Ryan Murphy reveals the original ‘Glee’ script had Mr. Schue as a “crystal meth addict

Like most of Tik Tok, I rewatched Glee during the pandemic, and the show did not age well. From the creepy stares from Mr. Schue to the inappropriate dance numbers from Mr. Schue, it was uncomfortable to watch my favorite show in high school again as an adult with my full frontal lobe developed. 

However, in the year of our lord 2022, the first episode of the Glee recap podcast And That’s What You REALLY Missed hosted by former New Directions members Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang), they did the impossible: share information that is both shocking and not shocking about what could’ve changed the course of Gleekstory.

In conversation with the mastermind creator Ryan Murphy, he revealed that the original pilot script written by Ian Brennan was much darker, and somehow creepier. “Mr. Schue, I believe, was a crystal meth addict in Ian’s script,” Murphy said. “The NC-17 version of show choir with a weird protagonist who was unraveling…I just need something optimistic.” Ok, make a show titled Glee less dark, that makes sense. Until Murphy dropped another bombshell: Mr. Schue was originally written for Justin Timberlake. Again, when you say it out loud, you’re shocked, but then as it marinates, it makes total sense. So, J.T. could’ve been singing and break-dancing to “Gold Digger,” “Ice Ice Baby,” and “Blurred Lines.” He could’ve swept Emma Pilsberry off her feet. And Rachel Berry for that one episode. In an alternate timeline, Timberlake could’ve delivered this poetic line and possibly have done this dance that doubles as a jumpscare (instead of a different cringey one.) We will never know what never was.

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Unfortunately, the interview was cut short, and a second part will be posted next week, possibly to get people to watch the next episode. Um, the gleeks have been BEGGING for Ushkowitz and McHale’s podcast to return since its previous rendition, Showmance, was put on hiatus after the unexpected death of Naya Rivera in 2020. Gleeks will listen to every episode multiple times, no matter how long. Just give it to them! Especially if they’ll be dropping more behind-the-scenes secrets that’ll make even Jacob revamp his blog.

“We were having these conversations and I was trying to figure it out,” Murphy explained.

“Like serendipity, I went to the gym and I was in a towel and a guy went up and handed me a script and he said, ‘I had a feeling you were in show choir, am I right?’ And I was like ‘Yeah.’ And he said, ‘My friend wrote this script and you should read it.’”

After reading the script, he said that while it was the perfect idea for a musical show, he felt it was too dark for network television.

“Mr Schue, I believe, was a crystal meth addict in Ian’s [Brennan] script,” Murphy said. “The NC-17 version of show choir with a weird protagonist who was unravelling… I just need something optimistic.”

He then revealed: “When we were writing the pilot, I’ve never really talked about this, that pilot was written for Justin Timberlake. Mr Schue was written for Justin.”

The fan-favourite series ran for six seasons beginning in 2009. Following its conclusion in 2015, many of its cast members were involved in a string of controversies.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Discovery+ and ID have ordered a three-part docuseries which will explore the real story behind the show’s drama.

The untitled project will include first-hand accounts from key cast and crew members who worked on the series.

During the first episode of the Glee rewatch podcast, And That’s What You REALLY Missed hosted by Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale, Murphy explained how Timberlake was his initial inspiration for the character while creating the series.

“I’ve never really talked about this,” Murphy, 56, began. “That pilot was written for Justin Timberlake.”

As fans know, Timberlake didn’t end up in the shoes of Mr. Schuester. Matthew Morrison landed the role and has since become synonymous with the musical series, which aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015.

What ultimately happened that led to Morrison’s casting has yet to be revealed — as are details about whether or not Timberlake had any interest in the role. The podcast hosts ended the first episode on a cliffhanger, with the conversation to be continued next week.

Murphy gave one more, giant reveal that could have changed the course of Glee entirely. According to the showrunner, Mr. Schuester wasn’t always planned to be the best influence.