For a show that’s only aired one episode, Fox’s “Glee” is sure generating a lot of buzz. And maybe even more importantly, it’s helping to make singing and dancing on television cool again.
Musical numbers have been inserted into network television programs with mixed results over the years, from the inspired (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “That 70’s Show,” “Scrubs”) to the entertaining (“The Simpsons,” “Chicago Hope,” “Xena: Warrior Princess”) to the just plain dreadful (“Gilligan’s Island,” “Cop Rock”).
Now Fox and “Nip/Tuck” creator Ryan Murphy are trying to cash in on the popularity of Disney’s “High School Musical” franchise, by combining singing and dancing teenagers with the acerbic wit of shows like “Malcolm in the Middle” and “Arrested Development.”
The result is “Glee,” which debuted with an airing of its pilot episode after the finale of this year’s “American Idol” on May 19 and racked up huge numbers.
Until the show returns on September 9, its producers have been trickling out a series of promos and interview clips online and on Fox.
The latest is a musical number featuring the character Mercedes (the phenomenal Amber Riley) and a chorus of scantily clad cheerleaders covering Jazmine Sullivan's “Bust Your Windows.”
Sweet, right? How long until September?
Check out the pilot episode of “Glee,” along with interviews and other exclusive content at Hulu.com. Get more info on the show at Fox.com/Glee.
Wednesday, July 29
Lionel Richie – “The Tavis Smiley Show” – rerun
Chris Kattan, Big Boy, Chris Franjola – “Chelsea Lately”
Russell Peters, Kings of Leon – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos” – rerun
Elbow – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Passion Pit – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
The Sounds – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Rodney Carrington – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Lykke Li – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Thursday, July 30
Lee Ann Womack – NBC’s “Today” Show
“Thunder From Down Under” – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Ashford & Simpson – “The Tavis Smiley Show” – rerun
Eliot Chang, Gary Valentine, Greg Proops – “Chelsea Lately”
Kristin Chenoweth – “The Bonnie Hunt Show” – rerun
Cage the Elephant – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Regina Spektor – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Ashley Tisdale, Tim Meadows, Jarvis Cocker – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Jack’s Mannequin – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Franz Ferdinand – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Ben Harper & Relentless 7 – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Friday, July 31
Bette Midler – “Live with Regis & Kelly”
John Mayer, Josh Groban, Lady Antebellum – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” – rerun
Lamont Dozier, Raphael Saadiq – “The Tavis Smiley Show” – rerun
Jen Kirkman – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Colin Mochrie, The Killers – “The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos” – rerun
The Bacon Brothers – “The Bonnie Hunt Show” – rerun
Dave Matthews Band – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Ben Harper & Relentless 7 – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Jimmy Buffett – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Diane Birch – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Crystal Antlers – “Last Call with Carson Daly” – rerun
Saturday, August 1
Wilco – “Austin City Limits” – rerun