This season’s most unexpected success story, Glee is snarky, theatrical, totally addictive — and a cult phenomenon on its way to becoming a national obsession. The comedy is currently averaging a steady 8 million viewers a week, and the people watching are enviably young: Five million of its viewers are in the desirable 18–49 demo. (It’s little wonder that in September, Fox made Glee the first new fall series to be given a full 22-episode pickup.) Meanwhile, fans are staying engaged even after the episodes are over by downloading the cast’s newest cover tunes. More than 1.7 million Glee songs have been sold since May, and that’s after only seven episodes. “I thought it would be a huge project, but I didn’t know it would be this big,” says Rob Stringer, chairman of Columbia/Epic, Glee’s label. “The public appetite for this music is incredibly intense.” Adds the comedy’s co-creator Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), “It seems to have transcended just being a television show to moving into other cultural areas.”
The number of die-hard Glee fans — or “Gleeks,” as they call themselves — is bound to grow early next year, when episodes will follow American Idol. The young cast of newcomers is already beginning to see the effects of Glee mania. “I was at Disneyland yesterday — big mistake,” says Chris Colfer, who plays gay fashionista Kurt. “I might as well have walked around with a target on my shirt, because those are our fans. I stopped and took pictures probably 40 times in between rides. This one lady got a picture of me on the Tower of Terror and had me sign it.” Says co-creator Brad Falchuk, “I keep getting e-mails and phone calls and running into people at parties just telling me the show makes them feel happy.”
For more on Glee — including scoop on upcoming episodes, a spotlight on the hilarious Jane Lynch (Coach Sue), and an inside look at Glee’s budding musical empire—pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands Friday, October 23.
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I find myself liking more than I should.
So glad Glee got a cover, but man, is that cover ugly! What one earth has been going on with your covers lately, EW? They’re either lazy or downright hideous!
What is EW doing in general lately?
EW is my favorite non-gaming magazine, yet they really have taken a step down in quality lately and their incessant coverage of shows from the CW has me questioning their credibility.
Nothing like overdone corporate synergy can sully a once great magazine.
I am glad to see them covering such a popular show though- I just wish they would quit always using close-up shot covers with a ton of negative space.
Hahahahahaha — “non gaming magazine.” Oh, Fran, you’re hilarious.
Glee is on FOX, not the CW.
I was talking about the cover, the CW thing is an additional gripe.
The hour does go by quickly and I find myself re-watching each episode a couple of times because there are so many great throwaway moments you miss out the first time around. I’m turned off by the Teri pregnancy storyline, they need to wrap that up fast because the Schuster household scenes are a drag. Kurt needs to get his own solo ASAP.
Glee does make feel incredibly happy. Jane Lynch is brilliant, especially in last week’s episode, her performance was amazing.
mscisluv–I agree, the cover is terrible. What are they holding? White balls? And why is Rachel biting her finger and looking sideways? This cover is conceptually bad and ugly indeed. They deserve a better cover!
I think you nailed it! The pregnancy story really does drag the whole thing down. Maybe we will come back after it is over and catch up on the shows we missed later!
*shrug* I think the cover is cute.
My wife and I gave up on Glee. It was a good show, but an hour long? Really?
That show has 30 minutes of a good show, and 30 minutes of boring and unfunny filler.
I’m loving this show! For me, the hour goes by WAY too quickly.
And just remember, you’re only getting about 40 minutes of show, so that’s 30 minutes of a good show, 10 minutes of what you call filler, and 20 minutes of commercials.
Is it just me, or do there seem to be more and more commercials every week?
I felt like there were a million commercials last night.
If it is not filler, then what do you call it?
I think Fran’s problem shows with the fact that he mentioned gaming magazines.Short Attention Span! Know wonder an hour seems like such a long time
Oops, I used the wrong form of “No” in my last comment. “no” not “know”
the hour passes to quickly for me too!! i like the Puck and Rachel twist! and i LOOOOOOOOOVE the songs! i count the days till the next episode im super addicted to it!!
PROB NOT 4 YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC … MAYBE THE SHOW FOR YOU IS PTL OR ONE OF THOSE RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE PROGRAMS
Fran, what you consider to be filler is just stuff that doesn’t happen to appeal to you. To the rest of us who enjoy all aspects of the show, it’s just something else to smile at.
LMAO!!!
