Since Foxas announcement that hit-seriesGleewould follow their broadcast of this seasonas Super Bowl, speculation has been rampant regarding which artist those pesky high schoolers would be paying tribute to in the episode.A However, it seems the producers have decided to take an alternative route, and simply do a traditional episode of the ratings juggernaut.AEWreports that the undoubtedly large-budget episode (the most expensive inGleehistory, according to EW) will include music from Black Eyed Peas, Lady Antebellum, Katy Perry, and yes, Michael Jacksonas aThriller.aA The plot will reportedly center on the local football championship (at the halftime of which aThrillera will be performed, in a mash-up with a yet to be announced song) and the regional competition for Sue Sylvesteras cheerleading squad.
For more on the big episode, and the show itself, hit the jump.UPDATE: We’ve posted the first images from theGleeThriller episode that airs after the Super Bowl,click here to check them out.Although the decision to nix the tribute idea may come as a bit of a surprise, itas probably for the best.
This seasonas Britney Spears episode was a far cry from last yearas masterful Madonna tribute.A The show seems to be at its best when the story influences the songs, and not the other way around.
A football championship sounds like a great way to acknowledge a slew of sure-to-be confused NFL fans when their television suddenly changes from juiced-up athletes battling for one of the most important titles in all of sports, to a group of skinny kids singing Lady Gaga songs.It was previously thought that theGleeproducers were mulling over three possible artists to pay tribute to in the big post-Super Bowl show: Michael Jackson, Prince, or Bruce Springsteen.
But apparently the only artist they were ever considering was Sir Elton John (EW says to expect a John-centered tribute in one of the back-nine episodes of the current season).A There had been rumblingsrecentlythat the producers were beginning to rethink the tribute strategy, and go with a traditional episode instead.A All for the best I say.
The current season as a whole has been a little more hit and miss than last year (though Gwyneth Paltrownailedher guest stint on last nightas episode, and theRocky Horror tributewas spot on).
