Now that the second season of ‘Glee’ is over, co-executive producer and creator Ryan Murphy, as well as the rest of the show’s execs are now directing all their energies to the show’s reality spin-off, ‘The Glee Project’, a 10-episode series set to air this summer via the Oxygen network.

The show aims to scout for new talent – one new talent out of 12 hopefuls – which will be the show’s latest addition, gracing seven episodes, for its third season this fall. But as it might turn out, one new talent out of the dozen might not be enough.

The initial plan was to pick one, with the help of the show’s chief choreographer Zach Woodlee, Murphy, casting director Robert Ulrich and co-executive producer Dante Di Loreto. But with the pool of talent that swarmed in from all across the country, Murphy and his gang are not limiting the choice to a slim one.

“I do think that all 12 of these kids could not only be on ‘Glee’ but they will go on to do other things. We will see them all around whether it be in music or in acting, stage or film and theater. I’m hoping that we see more than just the winner on ‘Glee,’” says Ulrich during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

The execs had to screen more than 40,000 hopefuls who submitted their demo reels via MySpace to select the lucky 12 for the reality show, a process they dubbed as ‘expanded casting’, which seems to be way longer, more thorough and strenuous as the normal marathon casting process they held for the last two years. Last summer, the marathon casting process paved the way for breakout stars Darren Criss who plays Blaine, and Chord Overstreet who plays Sam.

In the end, it all boils down to those who can really sing. But if the person can sing, act on cue and bust a move as well, that definitely is a big plus, no matter how big or small the part is, because the show’s creative heads are not only looking for people to place in the hit series, whether as regulars or in off-beat roles, they are also looking one step ahead to the future.

“We were like, ‘You really have something and even though you’re not right for this show, we’re going to make sure you get something in the entertainment industry because you have a gift that the world should see,” Murphy explains, citing two of the show’s actors as examples.

Cases in point, Kent Avenido who plays Howard, turned out to be more than just a linen store subordinate (and Teri Schuester’s complicit to her crazy antics). He is a talented performer who can sing and dance especially as part of an acapella group, as seen in one of the show’s initial episodes.

Heather Morris, who plays Brittany, rose to ‘Glee’ fame from being a professional backup dancer who was initially signed on to teach the cast the steps to Beyonce’s ‘ Single Ladies’, to one of the most watched characters in the show, thanks to her funny but dim-witted one-liners. And in the show’s second season, she has also been tasked to sing and dance a-la Britney Spears in the episode aptly titled ‘Britney/Brittany’, making it the most anticipated, most watched, and most raved episode of the season, with the pop princess herself impressed with the ‘Glee’ star’s versatility and talent.

The 12 finalists already had their chance to sing and dance just like their favorite ‘Glee’ characters through their first music video, their own rendition of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework’. The video, which premiered on Saturday via Oxygen, was used as a teaser for the spin-off’s upcoming premiere. The show was initially slated to air via FOX, the same network which airs ‘Glee’, but because of the back-and-forth with the show’s premiere citing Murphy’s scheduling conflicts, Oxygen picked it up and gave it a green light.

‘The Glee Project’ premieres on June 12.

Pippa Middleton, Princess Kate’s little sis who wowed everyone at the Royal Wedding for being the hottest Maid of Honor ever, has cemented herself as a true pop culture icon across the pond.

On the season finale of the FOX hit show ‘Glee’, ‘Her Royal Hotness’ Pippa was mentioned in one of the episode’s last few scenes involving lovebirds Blaine and Kurt, and Sam.

In the middle of Kurt giving Blaine the 411 from Nationals in New York City, including Santana’s feisty and funny ‘Lima Heights Adjacent’ meltdown in Spanish, and after Blaine drops the ‘love’ bomb on Kurt, Sam appears (with Mercedes, whom he is dating on the down low) and asks the two on their summer plans.

Blaine: “We’re on our way to get some sheet music. Tomorrow is my audition for the summer show at Six Flags.”

Kurt: “Whereas I’m spending my summer composing Pip, Pip, Hooray, the Broadway musical about Pippa Middleton.”

Sam: “I have no idea who that is but it sounds totally awesome!”

Two weeks ago, in the show’s ‘Prom Queen’ episode, it was the Duchess of Cambridge’s name that made its way to the popular musical series via Kurt’s diva-esque name dropping.

“Eat your heart out Kate Middleton!” he said while holding a scepter and a crown on his head. Oh, and did we mention he was named prom queen, and not king, in that sequence?

The season finale of the FOX hit ‘Glee’ didn’t create that much of a stir compared to the PSA that aired fifteen minutes before the show’s second season (a slow and predictable season if we might add) came to an end ( a boring end if we might also interject).

