FOX gives 'Glee' a full season pick-up

Lea Michele of 'Glee'

Credit: FOX

FOX has given a back-nine order to its new musical dramedy "Glee."

That makes "Glee" the season's second new show to receive a full-season pick-up, following "The Cleveland Show," which was extended to 22 episodes and then re-upped for a second season before a single episode aired.

"The response we’ve received to 'Glee' has been remarkable," states FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly. “It’s already got the makings of a cultural phenomenon. I’ve seen all 13 episodes, and Ryan Murphy, his team and the talented 'Glee' cast have knocked our socks off with their incredible work. We’re happy to pick up this gem of a show, and can’t wait to see what they’ll do with the rest of the season."

Like "The Cleveland Show," "Glee" has already traveled an unusual path to this pickup. The musical ensemble premiered in May after "American Idol" and buzz was kept alive through FOX's relentless summertime promotion, which included a mall tour, multiple reairings of the pilot and a major iTunes push.

Since returning this fall on Wednesdays after "So You Think You Can Dance," "Glee" has delivered strong performances for FOX in the 18-49 demographic, doing a 3.3 rating in its premiere and a 3.1 rating in its second episode. The show's overall audience has been a bit softer, falling from a premiere audience of over 7.3 million to under 6.7 million in its second airing. Still, FOX crows that the Sept. 9 premiere of "Glee" was the network's highest-rated fall scripted new series premiere in three years among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and Teens.

"It’s fantastic to be the first show picked up and that this underdog series, like its characters, will get the chance to keep singing," says series co-creator/executive producer Ryan Murphy (obviously unaware of "The Cleveland Show"). "There are so many more stories to tell. We’re grateful for the incredible passion shown by everyone involved – the unbelievable fans, the cast, crew, our partners at the network and studio and even music artists and labels."

"Glee" has already completed production on its initial 13 episodes. The stars can afford a little downtime, since FOX has already set aside the Wednesday 9 p.m. slot for "Human Target" for the first part of the spring. At its upfront presentation in May, FOX said that "Glee" would be able to come back after "Human Target" ended its run, though with FOX, a change of course wouldn't be surprising.

As of now, "Glee" is expected to resume production in December or January.

The next new episode of "Glee," starring Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley and Mark Salling, airs on Wednesday, Sept. 23.