The Fox Network recently announced that the cast of Glee will perform live in a few select American cities this spring. Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, and the rest will first take to the stage May 18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

What took Fox so long?

With the popularity of Glee as high as it is, it’s a surprise that Fox hasn’t turned the franchise into a Saturday morning cartoon, an amusement park, and a Forex trading platform.

As it is, it’s taken the fourth network nearly a year to turn the hit musical dramedy into a live event (i.e. money printing machine).

This spring Glee fans, or as Land of Punt calls them “Glans,” will be able to experience their favorite singing 30-year-olds posing as high schoolers in comfort of their nearby theatre and/or music hall.

Now, if you think Phoenix is an odd place to start a huge tour like this just remember that the capital city of Arizona is now the fifth most populated in America.

Cha-ching.

After P-town, Glee Live In Concert plays at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on May 20 and 21.

From there it’s the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago for shows on May 25 and 26.

Finally, the cast wraps up their four-city, seven-show tour with a two night stand at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on May 28 and 29. Does anyone smell a Regis and Kelly appearence?

Expect the full cast of “high schoolers” but do not expect Mr. Schuster or Sue Sylvester. The actors who play those characters, Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch, are not scheduled to appear.

“The response of the fans to our little show has been so immediate and so gratifying, we wanted to get out and thank them live and in person,” said show creator Ryan Murphy. “And what show lends itself more to a concert than ‘Glee’? We can’t wait to take this show on the road and the actors couldn’t be more excited to perform live for audiences in these four cities.”

The sentiment is lovely, but Land of Punt is dubious about the quality of the upcoming Glee concert tour. While we don’t doubt the awesomeness of seeing Heather Morris live, LOP thinks that this jaunt is nothing more than seven pain-in-the-a cappella engagements to the cast.

After all, being on an hour long drama is hard. Being on an hour long musical-drama is grueling. Throw a tour on top of that and you have a hospital-inducing, TMZ-headline-grabbing, topic-for-a-week-on-The-View, mental breakdown waiting to happen.

There will be no way these “kids” will be able to fully commit to a live show… unless they skip sleeping, eating and tweeting. And by “commit” we mean both physically, emotionally, mentally, and sartorially.

Therefore LOP predicts the reviews for “Glee Live in Concert” will fall along the lines of “hurried,” “incomplete,” “thrown together,” “could have been better,” and “was the tribute to Glenn Beck really necessary?”

Also will Kevin McHale perform in a wheelchair?

Scheduled To Appear

Lea Michele (Rachel)
Cory Monteith (Finn)
Amber Riley (Mercedes)
Chris Colfer (Kurt)
Kevin McHale (Artie)
Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina)
Mark Salling (Puck)
Dianna Agron (Quinn)
Naya Rivera (Santana)
Heather Morris (Brittany)
Harry Shum Jr. (Mike)
Dijon Talton (Matt)

Songs Likely To Be Performed

“Don’t Stop Believin”
“Somebody To Love”
“Jump”
“Don’t Rain on My Parade”
“Sweet Caroline.”

It has to be the biggest story of this young year. CBS‘ best midseason replacement, Rules of Engagement, has changed its opening credits!!!

In case you didn’t catch Fox News’ wall to wall coverage of the major upheaval, producers of the relationship-exploring sitcom added actor Adhir Kalyan to the show’s opening sequence.

Kalyan plays Russell Dunbar’s assistant, Timmy.

Like his fellow characters, Kalyan appears in the mammoth bed wearing pajamas. We repeat he’s wearing pajamas! The South African born actor is lying on his back with arms akimbo behind his head.

What a remarkable turn of events!

Kalyan appears after Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kaklich but before David Spade. In an obviously rendered image, Kalyan appears in the wide shot featuring the entire cast.

This is the second time television history has been made in 2010. First it was Super Bowl XLIV, which eclipsed the final episode of M*A*S*H as the most watched television program of all-time. Now, Rules of Engagement has changed their opening.

