Glee Gets Full Season Pickup

LOS ANGELES: Glee has become the first new show of the season to receive a full pickup, after giving FOX its best premiere numbers for a new scripted series in three years.

FOX premiered the pilot of the Ryan Murphy musical dramedy in May, after the final performance episode of American Idol. During its preview and throughout the summer, more than 25 million people sampled the first episode and the official premiere this month notched up 7.3 million viewers. FOX has ordered a total of 13 episodes of the show.Kevin Reilly, the president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company, said: “The response we’ve received to Glee has been remarkable. 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.”
 
The show follows an optimistic teacher who attempts to save McKinley High’s Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their star potential. The series is represented internationally by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.