‘Glee’ Stars Reflect on Controversial ‘Previously Unaired Christmas’ Episode: ‘It Felt Like Being Controversial for the Sake of It’

‘Glee’ Stars Reflect on Controversial ‘Previously Unaired Christmas’ Episode: ‘It Felt Like Being Controversial for the Sake of It’

At this festive time of year, Glee alums Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz are revisiting one of the series’ most polarizing episodes, “Previously Unaired Christmas,” and reflecting on its bizarre and controversial nature.

During a recent episode of their rewatch podcast, And That’s What You REALLY Missed, the former castmates discussed their mixed feelings about the season 5 episode, which aired on December 5, 2013.

The episode, introduced by Jane Lynch’s character Sue Sylvester, was framed as a previously unaired (and allegedly too problematic) installment that Fox had decided to release after a recut. The plot was filled with campy nods to Christmas traditions, from a living nativity scene to mall elf antics, with Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and the late Naya Rivera donning colorful, tight-fitting costumes.

A Love-Hate Relationship with the Numbers

Jenna Ushkowitz, who played Tina, shared her thoughts on one of the episode’s performances: a rendition of “Mary’s Boy Child” (originally by Harry Belafonte), performed by her character alongside Unique (Alex Newell) and Marley (Melissa Benoist).

“It was like you had to commit so hard, because it was so bad,” Ushkowitz said, laughing. “That’s what I felt like in this number.”

Kevin McHale, who played Artie, had a slightly different take.

“I don’t think it’s supposed to be bad,” McHale noted. “It’s supposed to be controversial. But bad can be good when it’s funny, and I didn’t think this was good. This just felt like being controversial for the sake of it.”

Despite her initial disdain for the performance, Ushkowitz found humor in the absurdity. “I hated this song so much… hated everything in this episode,” she admitted. “But watching it now, it’s ridiculous, and it’s so funny to me. I couldn’t stop laughing during ‘Mary’s Boy Child.’ I hated the number and didn’t want to be there, but I had fun doing it because the stakes were so low at that point. It was offensive. We knew this. I’m glad it gave people some laughter.”

McHale’s Breaking Point

For McHale, the episode marked a personal low point during his time on the show. He described the filming of the living nativity scene as particularly trying, due to a combination of exhaustion and an allergic reaction to his fake mustache.

“My mustache was causing some sort of allergic reaction, and I was itchy and upset,” McHale said. “It was late at night, and I wasn’t proud of how I handled it. I just remember thinking, ‘What are we doing?’”

Despite the challenges, both actors can now laugh at the chaos.

A Controversial Legacy

The “Previously Unaired Christmas” episode has since become a memorable part of Glee’s legacy for its over-the-top humor and controversial elements. While Ushkowitz and McHale agree it wasn’t their favorite episode, they stayed with the show through its conclusion in 2015, continuing to bring Glee’s mix of comedy, drama, and music to its devoted fans.

Looking back, the episode may not have been a critical high point, but its sheer absurdity ensures it remains a topic of discussion among fans and cast members alike.

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