All this and it’s only March.

The following opening credit sequence is taken from the episode that aired March 1st, 2010.

On February 27th, 2010, Saturday Night Live aired an old school sketch “We Are The World 3: Raising Awareness of the ‘We Are The World 2′ Disaster.”

Land of Punt describes the sketch as old school not because it was culled from vast SNL catalog, but because it reminded us of the Saturday Night Live of yore, you know back when the show was funny.

“We Are The World 3: Raising Awareness of the ‘We Are The World 2′ Disaster” featured several cast members imitating famous pop, country, and rock stars in a spoof of “We Are The World.”

The sketch was ultimately ridiculing the recent “We Are The World” remake for Haitian relief.

While the sketch wasn’t knee-slappingly funny (it was actually riddled with mistakes), it was “fun” to watch all the impersonations. Even if the impersonations ranged from great, Nasim Pedrad’s Shakira, to awful, Will Forte’s Willie Nelson.

SNL used to rely on sketches like these, as well as impersonations, but now they are few and far between.

Sadly, the 35-year old comedy show is more concerned about “going viral” than writing some high quality spoofs.

Fred Armisen – Carlos Santana
Will Forte – Willie Nelson
Bill Hader – Eddie Veder
Andy Samberg – Josh Grobin
Jason Sudeikis – Adam Lambert
Kenan Thompson – Quincy Jones
Kristen Wiig – Gewn Stefani
Abby Elliott – Melissa Ethridge
Bobby Moynihan – David Crosby
Nasim Pedrad – Shakira
Jenny Slate – Lady Gaga
Jennifer Lopez – Rihanna

The indelible American Idol winner played “Tiffany,” a pharmaceutical sales representative who had “Ted” on the proverbial hook. She was really into Ted but couldn’t be with him “right now.”

The How I Met Your Mother appearance marked Underwood’s acting debut. Despite having to do most her scenes with the awful Josh Radnor, Underwood acting performance was solid. She lit up the small screen, was quite believable, and looked absolutely adorable, even next to the miniature pig.

Underwood certainly did something right Monday night because the eppy was the highest rated How I Met Your Mother of the season. Perhaps viewers knew that she wasn’t going to sing.

Her role was highlighted by numerous outfit and hair changes. During the show, thanks to a Barney Stintson history lesson, Underwood played a cave-girl, a nurse, and a flight attendant. Land of Punt can’t help but wonder if the plot was plucked from Mike Fisher’s fantasies.

It wasn’t. The episode was written by Kourtney Kang and directed by Pamela Fryman.

While CU and her outfits were awesome, the best part about “Hooked” was “Ted” apologizing for his behavior. Sure, he was only apologizing for his behavior in this particular episode, but LOP closed its eyes and pretended he was apologizing for his behavior throughout the entire series.

Underwood is about to embark on her second headlining tour of North America. The “Play On Tour” is scheduled to kick off March 11th in Reading, Pennsylvania.

No Doubt reunited in 2008 after a four year hiatus but minus a measly tour their reformation has been devoid of new material. That is until now.

The band has been working on a new album for a while (since 2008) but it appears they have finally discovered a muse.

“The last few weeks we’ve been listening to the worst of the 80s, in the sense of bad but good,” explained front woman Gwen Stefani.

“Pop songs, one-hit wonders, nifty songs, things like that. You just go back and find things that you love, and try to figure out how they made them.”

Wasn’t No Doubt always remaking bad 1980’s music?

It unclear if N.D. is going to release a cover album of bad 80’s tune, or just make an album inspired by bad 80’s music. And don’t forget the band had been working on some tracks not in the 80’s vain back when Stefani was preggers.

“They were doing stuff before, but things are kind of starting over, you know what I mean?”

Haven’t a clue.

“We might re-visit some of that stuff, but it’s the same old chase. It doesn’t matter how we get there – we want to get there, we will, and we’re having fun doing it.”

