GLEE's Super Bowl Episode Takes Top Spot in Scripted Telecasts for Past 3 Years

GLEE's post-Super Bowl episode, which was the series' first episode after a few weeks' break, certainly made up for lost time: the episode garnered 26.8 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter, with an 11.1 rating in its key demo of 18-49. These numbers make it the highest scripted series telecast in the past three years.

The episode, which featured the Glee Club performing at a football halftime show, was GLEE's highest rated episode to date, just barely edging out The Office's big Super Bowl episode in 2009; that episode earned an 11.0 rating in the 18-49 demo.

However, in terms of total viewers, last year's Undercover Boss episode drew nearly 12 million more viewers. Both of these could be compared to ABC's Alias in 2003 - which, as the lowest performing telecast in recent years, only earned 18 million viewers.

GLEE was an obvious choice for the post-Super Bowl show as 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.

Read the full Hollywood Reporter article here.