| Kurt Hummel | |
|---|---|
| Glee character | |
| First appearance | "Pilot" |
| Created by | Ryan Murphy Brad Falchuk Ian Brennan |
| Portrayed by | Chris Colfer |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Student |
| Family | Burt Hummel (Father) Mrs. Hummel (Mother, Deceased) |
Kurt Hummel is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Chris Colfer, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. Rachel was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. He is a flamboyant singer who is bullied by the football team, though he is one of the more popular members of the glee club. His storylines mostly deal with Kurt's struggle to come out of the closet and the reaction of his family and friends in the aftermath, though later storylines have seen him aggressively pursue crush Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) by sabotaging the chances of Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele).
The role was created specifically for Colfer after he came in to audition for the part of Artie Abrams (the role ended up going to Kevin McHale). In an interview with Conan O'Brien, Colfer explains that his character's name is taken from The Sound of Music's Kurt von Trapp and the popular German Hummel figurines.[1] Colfer has explained that Kurt "puts on a very confident, 'I'm better than you' persona, but underneath it all he's the same anxious and scared teen everyone is/was at some point. In later episodes, he goes through an identity crisis, accepting and finding acceptance for who he is. [...] He's a tough guy in designer clothes."[2] Colfer was nominated for Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 2009 Satellite Awards for his performance in the role, but lost to John Lithgow for his role in Dexter.[3]
Kurt has received mostly positive reviews from critics, with Brian Lowry of Variety praising Colfer and deeming him a "wonderful discovery." [4] Several songs performed by Colfer as Kurt have been released as singles, available for digital download, and also feature on the soundtracks Glee: The Music, Volume 1 and Glee: The Music, Volume 2, only participating in ensemble songs in the later.
Development edit
Colfer had no previous professional experience, but reminded Ryan of the character of Kurt from The Sound of Music, and was thusly cast as Kurt Hummel.[5] He originally auditioned for Artie with the song "Mr Cellophane", however Murphy was so impressed by his performance that the role of Kurt was created for him.[6] Colfer commented on his casting: "I'm so happy to be a part of something that is so new and different and so needed at this time. It's good to have something positive, especially for kids in small towns, like myself, who need a little pick-me-up. It's true: You can be famous - even if there's no money left in the world."[7]
In the show, Kurt performs "Defying Gravity" from Wicked. Murphy selected the song after Colfer relayed a story from his own high school days, whereby his drama teacher refused to let him sing it because of his gender.[6]
Storylines edit
Kurt comes out as gay to Mercedes in the episode "Acafellas",[8] and to his father in the following episode "Preggers".[9] He joins the football team in order to impress his father, and helps McKinley High's failing team to win a game.[9] Kurt has a high vocal range, and self-identifies as a soprano singer.[10] He competes against Rachel for a solo on "Defying Gravity", but throws the high F note to save his father harassment over his sexuality.[11] Kurt has a crush on Finn, and hopes if Finn breaks up with Quinn, he will turn to Kurt for comfort.[12] He is aware that Rachel also has feelings for Finn, and attempts to sabotage her chances with him by giving her a bad makeover.[13]
Reception edit
Kurt has received positive reviews from critics. The role saw Colfer nominated for the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 2009 Satellite Awards. [3] Brian Lowry of Variety, while his review was mostly negative, heavily praised Colfer, whom he called a "wonderful discovery." [4]
Robert A. George of the New York Post has deemed Rachel: "the only female [in Glee] who doesn’t come across as manipulative or vapidly helpless",[14] while the Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan has opined: "Lea Michele not only has an amazing voice but manages to make her character, spoiled diva Rachel Berry, more than a humorless stereotype."[15] The Los Angeles Times's Denise Martin commented on the episode "The Rhodes Not Taken": "if there's any justice in the world, Lea Michele will win a Golden Globe and an Emmy for playing Rachel".[16]
Following the episode "Hairography" in which Rachel is badly made-over by Kurt, Mike Hale of the New York Times noted a popular theme amongst critics for negatively highlighting the way Glee treats its female characters. He wrote that while he understood this stance, he generally disagreed with it as the show treats male characters equally poorly, but opined: "it was a bit much when Finn looked at Rachel in her catsuit and frizzy hair and said she looked like a 'sad clown hooker.' Come on. She looked fantastic."[17] Zap2it's Korbi Ghosh has deemed Rachel's high point on the show her romancing of Finn and Puck, commenting: "when we saw Rachel fall for them, she was actually relatable. Likable even. The type-A, uber-talented, self-involved know-it-all who's usually alienating her classmates let her guard down to expose a vulnerable side. And, as a bonus, we got some super solid musical performances from those awkward courtships."[18]
Conversely, Ghosh assessed her low point as being her romancing of Will, writing: "Sure, Schue's got it going on, what with the rapping, the break dancing, the boy band'ing and the lindy hopping too. But Rachel's eye-on-the-prize, I'll-get-what-I-want attitude coupled with her inappropriate crush on the teacher just made her creepier than usual. Infiltrating his home, cooking and cleaning for him right under his crazy wife's nose. Come on, Berry, you're better than that..."[18] Raymund Flandez for The Wall Street Journal commented on the episode "Preggers": "Rachel has become insufferable. The disagreements with Mr. Schue about her own development as a bonafide triple-threat have branded her as an overbearing prima donna to the rest of Glee."[19] Eric Goldman for IGN agreed: "It's hard not to be annoyed by Rachel".[20] James Poniewozik of Time has suggested that Rachel's negative character traits may actually be an asset, commenting on her performance of "Don't Rain on My Parade" in the episode "Sectionals": "The number reminded me how much I like what the show's done with Rachel: she's a lead character, yet the show allows her to be annoying—but at the same time, her dedication makes her likeable. And as we see here, as much of a pill as she can be, her ability to whip out a performance she's been working on since age four is an asset."[21]
