• 'Glee's' school shooting episode earns warning from Newtown superintendent

    By Anna Chan, TODAY

    Ahead of Thursday night's new episode of "Glee," the superintendent of schools in Newtown, Conn., sent out a letter to families warning them about the show.

    Adam Rose / FOX

    The glee club gathers together after a terrifying school shooting on "Glee."

    The reason? The plot centered around a school shooting. 

    The letter, obtained by WNBC, reads:

    Greetings,

    I want to make you aware that the show "Glee" is featuring what could be a disturbing plot tonight and I want you to be aware so you can make an informed choice about watching this.  According to entertainment blog TVLine, tonight's episode includes shots in the halls "that rips the frothy high-school musical off its foundation and transports it to a dark and harrowing world."  "Allegedly, the rest of the episode is claustrophobic and emotionally charged, as students cower in the rehearsal room and consider their possible fates."

    This has the potential to be disturbing to many of our students, so I wanted you to know ahead of time.

    Janet Robinson

    Superintendent of Schools

    On Dec. 14, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown before taking his own life.

    While no one was hurt on Thursday's episode of "Glee," titled "Shooting Star," the students of William McKinley High found themselves in a horrifying situation when a gun went off at the school.

    The episode was emotionally harrowing, depicting terrified students crouching together, crying and fearing for theirs lives and those of their friends who weren't with them.

    Much of it focused on the teens who were hiding in a darkened choir room trying to reach out to family and friends via text — yet jumping when cell phones rang or buzzed, worried that the shooter might hear the slightest noise they made.

    In several heartbreaking scenes, the show was seen through cell phone cameras as students recorded final messages for their loved ones.

    In the end, it was revealed that Becky (Lauren Potter), a student with Down syndrome, had brought her dad's firearm to school to protect herself. While showing the weapon to Coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) in her office, the gun accidentally went off in Becky's hand, and then fired again as it hit the floor after she dropped it.


    When police could not find the gun after searching the school and interviewing students, Coach Sue told Principal Figgins that the incident was her fault. She claimed she was doing a daily safety check on her gun when it accidentally went off, and that she had dumped the casings in a lake and moved posters to hide the bullet holes. Due to a zero-tolerance policy toward firearms, Coach Sue was let go.

    What did you think  of the episode overall? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • 'Glee's' Cory Monteith checks into rehab

    Dan Steinberg / AP

    Cory Monteith.

    By Bruna Nessif, E! Online

    Cory Monteith has taken the first step to getting help. The "Glee" star, who has been open about dealing with substance abuse in the past, has checked into rehab, E! News confirms. "Cory Monteith has voluntarily admitted himself into a treatment facility for substance addiction," his rep tells us. "He graciously asks for your respect and privacy as he takes the necessary steps towards recovery."

    Lea Michele shows her love to Cory through a necklace

    In 2011, Monteith told Parade magazine, "I'm lucky on so many counts -- I'm lucky to be alive." The TV star opened up about the rollercoaster he went through after dropping out of high school at the age of 16 and the time he realized his life was "out of control."

    "Anything and everything, as much as possible," he says about his drug use at the time. "I had a serious problem."

    It seems as though girlfriend and costar Lea Michele, who rocks a "Cory" necklace, is supportive of her man's decision to enter rehab, tweeting earlier today, "Feeling so grateful today."


    Get a crash course on all the romances that happened on "Glee"

    A rep for "Glee" tells E! News: "Cory is a beloved member of the 'Glee' family and we fully support his decision to seek treatment. Everyone at the show wishes him well and looks forward to his return."

    -- reporting by Marc Malkin 

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  • Katy Perry and Usher rock for military kids at inaugural concert

    By Jordan Zakarin, The Hollywood Reporter

    As dignitaries, donors and deal makers flooded into Washington, D.C. for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, his wife headlined an event that boasted its own considerable star power, while transcending the partisan warfare that has engulfed the city.

    In the main, cavernous room of the Washington Convention Center, First Lady Michelle Obama and the Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, hosted the Kids' Inaugural Concert, thrown for and in honor of the children of military families nationwide.

    Slideshow: Celebrities in DC

    Joe Raedle / Getty Images

    Launch slideshow

    The event was officially emceed by "America's Got Talent" host Nick Cannon, who stood in front of four massive screens stretching the horizontal length of the ballroom, drenched with projection-illuminated stars and set with light blue columns that suggest the capital is a friendly place worthy of the grandeur described in the kids' textbooks.

    More from THR: Lady Gaga to headline inaugural ball for Obama staffers

    Usher led off the concert with a string of his biggest hits. Perhaps because he has earned universal awareness among elementary school students through his mentorship of Justin Bieber, the Grammy-winner was greeted by dancing children of all ages; there were four-year-olds standing on their chairs, humming along and bending their knees, often holding hands with their mothers.

    Like many that followed, Usher gave a pep talk about the importance of youth activism, and the value of the sacrifices that military children make; it was a seemingly sincere tribute, and was repeated through video messages from stars such as those from Disney Channel's "Shake It Up"; Nickelodeon's "Big Time Rush"; the hit boy band The Wanted; Jimmy Fallon (who deadpanned and called himself One Direction's Harry Styles); Ellen DeGeneres (who drew massive cheers); and David Letterman, whose smiling words were met with absolute confused silence, an ironic highlight for any adult in the room.

    Photos from THR: 10 presidents and their Hollywood pals

    Several cast members from "Glee" -- Darren Criss, Naya Rivera and Amber Riley -- earned their own raucous cheers, as they performed an acoustic song each. Riley's rendition of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" was a particular hit.


    Among the more notable details: the concession stand in the back -- more like just a few food carts -- carried both fresh fruit and ice cream. For a first lady that has promoted healthy eating among children, it was a compromise in a special celebratory occasion.

    Obama and Biden took the stage near the end, calling in groups of military kids on video chats broadcast on the big screens. The first lady in particular was earnest in her words, appealing to all ages.

    More from THR: Hollywood gets invited to Obama's inauguration

    "You see, when we said we wanted to host a concert to honor our military kids, let me tell you, everyone wanted to be here. Usher wanted to be here," she said. "Katy Perry wanted to be here. Nick Cannon, the folks from 'Glee,' and all the other amazing performers -- they wanted to be here, too. And let me tell you, they’re not here for me. They’re not here for Dr. Biden. They are here for all of you. Because they know the kind of sacrifices that you all make every single day."

    Soon after, Perry took the stage, in her trademark Uncle Sam-style corset, with a full band and backup singers behind her. She sang for songs -- "Teenage Dream," "Part of Me," "Wide Awake" and "Firework," the last of which was played in front of a photo montage of President Obama with children -- gave the one semi-political moment of the night, celebrating "four more years" of Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

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  • 'Glee' star Mark Salling accused of sexual assault in lawsuit

    David Livingston / Getty Images

    Mark Salling has been accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit.

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    A sour note for Mark Salling. In a lawsuit filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, a woman accuses the "Glee" star of sexual battery and assault, claiming he had unprotected sexual contact with her despite her demands that he wear a condom. 

    "There is no truth to this," Salling's rep tells E! News. "We turn the rest over to Mark's attorneys and have no further comment." 

    Get your 'Glee' scoop right here 

    Plaintiff Roxanne Gorzela states in her complaint that, in March 2011, she and Salling were engaging in "personal and intimate contact" when he "intentionally," and without her consent, "inserted his penis into (her) vagina without a condom." 

    " 'What are you doing?'" she asked, according to the suit, then demanding that he put on a condom before they proceeded to have sex. 

    The complaint further alleges: "Although Defendant was aware that Plaintiff did not consent to unprotected sexual intercourse, Defendant violated Plaintiff again by inserting his penis into Plaintiff's vagina without a condom for a second time." 

    GLAAD Media Award nominations include recognition for 'Glee' 

    Gorzela states that she became "overwhelmed with anxiety" in the days following the encounter, worrying that she may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. 


    She claims in the lawsuit that he never returned her phone calls or texts to inquire about the last time he was tested for STDs,  and when she went to his house to ask him in person, he grabbed and pushed her, causing her to hit her head. A police report she filed the following day was included in her lawsuit. 

    In addition to sexual battery and assault-and-battery, Gorzela is alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Calling Salling's conduct "willful, malicious and despicable," she says she has suffered "severe and substantial mental and emotional distress, humiliation, fear, apprehension, anxiety and anguish." 

    Gorzela is seeking unspecified general, special and punitive damages. 

    --Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum 

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  • Lea Michele: My breasts 'are my prizewinners'

    By Us Weekly

    Marie Claire

    Lea Michele is proud of her many accomplishments -- and her breasts, too.

    "These babies are great," the "Glee" actress and singer, 26, tells the January issue of Marie Claire of her increasingly on-display cleavage.

    PHOTOS: Lea's impressive bikini body and other stars in sexy two-pieces

    "They are my prizewinners," boasts Michele, laughing, explaining that it took her a while to comfortably flaunt her bust in revealing gowns as she transitioned from Broadway to TV star.

    "For a while they were out and about, showing off on Broadway every night, then they came to L.A. and were like, 'No one else looks like me here!'" she jokes to the magazine. "They were nervous to make their appearance but feel they've earned their place. So they asked if they could come out, and I was like, 'All right, you guys.' They definitely rose to the occasion, so I'm going to continue to give them more opportunities."


