'Glee' renewed for second season

By Nellie Andreeva

Fox has given an early second-season renewal to breakout freshmandramedy "Glee."

The show also is launching a nationwide casting search to fill newroles for season two.

The auditions will start in February and will be open to amateursand professionals between the ages of 16-26.

"Anybody and everybody now has a chance to be on a show abouttalented underdogs," co-creator/exec producer Ryan Murphy said. "Nomatter who you are -- a Broadway talent or a struggling singingwaiter with a dream in the Midwest -- you now have an opportunityto make that dream come true by posting your talent video andshowing us what you can do."

He noted that all roles will be chosen from the video auditionprocess, making "Glee" "the first interactive musical comedy ontelevision."

The casting search will be chronicled in a multi-part special thatwill lead up to "Glee's" second season premiere in the fall whichwill reveal the new cast members.

"We've loved 'Glee' ever since it was a pilot script, so it's beenan incredible thrill to watch the show take root and see audiencesembrace these characters in such a huge way this season," Foxentertainment president Kevin Reilly said. "The show is a true andrare gem in television."

"Glee," from 20th TV, returns with original episodes Apr. 13.

The show revolves around the members of a high school glee club andtheir teacher, and stars Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays,Lea Michele and Cory Monteith.

Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan co-created the series withMurphy, Falchuk and Dante Di Loreto serving as executive producersand Brennan as co-executive producer.