GLEE Returns to Highest Ratings to Date

The Hollywood Reporter Live Feed reports that after a heavily bemoaned four-month hiatus, Fox's GLEE returned last night with its highest-rated episode ever. The second installment of the hit show's first season premiered at 9:28pm following American Idol. The musical dramedy snagged 13.7 million viewers and a 5.6 rating - almost 50% higher than the ratings it received for its first preview episode, which aired after American Idol last year. GLEE also held onto 77% of its American Idol lead-in.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Fox points out that the "Glee" rating is the largest for any freshman scripted series this year."

Recent winner of the People's Choice Award for Best New Comedy and Golden Globe winner for Best Television Series Comedy or Musical, GLEE, the new musical comedy series, follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High's Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential.

The show, which also garnered Golden Globe recognition, stars Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz.

Due to the success of the first installment of the show, which aired last on December 9, FOX has already ordered a second season of the show and announced that it will soon be launching a nationwide search to cast three new roles, which will be documented on the network in the multi-part special. These newest additions will make their debut on the second season premiere.

GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk and Dante di Loreto serve as executive producers, while Ian Brennan serves as co-executive producer.

GLEE airs on FOX on Tuesdays at 9pm.