    Something else Michele has gradually opened up about to the world and her fans? Her real-life romance with "Glee" costar Cory Monteith.

    "I don't even remember a time when he wasn't my boyfriend. No one knows me better than Cory," she says of Monteith, 30, who's become a star alongside her on the FOX musical smash.

    PHOTOS: 'Glee' cast's real-life yearbook pix!

    Us Weekly was first to break news of the pairing in February of this year. Michele and actor Theo Stockman split in September 2011 after about a year together. Monteith briefly dated Taylor Swift in 2010.

    "No one knows what it's been like to go through this more than he does. Feeling like you have that net underneath you allows you to jump higher and go farther," she gushes to Marie Claire of her 6'3" man. "He makes me feel like I can do anything. For the first time in my life, I feel really, really settled and happy. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

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  • Lea Michele: Dog pee wrecked my spray tan

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, TODAY
    Regular tans may not be healthy, but there is at least one advantage to a sun-given bronzing: A dog answering nature's call won't mess it up.

    Paul Drinkwater / NBC

    Lea Michele arrives at "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

    "Glee" star Lea Michele appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Monday night, and shared a beauty tip: Don't take your newly spray-tanned self near any pooches.


    Seems that the actress received a spray tan (celebrities don't go to a franchise, someone came to her house and set up a tent for the procedure) and later went to work. On her break, she picked up a manager's dog, and when the owner tried to take the dog back, the pup apparently became frightened and pretended the actress was a fire hydrant.

    "Because I didn't wipe off the spray tan yet, it left pee streaks all over my legs," she told Leno. "Like zebra-striped pee marks."

    The star apparently resorted to "baths with lemons" to remove the streaks.

    "That's so much better than going out in the sun for 20 minutes," Leno cracked.

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  • 'Twilight,' 'Hunger Games,' Taylor Swift win big at 2012 Teen Choice Awards

    Mario Anzuoni / REUTERS

    Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson at the Teen Choice Awards.

    By Bruna Nessif, E! Online

    Who missed out on the surfboard giveaway?

    Sunday night we watched this year's hottest celebs get honored by the fans as Demi Lovato and Kevin McHale hosted the 2012 Teen Choice Awards along with the sounds of DJ Pauly D.

    If you missed it, don't start freaking out, because we put together some highlights, along with the list of winners, right here for you.

    READ: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's date night in Miami!

    Best Opening: The entire cast of "Step Up Revolution" flipping, breakdancing and crumping on stage to get us ready for tonight's show totally worked. They even made some audience members swoon -- including Taylor Swift, who got a kiss on the hand. 

    Worst Flashback: And by worst, we mean for McHale, but it was great for us. Did you know the "Glee" star was in a boy band?! Yep, we even got to see some old NLT (Not Like Them) footage and then the actor gave us his own impromptu "audition" to Lovato. He totally has the "X Factor."

    GALLERY: 2012 Teen Choice Awards arrivals 

    Best Entourage: Choice Comedian winner Ellen DeGeneres took the stage with the coolest (and cutest) "hype girls" -- Sophia Grace and Rosie. Their excitement was adorable and got even better when they found out they won Choice Web Stars. Of course, Sophia Grace was ecstatic and Rosie didn't seem fazed at all. 

    READ: Happy Birthday, Selena Gomez! Justin Bieber's ladylove turns 20

    Worst Hairstyle: We're not sure how Demi constructed that ponytail of hers (duct tape maybe?), but it looks like she got the idea from some "Street Fighter" character. When she finally took it down, we noticed a blue ombre thing happening. Not sure how we feel about that, either. 

    Best Return to the Stage: No Doubt performed their comeback hit single "Settle Down," and although it wasn't some crazy theatric performance, we liked it, because it was real. Gwen Stefani (does she age?!) actually sang and rocked the crowd. They've still got it.

    Worst Disappointment: Unfortunately, Channing Tatum wasn't there to accept his award with Jonah Hill for their flick "21 Jump Street." And here we were secretly hoping that, since Magic Mike costar Adam Rodriguez helped present the award, they would bust into a dance on stage together. Wishful thinking. 


    Best Undercover Weapon: Did you guys catch Flo Rida's microphone? It had a huge embellished set of wings on there that could easily be some sort of shield or self-defense aid if things got crazy. 

    Worst Ending: As usual, Justin Bieber rocked his performance and offered amazing choreography to keep us focused. So what happened that made us deem this the worst ending? The fact that it ended! We could have continued watching him all night. 