It is awesome how Jack assumes to know my taste in shows… AND HIS CAPS BUTTON IS STUCK.
Well, apparently it is National Capslock Day. That has to be the reason he chose ALL CAPS.
I’m glad the show is getting more attention – but the more attention it gets, the more attention the show’s faults will get. And while I really enjoy the show, it isn’t without faults. The singing is often WAY overproduced (last night was particularly glaring) and the story structure is weak. There are usually four or five stories with only a couple getting any breathing room and the rest playing like highlights of a story. And character consistency – getting better, but still finding it’s way. AND stuff is moving way too fast in terms of relationships. I’m just afraid of more eyes means more bad reviews which means less eyes in the long run.
Excellent comment. I agree with some of these points, esp. character consistency. I increasingly find myself wondering, “Really? He/she just did/said that? That sure doesn’t seem like something they’d do/say…” Case in point: Mercedes falling for Kurt several episodes ago? Come. On.
Also, as for the overproduction of the songs. I find myself terribly distracted watching the lip syncing. And can’t they tweak the sound to better match singing in an open room? Despite all of these little flaws I’m still really enjoying the season. Sometimes it gets a little TOO ridiculous (football players’ “Single Ladies” comes quickly to mind), but I’m usually able to suspend my disbelief for the whole hour.
It’s a feel good show that manages to not take itself too seriously and serves up plenty of snarkiness. Point blank, Glee makes me happy.. I was practically bouncing in my seat last night while grinning like an idiot. I am a Gleek and proud of it.
Glee is now the highlight of my TV week. Brad Falchuk said it best…the show just makes me feel happy.
Let’s be honest – Glee isn’t an unexpected success story. Fox pushed it really hard – premiering it after American Idol last spring, making the songs available for download, sending the cast on a mini-tour this summer. The whole “cult” thing was manufactured by Fox. Freaks & Geeks was a cult classic because no one watched it, there was no advertising, and it was only after it was canceled that everyone discovered it and fell in love.
I like Glee, but the relentless adulation – which ignores some of the significant problems with the show – is turning me off.
A show that is this out of the ordinary and becomes widely embraced is still an unexpected success story. Do you believe every show that is marketed succeeds? Hardly. This show is like nothing else currently on television.
Agreed. So many shows get pushed really hard and just tank. Fox did a great job making everyone aware of the show, but the show needed to deliver, and it has.
Considering all I heard back in the spring was how Glee was the new show to watch– by critics– and the relentless promotion by Fox, it is not an unexpected success. In fact, I would have been shocked if it wasn’t picked up for a full season. You can say it’s not like anything else on TV, which it isn’t, but that doesn’t have anything to do with expectations about it before it aired.
Other shows have been promoed to death only to die a quick and miserable death. I’m thinking that show with Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen a few years back, that was promoed to death only to air a few times before being cancelled. There was also a major network show with Jeff Goldblum a couple of years ago that was heavily promoted only to die a quick and agonizing death. I think the difference with Glee is that the promos they aired actually made you anxious to watch vs. the promos of the aforementioned programs. The promotion of Glee should be a textbook example of how to do it right.
I didn’t really like the first few episodes, but I had so many friends encouraging me to stick with it, so I kept watching. I’m glad I did! The songs keep getting better, and the in-between banter and (messy) relationships have become more interesting, funny, and engaging. I now am a total Gleek!
I LOVE WEDNESDAYS!! SYTYCD and then Glee. What a combo. I hope Glee stays around for a long time.
Why isn’t Jane Lynch on the cover? She is the No. 1 reason people watch.
Sorry, no. The reason people watch is the music. She is a great bonus though.
I am all about Jane Lynch — she is the best part of the show for me. The music is a close 2nd.
I like Jane Lynch but her character is becoming totally annoying, I find myself more drawn to Matt Morrison then anyone or anything else.
Matthew Morrison is the reason I watch.Will/Emma story. The music is the other reason I watch. Great. fun show.
I watch for Kurt
I heart Glee!!!!
where is Jane Lynch?
My only concern here is, if it becomes an international sensation (Canadians love it, too!), then when season two starts, almost nothing will be “good enough” in the minds of half the fan base.
“Oh, Season Two isn’t as good as Season One…this show sucks now, blah, blah, blah…”
And yes, I totally agree that Jane Lynch should be on the cover, too.
Sue Sylvester is probably the greatest Antagonist in prime time right now.
