“GLEE” TUNES UP FOR A FIFTH AND SIXTH SEASON ON FOX Sarah Jessica Parker Guest-Stars on Next All-New Episode Thursday, April 25
FOX has ordered two more seasons of the genre-defying musical sensation GLEE, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.
“GLEE debuted as the first and only successful musical comedy series on television, and more than four years later, it continues to defy genres, break new ground and have a significant impact on popular culture,” said Reilly. “Week in and week out, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan, Dante DiLoreto and the entire GLEE team deliver a series that not only delights and surprises fans, but also inspires them to talk about, share, debate and engage with the show – and I’m absolutely thrilled to have them on board for another two seasons.”
“GLEE has been a signature series for the studio since its launch four years ago and we couldn’t be happier that FOX has ordered two more seasons,” commented Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman. “Ryan, Brad, Ian and Dante have created something that is far larger than a television show; it’s a global entertainment brand which continues to touch millions around the world. From its chart-topping musical numbers to its inventive storytelling and rich, complex characters, GLEE rewrote the rules of what network television could be, and we are enormously proud to be the studio behind it.”
“I am very grateful to Kevin, Dana and Gary for their incredible support of this series from the beginning,” added Murphy. “But I also want to thank our loyal audience, whose passion and enthusiasm continue to amaze and inspire us.”
Over the past four seasons, GLEE has built a loyal fan base of “Gleeks”; made tracksuits, musicals and outcasts cool again; attracted A-list guest stars from Kate Hudson and Katey Sagal to Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow; covered music from Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Stevie Wonder; and received prestigious awards and nominations, from the Golden Globes to the Writers Guild. This hit series and its extraordinary characters have become an indelible part of pop culture and will continue entertaining fans through 2015.
Last month, the series reached its milestone 500th performance with a rendition of the anthem, “Shout.” GLEE music continues to shatter records with more than 53 million GLEE tracks digitally downloaded and more than 13 million albums sold worldwide. GLEE albums have garnered two platinum albums (sales in excess of 1 million units) and five gold albums (sales in excess of 500,000 units). Also, the GLEE cast holds the record for most singles to ever enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart (203 tracks to date), surpassing records previously held by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and James Brown.
This season, originals of GLEE are averaging a 3.6/10 among Adults 18-49 and 8.7 million Total Viewers. GLEE is a Top 10 comedy among Adults 18-49, a Top 10 show overall among Adults 18-34 and the No. 1 show overall on broadcast television among Teens (tied with FAMILY GUY).
Now in its fourth season, GLEE has made an effortless transition to college with Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) attending NYADA, while the new kids of McKinley continue to strive for a glee club win at Regionals.
In the next all-new episode of GLEE, “Lights Out,” airing Thursday, April 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Will (Matthew Morrison) and Finn (Cory Monteith) enlist the members of New Directions to “unplug” and perform acoustic numbers, after the power goes out at McKinley High School. Meanwhile, Isabelle Wright (guest star Sarah Jessica Parker) asks Kurt to volunteer at the Vogue.com charity event, with Rachel and Santana (Naya Rivera) in tow.
GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers. “Like” GLEE on Facebook and download the Facebook Fan Page app at www.facebook.com/Glee. Follow the series on Twitter @GLEEonFOX and join the discussion at #glee.
