How 'Glee' Will Handle Cory Monteith's Death: Season's Third Episode Will Honor the Star
As the cast and crew of "Glee" still mourn Cory Monteith's untimely death, they are going back to work on the show that made him a star.
At the Television Critics Association Thursday morning, Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly said that the season's third episode, slated for Oct. 10, will write out Monteith's character, Finn Hudson. And it will "deal directly with the drug abuse" that led to Monteith's passing, though Reilly would not confirm if Finn dies from drugs.
#Glee will write Finn off the show in a way that directly addresses Cory Monteith's own struggle with addiction http://t.co/CZHiWNpUNo
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) August 1, 2013
Reilly praised star Lea Michele, Monteith's girlfriend on and off camera, for being a "pillar of strength" even as she grieves. She was the first one to urge the "Glee" team to return to work.
Reilly calls Lea Michele an extraordinary human being and pillar of strength. She wanted to get back to work. #glee #FOX #TCAs13
— Danielle Turchiano (@danielletbd) August 1, 2013
As for Reilly's reaction to Monteith's drug addiction and death, he noted that the actor had been "very open about it in his past, but not as open about his present." And unlike other situations where a cast member struggled with addiction, Reilly said, Monteith "was not a problem. Everybody loved him."
[Photo: Lea Michele Steps Out for First Time Since Boyfriend Cory Monteith’s Death]
Reilly held off on any more specific details about the episode, as the writers are still penning it. But he did reveal that it will be accompanied by special drug-related PSAs shot by creator Ryan Murphy and cast members. And all proceeds from music sales will go to a fund in Monteith's name.
There's a possibility of outtakes and unused footage of Cory will be used in #Glee's 3rd episode. #tcas13
— Damian Holbrook (@TVGMDamian) August 1, 2013
Season 5, which premieres Sept. 26, will kick off with two "really fun, celebratory" Beatles-themed episodes, Reilly said. After the Monteith tribute episode, "Glee" will go on hiatus for a few weeks during the World Series.
See more photos of Monteith on "Glee":