A source says the producers and writers are still trying to 'figure out how to best address' the Finn depicter's sudden passing, but the show is definitely moving forward with its fifth season.
- Jul 18, 2013
AceShowbiz - "Glee" season 5 is still happening despite losing one of its original actors, Cory Monteith. Following his tragic death, the show's writers reportedly held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, July 17 to decide how to write him out of the story.
"Glee is definitely not canceled," a TMZ source says. "If you look at the dollars and cents of the show and that it was very much an ensemble with new kids being added last year when some graduated. It's clear that the show wasn't about one character."
"The producers and writers are taking time to meet and figure out how to best address this situation in the context of 'Glee'. No decision has been reached about a script yet, as it's still early." The source adds that producers may follow the route of shows like "8 Simple Rules" and "The West Wing", which have also suffered real-life deaths.
Words are, though the show is still very much alive, the fifth season premiere may be delayed until November "to let everyone breathe" following Monteith's sudden passing. Meanwhile, E! Online reports that the drama musical series is moving forward with casting two new characters, who are a "cute and quirky" twentysomething named Jenny and a new African-American student at McKinley High School.
Monteith, who played Finn Hudson on the Ryan Murphy-created series, died from a mix of drugs and alcohol in a hotel room in Vancouver last Saturday. His body was reportedly cremated on Tuesday after a private viewing attended by his family and girlfriend Lea Michele.
Dianna Agron and Naya Rivera, who are among the original cast members of "Glee", have just released a statement to remember their late co-star. "Cory is so deserving of that place in everyone's hearts," Agron stated. "He was one of the most generous and kind people that I have ever met. He had a smart, curious mind, he was an enormous talent. He was loving to not only me, but my family. My heart goes out to his family, to Lea, to everyone that is struggling with the loss of our friend. We will miss you Cory. We will always carry a piece of you with us."
Rivera added, "Cory was and always will be a part of my own family and a good friend. He was a special part of this world and will forever be missed. My heart goes out to Cory's family and Lea, and while we are grateful for everyone's well wishes, privacy during this time of grief is greatly appreciated."
Jane Lynch additionally got emotional when talking about the 31-year-old actor on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". "Cory's one of the biggest hearts, was a real bright light. He was one of those guys that...you know, he knew he was breathing rarified air...the gifts that this wonderful show gave us," she said with teary eyes.
"He was one of those adventurous types of those people... I don't think he left one day unlived. He was a real bright light in our family and we've lost a really great guy," she continued. "He once flew across the country on his own nickel to meet with a sick kid [whose] last wish was to meet him. That's just the kind of guy he was. Just a real giver."
Jane Lynch remembered Cory Monteith on "The Tonight Show":
