Solid Ratings in for GLEE Premiere

The numbers are in and Glee has once again brought in a large amount of fans. 

According to TV By The Numbers, "Glee: 8.5 HH rating (up 124% vs. hour 1 of Hell's Kitchen premiere last fall, no comparison to Glee premiere available) Update: Season finale for Glee on June 8th: 7.7/12. Last episode behind American Idol: 8.2/12. Fall premiere: 4.5/7. Premiere week episode: 4.1/6."

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Entering its sophomore season, GLEE is a biting musical comedy that has quickly become a pop-culture phenomenon. The highest-rated new scripted series of the season boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of "GLEEks," two certified Gold albums, more than 10 million song downloads and an incredible 19 Emmy nominations - earning it the distinction of being the most-nominated series of the year. To top it off, the genre-defying, award-winning series has been picked up through its third season.

After GLEE was recognized by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with nominations in all major categories, the show took home four awards, including one for Ryan Murphy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and one for Jane Lynch for as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

In its freshman year, GLEE was also honored with a Peabody Award; a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical; a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series; and a People's Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy. The cast has performed for the President and First Lady at the White House, appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," sang the national anthem at the World Series and graced the covers of Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone.

GLEE follows a group of eager and ambitious students as they strive to outshine their singing competition while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High. Although New Directions lost at Regionals, they now have their sights set on making it to Nationals and defeating their arch rivals, Vocal Adrenaline.

The glee club's fearless leader is WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison), a talented young teacher with hip-hop skills and a heart gold. New Directions' aspiring stars include RACHEL (Lea Michele), a pitch-perfect singer with an unfaltering determination to be popular; FINN (Cory Monteith), the heartbreakingly cool quarterback who struggles with his personal life; KURT (Chris Colfer), the baby-faced soprano with a fierce eye for fashion; MERCEDES (Amber Riley), a powerhouse vocalist whose diva attitude rivals the greats; ARTIE (Kevin McHale), a physically disabled performer with killer vocals and a dream to dance; and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz), a goth chick with a soft side. There's also arrogant and cocky crooner PUCK (Mark Salling); ice-cold queen-bee-turned-teen-mom QUINN (Dianna Agron); and the dynamic dimwitted cheerleading duo of BRITTANY (Heather Morris) and SANTANA (Naya Rivera). With his heart in the right place, Will is determined to help the kids take Nationals, but at every turn he must battle with his nemesis, SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch), the conniving cheerleading coach; and his evil ex-wife, TERRI (Jessalyn Gilsig). Mr. Schuester's only allies at McKinley are OCD-afflicted guidance counselor EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays) and supportive parents like Kurt's dad, BURT HUMMEL (Mike O'Malley).

In addition to the regular cast, GLEE has featured guest appearances by a wide range of talented performers, including Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Molly Shannon, Olivia Newton-John and Neil Patrick Harris, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the show.

The second season of GLEE will include guest appearances by comedy icon Carol Burnett, pop superstar Britney Spears, heartthrob John Stamos, Broadway sensation Cheyenne Jackson, international recording artist Charice and newcomer Chord Overstreet.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff