The Hollywood Reporter reports today the current Glee season has been cut from 22 to 20 episodes. We already knew that (THR. Math is your FRIEND) but But the question REALLY is, what will happen next season?
As THR notes, ratings have fallen precipitously during the course of season 5, recently falling below 3 million viewers and a 1.0 rating in the key 18-to-49 demographic. However, sources insist that the 2 episode cut back had to do with a production hiatus taken at the beginning of the season, necessitated after the untimely death of Glee star, Cory Monteith, from a drug and alcohol overdose in July. Production ALSO took a week off after filming “The Quarterback,” the emotional tribute to the late star.
It’s hard to tell if it’s speculation, or from sources, but THR suggests the two cut episodes could be filmed early for a potentially supersized 24 episode final sixth season. Glee was renewed for TWO seasons early last year. No matter how low the ratings slipped, season 6 was still on. One possible scenario, considering the low ratings, is a shortened final season. Maybe only 13 episodes, long enough to wrap up the main character storylines and and shoot a satisfying finale.
Would FOX consider running a full season PLUS two extra episodes for a show that continues to slip in the ratings?
“Glee is still a great property to have on our air,” Fox COO Joe Earley told THR. “There have been some scheduling challenges … but what we see is still an incredibly popular show with a lot of time-shifting.”
Earley, according to THR, cited statistics that showed Glee remains a top 10 comedy among teens and viewers with household incomes above $100,000.
THR also speculates, that with FOX moving to a “year-round schedule” Glee could be aired in “unorthodox” time slots.
Co-creator Ian Brennan, said, “With DVR, in a lot of ways the night you air … doesn’t matter.” Currently, Glee jumps 54 percent to 6.5 million viewers and 63 percent in the demo to a 2.6 when factoring in DVR, according to THR.
My first thought was that Glee could move to Friday. The musical dramedy has a VERY loyal and rabid fanbase that would follow it anywhere. The show might post some decent numbers in what’s traditionally a low rated time slot.
Additionally, the extra episodes that a supersized season of Glee would provide, would add to the number of shows that could potentially be sold into syndication. Twentieth Century FOX OWNS the show, the more episodes it sells, the more money it makes.
Selfishly, I hope Ryan Murphy and his team are given as much time as possible to wrap things up next season. Glee has literally transformed into a different show, as the story moves to New York City to follow the graduates lives in the big city. Tuesday’s introduction to the new world, “New New York” showed a lot of promise.
I am feeling optimistic, as it usually takes Ryan at least a season or two before he mucks things up. Heh.
