cory monteith interview

Thursday was a big day for 'Glee', and for Jane Lynch, who plays the indomitable Sue Sylvester on the series. Lynch is hosting this year's Emmys, and in today 'Glee' racked up an impressive twelve nominations. This came on the heels of major 'Glee' casting changes that were announced Wednesday. Lynch called in to 'Access Hollywood Live' (weekdays, syndicated on NBC) Thursday to talk about it all.

Lynch was thrilled for Dot-Marie Jones, who plays Coach Beiste on 'Glee' and was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. "She's the best," said Lynch. "She's such a wonderful actress and she's a consummate professional. I'm just a big fan of Dot's, and so that really warmed my heart."

There are plenty of ill-conceived female characters all over prime-time TV (just pick any show on the CW for starters) but is it fair to dump Glee into that category? While Glee undoubtedly has some of the most egregious, misshapen teen girls around, I don't think it's this fall's worst offender.

Sadie over at Jezebel makes some very salient points in her gender-critique of Glee, but she misses the mark when she calls the show "cheap and disingenuous." Yes, stock portrayals of female characters can reinforce harmful stereotypes, but I don't think that's what's happening on Glee.

As an avid fan, I think you can appreciate the show without dismissing it because it doesn't portray women in a positive light. This is a Ryan Murphy show. And no one comes out looking good in a Ryan Murphy show.

After missing the premiere episode of Glee when it aired in May, I watched the DVR'd season premiere with friends last night. As soon as it was over, I promptly ditched them to head upstairs and watch the pilot on Hulu. I am hooked, people!

And now, after seeing their version of "Don't Stop Believin'," I want to see Glee versions of all my favorite pop songs, plus all the show tunes I loved from back when I was a high school drama dork.

So, Glee fans, what's on your song wish list? My top five are after the jump.

"It's not like (sings) 'I am going to get my pencil from over there!'"

Fox's new show 'Glee' is exactly what it sounds like: one hour of toe-tapping, sing-along guilty pleasure goodness. But that's just half of its appeal -- 'Glee' also has the biting wit of creator Ryan Murphy ('Nip/Tuck') behind it, balancing the sweet with equal parts acerbic comedy.

Following the trials and tribulations of a struggling high school glee club full of misfits, 'Glee' sings directly to the outcast in all of us. With a special preview showing of the first episode airing after part one of the 'American Idol' finale (Tues., May 19, 9PM ET), some people might write it off as a fictional version of the mega reality hit, but the imagined characters of 'Glee' -- the goody-two-shoes diva, the reluctant jock and his mean girl cheerleader girlfriend, their good-intentioned teacher -- have more heart than a talent show could ever manufacture.

We sat down with star Cory Monteith (one of the only castmembers that's not a Broadway actor) to get the scoop on the new show, hear why this isn't another 'High School Musical' and get an exclusive preview of his vocal talents. -- By Maggie Furlong