Land of Punt would pay money to hear a No Doubt album composed entirely of 1980’s covers. LOP likes the idea so much we’ve complied a track listing. Below are 20 songs from the 1980’s LOP would like to hear No Doubt cover…

1. “I know What Boys Like” – Waitresses
2. “I Can’t Wait” – Nu Shooz
3. “A Girl In Trouble (Is A Temporary Thing)” – Romeo Void
4. “99 Luftballons” – Nena
5. “Uncertain Smile” – The The
6. “Love Plus One” – Haircut 100
7. “Relax” – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
8. “Love Shack” – B-52’s
9. “Save It For Later” – The English Beat
10. “The Metro” – Berlin
11. “Too Shy” – Kajahgoogoo
12. “Situation” – Yaz
13. “Juxebox (Don’t Put Another Dime)” – The Flirts
14. “Just Got Lucky” – JoBoxers
15. “Dancing With Myself” – Billy Idol
16. “Tide is High” – Blonde
17. “The Politics of Dancing” – Re-Flex
18. “Only The Lonely” – The Motels
19. “Obession” – Animotion
20. “Walking In L.A.” – Missing Persons

The best part of How I Met Your Mother, one Mr. Neil Patrick Harris, will be making a guest appearance on Fox’s hit musical dramedy, Glee.

“I’m a huge fan of the show and the cast. I can’t wait to get on the set. I also hear their checks always clear,” is what NPH might have said had we the means to actually interview him.

Known for portraying awesome Barney Stintson on the CBS’ hit Monday night comedy How I Met Your Mother, NPH does have a little experience singing and dancing on the flat screen.

For How I Met Your Mother’s 100th episode, NPH performed a rousing musical number, “Nothing Suits Me LIke Suit,” that celebrated his character’s love of suits.

Another connection to the musical community: in 2009 NPH hosted the Tony Awards and finished the show singing a spoof of “Tonight” from West Side Story.

Details of NPH’s role have not been released. However, Land of Punt suggests NPH play Will Schuester’s brother, Sue Sylvester’s lover, or himself.

Regardless, Harris’ appearance on Glee should be legend… wait for it… dairy.

This article is indebted to TVGuide.com.

It’s unusual for Sir Paul McCartney to tour the United States in back-to-back years but that’s exactly what’s going to happen when he launches his “Up and Coming Tour” this spring.

Right now, the tour is set to kick off March 29 in Glendale, Arizona. From there McCartney is scheduled to perform in Los Angeles, Miami and Puerto Rico. McCartney has announced that more dates are pending. Sir Paul promises to visit unique venues and cities he hasn’t performed in for awhile.

For this road trip, Macca will be performing songs from every stage of his career: Beatles, Wings, and solo.

McCartney is a legend and we know all about his career, his trials, and tribulations.

Or do we?

Below are 20 interesting and lesser known facts about the most successful musician and composer in the history of music.

• Wings‘ 1977 single “Mull of Kintyre” is the UK’s top selling non-charity single of all-time.

• In 1995, McCartney directed a documentary about The Grateful Dead.

• McCartney has published a book of poems called Blackbird Singing.

• McCartney once hired three jets to distribute dry ice in the clouds above Winter Palace Square in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg. It was a successful attempt to stave off rain.

• McCartney is responsible for 32 number one singles on the U.S. Hot 100 chart.

• McCartney supports the football clubs Everton and Liverpool.

• McCartney’s MPL Communications owns the copyrights to Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease as well as every Buddy Holly song,

• In 1954, Paul McCartney met George Harrison on a bus.

• The second song Paul McCartney ever composed was “When I’m Sixty-Four.”

• “Yesterday” has been covered by over 3,500 artists and played more than 7,000,000 times on American radio and television.

• McCartney was on the tarmac at JFK during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

• After McCartney performed “Live and Let Die” on the UK’s X Factor, Simon Cowell said, “on behalf of all of us, you’re through to the next round.”

