http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hemefXgKCoU_b70rNrrhB5i8A8Dg?docId=4975586
By Alicia Rancilio
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Cory Monteith tries to be a regular guy, despite his success with "Glee."
The 28-year-old plays Finn Hudson, a lovable dope who is the quarterback on his high school football team, on the hit Fox series. Finn also has a good voice and sings in the school's show choir, and he consistently finds himself being pulled in both directions: Is he a jock or a creative? Can't he be both? High school isn't that simple.
While his character is unsure about where he stands, Monteith himself wavers between being on a Golden Globe winning TV show and a kid from Canada who loves to perform. Can't he be both? He hopes so.
Monteith grew up with his single mother and older brother in Victoria, British Columbia. Before "Glee" he had some acting experience but not much. He had a recurring role on the show "Kyle XY" which aired on ABC Family and lived in Vancouver acting in various local productions.
Cory moved to Los Angeles when he scored a role on "Glee." He now lives in a house in Los Angeles with four roommates and is the only actor in the group.
"That was something I was really careful about," he explains over lunch at an Italian restaurant in Gramercy Park. "There are those 'actor houses,' believe me. I won't name names, but there are quads of those actors that sort of roll in groups. It's not my thing."
He goes on to describe his living situation as "like 'Entourage' without the debauchery" and then adds, "I mean that."
Monteith wouldn't mind a little debauchery now and then or, as he describes it, being "a young, single guy with my friends at 3 a.m.," but he just doesn't have time for it. The show keeps him really busy. He also jokes that there's a "lack of potted plants sealing off the deck" — his private life could become very public.
Overall, Monteith isn't too worried about his image.
"It's not like I'm living double lives as a secret agent or a transvestite. What are they gonna find? If I were dating someone or if I had a family life, that could be a little difficult. That's not the case. I'm kind of boring for the press or the paparazzi."
Beyond "Glee," Monteith wants to do more but isn't in a rush to take on projects just because he can. They need to feel right. He has a record deal but is waiting to find the right direction to take it in.
"If it seems genuine, I'll put out an album. I kind of want to find my voice first. ... I hope the opportunity is still there when that comes."
Monteith may not want to get ahead of himself but his co-stars have confidence in his abilities.
"Working with Cory is such a joy. He is committed, focused and so much fun. His story to success is so inspirational, he truly deserves all of this," says co-star Lea Michele.
Matthew Morrison plays a teacher on "Glee" and compares watching Monteith to watching a real student.
"If I were to give ... a 'most improved,' it would go to Cory. He wasn't a singer. Definitely wasn't a dancer. To see where he's come, I feel like such a proud teacher ... or almost like a proud parent. It's crazy," says Morrison. "Cory's amazing. He picks up dance so fast now and he's definitely the most improved out of everyone in my opinion."
If Monteith is like a student he's trying to learn as much as possible about production.
"I soak up everything I can. ... I pay attention to the shot. I pay attention to the lighting because that's the stuff that doesn't come naturally. The technical side — that's a film school I haven't signed up for."
If "Glee" were to be cancelled tomorrow, Monteith says he would be OK.
"I've never been afraid of working. I've never been afraid of auditioning for jobs. Obviously, I've never been afraid of anonymity. I was happy (before 'Glee'). I'm happy now. I guess I'm well adjusted."
End of article
I find it quite impressive that Cory, who is twenty-eight years old, and dropped out of school in the ninth grade, is able to communicate the angst of a high school boy so effectively. The press has picked up on the fact that three of the students: Finn, Puck, and Mike Chang, are all played by actors in their late twenties. They are only a few years younger than Matthew Morrison, who obviously plays their teacher. How many years will they be able to play these roles? And how long can these characters continue to be in high school? Chris Colfer can probably "pass" as a teenager for years to come, but is Kurt going to stay in high school until he's twenty-one, or longer?
Its a dilemma for the show. Ryan Murphy said on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that the kids on Glee will never graduate, but he was probably joking. Other shows have faced this situation. The example that comes to my mind because its another show I'm addicted to is "Friday Night Lights." On FNL, the students have graduated. A few of them will have recurring roles in the fifth and final season, but for the most part the action will center around the new characters that have been slowly introduced over the past few seasons. It is a testament to the high quality of the show that the second batch of students are as interesting and multi-dimensional as the first group.
I definitely think Ryan Murphy and company can do the same with Glee. As much as I hate the thought of Glee without some of its current stars, I am also excited by the prospect of being introduced to new characters that could captivate me as much as the ones I already know. And just because the students graduate doesn't mean they would necessarily have to leave the show. On Friday Night Lights, Riggins became a coach's assistant in season four. Jason Street hung around Dillon for awhile as well, as did Matt. What a storyline it would be for Rachel, Kurt, and/or Mercedes to become Mr. Schu's assistant(s) while they took college courses, or Brittany to work as the club's choreographer. Santana and Quinn could work with Sue on bullying new crops of Cheerios for years to come.
In season two of Glee we have been introduced to two new student characters: Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet), who seems to be on track to become a series regular, and Sunshine Corazon (Charice), whose status is unclear at this time. Chord is twenty-one years old, and Charice is the first bona-fide teenage actor on Glee. Both characters have a lot of potential in my opinion. And Ryan Murphy has said in interviews that he is continuing to audition for new roles.
I read somewhere that Ryan Murphy pitched the idea for a Glee as a project that would only last for three seasons. That would have eliminated the graduation conflict. But I suspect that since the show has achieved a higher level of success than anyone predicted, that three year limit is probably no longer on the table. I certainly hope that is the case. I would much rather see the introduction of new students and hope for the rich character development we have already witnessed than see the show end at the conclusion of season three.
gleekette
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