It sounds like a sure success; audiences are looking for more of this show's namesake in their daily lives. But Fox is giving this show an unconventional release that was already turning heads before its debut last night. Billing it as "the world's largest grassroots screening," Fox showed the pilot episode last night... but they won't be following it up next week. Instead, the show will pick up where it left off in August or September. Fox execs are counting on their assumption that "the show sells itself better than any [campaign] can." They will be marketing the show heavily on Hulu and through other media outlets, including a possible mass DVD distribution of the pilot. The show's cost, at over $3 million per episode, is already soaring, but Fox is willing to bite the bullet for their new smash hit hopeful.
Back in March, I was walking around the Paramount lot, and we saw a film shoot going on in one of the parking lots. A security guard told us they were shooting an episode of Glee. Without giving away any of the as-of-yet unknown story line, let's just say we weren't impressed by the gaggles of cheerleaders prancing around the lot with posters. Those same friends have now seen the pilot (I haven't), and they're already raving about the show... maybe Fox's methods are working. I know I want to see it now, even though it does sound like somewhat of a High School Musical derivative.
Also, in a somewhat related Slate article, Troy Patterson reveals that Eliza Dushku was at the Fox upfronts in New York, signaling the show is on for another season. Hooray.
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