). 
 So why has the magic remained so elusive? Because "Glee" may have actually overadjusted. The first season was about New Directions' cast against the world while this one is about the cast against each other. There's a sense that the relationships have all been scrambled up just so the showrunners can unscramble them in time for graduation and the finals. It can feel manufactured instead of organic. Also of concern, "<a href="/topics/Glee_%28show%29">Glee's</a>" sense of humor is largely gone. Lynch's Sue Sylvester -- one of TV's great comic characters two seasons ago -- has turned into a sloganeering shrew. She's now officially all bile, no heart. 
 BOTTOM LINE Work remains in progress. 
 GRADE (season to date) B-

THE SHOW "Glee" WHEN|WHERE Tuesday night at 8 on Fox/5 REASON TO WATCH Returning from a monthlong hiatus, with the first episode featuring "Glee Project" winner Damian McGinty. CATCHING UP The ties that bind are frayed, as Mercedes (Amber Riley) leaves New Directions to join the new all-girl choir formed by Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel), while "West Side Story" now has its cast, with Rachel (Lea Michele) as Maria. TUESDAY NIGHT'S EPISODE Foreign exchange student Rory Flanagan (McGinty) comes to McKinley. Unicorn-crazed Brittany (Heather Morris) decides he's a leprechaun. Sue's (Jane Lynch) congressional campaign continues. Songs include Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" sung by Blaine (Darren Criss), while McGinty's Flanagan does "Bein' Green" and "Take Care of Yourself." MY SAY How do you get spilled milk back in the carton? Grab a sponge and soak it up, then squeeze the contents back in the spout. In other words, spilled milk's a lost cause. Best to buy a new carton. The "Glee" restoration project has been busy with the sponge, too, but this cause is not lost. Yes, the magic of the first season was squandered in the second and the third is still searching for its mojo (viewership still off about 20 percent), but what's bugging people now? In some respects, "Glee" has absolutely improved: It's calmer, saner, more grounded, while core character story lines have been dusted off, and cleaned up (as promised). Even Quinn's (Dianna Agron) pink-haired walk on the wild side felt true to who she was (her grief over the adoption). So why has the magic remained so elusive? Because "Glee" may have actually overadjusted. The first season was about New Directions' cast against the world while this one is about the cast against each other. There's a sense that the relationships have all been scrambled up just so the showrunners can unscramble them in time for graduation and the finals. It can feel manufactured instead of organic. Also of concern, "Glee's" sense of humor is largely gone. Lynch's Sue Sylvester -- one of TV's great comic characters two seasons ago -- has turned into a sloganeering shrew. She's now officially all bile, no heart. BOTTOM LINE Work remains in progress. GRADE (season to date) B-

Entertainment

ETTEL01.WEB

Review: 'Glee' starts season again, without humor

Newsday

glee - cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

"I'm looking forward to pursuing something different but tangential to journalism," Glassberg said.

'Eyewitness News' reporter Lauren Glassberg exits after 26 years at Ch. 7

"Taylor has always been an Easter egg queen," one fan said.

Swifties react to Taylor Swift's MSG wedding plans

What can you say about a year that brought us "Family Feud," "The Gong Show" and "Battle of the Network Stars?"

Remember these 6 game shows from 1976? (Bet you don't remember them all)

The stars of "Totally '90s House" will seek to modernize a home that seems stuck in that decade.

LI's Melissa Joan Hart, other '90s TV stars, will compete in new HGTV show

The 4-day Patchogue fest returns with more than 50 acts on three stages.

Great South Bay Music Festival: Everything you need to know

The disgraced former Congressman will test his survival skills on "'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test."

George Santos to compete on Fox's 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

There's little new in this docuseries about the L.I. stock firm behind a major fraud,

Take two: 'Real Wolf of Wall Street' rehashes the movie

This new 'Prairie' home puts a fresher and truer spin on Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories.

Netflix's 'Little House' reboot has a big heart

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us out to East Hampton, where an old farm turned arts center hosts community events.

Out East: Duck Creek Arts Center

Matthew Smith sentenced to up to 22 years in prison for drunken-driving crash that killed Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

Man who drove drunk and killed Nassau police officer gets up to 22 years in prison

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

Former Holy Trinity lineman Lance Swift spoke with Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi after the Titans suspended their football program.

Former Holy Trinity lineman reflects on football program suspension

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Diner location, which is currently under construction with plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

The Manor of St. George is one of the most serene spots on the Island. But on one night in 1780, it was the scene of a bloody battle, NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: Battle of the Manor of St. George

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visited Garcia's Taco Bar in Brentwood to try their birria ramen.

Trendy Bites: Birria ramen

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

An arbitrator detailed ex-officer George Trimigliozzi's poor job performance before his high-profile criminal case. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie and Newsday investigative reporter Jim Baumbach has more.

Suffolk brothel cop repeatedly ignored emergency calls before indictment

Sitewide Video Playlist

'Nothing is going to bring my wife back'

There is a new push to look into the effect of screen time in classrooms. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn spoke to Newsday state reporter Keshia Clukey and other experts on the topic.

'I don't advocate for one blanket policy'

Two months into the state's "bell-to-bell" ban on electronic devices in schools, some districts are reporting positive changes in the classroom. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Students are much more talkative to one another'

NewsdayTV's Jasmine Anderson and Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou talk to Long Island school administrators about how the school cellphone ban is going so far.

'Kids are outside. They're playing. They're laughing together.'

Homeowners say their taxes make it almost unaffordable to live on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa sat down with Newsday towns reporter Sam Kmack to learn more about residents who are taking action.

'Homeowners are under real financial pressure'

Following two days of hazy skies from the Canadian wildfire smoke, NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has a look at what the weekend weather will look like.

Long Island weather: Expect bluer skies this afternoon

'He really wasn't being a police officer'

NewsdayTV goes behind the scenes of the day Rex Heuermann was sentenced for the Gilgo killings.

'A million years isn't enough'

The hazy skies are hanging around Long Island Thursday as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to fill the air.

Long Island weather: When will smoke, heat go away?

'Honestly, I was hurt'

A heat advisory remains in effect on Long Island through late Thursday. NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Canadian wildfire smoke could impact Long Island

Vincent Puleo, who's worked in public office for nearly two decades, terminated the spa's lease following Newsday's reporting. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie talks with Newsday reporters Sandra Peddie and Bahar Ostadan about the story.

'They dabble in other stuff behind the covers'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

Review: 'Glee' starts season again, without humor

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.