Gleeky

Britney Spears may have high-kicked Glee to its highest ratings of all time this week, but a little-known secret is this:

This coming Tuesday, Glee has someone even bigger appearing on the show—Shhhh!—in what many are calling the best episode yet of the entire series.

I just spoke with Glee mastermind Ryan Murphy and here’s the huge, supersecret guest-star reveal:

GOD.

Yes, the big G-man is front and center in Glee’s “Grilled Cheesus” episode, which is a provocative, emotional (you will cry) and sometimes hilarious look at faith and spirituality—representing multiple points of view with heart and humor. (The catalyst is that Finn discovers the face of Jesus burned into his grilled cheese sandwich.)

It’s arguably Glee’s most controversial episode yet—and according to Murphy, brings this season’s major story arc front and center.

“The core of the show is really about tolerance,” Murphy explains. “I think that’s the legacy of Glee more than anything else. So as we began the year we were very conscious of that. Last year the throughline was about teenage pregnancy. And the throughline this year is really about Kurt (Chris Colfer) and his feelings about tolerance, not only in high school and in the world, but also the ripple effect it has on everybody around him.”

In this Tuesday’s episode, Kurt struggles to accept the religious beliefs of those around him while dealing with some serious issues of his own. “[Tolerance] is a very powerful thing to write about,” Murphy adds, “because this week alone three gay teenagers have killed themselves and committed suicide, and we just got asked today to do a PSA on it because it’s becoming such an epidemic because of the bullying.”

Passionate discussion of dueling religious beliefs is not exactly common fare for prime time, and Murphy credits Fox for believing in this “throwback.” “When I was growing up,” he says, “I was very inspired by all of the Norman Lear episodes. Like on Maude and All in the Family, which were comedies, he would write about socially relevant issues, be it rape or abortion, and suddenly they don’t do that anymore…Everybody at Fox that I’ve spoken to says this is their favorite episode that we’ve ever done, and they’re all very moved by it and proud of it…It’s an odd episode where I think that both Democrats and Republicans could watch together, and at the end of it say ‘I agree with it.’”

So now that we know Kurt’s story arc is the major throughline for the new season, how about we clear up the conflicting rumors that either Chord Overstreet (Sam) or newcomer Darren Everett Criss (Blaine) will play his new love interest?

Hope you’re on your knees because…Praise “Grilled Cheesus!” Finally, an answer!

“It’s definitely not Chord,” Ryan tells me of Kurt’s love interest. “It’s not Chord. And the new character [Darren Criss] is certainly an option. I’m not sure how soon I want to [reveal] that information. because it’s such a big storyline of the year—I want there to be some surprises. But Darren has a major, major arc. He sort of becomes Kurt’s mentor and then maybe love—he had to leave his own school because of bullying and goes to an all-boys academy and finds acceptance because that school has a no-bullying, zero-tolerance policy. So Kurt really admires him and respects him. He plays someone who’s one year older than Chris’ character, so he’s the old pro.”

And in case you hadn’t heard, Darren’s now a clean-cut pro, too! When I (jokingly) asked if Darren Criss recently chopped off all his long, moppy locks because the budget couldn’t support enough hair gel for him and Matthew Morrison, Ryan audibly gasped:

“What?! I have not heard this! Did he really cut off all his hair? He did not do that for the show! But we cast Darren for his exceptional voice and talent, so if he shows up with a bald head, I guess I’ll have to make it work…As for Matthew, you know, he just uses Lubriderm, so that won’t break the bank.” Love. It.

This was part one of my interview with Ryan. Stand by for part deux, with more scoop on the relationships, returning guest stars and more—and don’t forget to tune in this Tuesday for Glee’s most emotional episode yet. Let it be said now (‘cause everyone will be saying it then): Chris Colfer’s performance will knock the wind out of you.

(source)

Gwyneth Paltrow is gearing up for her Glee debut - and now, writer/creator Ryan Murphy is opening up about the role Gwyn will play!

The actress, who celebrates her 38th birthday TODAY (September 27) will play a substitute teacher who Matt Morrison’s charcter falls for,” Ryan dished to Us Weekly, adding, “She will be doing 3 or 4 solos.”

As for how the partnership came about, Ryan shared, “She is a friend of mine and I admire her…I said, ‘If I write a part for you, will you do it?’ And she said, ‘Yes!’”

FYI: Ryan and Gwyn worked together on 2006’s Running with Scissors.

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/09/27/gwyneth-paltrow-glee-episode-details/

The plot surrounding who’ll be playing Kurt’s first boyfriend on Glee is thickening: Actor-singer-songwriter Darren Criss—best known to TV audiences as Matt Dallas’ bro on Eastwick—has landed the much-talked-about new gay role on the Fox phenom.