The PSA was entitled ‘Not Acceptable’, an anti-slur ad which is part of the ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ anti-defaming campaign. What makes the PSA buzz-worthy is that it seems to be a complete paradox. In an effort to put an end to slurs or statements attacking or ridiculing race, sexual orientation, religion and physical or mental disabilities, the actors in the ad state the same insulting words (the ‘N-word’, the three-letter ‘F-word’, or the ‘R-word’) in utter clarity – no bleeps, no blurs.

The ad ends with ‘Glee’ stars Jane Lynch and Lauren Potter, saying that using the ‘R-word’ or any other slurs is not acceptable, as it was repeatedly mentioned in the 30-second video. Lynch plays Sue Sylvester in the series, the mean cheering squad coach whose bitter and mean attitude towards others is softened by her sister, Jean (played by Robin Trocki), who is intellectually handicapped. Lauren Potter, also intellectually handicapped, plays Becky Johnson, Sue’s right-hand and constant complicit.

Apart from FOX, the PSA will also air in the station’s cable, sports and regional affiliates, and other cable channels like USA, Oxygen, MTV, TNT, truTV, CNN and TBS.

‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ created the ad campaign in cooperation with R-word.org, which is sponsored by Best Buddies International and the Special Olympics. Before it went live, the ad was green-lit by several groups related to the cause such as the NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is one of the prominent personalities who publicly supports the cause, particularly the website and the PSA, after his R-word debacle back in 2009.

Having just finished filming “Glee’s” second season, you would think the young cast might have low energy.

However last night all of them gave an energetic performance in Las Vegas to kick the “Glee Live! Tour” off.

One of the leading stars, Lea Michele, appeared particularly enthusiastic while performing several numbers. Before the performance she tweeted that she was very excited.

Lea, Cory Monteith and Dianna Agron, all dressed alike wearing trainers, jeans and red polo shirts, clearly were thoroughly enjoying themselves out on the stage.

They opened by covering “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and then performed Lady Gaga’s hit single “Born This Way” from the Mandalay Bay Hotel’s stage.

Despite not getting a lot of rest, all of them were looking forward to the first performance.

On Twitter Lea, who portrays Rachel Berry on “Glee,” tweeted: Las Vegas, are you ready? Tonight is the first performance for the Glee live tour. I’m very excited.

Chris Colfer tweeted: in a few minutes our “2011 Glee Live Tour” will begin. I can’t wait for this summer to see your faces.

Lea, Dianna and crew have been busy with show rehearsals. Live dates will take place across the United States as well as Ireland and the U.K.

Creator Ryan Murphy says this tour, which is the second for “Glee,” is a chance for the cast and fans (a.ka. “Gleeks”) to grow closer.

Having thousands of “Gleeks” come together with our cast to share one special night is magical. This tour is a way for us to thank the fans for all of their incredible support right from the start.

The “Glee” cast has had a busy year, with the tour being the latest event.

The crew has been seen in New York City, shooting the season finale, with scenes involving the glee club New Directions competing at a national singing competition.

Soon the cast was the center of attention with scores of curious onlookers, tourists and fans stopping to watch the filming.

Glee’s season finale will be broadcast in the U.S. on June 8.

Who would’ve thought that underneath Brittany S. Pears’ McKinley High Cheerios uniform – or even her casual clothes – is a rock slamming body ready for beach season? Who would’ve that Heather Morris, despite her dummy-esque character on ‘Glee’, would care enough to carve her figure in a hot way?

Well, the people at Women’s Health clearly had thought of it, that’s why she’s gracing the magazine’s cover next month in a stunning red bikini that makes every mere mortal jealous as summer is fast approaching.

Heather credits her dancing background for her figure, as well as her healthy snack diet which consists of peanut butter, apples and bananas, and she doesn’t necessarily have to eat those separately. “I don’t know, I like apples and bananas and peanut butter all at the same time,” says the 24-year old whose impressive skills on the dance floor caught the attention of both Beyonce and ‘Glee’ producer Ryan Murphy, thus landing the role of the adorably dumb Brittany in the award winning series.

But how different really is Heather from the infamous character she plays on the show, whose quippy one-liners play along the lines of stupidity and hilarity? “I want to make everybody laugh…I’m exactly like Brittany – I love to dance, I like to have fun. I’d rather have innocence than be serious all the time.” And that carefree personality is what drew her closer to her co-stars Jenna Ushkowitz, who plays Tina, and Kevin McHale, who plays Artie. “The more storylines I have with certain characters the closer I get with them,” Morris adds.

The new issue of Women’s Health hits stands this June, while you can catch Heather and her epic one-liners and dance moves on ‘Glee’, which airs its season finale on Tuesday, May 24 on FOX.

