Glee

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by e-mailing us at tvsquad@gmail.com. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: '30 Rock,' '90210,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Castle,' 'Chase,' 'Desperate Housewives,'Glee,' 'Gossip Girl,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Modern Family,' 'NCIS,' 'Psych,' and 'Smallville.'

In its ongoing quest to take over the world, 'Glee' is embarking on a summer 2011 international tour.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the cast of 'Glee' will hit Manchester, England on June 22 and then play London and Dublin through July. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Nov. 26, but American Express cardholders can get tickets starting Nov. 22.

"We had such a great time putting together last year's shows and the response from the fans was incredible," said 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy. "People around the world want to see our cast live and in person, so this European tour is our way of thanking them for the unbelievable way they've embraced our little show."

American fans should stay tuned, Murphy said news will follow.

In other TV news ...

• Is a Texan version of 'Real Housewives' in the works? The producers behind 'Real Housewives of New York City' have sent out scouting emails looking for women to take place in the pilot of 'Texas Rancher Wives.' Yes, it's not branded with 'Real Housewives' right now, but it could be the working title to throw off potential participants who may change their acts. [Culture Map]
• Rob Riggle and Robert Smigel are teaming up for a new comedy project. Riggle has been tapped to star in the CBS comedy about a man who winds up working for the nerd he bullied in high school. Smigel is writing. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Weezer is hitting on some 'Hard Times.' The band has filmed a cameo for MTV's 'Hard Times of RJ Berger.' Look for Weezer during the second season to air over the summer. [Hollywood Reporter]

Singing is big these days. Well, actually, singing has always been kind of "big," since it's a universal human activity dating back to the start of recorded time. But singing on TV is currently hip, due to the success of 'Glee,' and other shows; shows like, well ... okay -- basically it's just because of 'Glee.'

On the new 'Late Show' (weeknights, 11:35PM ET on CBS), comedian Jim Carrey tried branching out into a vocal career, with mixed results. "I've been tryin' to learn how to sing!" he said. "'Cause it's a sensation!" Next, the comic launched into a rendition of the classic 80s song 'Take on Me.'

Jim screeched such lyrics as "I'll be coming for your love -- okay?" But it was definitely not okay -- as David Letterman's horrified reaction showed. Dave soon had another reason to back away in fear. By the end of the song, Carrey's off-key vocal stylings caused a coffee mug to shatter (sort of).

'Glee's' cast is the cast that never stops expanding.

After the confirmation of Darren Criss' promotion, now comes word that Harry Shum, Jr. will be a series regular next season. Yep, according to E! Online, Mike Chang and his abs are sticking around.

Like current series regulars Heather Morris and Naya Rivera, Shum started out as recurring character during the first season. Morris and Rivera were promoted at the start of season 2.

In other TV news ...

• Alex Trebek will guest star on 'How I Met Your Mother.' The 'Jeopardy!' host will appear in the Christmas episode of the CBS sitcom. [TV Guide]

• Raven Symone has been tapped to star in an ABC Family pilot. Symone will star as Georgia, a southern woman trying to make it as an actress in New York in 'The Great State of Georgia.' [Deadline Hollywood]

• Angela Bassett is taking another stab at series TV. Bassett has signed on to star in 'One Police Plaza,' the ABC drama about New York City's first female police commissioner. [Deadline Hollywood]

Maybe it's just me. But I flinched when I read an EW headline, which said that 'Glee' is covering Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' in its much-hyped post-Super Bowl episode.

The good news, I guess, is that the Super Bowl episode of 'Glee' won't be a Michael Jackson-themed affair. 'Thriller' will be the only Jackson song that the show will cover, and it will be combined with another pop tune to be named later.

Rumors had circulated at one point that 'Glee' would be doing a tribute to one artist (perhaps Bruce Springsteen) for its Super Bowl episode, but EW reports that the show decided not to go in that direction. That's a relief, given what a mess 'Glee's' Britney Spears episode was (let me be clear, Heather Morris was fab in the Britney outing. Everything else? Not so much. The writing in that episode was about as wobbly and vague as Brit's 2007 VMA Awards appearance). The other artists on tap for the Super Bowl episode include Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum and Black Eyed Peas.

It's good that 'Glee' isn't doing a tribute to, well, anything that week, though I still fear that the episode will be an overwrought mess. The thing is, the bigger 'Glee' goes -- whether it's a big idea or a big musical theme -- the more likely it is to fail in the execution.

Attention, Ryan Murphy: You might want to listen to Anne Hathaway's pitch for a guest role on 'Glee.'

Not only did the actress tell the St. Louis Fox affiliate that she wants to appear on Murphy's hit show, she already has a character and musical number in mind.

"I would want to be Kurt's aunt," Hathaway said during the press junket for her new movie, 'Love and Other Drugs." "I have thought about it! ... I would like to pitch to Ryan Murphy right now that I go on as Kurt's aunt, his mother who is deceased's younger sister."

She's already got the musical number covered: "I would sing something from 'Into the Woods.'"

We here at TV Squad know that our opinions aren't the only ones that matter. In fact, you only need to glance at the comments on our recaps to know that, sometimes, fans just don't agree.

Enter Skype Second Opinions, our new short and succinct video series that attempts to open up the TV debates by offering you another point of view from friends of the site.


