Ryan Murphy to bring some "Glee" to primetime TV

Out producer Ryan Murphy is hoping to bring the bane of my high school existence, the Glee Club, to TV this season, with a one hour comedy for FOX.

Glee has been given a pilot commitment, and if all goes well, could air in March as a companion to American Idol: 

"Glee, which takes place in the Midwest, centers on Will, a Spanish teacher suddenly called upon to coach the glee club at the high school. The club is one of the worst in the nation -- but the adults and kids are inspired to turn things around.

Murphy's looking for a multicultural cast, as well as a mix of straight and gay characters.

The show's leads won't break out into song, but Murphy said the series will contain at least four songs per episode -- organically sung onstage by the choir. Taking a page from Idol, the performers will croon popular, well-known tunes."

As opposed to his Nip/Tuck or tabled transgender drama Pretty/Handsome, this show will have a much lighter tone, although it will keep what Ryan calls the "Fox Edge" (which I assume means lots of torture scenes):

"It's a 9 p.m. show, it's not designed for 8," he said. "But it is designed for families to watch together. It's sweet, but it will appeal to both kids and adults, it's written for both of them."

"There's so much on the air right now about people with guns, or sci-fi, or lawyers running around," he said. "This is a different genre, there's nothing like it on the air at the networks and cable. Everything's so dark in the world right now, that's why 'Idol' worked. It's pure escapism."

Well, if this show can come anywhere close to Ryan's late, lamented classic Popular, it'll definitely be worth watching, even if the subject matter conjures bad memories. Every year I tried out for the Glee Club, and every year they would say the same thing after my rendition of "Flashdance- What a Feeling": "Well, we appreciate your ... enthusiasm". Bastards.