Revisiting Glee: Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz Reflect on Their Late Co-Stars Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera
During a recent guest appearance on the podcast How Rude, Tanneritos!, hosted by Full House stars Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber, Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz shared their poignant experiences of watching Glee again. The duo, who portrayed Artie and Tina in the beloved musical dramedy, revealed that rewatching Ryan Murphy’s iconic series for their own podcast, And That’s What You REALLY Missed, turned out to be an unexpectedly “healing and therapeutic” journey. This experience allowed them to reflect on the incredible performances of their late friends, Cory Monteith, who tragically passed away from an overdose in 2013 during the filming of season 4, and Naya Rivera, who died in an accidental drowning seven years later.
“I have grown to appreciate their immense talent even more, alongside the love I have for the amazing individuals they were,” Ushkowitz expressed, highlighting the deep emotional connection they felt towards Monteith and Rivera. “For Cory, in particular, we had to navigate our grief while still filming the show, which made it a complex situation as we moved forward without him.” This reflection showcases the profound impact that their late co-stars had on both the show and the cast’s personal lives.
“Certain moments can be particularly challenging, especially when considering the storylines or the songs that they perform,” McHale added thoughtfully. “It truly is a gift to be able to revisit this content and witness so many moments that showcase how wonderful they were as individuals. The essence of their personalities shines through in every performance, reminding us of their lasting legacies.”
McHale further elaborated on their decision to rewatch Glee, noting that he and Ushkowitz had initially planned to do so on a different podcast, Showmance, but had to abandon that project after Rivera’s untimely death at the age of 33. This tragic incident occurred while she was on a boating trip with her then-4-year-old son, Josey. Authorities later concluded that Rivera likely sacrificed her own safety to ensure her son’s return to the boat after they had enjoyed a swim, which adds a layer of heroism to her already inspiring legacy.
Even prior to Rivera’s passing, McHale admitted that watching Monteith’s scenes as the lovable jock-turned-show-choir member Finn Hudson was a challenging experience for him. “It was genuinely hard for me to watch Cory,” he recalled. “Before this rewatch, I found it difficult to even listen to the songs he performed, but seeing those moments again has really helped me process my feelings and memories.”
“When Naya left us, we reached a point where we felt that we couldn’t continue with our plans anymore,” McHale reflected. “It was a devastating moment for us, and we ultimately decided to end the show.” This illustrates the profound emotional toll that the deaths of their friends had on the cast and crew, affecting their ability to continue producing content.
As McHale and Ushkowitz revisited the prospect of a Glee rewatch podcast, they were determined to shape And That’s What You REALLY Missed—which debuted in September 2022—as a heartfelt “celebration” of the lives and talents of their dearly missed friends. Ushkowitz emphasized that going back through the episodes allowed her to extend more “grace” to the cast and crew regarding how the show’s plotlines became “off the rails” shortly after Monteith’s passing. They paid tribute to him in a memorable season 4 episode titled “The Quarterback,” which resonated deeply with fans and cast alike.
Tune in to hear McHale and Ushkowitz’s full discussion on the podcast How Rude, Tanneritos! by listening to the episode below.