But will he have eyes for Kurt? Maybe. Maybe not. Allow me to explain…

Per a Glee source, Criss’ character, Blaine—a cute and charismatic gay student from a rival Glee club named the Dalton Academy Warblers—will maintain a strictly platonic friendship with McKinley High’s most out and proud pupil. But could that change as the season progresses? Yes, it could.

Sounds to me like series creator Ryan Murphy is keeping his options open.

Ever since Murphy announced that Kurt would be getting a love interest in season 2, speculation about the identity of his suitor has run rampant. The casting of pretty boy Chord Overstreet led some to speculate that his quarterback character Sam would play that role, a theory Chris Colfer all but shot down when he informed us that there’s no sign of romantic tension between Sam and Kurt in the first four episodes. “Maybe it is too obvious,” he theorized. “Our writers have a way of avoiding the obvious and throwing curveballs.”
In addition to his TV work, Criss has built quite a Web following as a member of the University of Michigan theater company Team StarKid. The group’s spoof, A Very Potter Musical, went viral and turned Criss (who plays the title role) into a bit of an Internet star.

Thoughts? Do you think Criss, Overstreet, or a third yet-to-be-cast actor will turn out to be Kurt’s BF? Speculate away in the comments section. But first, check out the following video Criss submitted to Glee during the show’s open casting call this summer.

Source: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/09/26/darren-criss-glee-kurt-boyfriend/

As if the highly anticipated return of Fox’s Glee tomorrow night weren’t giddy-good enough, I can now confirm to you this fantastic casting news: Gwyneth Paltrow is coming on the show!

She’s going to sing. And dance. And many of you fans are going to completely freak out when you hear who she’ll be playing:

A love interest of sorts for Matthew Morrison’s character, Will Schuester.

According to rock-solid Glee sources, Gwyneth will play a substitute teacher in two episodes airing in November. Mr. Schuester gets sick, so Gwyneth’s character steps in and takes over the glee club. The kids love her, and Will starts to fall for her…complicating his relationship with Emma (Jayma Mays).

[We’ll pause while you diehard Will and Emma fans breathe into a paper bag.]

Gwyneth also sings in a movie called Country Strong, which opens in December and is already garnering strong Oscar buzz. And of course, she’s no stranger to the Academy Awards, having already won one, along with that other Glee guest star who is in the works: Javier Bardem.

Hear that? It’s the sound of Sue Sylvester body-slamming a student into a locker upon hearing that someone more famous than her coming to McKinley High. Of course, everyone else has good cause to celebrate with some serious jazz hands, ‘cause Glee’s second season just keeps sounding better and better. I’ve seen tomorrow night’s premiere episode and can tell you it does not disappoint.

Anyone else looking forward to Glee’s return? And what do you think about Gwyneth sharing some screen time with Matthew? Jayma, girl, time to take off your earrings…


Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b201317_gwyneth_paltrow_coming_glee_you_wont.html#ixzz106IcoNAJ

Question: Glee returns in two weeks! Got anything new? —Timothy
Ausiello: The show wastes no time showing off Chord Overstreet’s, um, impressive body of work. When we first meet his possibly gay football-jock character, Sam, in the premiere, he’s in the shower singing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” For his part, Chris Colfer believes that scene is proof positive that Sam will not turn out to be Kurt’s BF. “After seeing the episode, I feel like it’s not going to happen because all the girls are going to fall in love with him and they’re not going to want to see [him with Kurt],” he says. “And I don’t want to be the guy girls hate. I’m the gay guy the girls love. I don’t want to become the target. I don’t want the letters that say, ‘Kurt needs to get off our man. Stop kissing our boyfriend.’ Young girls can be vicious. I don’t want to know how Kristen Stewart feels. I don’t want to be the Bella of the Glee world. I like being the guy everyone likes.” Colfer adds that there’s no sign of romantic tension between Sam and Kurt in the first four episodes. “Maybe it is too obvious,” he theorizes. “Our writers have a way of avoiding the obvious and throwing curveballs.” BONUS GLEE SCOOP: Someone’s going to the slammer!

Question: I heard a rumor that Terri will date Principal Figgins on Glee this season. Please say it’s not true. Team Twill FTW! —Rion
Ausiello: According to Terri’s portrayer, Jessalyn Gilsig, it’s “definitely not” true. Gilsig does confirm that the former Mrs. Schuester will “get into a relationship of some kind that brings her around the glee club and the school, but I’m not at liberty to say who.” Guesses? Hit the comments! More fun games!

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You don’t have to wait until Sept. 21 to see what’s in store on season 2 of Fox’s hit musical “Glee.” At the premiere in Hollywood on Tuesday, TheWrap got the scoop on the new characters, rivalries and drama that will rock McKinley High’s beleaguered New Directions glee club.

Beware spoilers.  (Gleeky’s note: this article basically outlines the entire first episode! Only click Read More if you want to be totally spoiled.)

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