Joss Whedon on Glee, Wil Wheaton on Big Bang
Whedon, Wheaton Bring Nerd Cred to Fall TV Shows
Oct 20, 2009
New television hit show Glee will get a boost of nerd credibility, thanks to Joss Whedon’s agreement to direct an upcoming episode. It's part of a growing geek-cred trend that brings viewers to cross-demographic TV shows.
Joss Whedon, of Buffy Fame, Brings Geek Spin to Glee
Whedon, the mastermind behind cult-classics such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Firefly series, recently agreed to direct an episode of the hit show about a suburban high school singing club. Reportedly, the episode will likely air in spring.
When not working on his own cult hits such as Serenity, Dollhouse and Angel, Whedon is no stranger to guest spots working on other popular TV shows. The comic book geek icon also lent his directorial skills to two 2007 episodes of The Office.
Whedon Comments on Blog About Glee, Dollhouse
Whedon recently took his blog Whedonesque to both confirm the news as well as to stir speculation about just what such an episode of Glee painted with a Whedon brush might entail. "Whom will I kill . . . probably Principal Figgins. . ." Whedon jokes, commenting about his reputation for killing off main characters.
Whedon also makes it clear that the Glee side project will in no way deter from the quality of his current show, FOX's Dollhouse, starring Buffy alum Eliza Dushku.
Glee Musical Comedy Already Popular Due to ‘Coach Sue’
Glee needs no boost to its viewership. Thanks to skilled writing and acting, Glee has taken the spotlight back from reality TV to become one of TV’s most popular scripted dramas. In addition to recent buzz around Whedon’s agreement to direct, the show has earned critical acclaim for the acting of 40-Year-Old Virgin's Jane Lynch, better known as Glee’s cocky, delightfully evil Coach Sue.
“Any Episode with Lynch in it is worth watching,” remarks Walt Belcher in an article of the Tampa Tribune. (Jane Lynch Makes Glee a Must-Watch Show)
Wil Wheaton on Big Bang Theory
Whedon isn’t the only geek icon to make an appearance on a hit new show this year. Wil Wheaton made a surprise guest appearance on Monday night's episode of Big Bang Theory. In the episode, Wil Wheaton, of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, plays himself, who challenges the show’s main character, witty physics nerd Sheldon, in an intense game "Mystic Warlords of Ka’a."
Whedon and Wheaton prove that geeks are here to stay in pop-culture, and, in their case, ironically bring more popularity due to each icon’s respective credibility in genres normally reserved for those deemed socially inept. Monday’s night episode gave Big Bang Theory its biggest ever ratings in the 18-34 demographic in the show’s 3 year history.
Glee airs Wednesdays at 9pm EST on FOX . Big Bang Theory is on Mondays at 9:30pm EST on CBS.
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