Finn Hudson, the character Cory Monteith played on Glee, will be written out of the popular series during the third episode of the upcoming fifth season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said at the Television Critics Association news conference that the show’s producers are working out the details for the episode. The exec also predicted that the musical-comedy will likely end after two more seasons.
Public service announcements related to Monteith’s death from an overdose are also planned.
“The right thing to do for the show, at least at this point, is to have that character pass,” series creator Ryan Murphy said. “When we do the tribute episode to that character, we’ll have to do it in a way where the cast members will not have to re-create feelings of grief that they’ve had [following Monteith’s death] — but do it in an upbeat way. If we can do this responsibly and help young people through these feelings, that’s the best that we can hope for.”
Proceeds from music sales for the tribute will go into a fund set up to honor the late actor.
The 31-year-old actor died July 13 in Vancouver, B.C. and the autopsy revealed his death was due to ”mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol.”
oilburner
Can we. move on. From this. Annoying story. I’m. Over it.
fredo777
@oilburner: So why comment on it?
fredo777
How are they going to have a major character from the show pass away + handle the other characters’ responses in an “upbeat” way?
Daniel-Reader
Hopefully the PSAs are about suicide prevention. Overdose is when you take too many sleep pills. Heroin is not an over the counter drug. Have they arrested the person who gave him the drugs?
QJ201
The reaction to his death bears no relation to his “status” in the industry. A well like recovering addict relapses and OD’s. People with MUCH longer careers death’s have been virtually ignored or glossed over.
Snapper59
“we’ll have to do it in a way where the cast members will not have to re-create feelings of grief that they’ve had [following Monteith’s death] ”
Yeah right, actors hate to ACT.
It’ll be a collection of old pop songs like Diana Ross’ “Oooh hooo, I’m missing you….” and his GF will get Babs Streisands big 20 minutes closing number from “A Star is Born” : “With ONE MORE LOOK AT YOU…..”
scott747
While I am not a rabid GLEE fan, I have to admit that I enjoy the mini-Broadway play format of the show, i.e. each week several plot lines are followed and joined by relevant musical numbers within an overall theme. As for Corey Monteith I think the interesting part of his story is how he came to win – or almost didn’t – the part of Finn on the program. And is it news that some Hollywood star dies from a drug overdose? No. Way to mundane. On the other hand the cynical comments here are really inappropriate and – to me – only reflect the country’s current “conservative” bent not unlike during the 1980’s when the Reagan Administration refused to to anything about the HIV-AIDS epidemic that was killing – what? – 6,000 people a year. We are headed in the same direction.
jwrappaport
@scott747: Agreed. A beautiful, talented person passed away. I don’t care much for Glee, but Cory was an ally in every sense of the word. He used his talent and his fame to help spread a message of equality and compassion for us. Cynicism doesn’t become us well – let’s show some compassion, gentlemen, shall we?
Tone
@Daniel-Reader: A spokesperson for Vancouver police said that they had no plans to track down the dealer. Around here it isn’t that difficult to get, and junkie central is only a ten minute walk from the posh waterfront hotel where Cory died.
At least thirty people in the Vancouver metro area have died from drug use so far in the first six months of this year. Welcome to fucking paradise by the sea. Bring cash.
scott747
@jwrappaport: Thank you.