A GLEE Spinoff? Fox Honchos Spill on the Status of the Graduating Seniors
January 8, 2012 by Kath Skerry
GLEE fans around the world were thrown into a tizzy when it was announced that fan favorite characters – Rachel, Finn and Kurt – were going to be graduating at the end of this season of the show. What was to become of their real life portrayers, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer? Would they be leaving the show?
Fans clung to the hopes of a spinoff, but show creator, Ryan Murphy, shot down the idea, in an apparent hissy fit over the reaction of the press and cast members.
But today there is new news. Although there aren’t any juicy details to spill, it was confirmed by Fox President Kevin Reilly that is a GLEE spinoff is not happening. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the last we’ve seen of the graduating seniors.
“We are graduating the characters,” Reilly told TV critics at today’s TCA panel. But he confirmed that graduation doesn’t mean that all the actors are leaving the show. As for how creatively they will be kept on board, Reilly said, “Ryan and the guys have come up with a really cool idea. …There will not be a GLEE spinoff, but I think it will be something cool.”
Star Lea Michele was singled out as being confirmed for next season. When asked the return of other seniors, specifically Chris Colfer, Reilly said, “We have to look at the contractual situation with everybody, but we’d like to see them all back.”
When asked whether there will be a GLEE ‘show-withing-the-show’ next season, Reilly said “I’m alluding to some version of that.”
As for the other confirmed McKinley High Class of 2012 which includes the aforementioned (Kurt) Colfer and (Finn) Monteith as well as Puck (Mark Salling), Santana (Naya Rivera), Brittany (Heather Morris), Mike, (Harry Shum Jr.) Quinn (Dianna Agron), Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Mercedes (Amber Riley) – it’s too early to say who will be sticking around for next season and who will be gone.
We do know that Junior class members Blaine (Darren Criss), Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) and presumably guest star Rory (Damian McGinty) will be stuck in the choir room working on Mr. Schu’s weekly assignments next season.
I’ll be honest, I was holding out hope for a spin-off, but now that it’s been squashed, time to start speculating about how they can keep these characters around for another season.
I suppose it works in GLEE’s interest that they creative team has never really paid much attention to continuity or common sense when it comes to the development of their characters.
So what do YOU think of this news? How would YOU keep the graduations seniors on the show next season?
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All I care about is Finn remaining on the show – which is a given. They can’t afford to have him leave. He is too valuable and his story is the most relatable to the general audience. I can’t wait to see him in NYC! I think it would be fanastic. Finn and Rachel would be awesome in NYC. I hope they show Kurt and Blaine as to how a long distance relationship could work – but I am hopefully they will explore other relationships before their end-game. Finn and Rachel went through hell – so should Kurt and Blaine!! WE all know that they both are end-game… but I am ready to see some spice with Klaine! In any event, this is all good news to me. As long at the fab four are on the show – it will be good.
Srx si il fait partie Chris l’autre la,ba déja il va perdre plus de la moitier des fans soit en 1er moi ,pour moi c’est lui qui fait tout le spéctacle je regarde juste pr lui,je supporte ps les autres………Chris est un vrai génie la façon dont il joue surpasse les autres sa creve les yeux …..j’en est rien a faire des autres ……met Chrisssssss rwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…….fait sa coco et va y’avoir du bruit la…
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