Official release from FOX re: 3rd season

"GLEE," THE SEASON'S NO. 1 NEW SCRIPTED SERIES, ADDS ANOTHER TROPHY TO ITS CASE WITH THIRD SEASON PICKUP Released by FOX
Before even finishing its first season, the genre-defying, award-winning, underdog comedy GLEE has been picked up through its third season, it was announced today by Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group; and Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

"In just one year, GLEE has transcended the television landscape and emerged as a global pop culture phenomenon," said Rice. "We are incredibly proud to have talent like Ryan Murphy and the GLEE cast in our FOX family, and we can't wait to see where Ryan takes the show in Seasons Two and Three."

"Everything about GLEE - from the concept to the characters to the marketing - has been innovative and risky, but with Ryan Murphy tapping into the zeitgeist, the risk has paid off with this truly remarkable series," said Reilly. "GLEE has one of the most active, devoted fan bases I've ever seen, and we couldn't be more thrilled to give GLEEks a third season of their favorite show."

"Brad, Ian, Dante, the cast and I are all thrilled and honored by the overwhelming support of GLEE from FOX, the studio and our amazing fans," said Ryan Murphy, co-creator and executive producer of GLEE. "It's been a whirlwind year - from shooting the pilot to performing at the White House to the concert tour that began last week - and yet we all feel like we've just begun this amazing musical journey. Having time to plan ahead is wonderful, and we think our GLEEks worldwide are going to love what we'll have in store for them in Seasons Two and Three."

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The first season finale of GLEE airs Tuesday, June 8 (8:59-10:00 PM ET/PT). The series then returns this fall to kick off its second season on Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

As its freshman year comes to a close, GLEE has become a bona fide cultural phenomenon. The highest-rated new scripted series of the season among key demos is also the most award-winning show on television - honored with a Peabody Award; a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical; and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. The music has become an international sensation with the soundtracks topping the charts all over the world - from Australia and the U.K. to New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. In the U.S., close to 7 million songs have already been downloaded and two albums have been certified Gold. The most recent GLEE soundtrack, "The Power of Madonna," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart helping GLEE surpass U2 as the group with most Billboard charting songs of the past 10 years.

The series follows an optimistic teacher, WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison), who - against all odds and malicious cheerleading coach SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch) - inspires McKinley High's Glee Club to conquer the world one singing competition at a time. The group of aspiring stars includes RACHEL (Lea Michele), a pint-size diva with powerhouse pipes; FINN (Cory Monteith), the gullible quarterback with rock-and-roll blood; KURT (Chris Colfer), the fashionable soprano with a heart of gold; diva extraordinaire MERCEDES (Amber Riley); geeky guitarist ARTIE (Kevin McHale); TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz), the punk rocker with a sweet side; pregnant cheerleader QUINN (Dianna Agron); and the arrogant PUCK (Mark Salling). Will is determined to make the glee club great again with the help of his colleague and love interest EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays).

In addition to the regular cast, GLEE has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Molly Shannon, Neil Patrick Harris, Mike O'Malley and Olivia Newton-John.

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.

In the next all-new episode, GLEE takes on the music of Lady Gaga when MR. SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison) encourages the glee club members to express themselves using the pop superstar's music. Meanwhile, RACHEL (Lea Michele) has a life-changing encounter, and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz) embraces her inner goth in the "Theatricality" episode - featuring guest stars Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff - airing tomorrow, Tuesday, May 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
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