'Glee' to address Cory Monteith's drug use, death
Cory Monteith and Lea Michele, his "Glee co-star and real-life girlfriend, attend the 2012 Do Something Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. The awards honor "world-changers" who are 25 or younger, the nonprofit DoSomething.org says. (Aug. 19, 2012) Credit: AP
BEVERLY HILLS -- Confirming earlier reports, Fox Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly said "Glee" will address the death of Cory Monteith in the forthcoming season's third episode. But he stopped short of saying that Monteith's character, Finn Hudson, would die of a drug overdose.
Speaking Thursday at the TV critics' summer press tour, Reilly said, "The third episode will deal with Finn Hudson being written out of the show; the guys are still making it, and that episode will deal directly with the incidents involved in Cory's passing and drug use in particular."
Monteith died July 13 from a fatal combination of alcohol and heroin.
In addition, Reilly said that "Glee" cast members will film a series of public service announcements addressing Monteith's death, and drug abuse. Reilly also said there is a "possibility" that "Glee" will incorporate previously filmed Monteith outtakes in that third episode.
Reilly said "Glee" would likely end after the sixth season; it's entering the fifth this fall. "I would not anticipate it goes beyond two more seasons," he said.
'IDOL' UPDATE. Keith Urban will return as an "American Idol" judge next season, Reilly announced. But he would not confirm Jennifer Lopez's return; she left "Idol" before last season, and reports say her appointment is imminent.
WHAT ABOUT SIMON? Asked about Simon Cowell -- who's expecting a child with a married socialite, according to reports -- Reilly said he had no idea whether the controversy would have an impact on "The X Factor." "I read about it for the first time this morning," he said.
'24' NEWS.Mary Lynn Rajskub will return as Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) trusted colleague Chloe O'Brian in the reboot of "24" arriving next May. "I am thrilled to be working with [executive producer] Howard [Gordon] and the writers again -- and, of course, Kiefer!," said Rajskub in a statement. "There's a lot more room to grow in my character . . . I'm going to start sharpening my computer skills now."
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