Several songs performed by Michele as Rachel have been released as singles, available for digital download, also featuring on the soundtracks Glee: The Music, Volume 1 and Glee: The Music, Volume 2.[22][23]
| Solo releases | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |||
| U.S.[24] | AUS[25] | CAN[24] | |||
| 2009 | "On My Own" | – | – | – | |
| "Take a Bow"a | 46 | 38 | 73 | ||
| "Taking Chances"a | 71 | 79[26] | 73 | ||
| "Defying Gravity"ac | 31 | 58[27] | 38 | ||
| "Crush"b | – | – | – | ||
| "Don't Rain on My Parade"b | – | – | – | ||
| a.^ Included on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 1. b.^ Included on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 2. | |||||
| Collaborative releases | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Chart positions | |||
| U.S.[24] | AUS[25] | CAN[24] | |||
| 2009 | "Don't Stop Believin'"a | 4 | 5 | 50 | |
| "Gold Digger"a | – | 59[28] | – | ||
| "Push It" | – | 60[28] | – | ||
| "Maybe This Time"a | 88 | 100[29] | – | ||
| "Somebody to Love"a | 28 | 65[30] | 33 | ||
| "Halo / Walking on Sunshine" | 40 | 10 | 28 | ||
| "No Air"a | 65 | 52[31] | 65 | ||
| "Keep Holding On"a | 56 | 56[31] | 58 | ||
| "Bust a Move"a | 93 | – | 78 | ||
| "Defying Gravity"a | 31 | 58[27] | 38 | ||
| "Proud Mary"b | – | – | – | ||
| "Endless Love"b | 78 | – | 87 | ||
| "Lean on Me"b | 50 | 76 | 39 | ||
| "Imagine"b | 67 | – | 49 | ||
| "True Colors"b | 66 | 47 | 38 | ||
| "Hair" / "Crazy in Love" | – | – | – | ||
| "Jump"b | – | – | – | ||
| "Smile"b | – | – | – | ||
| "Smile"b | – | – | – | ||
| "Last Christmas" | 63 | – | 62 | ||
| "You Can't Always Get What You Want"b | – | – | – | ||
| "My Life Would Suck Without You"b | – | – | – | ||
| a.^ Included on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 1. b.^ Included on the album Glee: The Music, Volume 2. | |||||
References edit
- ^ "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien". Retrieved December 03, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Steinberg, Jamie (May 2009). "Chris Colfer - Pure Glee". Starry Constellation Magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
- ^ a b "2009 14th Annual SATELLITE AWARDS™ NOMINATIONS". International Press Academy. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ a b Lowry, Brian (September 5, 2009). "Glee". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2009-09-06.
- ^ Martin, Denise (April 26, 2009). "Video: 'Glee' team rewrites the school musical". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
- ^ a b Kuhn, Sarah (September 3, 2009). "Life Stages". Back Stage. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
- ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (April 26, 2009). "Will TV audiences watch with 'Glee'?". LA Times. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Acafellaswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Preggerswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel". Fox.com. Retrieved 04 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Ryan Murphy (writer), Paris Barclay (director) (2009-11-11). "Wheels". Glee. Season 1. Episode 9. Fox.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|episodelink=ignored (|episode-link=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Balladwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ian Brennan (writer), Bill D'Elia (director) (2009-11-25). "Hairography". Glee. Season 1. Episode 11. Fox.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|episodelink=ignored (|episode-link=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ George, Robert A. (October 25, 2009). "Does 'Glee' hate its women?". New York Post. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ Ryan, Maureen (May 19, 2009). "'Glee' gets golden time slot, needs a better tune". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
- ^ Martin, Denise (October 1, 2009). "'Glee': The top 5 reasons to rewatch 'The Rhodes Not Taken'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ Hale, Mike (November 26, 2009). "'Glee' Watch: True Lies". New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
- ^ a b Ghosh, Korbi (December 2, 2009). "'Glee's' high and low notes: Lea Michele's Rachel". Zap2it. Retrieved 07 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Flandez, Raymund (September 23, 2009). ""Glee" Season 1, Episode 3: TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (September 24, 2009). "Glee: "Preggers" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (December 10, 2009). "Glee Watch: Getting What You Want". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- ^ Linder, Brian (November 4, 2009). "Glee: The Music - Vol. 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved 05 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Linder, Brian (December 8, 2009). "Glee: The Music, Vol. 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 09 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c d "Glee Cast". acharts.us. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ a b "Discography Glee Cast - Australia". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2009-10-27.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19th October 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 30th November 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 5th October 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 26th October 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2nd November 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ a b "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 9th November 2009" (pdf). Pandora Archive. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