<—— Proud 56 yr old Gleek!
I am so gleek! I love watching the show and listening to the music. The great combination of humor and music just makes me so happy.
Seriously? The most unexpected success story? Everyone I knew thought this would be a hit after the pilot aired in spring. But now it’s just gotten caught up in its own sappy melodrama. It’s less about the Glee club and more about the fake baby (snore), Emma and Ken’s marriage (boring), and the over-complicated relationships of all the teens (I watched this show because it WASN’T Degrassi). And how many scenes did Jane Lynch have last night? Two? She wasn’t even given any funny lines. I say the comedy has gone down the drain, and it’s sad to see a show that was good at first fall down a slippery slope to mediocrity. Screw this. I’m watching Modern Family, which is consistently funny, by the way.
“You know what I’ll do? I will go to the animal shelter and get you a kitty cat. I will let you fall in love with that kitty cat. And then on some dark, cold night I will steal away into your home and punch you in the face!”
Not an actual threat, just one of Jane Lynch’s lines. You may not find it funny, but her delivery was perfect IMO. And the image of her in the zoot suit. Priceless.
The swing dance scene and the zoot suit were both genius! I howled!
I love love LOVE the art direction of your recent covers. So clean and striking. It let’s the image tell the story…and looks so different than everything else out there! Bravo.
Plus, anytime you can show Lea Michelle, rawr!!
WHEN IS JANE LYNCH GOIN TO SING!?
The person with the finger in it’s mouth needs to get it’s nose fixed. Fugly.
“Its,” not “it’s.”
Also, there’s nothing wrong with HER nose.
Also, you’re an intolerant moron.
Thanks for (and apologies about) the spelling correction.
But I beg to differ otherwise, its nose is enormous. Profile shots of it are hilarious!
I’m not intolerant or a moron, just have a different point-of-view. Judging from your post, I’d suggest YOU are the intolerant one.
Her nose is fine. People aren’t supposed to be cookie cutter perfect. Get over it. I’m sure you’re far from perfect.
Lea is beautiful.
You are an idiot.
What does the actress who plays quinn say?
Glee brings me such joy every week. I can’t wait to buy the CD and the DVDs. Thanks, Ryan Murphy and cast and crew.
I just watched that video of Amber and Cory. Amber had the most amazing reaction to finding out that Cory had his ears pierced.
It’s a fun show. I wish they would focus on some of the great secondary characters too, like the wheelchair guy…and we still don’t know anything about some of the other members.
As much as I like Glee, there are 2 things I wish they’d change: 1) Stop making Lea Michele’s Rachel so annoying! She can sing, but boy, she’s so incredibly irritating! Says a lot when I’m rooting for Quinn more than the supposed underdog; and 2) Finn has a lousy voice. There, I said it. He’s a great character, but stop giving him so many songs! His thin voice isn’t that great to listen to, especially next to power singer Lea.
This show makes my heart happy! It’s just fun and unlike anything out there right now. I’m just happy to see FOX putting so much interest into it- it was a risky show and they’ve done a good job with it. And THANK YOU for putting pics of the whole cast in the magazine…except, did I not see Emma?? LOVE HER.
I am a die hard GLEEK and I can hardly wait for Wednesday nights! I find it quite amusing that SOME people feel the need to bash Lea’s looks instead of admitting her immense talent! It reminds me to all of the people who bashed a young Bette Midler or a young Barbra Streisand…..I don’t care who you are the girl can sing!
As for the for the complaints that the show is over the top….ummmm yeah it supposed to be campy and fun. When it stars taking itself to seriously no one will want it anymore.
I adore Jane Lynch. How many of us walked around saying “These kids should be hobbled” the day after she spoke it? Last night watching her come to life and swing dancing was priceless!
Oh my god please don’t tell me you actually put “the gay kid” on the cover of your magazine. *facepalm*
The singing is fun, but let’s face it, the plotlines are pretty terrible so far. I’m kind of reminded of the OC and Nip/Tuck — I’m afraid the show will be totally burned out by its over-the-top plotlines by the 2nd season.
Indeed. It’s not a mediocre show. All of the quality material goes directly to Jane Lynch, who is deserving of a far more interesting vehicle than this.
“The gay kid”? Seriously?
?? …I presume somebody needs to catch up with glee previous episodes. “From the top”. “Stat”!
Can we give Jane Lynch the Emmy now?
Agreed!