After A SERIES OF HEADLINES ABOUTGLEE’S FUTURE that didn’t exactly endear him to fans, a very humble Ryan Murphy on Thursday demonstrated that he can still deliver और than a few surprises — and lots of big entertainment value — on his Emmy-nominated series.

Murphy screened the first episode of season three for reporters that had him talking about feeling revitalized and passionate for the new season. But first, a spoiler alert! If आप don’t want to read about what happens in the Sept. 20 episode and beyond, stop पढ़ना now.


Here goes: The premiere episode अगला week features a terrific performance द्वारा The ग्ली Project runner-up Lindsay Pearce and the very unexpected ouster of Santana (Naya Rivera) from New Directions. For a दिखाना that’s under constant scrutiny द्वारा press (including — we admit it! — EW), Murphy was shocked but obviously pleased that these two major plot points managed to stay under the radar. In fact, Pearce’s number was shot under a बरसती, लबादा of secrecy: the 20-year-old was literally snuck into a soundstage to make sure no one recognized her.

Don’t worry, Murphy reassured reporters: Santana will be back, as will Pearce. In fact, both the 20-year-old Pearce and fellow runner-up Alex Newell, 19, will each appear in two episodes this season while ग्ली Project winner Damian McGinty, 18, will debut in week 4 as a foreign exchange student who “shacks up” with Brittany (Heather Morris). The show’s other winner Samuel Larsen will appear in episode 10 या 11 as a relative of Puck (Mark Salling).

Here are some other highlights from the episode directed द्वारा Eric Stoltz: It features four musical numbers, including a rousing cafeteria performance of “We Got The Beat” द्वारा the cast and a sexy solo द्वारा Blaine (Darren Criss), who (finally!) leaves the Warblers to be with his beloved Kurt (Chris Colfer) at McKinley High. Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt check their egos at the door, as they learn it won’t be so easy to get into a performing arts college after high school. And much to the despair of Will (Matthew Morrison), Sue (Jane Lynch) vows to cut all arts programming to public schools as part of her platform to run for a congressional seat.

And look who’s too cool for school these days? Quinn (Dianna Agron) dyes her hair pink, lights up the cigs, and vows never to sing again. (We’ll see about that!) MERCEDES’ NEW BOYFRIEND APPEARS, too! If that’s not enough, Murphy jam-packs the episode with kneeslappers about tiny trophies, making कोको शिशु and Will’s “macaroni hair.” He even कोट्स John F. Kennedy.

So what did Murphy learn over the last three months?

“I will never again say people are leaving,” Murphy declared, smiling. But he turned serious when admitting that maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to discuss the idea of a spinoff with so many people in Hollywood, which led to an explosion of stories about the show’s future and what it could mean to seniors Rachel, Kurt and Finn (Corey Monteith).

“It just snowballed,” Murphy admitted about the reaction. “It took a turn and got nasty … I think प्रशंसकों resented it.”

Instead, he and fellow ग्ली scribe Brad Falchuk decided to “not talk about it” and “wait until spring to figure out” the अगला chapter — assuming a spinoff remains a possibility. (Hey, लोमड़ी, फॉक्स is still in need of a strong ग्ली companion). In the meantime, he spoke about how there is a very real possibility that his McKinley High graduates will stick around Ohio and assume other vocations. Teacher, anyone?

Lastly, Murphy also teased that Gwyneth Paltrow may return for another episode but कहा there won’t be a sea of tributes this year. Right now, he’s only considering one two-hour tribute in the spring.

“I feel great about it again,” Murphy कहा of the show.