'Glee' in tune with Comic-Con (spoilers)

 

Thousands of fans crowded into Hall H to catch a glimpse of their favorite singing outcasts from primetime: the "Glee" panel. Moderated by TVLine's Michael Ausiello, stars from the hit Fox show included Darren Criss, Harry Shum Jr., Dot Marie Jones and Jenna Ushkowitz, as well as crew members choreographer/producer Zachary Woodlee. Also on hand were "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" director Kevin Tancharoen, exec producer Dante di Loreto, producer/writer Ian Brennan, and writer/director/producer Brad Fulchuk.

"'Glee' is so big that this panel could only be held in Hall H," said Ausiello. "In fact, 'Glee' is so big, it broke through to a new dimension: 3D." 

Fans were treated to a ten-minute clip of the pic, which included the "Britney S. Pierce effect" about a woman with Asperger's syndrome and a pint-size Blaine wannabe. The clip also offered a few bits of the 3D concert with the Warblers and Heather Morris.

Here is a snippet of the Q&A that followed (SPOILER WARNING)

There has been mass hysteria about Leah, Chris and Corey graduating and leaving at the end of the season. Is it true?
Falchuk: Just because they are graduating, it doesn't mean they are leaving the show. There are a number of New Direction kids that are seniors, but there are juniors too.It was never our intention to let them go. They are not done with the show.

What about Chord Overstreet? Is there news on next season?
Falchuk: We made Harry a season regular because he earned it. Same with Darren. But there is no guarantee, and for reasons Chord is aware of, we didn't make him a regular. We made him an offer, but he declined. We love the character and had cool ideas with him and Mercedes, but Chord had other opportunities. But just because he is gone, we still have plan for Mercedes. She will meet a boyfriend over the summer.

Are we going to see Coach Beiste back this season?
Falchuck: Yes. We have some great stuff for her.

Will we see more of Harry this season?
Falchuck: We will get to meet his parents this year. And they have a different idea of what he should be doing with his life.

Darren, what is like to be a breakout star?
Criss: It's been a thrill ride and I've been blessed with an amazing character and working with amazing people. I've been blessed. And thanks to the fans for being so supportive.

What is in store for Blaine and Curt?
Criss: Everything I know about the show I'm hearing right now from those guys over there...I am a fan of Blaine, so I hope they keep it up.
Falchuck: They are solid. There might be issues with two stars dating each other, but they are solid.

Darren, are you going to Broadway?
Criss: I can't confirm that, but it's cool that it is out there. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I can't confirm.

But you wouldn't leave the show, right?
Criss: I'm sure you could blink and I would be right back.

Do you have plans to release an album?
Criss: I'm quite busy, and an album is hard to pull off. Also I have a theater company. I would love to, if I can manage to stay alive and get some rest.

More of the families next season, like Curt's gay aunt or Rachel's dads?
Brennan: It's tricky. In the first episode, we wrote a scene with her dads and we cut it. We talked about it forever. When you are in high school, your parents stop being a major influence in your life, which is how I explain it to myself. But we might do it soon.

Who do you prefer: Barty or Britana?
Ushkowitz: I'm still a fan of Artina, but I like Britana.

What do you think of the feedback on Santana and Britney's relationship?
Falchuk: We started the storyline as a goof, but as we took time with it, we realized there was a group we weren't representing: the bisexual and lesbian community. The network wasn't resistant, so it became much deeper. We weren't surprised by the reaction because there was a group looking for something like that.
Brennan: Heather was cast as almost as a background dance, and Naya as a pretty face. But then we realized that Heather is a comic genius and Naya has an amazing voice. We were so lucky to get them.

Any plans for a spinoff?
Falchuk: Right now, Ryan and I have another show. So we are leaning against doing it, but we explored it at one point.

Is Blaine going to become a member of New Directions?
Falchuck: I like how you tried to sneak in a major question like that.

What is your dream role on Broadway?
Ushkowitz: Kim in "Miss Saigon."
Shum: "Singing in the Rain."
Criss: The emcee in "Cabaret."
Jones: Ursula.

Where you disappointed about not being able to sing the Disney song? Which Disney song is your favorite?
Criss: I'm a huge Disney fan. But Disney is a tough machine to get a hold of as far as rights. But I would love to sing something from "Alladin," man.

Do you see a lot of yourself in your characters?
Shum: Well, I look like Mike Chang. He's a stand up guy, I hope we get to explore that. But the love of dance...we all put a little of ourselves into this, as do the writers.
Dot: In some ways yes, and some ways no. As far as the mean side, I can be. And I can relate to a lot of Coach Beiste's experiences.

Harry, you and Britney have dance backgrounds. Did you know each other before the show?
Shum: A funny story-- there was a dance convention in Los Angeles where I was a teacher, and Heather brought it up that I taught her dance at the convention. But, yes, we knew of each other. It's a small world.

Has there been creativity lost by the popularity gained?
Falchuck: No
Brennan: No one sits down to write a cultural phenomenon. We wrote about a high school. And nothing is going to change.

Is there a relationship in the future for Coach Beiste?
Falchuk: We thought about it, but we don't have anything yet. But it's out there. Knowing Dot, she's really the softest, most vulnerable people I ever met...
Brennan: ...who can crush you.
Falchuk: ...while crying.

What do you have planned for Sue?
Brennan: Sue is running for congress.
Falchuk: She is running on a no-arts platform. So she's trying to take them out big time.

What were the challenges in directing the "Glee" movie?
Tancharoen: The ability to cut and do it again. In a live event, especially in 3D, it's hard to capture. That's the biggest challenge compared to shooting something like "Fame" or "Mortal Kombat."

How do you write to lines for Britney?
Brennan: They flutter on little wings. One of the most fun things about our job is writing for that character.

"Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" will hit theaters on August 12.

-- Erin Maxwell