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source: leamichelebrasil.tumblr.com
"Glee's" take on Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" is off to a fast start.
Covered by the show's Grant Gustin and Naya Rivera (with guests 2Cellos) on its Jan. 31 Michael Jackson-themed episode, the single could perhaps sell 80,000 to 100,000 downloads by the end of the tracking week on Feb. 5. That figure could it earn one of the biggest sales weeks for any single released in "Glee's" third season.
"It is an unbelievable honor to even get to be a part of such a legendary song by the one and only Michael Jackson on one of America's favorite TV shows," Gustin tells Billboard. "I had a blast doing this song with Naya Rivera and the positive response from the fans is an unexpected bonus to an already surreal opportunity."
"Smooth Criminal" was performed in the "Glee" episode as a dueling duet between New Directions' glee club member Santana (Rivera) and the Warblers' captain Sebastian (Gustin).
So far, the show's sales best week in season three came with the mash-up of Adele's "Rumour Has It/Someone Like You," as it sold 160,000 in its premiere frame according to Nielsen SoundScan. Next is their rendition of fun.'s "We Are Young" (a 137,000 bow) and David Guetta's "Without You" (97,000).
If "Smooth Criminal" ultimately sells around 100,000, that could enable a debut on the Digital Songs chart somewhere in the top 20. Over on the Billboard Hot 100 (which blends sales, airplay and streaming data), it may arrive within the top 40.
Curiously, Sony Masterworks recording duo 2Cellos isn't credited as an artist on the track in the iTunes Store. It's often customary for guest stars to receive featured billing, and thus ultimately receive credit on the Billboard charts. In the past, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jonathan Groff, Kristin Chenoweth, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Patrick Harris and Idina Menzel have all earned featured billing.
source: billboard.com
Glee-hee!
Who else has been having way too much fun saying Glee like that? Thanks, Chris Colfer. Tonight, Glee paid tribute to the King of Pop: Michael Jackson. That alone made the episode a season-three favorite for us, but we also got some verrry interesting plot developments along with the great musical numbers.
Let's talk about the episode highlights, and we'll give you a peek at what's coming up...
Sebastian Smythe may be up to no good on "Glee," but the actor behind the snark and perfectly coiffed "CW hair" -- Grant Gustin -- is just having a good time playing the guy that every Gleek loves to hate.
Oh, I love him!
Grant Gustin's road to "Glee" started in Chicago.
The 22-year-old, who plays Sebastian on the Fox series, was living in Lincoln Park last year with castmates from the national touring company of "West Side Story" when he submitted an audition video to appear as a tap dancer in the Season 3 premiere of "Glee."
"I submitted a video of myself doing 'Good Morning' from 'Singing in the Rain' and they liked me but I wasn't right for the role I guess," he said.
Good thing, too, because the show's creator, Ryan Murphy, thought of Gustin again when it came time to cast Sebastian, the scheming member of the Warblers singing group. After a later audition in front of the "Glee" team Gustin won the role, but not without a few angsty weeks waiting to hear the news. When he finally did, Gustin was once again onstage in Tucson, Ariz., playing Baby Jon when his manager called.
"I called him back right in the middle of the show and found out I got it," he said. "I did one more performance the next night. I was on a plane Saturday morning and filming on Monday. It was crazy."
Since then, Sebastian has angered fans because he tried to split up fan favorite couple Blaine (Darren Criss) and Kurt (Chris Colfer). Sebastian causes even more trouble in "Michael," the show's tribute episode to Michael Jackson airing at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 on Fox. Sebastian slushies Blaine and faces the wrath of Santana (Naya Rivera) and the other members of New Directions.
"[Santana] comes and gives Sebastian a piece of her mind" by singing Jackson's "Smooth Criminal," Gustin said. "It was amazing. It was probably my favorite day of filming thus far."