TVGuide.com's Denise Martin has the scoop on this week's 'Glee,' which featured Gwyneth Paltrow -- who, in case you missed it, is promoting 'Country Strong' -- and some awww-inducing mini Gleeks. (Note to any Schue haters: You won't get Denise to agree with you. Ever.) So, what'd you think?

['Glee' - 'The Substitute']

OK, it's official: Gwyneth Paltrow can do no wrong. And I'm saying that only half-ironically.

Last week, Salon had an op-ed entitled "Why do so many people hate Gwyneth Paltrow?", citing the fact that there's a backlash against the Oscar-winning star because she's rich and pretty and talented and makes no excuses for her station in life. After reading the article, I was pretty annoyed with her myself.

But it took a Little Miss Perfect to redeem what was only a half-redeemable episode of 'Glee' this week. Don't get me wrong; it was a funny episode, with many of those funny instances coming from Paltrow. But it was dragged down yet again by what seems to be 'Glee's' Achilles' heel -- inconsistent character behavior.

Mega-star Harrison Ford will be stopping by 'Conan' in the show's second week to promote his new movie, 'Morning Glory,' and he was glad to try to help boost the ratings of newly-returned host Conan O'Brien.

"Yeah, I've done his show before and I'm quite happy to do it again," Ford told us exclusively. "I'm in 'beating the drums' mode for the film ... and he's got an important segment of the audience. He's fun."

By "important segment of the audience," Ford was probably referring to young viewers. In his first week, O'Brien proved his ability to draw in adults 18-49, an advertiser-coveted demographic.

We also asked Ford about guest starring on another show highly sought out by actors -- 'Glee.'

If you want to be on 'Glee' and are not an A-list recording artist or an Oscar nominee promoting your new movie, there's still hope for you!

The official rules and regulations for the new 'Glee' reality series have been announced. To enter for your chance to win a guest stint on 'Glee,' you must be at least 18 and if older, be able to play high school age; not be a candidate for public office or run for office for up to one year after episodes have aired; and be eligible to work in the U.S.

According to the New York Times, the series will debut in June and hold open casting calls in Chicago on Dec. 18 and 19, and in Dallas on Jan. 8 and 9.

Those hopefuls who submitted videos via MySpace this summer are also eligible for a spot on the show. MySpace applicants who have made the shortlist will be contacted by Nov. 19. For more details, head on over here.

In other casting news ...

• Annette O'Toole is returning to 'Smallville.' Martha Kent will appear in episode 13, which is set to air sometime early 2011. [TV Guide]

• Tim Guinee has been tapped to guest star on 'The Good Wife.' The 'Lie to Me' veteran will play Wiley, a new investigator. Look for Wiley to work for the State's Attorney's office. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Cara Buono will guest star on ABC's 'Brothers & Sisters.' The 'Mad Men' actress will play Tommy's (Balthazar Getty) new girlfriend. [Entertainment Weekly]

Glee - Tuesday November 16, 8PM ET/PT, Global/Fox

Every week, 'Glee' tries to sell its latest episode as a 'television event.' I haven't been buying. But this week, Gwyneth Paltrow guest stars as a substitute teacher when Will is sick. Gwyneth has been trying to make a music career happen for a while now, but she approached the enterprise with her usual subtlety. I think most people don't realize she can sing at all -- and even if she can't, that hasn't stopped her friend Madonna form making a go of it. Should be fun, watching cold fish Paltrow up against Lea the Diva.

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by e-mailing us at tvsquad@gmail.com. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: '90210,' 'Bones,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Castle,' 'Cougar Town,' 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Fringe,' 'Glee,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'NCIS,' and 'Private Practice.'

On 'Access Hollywood Live' (weekdays, syndicated), Billy Bush arm wrestles Jillian Michaels in preparation for a match with Dot-Marie Jones, who plays Coach Beiste on 'Glee' and is a former arm wrestling champion.

Tired of Gwyneth Paltrow yet? Tough, because she's singing "Forget You," a very PG version of Cee Lo Green's "F--- You," on next week's 'Glee.'

Don't be alarmed if you find yourself hating this video at first, and then come to love it. At first, I was like, "What is this? This is lame." Then I noticed Rachel's face throughout the video and realized I wasn't alone.

Then, something happened. I watched it a second time. Then a third. I'm not sure what number I'm on now, but the song has seeped its way into my brain and I cannot stop watching. I'm even humming it as I write this.

Gwyneth busts out the sassy at about 20 seconds in, then she lets her charm take over. See for yourself below.

Can Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert beat "the Unemployed America" to become Time magazine's "Person of the Year"? Maybe.

The Comedy Central duo have been jointly nominated for the honor, but they face stiff competition from the likes of conservative stars Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, along with pop icon Lady Gaga.

Fans of Colbert and Stewart can vote for the two here, but make an informed decision and read the full list -- they'd expect that of you.

In other TV news ...

• 'Glee' is streaming its Christmas album early. Head on over to the show's MySpace (yep, MySpace is still a thing) to listen. [Myspace]

• Sherri Shepherd will guest star on 'Hot in Cleveland.' Look for 'The View' co-host to appear as the judge in Elka's (Betty White) competency hearing. [TV Guide]

• Lou Dobbs has joined Fox. The veteran newsman will develop and host his own show on Fox Business Network starting in 2011. [Reuters]