Nestle in Gleeks. Sit right back and hear a tale, a tale of a fateful show. The one you all love and adore – but there are things you do not know!
The last few weeks have been turbulent ones for Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuck and Ian Brennan, creators and masterminds of Glee. So many rumors have been flying around about the cast and what will be happening to fan favorites at the end of this season. We were first told that Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer would be taking their final bows on the show as of this season. Who told us that? Ryan. Then, we were told that the kids had no idea they were getting let go from the show after this season. Who told us that? Chris! THEN, at Comic-Con this weekend, it was confirmed to the delight of Gleeks everywhere that the show won’t be losing the core three after all. They’ll just be graduating. Who told us this? Brad.
So, where exactly did all these wires get crossed??? It’s all very confusing isn’t it?
Well, in a way, it was supposed to be because there was one vital piece of information that was withheld from fans until this morning. Turns out, according to Ryan, a spin-off was in the works for Lea, Chris and Cory for after their characters graduated.
A spin-off??? Really??? By any chance was it called A New Direction, involving all three characters (and Darren Criss) traveling to New York to go to college and live out their Broadway dreams? We think we’ve heard this sceneario before!!!
And indeed, that was exactly what Ryan and Co. were planning. Ryan explains that when they made the announcement that the trio weren’t returning, the wheels for the spin-off were in motion with Brad and himself looking into setting up shop in New York City and the kids attending Julliard. Then, the backlash came and everything got turned on it’s head. Ryan explains:
“That was the original place. That was what [last season’s] whole New York Episode was about, the finale. But to be honest, since then because of the press and because of the perception and because Brad and I have had another show picked up, we have simply stopped with everyone├óΓé¼Γäós understanding. You know, I had dinner with Lea last night where we talked about it. We don├óΓé¼Γäót know what we├óΓé¼Γäóre going to do. We were going to start talking about it in September and now we├óΓé¼Γäóre not. We├óΓé¼Γäóre going to talk about it in April. The thing that I really wanted to reiterate was that no one was ever going to be fired. And the actors were very involved in the idea. Cory was discussed. Chris was discussed. We talked to Naya. We talked to the kids. And I think that the media has glommed on to this idea that we were graduating them and firing them and bringing in like Glee Project kids.”
So, why did Chris tweet he didn’t know he was getting fired? And what is the status of this spin-off we conceived and will insist upon receiving royalties on?
When questioned about Chris, Ryan blames the media and how they spun the story. He insists that Chris was “involved in the process” of the spin-off for “three to four months to the point where we were even talking about cities and relocations…” He added, “When I say they’re seniors and they’re not coming back to the show, what I did not say is they’re not coming back to the show because there will be another show.”
And what about that other show? Is it really still happening???
Unfortunately, it sounds like it’s been tabled for the time being. Ryan explains:
“That’s where we are today. Maybe we’ll talk about that in April or May, but for now, let’s just concentrate on making Season 3 the best that we can do… As of now, I can tell you I’m not working on [a spin-off.]”
Too. Much.
Look, at the end of the day, you have to do what is right for the characters and for the show as a whole. Our suggestion to Ryan is to do EXACTLY what he says he’s planning to do – concentrate on season three.
If that ends up being the last of Lea and Chris and Cory, at least let them go out with the best possible writing and stories. They deserve that much.
And as for the spin-off … when you’re ready to talk about it, you give us a call. We have TONS of ideas and would be more than happy to take the reigns on that one for you!
[Image via WENN.]