Henrick Vartanian
GLEE is in crisis.
The sudden death of a key actor, Cory Monteith poses a big challenge to the producers of the show.
It was only two weeks ago, on June 28, when cast members, including Monteith took their place at a photo shoot in Los Angeles, promoting the upcoming season 5.
Actress Lea Michele tweeted: “Having the best time at our #Glee cast #Season5 gallery shoot! I can’t believe it’s our 5th season! Times flies when you’re having fun :)”
But on Saturday, July 13, 2013, Monteith’s dead body found in a guestroom at The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, in Vancouver, BC, will forever change the life of GLEE, its tightly knit ensemble cast and the creators.
Almost immediately, the creative machine behind FOX’s hit TV show found itself scrambling to redirect creative and production plans, with the filming schedule originally scheduled to start mid-August.
Playing Finn Hudson, Cory Monteith was a key character and an important part of the storyline.
There is that romantic aspect of the story involving Finn and Rachel, played by Monteith’s real life girlfriend Lea Michelle. Then there was the long-term plan of possibly grooming Finn to take the place of music instructor, Mr. Shue, which for now is played by Matthew Morrison, and if Morrison were to leave the show.
Monteith’s death at age 31 is still under investigation, with autopsy planned for today.
No word from FOX on how the actor’s death is going to be handled on the show.
Industry experts say the actor’s death will have quite an impact on the FOX series and presents serious difficulties.
Writing the character off, simply based on production deadlines, and getting on with the show is a delicate matter. Ideally, it must serve the plot while honoring the loss of such significant character, while resonating with GLEE’s (and Monteith’s) loyal fans. It’s doubtful that show creator Ryan Murphy and writers will choose anything less than dramatic and discussion-worthy since they have often taken a pro-active role, episode after episode, in discussing real life issues facing today’s youth.
Showbiz and pop culture expert Scott Huver, gave his input on Monteith’s character, Finn, on FOX411’s Pop Tarts column: “He leaves a major hole in the heart of the show that will be challenging for the writers and producers to address. While the ‘Glee’ staff and especially series creator Ryan Murphy have never shied away from handling controversial, tragic or dark subject matter, translating Monteith’s loss into a ‘death of Finn’ storyline may simply prove to be too sad and all-consuming for the show, but glossing over his absence seems unrealistic. Whatever they decide, the writers will have to proceed very delicately lest dealing with the outcome overwhelm the show’s generally light, fun-loving tone.”
Other industry crackerjacks like crisis communications expert, Glenn Selig of The Publicity Agency believes that by incorporating what really happened to the late actor may be the best direction to take and show unity with mourning fans.
“They may decide to handle what happened honestly; his character may be portrayed as dying suddenly and shockingly. That may provide both the cast and the public to grieve,” he said. “Whatever producers decide to do they will need to tread carefully because Cory Monteith was so well liked and what happened is so incredibly tragic,” says Selig.
The Canadian born Monteith can be seen in a few completed projects coming down the pipeline, including a starring role opposite Kevin Zegers (“Gossip Girl”), in writer-director Gia Milani’s ALL THE WRONG REASONS where he plays a store manager, in a story about four people facing a post-traumatic experience.
Zegers’ emotional tweet after hearing about his co-star’s death read: “I’ve never lost a friend this close. This feels like a mistake.”
In McCANICK (filmed in September of 2012), Monteith played a recently released drug addict pinned murder charges, where the actor, according to the film’s director Josh C. Weller, pulled from his own past history with drug use to find Simon, the character he had to portray.
GLEE LIVE at The Radio City Music Hall is also in post-production and coming soon.
The first episode of “Glee’s” new season is slated to air on September 11th.
CLICK HERE for GLEE’s official website on FOX’s.
CLICK HERE to see Clevver Music’s tribute video, Cory Monteith’s Five Top Performances on GLEE.