‘Glee’ star Morrison learns to trust writers

Glee star says he has learned to trust his writers after the release of Glee season 1 on DVD this week.

LOS ANGELES: Matthew Morrison has been slusheed, serenaded, ridiculed, and cajoled into singing rap - all in the service of “Glee.” But after a year on the hit musical TV show, the actor says he has learned to trust his writers.

Broadway star Morrison, 31, plays Will Schuester, Spanish teacher and leader of the struggling high school choir, in the quirky Fox comedy that has taken pop culture by storm. The role has brought the singing, dancing actor an Emmy nomination, instant public recognition, and surprises every week in the form of new scripts from series creator Ryan Murphy and writers Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan.

“Sometimes I cringe! (on first seeing my script),” Morrison told Reuters this week, as the complete first season “Glee” DVD was released.  “But I’ve learned to trust the writers. Ryan, Brad and Ian all know what they doing. Sometimes those cringe moments have turned out to be the most amazing things. The first time they asked me to rap on the show I was like, what? But the cover version of (Kanye West’s) ‘Gold Digger’ turned out to be great number and everyone loved it, so I completely have trust in them,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s wavy hair has also been the butt of numerous sarcastic quips from his “Glee” nemesis, scheming cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester (played by Emmy winner Jane Lynch). As a teacher, Morrison usually manages to dodge the sticky slushee assaults carried out on the under-dog Glee club members by more popular high school students. But he hasn’t been immune. “In the first season, all the kids ganged up and all slusheed me at once. It doesn’t feel good going down your backside!” he said.

Life has changed dramatically in the past year for Morrison, whose Broadway credits include South Pacific and Hairspray. The DVD release includes a video diary shot by Morrison in the summer of 2009, just before “Glee” became one of the most talked-about new shows on US television.

He films himself standing unrecognised on a New York street next to a wall poster of himself promoting “Glee”.

“I’ve gone from the small bubble of the New York community to this great success of having the world know who you are, and people recognising you everywhere,” he said. “I am so happy that a musical show has found its way on TV. It hasn’t happened in a couple of decades. I am glad we live in a time where people are open to that,” he added.

The DVD also gives fans a look at original audition clips by cast members Lea Michele (Rachel), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Cory Monteith (Finn) and others, along with sing-along karaoke, “Glee” dance steps and fashion tips.

The show’s second season begins September 21 on Fox with new students and celebrity guests including Britney Spears, Javier Bardem and British singer Susan Boyle.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2010.