FOX’s much-hyped preview of Glee aired in a coveted position, following the second-to-last American Idol of the season. In that plum timeslot, how well did Glee perform do? Will the musical comedy stick around?
Glee follows the administrators and the members of a formerly top show choir at a fictional Ohio high school. A young teacher (Broadway’s Matthew Morrison) offers to take over leading the group to try to return them to their former glory. Other castmembers include Jayma Mays, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Mark Salling, Jessalyn Gilsig, and Jane Lynch.
The series debuted to an average of 9.6 million viewers with a 3.9 rating among adults 18-49. Those numbers sound okay on their own but, when you dig deeper, it’s a different tune. The show’s American Idol lead-in attracted 23.8 million viewers with an 8.6 rating in the demo. About half as many people tuned in to watch Glee and then, by the second half hour, another three million tuned out.
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FOX execs have to be disappointed considering the great Idol lead-in and all of the promotion that the network has poured into it. The show has already secured a spot on FOX’s Fall schedule as the network’s only new drama. It’ll definitely be back. But, if the debut is any indication of the show’s future, you have to wonder, for how long?
According to FOX spokesperson Joe Earley, the network is pleased with the show’s average performance. He tells the Hollywood Reporter, “The measurement for success last night was never about the demo rating… We’re definitely happy with the way Glee performed, we knew how tough the competition was going to be, last night was a marketing experiment and we got almost 10 million people to see it, which is fantastic. We could work all summer long marketing the show and not get those many people, and certainly not in the fall.”
So, what do you think? Worth keeping or should it be cancelled?
Image courtesy FOX.
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? THIS SHOW IS FKING AWESOME
I loved this show, it is so awesome. The competition’s song REHAB was hilarious. I watched it 4 times in a row. I couldn’t stop laughing. I hope they keep it coming. the kids are have the talent. crazy fun
This is one of the best shows I have seen in so long. It seems I get attached to a show and FOX or ABC will cancel it after 4 or 5 episodes. They don’t seem to realize the ability to TIVO or watch online that those “numbers” are basically meaningless with the current technology. As a drama and glee club geek myself, it has brought back some good and not so good memories, all which I have grown to appreciate. Programs like this do not exist for kids to watch with their parents, let alone entertain them at the… Read more »
I loved the show so much! I hate that I have to wait until fall to see more! The music gave me goosebumps and the story-line is engaging. I can’t wait to see more!
Has anyone considered that more than half of the potential audience was too ticked off after the AI upset to watch or enjoy the show? Seriously, I can imagine most of the people who would get into a show like this were rooting for Adam. Isn’t he just a choir kid done good?
This show is AMAZING. I was one of those people that tuned out halfway after American Idol. I got on Facebook, saw someone mention that Glee had changed their life, and decided to try watching it again, from the beginning, considering it was a guy who said it (and how many guys watch musicals ha!). I was hooked…by the grand finale, I was crying. And I don’t cry unless something stirs my very soul! Thanks to this show, and the final song “DON’T STOP BELIEVING” – my dream to perform has been re-awakened! I might be 27 but I’m NOT… Read more »
The Show was great. It reminded me of HS and my days with Carolina Spirit (Multiple Show Stoppers National and International champions in the nineties). We loved what we did, and it helped many of us learn lifelong lessons. Keep the shows coming!
KEEP IT!!! GLEE is FRESH, FUN and INSPIRATIONAL!!! I’m sure the word-of-mouth over the Summer and the anticipation for more episodes from the fans will definetly attract more viewers to the show come Fall!
Glee is startlingly original, unique in its characterization, wonderful in its selection of music and brilliantly executed. That said, I really hope I’m wrong when I say that I suspect it will last about 6 weeks next fall.
Maybe it just appealed to all the glee and glee wanna-be’s, but i loved it! And there have to more of us out there. Loved the show, the talent was great. And honestly, after 2 hours of Idol can you blame people for tuning out? Hope it stays around.
loved the first episode. Reminds me of the original movie Fame! Yes, I am that old and i thought it was fantastic. They have to keep it and give it a chance. TV needs something that is new and different.
I absolutely LOVED Glee! After just one episode I can tell it’s going to be one of my favorite shows. It’s an outstanding show and something we need on tv. Please please don’t cancel it!
As an ex band and choir geek, I was looking forward to checking out the show. I downloaded the pilot from iTunes and have watched it 7 times thus far and enjoyed it more each time. We need stuff like this, instead of the “reality” crap. I’m looking forward to more episodes!
DO NOT CANCEL GLEE!! Toe tapping fun and left me wanting more!! Give it a chance.
YOU MUST KEEP IT!!!!!!!!!!! Tears were pouring down my face during the final number watching and remembering how sheer joy felt doing something you loved so much