In a heartfelt discussion, former Glee stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz opened up about their recent experiences rewatching the series, especially honoring their late co-stars, Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera.
Appearing on the podcast How Rude, Tanneritos! alongside hosts Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber, they spoke candidly about their emotional journey as they revisit their beloved musical dramedy through their podcast And That’s What You REALLY Missed.
Jenna shared that watching the show again was unexpectedly soothing and insightful. “It was really surprising and therapeutic in many ways,” she remarked, reflecting on the unique perspective they gained after taking some space from the show. “Both Kevin and I had lower expectations for the later seasons, and we actually ended up really enjoying the experience.”
Tragically, Cory Monteith, known for his role as Finn, passed away due to an overdose in 2013 during the production of season 4, while Naya Rivera, who portrayed the dynamic cheerleader Santana, lost her life in a boating accident in 2020.
Kevin shared that the duo had initially tried to rewatch Glee for another project called Showmance but halted after Naya’s passing. “After Naya’s death, we stopped because it was just too difficult. I took a long time before I could even bear to see Cory on screen again,” he admitted. Watching the show during this current podcast iteration has provided a helps them cope.
Setting clear intentions when they started this new podcast was crucial for McHale and Ushkowitz. They wanted it to be a celebration not only of their friends’ talents but also of the joy and lessons their time together imparted.
Reflecting on the emotional weight of the storylines and performances, Kevin said, “While there are tough moments to relive, it’s truly a gift to see how these incredible individuals shone in their roles.” The experience and reflection have turned out to be surprising, as they delved deeper into their experiences together. “Some episodes hit harder than others, but it’s a bittersweet joy to watch their performances again.”
Jenna emphasized how this revisiting has deepened her appreciation for not just the performances but the people they were. “We had to face our loss while we were filming, and that makes everything so much more complicated. It’s a lot to process.” She pointed out how necessary it has been for fans to also experience this healing together.
Ushkowitz found herself viewing the cast’s dynamic very differently now, especially after the loss of Monteith. “I learned to be more forgiving of the storytelling decisions made following his passing. The energy was definitely ‘off the rails’ after that.” She advocated for compassion towards themselves and their colleagues because of what they were all going through at the time.
As they delve into their memories with the show, both McHale and Ushkowitz noted that this revisiting has helped them articulate their emotions connected to past experiences, revealing just how meaningful this project has been for them.
