Glee ~ Season 3 Premiere Episode 1 ~ The Purple Piano Project

Glee returns for a third season on FOX on Tuesday September 20th. The first episode is titled The Purple Piano Project, and is directed by Eric Stoltz. As yet i don't know the specifics involved with the plot of The Purple Piano Project, but the episode's synopsis says Mr.Schuester assigns a "project" to the New Directions Glee Club to lift their spirits after not winning nationals at season 2's conclusion. Not for nothing but i'm guessing New Directions will not be scripted to win nationals until Glee's series' finale. [Remember you heard that theory here first kids].

But we're a long way from that event so back to what's happening in Glee's 3rd season. Mercedes [Amber Riley] gets a new boyfriend, football lineman Marcus [LaMarcus Tinker]. Sue [Jane Lynch] heaven help us all, campaigns for a seat in Congress. A new student named Sugar [Vanessa Lengies] described as having been born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a tin ear, is added to the McKinley High student body. Rachel [Lea Michele] Finn [Cory Monteith] and Kurt [Chris Colfer] have graduated but show runner Ryan Murphy has kept his promise and they have not been removed from Glee's cast. Kurt's dad Burt [Mike O' Malley] is not listed as a cast member but his photo is included with FOX' 2011 Glee press gallery photos, so i'm theorizing this may mean Kurt's dad may be referenced but we may not see him in the episodes---kind of like how we never see the parents of Charles Schultz' Peanuts characters. Not listed as a cast member or included in the press photos is Sam [Chord Overstreet]. Overstreet declined the offer of a 10 episode story arc that would have begun at the middle of the third season---so sorry kids---those plump cherry lips will not be seen kissing Mercedes. Guess her budding romance with him gets an off-screen detour to line-backer Marcus. Ah young love.

In the as yet untitled 3rd episode of the third season viewers will be introduced to Mike Chang's [Harry Shum Jr] parents. Another promise made and kept by Ryan Murphy---more focus on and back story for New Directions members who were not the focus of previous seasons. Other than mom and pop Chang i have not been able to find the characters names but they will be played by Tamlyn Tomita and Keong Sim. Looking forward to the expansion of Mike's storylines. Harry Shum Jr is one of my favs.

In a case of life imitating art the winners and runners up from Oxygen's reality show The Glee Project will be featured during the course of Glee's third season.

Glee Season 3 Premiere Episode 1 The Purple Piano Project airs on FOX Tuesday September 20th 2011 at 8pm eastern/7pm central. Please check your local listings.