• In 2002, McCartney designed a series of half a dozen postage stamps for the Isle of Man. It’s believed that McCartney is the only major rock star to be a stamp designer.

• Joe McCartney, Paul McCartney’s grandfather, played an E-flat tuba.

• Paul McCartney and John Lennon seriously considered accepting Saturday Night Live’s offer of $3,000 to reunite The Beatles on their show. Paul and John decided against it because they were too tired.

• In 2005, McCartney released a children’s book called High In The Clouds: An Urban Furry Tail.

• McCartney is the only artist to have participated in UK number one singles as a soloist, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, and musical ensemble.

• For a time after Lennon’s assassination, McCartney stopped performing live out of fear that he would be “the next” to be murdered.

• McCartney’s first serious girlfriend was Dot Rhone.

• McCartney holds an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale University.

• McCartney is also the name of minor planet 4148. The planet was discovered in 1983 and named to honor the former Beatle.

What’s the difference between President Obama and the television musical-dramedy Glee? One hates Fox the other is on Fox.

What two things do President Obama and the cast of Glee have in common? Neither can govern and both will be celebrating Easter at the White House.

The cast of Glee has been invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to perform at the annual White House Easter Egg Hunt.

The event is scheduled for April 5 in Washington D.C.

This breaking news didn’t come from Brett Baier or the Drudge Report; it comes from even more reputable sources, Entertainment Weekly and E! Online.

Apparently the latter publication unearthed tweets by Glee cast members Kevin McHale (Wheels), Naya Rivera (Santana), and Amber Riley (Mercedes) all confirming the invitation.

CBS News is reporting that the first daughters, Malia and Sasha are big fans of the show which is set to return in April.

President’s Day was a boon to the Great White Way as several Broadway shows saw an increase in gate receipts.

Five musicals, including juggernauts Wicked and The Lion King, topped the million dollar mark. Joining them in seven-digit land are Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys and West Side Story.

Wicked was wickedly good at selling ducats, the prequel to Wizard of the Oz summited the $1.6 million plateau.

The quintet that rules Broadway’s box office are quite well-known. However, the bottom five are somewhat of a mystery. Therefore, Land of Punt decided to take a quick look at Broadway’s five stragglers.

• Looped – Valerie Harper stars as actress Tallulah Bankhead. It’s 1965 and this washed up, drunk must re-record or loop one line of dialogue.

• Next Fall – This play, written by Geoffrey Nauffs, looks at modern romance through a gay relationship that spans five years. It stars a bunch of actors you would recognize but couldn’t name.

• The Miracle Worker – Set in the 1880’s, the drama features Abigail Breslin as Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan as Alison Pill. Also appearing in this Kate Whoriskey directed play are Matthew Modine and Jennifer Morrison.

• Present Laughter – Victor Garber is Garry Essendine in this Noel Coward revival directed by Nicholas Martin. This “high comedy” is supposedly semiautobiographical. It’s a great time for one-liner enthusiasts and fans of ridiculous situations.

• Time Stands Still Check this cast out: Laura Linney, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Bogosian, and Brian d’Arcy James (Shrek). This play is about two war correspondents who are forced to deal with issues after suffering injuries on the front line.

Figures for the week ending February 21st, 2010:

LEADERS (By Gross)
1. Wicked ($1,602,783)
2. The Lion King ($1,454,918)
3. Billy Elliot ($1,190,501)
4. Jersey Boys ($1,145,918)
5. West Side Story ($1,087,016)

LOSERS (By Gross)
1. Looped ($122,265)***
2. Next Fall ($102,609)**
3. The Miracle Worker ($256,258)*
4. Present Laughter ($296,348)
5. Time Stands Still ($329,808)

LEADERS (By Capacity)
1. A View From the Bridge (101.52%)
2. Jersey Boys (100.42%)
3. Wicked (100%)
4. The Lion King (99.68%)
5. Time Stands Still (98.58%)

LOSERS (By Capacity)
1. Looped (59.77%)***
2. God of Carnage (68.46%)
3. Race (70.42%)
4. Next Fall (78.07%)**
5. South Pacific (80.46%)

Numbers courtesy of the Broadway League
* Number based on eight preview performances.
**Number based on seven preview performances.
***Number based on four preview performances.

