Idina Menzel Set to Return To Glee

By On 07/16/2011 · 14 Comments · In Glee

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Heyyyyy. It didn’t take Glee creator Ryan Murphy long to break that whole No Guest Stars on Glee pledge he recently made! Deadline is reporting that Broadway star, Idina Menzel is coming back to the hit FOX show for “a major arc that could span as many as 10-12 episodes.”

In what is described the most significant cast addition on the show next season, Menzel will reprise her role as Rachel Berry’s (Lea Michele) biological mother Shelby Corcoran, which she originated in 5 episodes of Glee’s first season. Back then, Shelby was the coach of New Directions’ rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline. She tried to bond with Rachel after Rachel found out that she was her mother but ultimately left town after adopting Quinn and Puck’s baby girl. Next season will see Shelby returning from New York to Ohio to join William McKinley High School as a new teacher and complicating things for Rachel as well as former flame Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison). “I’m really excited the that Idina is joining the family again,” said Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy. “We missed her last year and we’re happy that she is coming back.”

Errrr…won’t she be complicating things for Quinn and Puck as well considering she’ll have their baby girl in tow?  Of course, in Season 2, that baby was all but wiped off the map like she never happened.  I hope this arc doesn’t wind up being crazy, nonsensical and contrived…

 
  • blowfish

    I wonder if when Ryan said “no guest stars” he really meant no NEW guest stars! I am interested to see what kind of teacher Shelby would be. Does she teach music? And yes, what about little Beth?

  • onlythegood16

    I don’t mind this, personally. I liked her on the show during her first go-around…. she fit in with the cast, unlike most of the other parade of guest stars (much like Dot Marie Jones in season 2).

  • sweetmm

    Makes sense as they are going back to having a proper story line, the drama will be exciting with the return of Quinn’s baby back in the throes too.

  • idolfan92

    Awesome news! I love Idina, and I loved the Rachel/Shelby storyline in Season 1. I always wished it could’ve ended better for Rachel though, so maybe this will give the two a second chance!

  • isisdagmar

    This is a guest star I can be happy about. It might be a mess, but it would seem odd to never again approach rachel’s relationship with her biological mom, and i’m up for anything that gives Lea Michele something to do that doesn’t involve Finn–she’s amazing, and she deserves material that doesn’t revolve solely around her boyfriend. Also, Shelby could fit in really well with the whole “love or success or both?” question that Rachel seems to be facing.

  • isisdagmar

    I agree that RM probably meant (or gives himself room to mean, lol) no new guest stars, not no guest stars at all.

    and I would like them to deal with Quinn and Puck’ baby–that could come at a good time for Quinn’s development too, and it would also work if they want Quinn and PUck to end up together.

  • Tess

    I’ll admit I don’t watch the show but I must admit that the quick synopsis that MJ does leaves me laughing every time. Are these really the plot twists and turns of the show, and it all sounds so eerily 60ish. Unwed parents, unknown Moms, adopted babies, contrived love interests…wheh…the writers have got to be smokin’ something.

  • Elf

    Considering that she’s coming back for a 10-12 show story arc, this doesn’t bother me. I always thought the “no guest star” thing meant no 1 or 2 episode guest stars. This is more of a story line and as long as it fits the show, I’m fine with that.

    It was strange that there was no mention of the baby ever during season 2, so I’m glad that there is a chance we’ll get to see some of that this season. I was hoping that they’d stop messing with Emma and Will though – just let those 2 be together already!!

  • sr4mjc

    Love Idina! Happy to have her back and hope she gets to sing, she’s got a beautiful voice :)

  • bentley1530

    Since RM said Rachel was going to be a major focus of this season, it makes sense to have Shelby come back and hopefully we will get to see the two dads as well. And just think of all of the great songs Shelby can sing, especially for the theater geeks like me.

  • TwigLA

    I’m really happy about this news. I love Idina Menzel and I found that story arc (Idina as Rachel’s biological mother) to be the first time I really cared for anything having to do with Rachel.

    I think the writers have a lot to work with here and include multiple cast members in the storyline.

    (no, I’m not posting too quickly, little blog engine)

  • JGLucky

    It’s Rachel’s last year in high school. Of course Shelby has to come back to wrap up the storyline.

  • meyers77

    mj: I hope this arc doesn’t wind up being crazy, nonsensical and contrived…

    It’s Glee.

    But I love Idina so it doesn’t matter. They need to get her and Kristen on there, and keep Paltrow off. And get rid of the Warbler stuff too.

  • damroberts744

    As long as they don’t use guest stars as a form to get people to watch (Carol Burnett) and do use them properly (Kristen Chenowith, Idina Menzel, Gwenyth Paltrow) then I really don’t mind guest stars.