ABC News
By Mary Murphy

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – It’s 10 a.m. on a Wednesday in the middle of a cavernous soundstage at Paramount Studios, and while the world outside is bathed in sun, everything inside is dark — everything, that is, except for the warren of classrooms and offices that make up the set of Fox’s “Glee.”

A dozen cameramen, grips and assistants are squeezed into Principal Figgins’ tiny office as four of the cast’s regulars try out their lines. They’re rusty at first, as you might imagine given that today is their first day back from summer hiatus.

Two of the main characters are having an argument.

“Finn was just trying to help out his handicapable friend!” Will (Matthew Morrison) yells.

“He was insubordinate — twice!” a large, intimidating woman played by Dot Marie Jones shoots back. “I am the captain of the USS Kick Ass, not the USS Back Talk!”

She stumbles slightly on the line.

“Let’s try it again,” urges Brad Falchuk, one of the show’s executive producers, who’s also directing.

She does — and again — and then she nails it, storming out of the room for dramatic effect as a wave of relief suffuses her and everyone else.

Welcome to the world of “Glee,” Fox’s monster hit that returns September 21 for its second season. The stakes are sky-high for everyone, not least Jones, the veteran actress who debuts as a formidable female football coach and rival to Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch).
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