‘Try a Little Tenderness’, an R&B classic tracing back to the 1930s and first popularized by the Ray Noble Orchestra, was once again given a new spin, this time by ‘Glee’ star Amber Riley, who plays glee club diva Mercedes, In the ‘Funeral’ episode of the hit FOX series last Tuesday.

Otis Redding’s version back in 1966 is perhaps the most popular version of the song, from which several artists have based their own renditions of the track. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Nina Simone, Three Dog Night and Michael Buble have all rendered their voices while sampling the 1966 version. This particular version, with its smooth and crooning opening, partnered with Redding’s soulful voice as it climaxes into a rock n’ roll dramatic anthem, is considered by many critics as one of the greatest love songs to which you can make sweet music with your special someone. Case in point, Duckie’s (Jon Cryer) serenade to Andie (Molly RIngwald) in the 1986 coming-of-age John Hughes flick ‘Pretty in Pink’. However, that didn’t work quite well for Duckie, despite his brave and very spirited dance moves and precise lip-synch timing.

The Redding version have also hit the silver screen through other films like ‘Shrek’, ‘Duets’, ‘Bull Durham’ and 2007’s ‘This Christmas’, where a less volatile Chris Brown sung the classic. And in the small screen, apart from ‘Glee’, the dance competition ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ have also sampled the R&B staple to demonstrate how a good song can translate to creative storytelling via fluid and graceful dance moves.

Armed with a self-titled debut album, Matthew Morrison is all set to go on tour this summer, but he won’t be alone. He will be joining the New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys on its upcoming trek dubbed as the NKOTBSB tour. He made the announcement this morning at the ABC morning show Good Morning America. Some solo gig dates in his own tour schedule will be replaced with the shows he will be sharing with the two boy bands. The complete and updated itinerary is posted at the official Matthew Morrison website.

Fans of the “Glee” star was slated to hit Arizona by way of the intimate Dodge Theatre, but because of the new tour collaboration development, Morrison will be performing at the more spacious US Airways Center together with the two pop acts on June 30 instead.

Morrison’s first studio work features collaborations with Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sting. The direction and theme of the album is almost a 180-degree turn from the actor’s character in the award winning FOX series, which is about to wrap up its second season this month.

“American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and Ashlyne Huff are also joining the said summer trek.

On the season finale of the award winning FOX primetime hit ‘Glee’, the McKinley High New Directions Glee Club are headed to the Big Apple, the Mecca of the finest plays, musicals and show tunes that had a big influence not only on the glee club, but on the entire show itself, particularly its weekly and this week’s repertoire which features Broadway staples, such as those borrowed from the box office hit musical, ‘Wicked’.

The episode pays homage to the critically acclaimed musical through a scene depicting Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele) sneaking their way into an empty Gershwin Theatre to experience – even for just one song – what it truly feels like to be on the Great White Way stage, to the tune of Wicked’s ‘For Good’.

Other ‘must sees’ in this episode include Matthew Morrison’s performance of ‘Still Got Tonight’, the second single off his self-titled debut album. Tony Award winning actress and Rachel Berry’s ultimate Broadway idol Patti LuPone makes a cameo in a scene that further motivates Lea Michele’s character to pursue her dreams of becoming a Broadway star, regardless of what she feels for Finn (Cory Monteith).

Catch the season finale of ‘Glee’ at 9 PM ET on FOX.

The “Glee” season finale will air on May 24 and features scenes that were filmed at Gershwin Theatre’s stage, the home of the Broadway smash hit musical “Wicked.”

According to the press notes released, New Directions, the glee club from McKinley High School, travels to New York City from Lima, Ohio to compete at a glee club national competition. While Rachel (played by Lea Michele) and Kurt (played by Chris Colfer) are sightseeing in New York City they sneak onto the “Wicked” stage and perform “For Good,” one of the hit songs from the show.

Also Will Schuester, the character played by Matthew Morrison, will be performing a song off of Morrison’s debut album called “Still Got Tonight.” Patti LuPone, the Tony Award wining actress, will be making a special guest appearance.

For people who have purchased tickets for the “Glee” live tours to take place during the next couple of months, there is good news. You may get a visit from a favorite guest star.

Gwyneth Paltrow, in a BBC 2 interview, hinted she had been asked to participate in some type of guest appearance. However she did not confirm she would be at the shows in person. Odds are Paltrow will film a video appearance (like last year when Matthew Morrison did that) or she could end up at live shows when the gang heads overseas. (Paltrow and husband Chris Martin live in London).

Included as headliners for the “Glee” tour are New Direction members, selected Dalton Academy Warblers and Darren Criss.