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Fox Gives Glee a Full Season Pickup
Fans of the new hit show Glee can rejoice as Fox announced it has ordered a full season of the musical comedy series about a teacher trying to save the McKinley High glee club from falling into obscurity, while also helping its members realize their true potential as entertainers. More song and dance if you click the jump.
The show had initially received a 13 episode order from Fox, but Fox Broadcasting Company President Kevin Reilly will extend the series to a full 22 episodes. Glee has only aired its first 3 episodes, but it’s already making a splash with the American public with its lighthearted underdog storyline, energetic song and dance numbers, and a likeable and able cast which includes a hefty mix of relative newcomers like Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, and Amber Riley; as well as crafty comic veterans like Jane Lynch, and Stephen Tobolowsky amongst many other members of the extensive cast. The show has also garnered a few guest stars, like Josh Groban, who in Episode 3 (titled “Acafellas”) displays his own comic ability in the closing minutes. Few things made me laugh harder that day than hearing Josh Groban speak in the diva-like 3rd person. In fact, the only thing I can recall laughing at more was Jane Lynch telling her cheerleaders to smell their armpits.
The fourth episode airs this Wednesday, September 23rd at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, and despite me not particularly being the show’s target audience, I have been entertained and impressed thus far, and am happy to hear I’ll get the opportunity to experience more. Here’s the full press release:
FOX SINGS PRAISES OF “GLEE” WITH FULL-SEASON PICKUP
FOX has ordered a full season of the critically acclaimed comedy GLEE, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company.
“The response we’ve received to GLEE has been remarkable,” said Reilly. “It’s already got the makings of a cultural phenomenon. I’ve seen all 13 episodes, and Ryan Murphy, his team and the talented GLEE cast have knocked our socks off with their incredible work. We’re happy to pick up this gem of a show, and can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the rest of the season.”
“It’s fantastic to be the first show picked up and that this underdog series, like its characters, will get the chance to keep singing,” said series co-creator/executive producer Ryan Murphy. “There are so many more stories to tell. We’re grateful for the incredible passion shown by everyone involved - the unbelievable fans, the cast, crew, our partners at the network and studio and even music artists and labels.”
In the next episode of GLEE, airing Wednesday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Kurt (Chris Colfer) takes center stage when he tries out for the football team in order to impress his dad. Sandy (guest star Stephen Tobolowsky) and Sue (Jane Lynch) join forces to carry out their plans for disbanding the Glee Club. Meanwhile, Quinn (Dianna Agron) and Finn’s (Cory Monteith) relationship is tested when they receive some life-changing news.
GLEE, the genre-defying new musical comedy series, follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High’s Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential. The critically acclaimed series stars Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley and Mark Salling. Guest stars this season include Victor Garber, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth and Eve.
During its preview and throughout the summer, more than 25 million people sampled the first episode of GLEE. The Sept. 9 premiere of GLEE was FOX’s highest-rated fall scripted new series premiere in three years among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and Teens. In fact, during its first week this season, over 15 million viewers watched GLEE’s fall premiere episode. Additionally, the show has attracted over 300,000 obsessed fans on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, and after only three episodes, six of the songs featured on GLEE have already made it into iTunes’ Top 100 Downloads.
GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers, while Ian Brennan serves as co-executive producer.