They get you out of your seat. They elicit thunderous applause. They send shivers up and down your spine. They are called “showstoppers” and every Broadway musical endeavors to have one. However, only a select few can lay claim to having a legitimate put-people-on-their-feet, bring-down-the-house, show-stopping musical number.

Land of Punt looks at four of the best showstoppers to ever grace the boards on the Great White Way. Each of these classic songs have three things in common: they were originally performed by women, they all come at the end of Act I in their respective productions, and they all raise the human spirit to great new heights.

And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going
Dreamgirls
Lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger
Made famous by Jennifer Holliday

This showstopper appeared in the 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls. In the musical, the song is sung by the character ‘Efie” as her professional and romantic relationship with Curtis Taylor, Jr. comes to an end.

Oddly enough the song was a hit for two different “Jennifers.” Jennifer Holiday, who originated the role of “Efie” on Broadway, recorded a R&B version of song that went to number one in 1982.

More than 20 years later Jennifer Hudson, who played “Efie” in the movie, and won an academy award for her performance, released her own R&B version of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” Her rendition peaked inside the top 20.

The indelible Whitney Houston performed the song at the 1994 American Music Awards.

Don’t Rain On My Parade
Funny Girl
Lyrics by Bob Merrill and music by Jule Styne
Made famous by Barbra Streisand

The great Barbra Streisand performed this song in both the original 1964 theatrical production and the 1968 movie adaptation. The song is a standard in Ms. Streisand’s repertoire. And even though she didn’t write it, “Don’t Rain On My Parade” is her song.

The song has been covered by several artists including Bobby Darin and Liza Minnelli. Idina Menzel sang the song at the Kennedy Honors concert in tribute to Ms. Streisand. Lea Michele, in a goose-bump inducing performance, belted out the song in the 2009 fall finale of Fox’s hit television show Glee.

The song comes at a crucial time in the musical’s story where the character “Fanny” declares her intentions to marry “Nick Arnstein.”

Everything’s Coming Up Roses
Gypsy
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and music by Jule Styne,
Made famous by Ethel Merman

“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” was made famous by the legendary Ethel Merman. She sang it in the 1959 Broadway production of Gypsy. The musical, the role of “Gypsy Lee Rose” which Merman originated, and the song are all seminal in the history of musical theater.

Rosalind Russell sang the song in the 1962 film version and Better Midler sang it in 1993 television version. To further the song’s standing as fodder for Broadway royalty, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone performed the song, respectively, in the 2003 and 2008 Gypsy revivals.

The song’s placement in the show is quite ironic. Rose sings the song after her favorite daughter June runs away to elope. The song is also a pun. Besides “roses” meaning “good,” it also means everything is good when it’s done “Rose’s way.”

Defying Gravity
Wicked
Lyrics and music by Stephen Schwartz
Made famous by Idina Menzel

If this song doesn’t make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up than you’re not human. “Defying Gravity” is from the 2003 Broadway smash hit musical, Wicked. The song showcases Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, but Glinda and the citizens of Oz have parts as well.

The song comes at a point in the story when Elphaba realizes the Wizard of Oz isn’t the hero she was led to believe. With her expectations shattered, Elphaba vows to fight the Wizard and his evil plans.

In the production, the actress playing Elpaha is lifted into the air as she’s surrounded by smoke, wind and lighting effects. It’s quite a dramatic and awe-inspiring moment.

Idina Menzel originated the role of Elphaba and her rendition is obviously the definitive version. Since it’s a fairly new song, from a fairly new musical, at least compared to the three other songs on this list, there are not a lot of other versions for comparison. However, the song was performed on the aforementioned Glee. Sadly, Lea Michele had to share the singing duties with Chris Colfer.