    Best Appearance: The "Twilight" Saga isn't over just yet. As we anxiously wait for "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" to release this fall, we got to see Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner accept the Ultimate Choice Award after an incredible movie montage that got us that much more excited for the next film. Oh, and did you know "Twilight" has won 41 Teen Choice Awards? 

    Worst Pants: Sorry, McHale, but those jellyfish-print pants are just not working for us. But we do like how it inspired you and Demi to start shaking your booties on each other. More of that, please. 

    Best Backup: This summer's biggest hit "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen was the final performance of the night, and she was accompanied by a video of fans and celebs singing along to the song. We kinda loved that. 

    Here's the complete list of winners for the 2012 Teen Choice Awards: 

    MOVIES

    Choice Movie: Action: "Abduction"  

    Choice Movie Actor: Action: Taylor Lautner, "Abduction" 

    Choice Movie Actress: Action: Zoe Saldana, "Colombiana" 

    Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games" and "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island"  

    Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy: Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie: Drama: "The Lucky One" 

    Choice Movie Actor: Drama: Zac Efron, "The Lucky One" 

    Choice Movie Actress: Drama: Emma Stone, "The Help" 

    Choice Movie: Comedy: "21 Jump Street" 

    Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: Channing Tatum, "21 Jump Street" 

    Choice Movie Actress: Comedy: Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love" 

    Choice Movie: Romance: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" 

    Choice Movie Actor: Romance: Zac Efron, "The Lucky One" 

    Choice Movie Actress: Romance: Kristen Stewart, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"

    Choice Movie Voice: Taylor Swift as Audrey, "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" 

    Choice Movie Chemistry: Jennifer Lawrence and Amandla Stenberg, "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie Liplock: Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie Hissy Fit: Charlize Theron, "Snow White and the Huntsman"

    Choice Movie Villain: Alexander Ludwig, "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie Scene Stealer: Male: Liam Hemsworth, "The Hunger Games" 

    Choice Movie Scene Stealer: Female: Ashley Greene, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" 

    Choice Movie Breakout: Rihanna, "Battleship" 

    Choice Summer Movie: Action: "The Avengers" 

    Choice Summer Movie: Comedy/Music: "Katy Perry: Part of Me"  

    Choice Summer Movie Star: Male: Chris Hemsworth, "Snow White and the Huntsman" and "The Avengers" 

    Choice Summer Movie Star: Female: Kristen Stewart, "Snow White and the Huntsman" 

    TELEVISION

    Choice TV Show: Drama: "Pretty Little Liars" 

    Choice TV Actor: Drama: Ian Harding, "Pretty Little Liars" 

    Choice TV Actress: Drama: Lucy Hale, "Pretty Little Liars"  

    Choice TV Show: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: "The Vampire Diaries"  

    Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Ian Somerhalder, "The Vampire Diaries"  

    Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Nina Dobrev, "The Vampire Diaries"  

    Choice TV Show: Action: CSI: "Miami" 

    Choice TV Actor: Action: Adam Rodriguez, "CSI: Miami" 

    Choice TV Actress: Action: Linda Hunt, "NCIS: Los Angeles" 

    Choice TV Show: Comedy: "Glee" 

    Choice TV Actor: Comedy: Chris Colfer, "Glee" 

    Choice TV Actress: Comedy: Lea Michele, "Glee"  

    Choice TV: Animated Show: "The Simpsons" 

    Choice TV: Male Personality: Simon Cowell, "The X Factor" 

    Choice TV: Female Personality: Jennifer Lopez, "American Idol" 

    Choice TV: Reality Competition Show: "The X Factor" 

    Choice TV: Reality Show: "Punk'd" 

    Choice TV: Male Reality Star: Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio, "Jersey Shore" and "The Pauly D Project"  

    Choice TV: Female Reality Star: The Kardashians, "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" 

    Choice Summer TV Show: "Teen Wolf" 

    Choice Summer TV Star: Female: Troian Bellisario, "Pretty Little Liars" 

    Choice Summer TV Star: Male: Tyler Posey, "Teen Wolf" 

    Choice TV Villain: Janel Parrish, "Pretty Little Liars" 

    Choice TV Female Scene Stealer: Candice Accola, "The Vampire Dairies" 

    Choice TV Male Scene Stealer: Michael Trevino, "The Vampire Diaries" 

    Choice TV Breakout Show: "The X Factor" 

    Choice TV Breakout Star: Female: Hannah Simone, "New Girl"

    Choice TV Breakout Star: Male: Beau Mirchoff, "Awkward" 

    MUSIC

    Choice Male Artist: Justin Bieber

    Choice Female Artist: Taylor Swift

    Choice Music Group: Selena Gomez and The Scene

    Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

    Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song: "Starships," Nicki Minaj

    Choice Rock Group: Fun

    Choice Rock Song: "Paradise," Coldplay

    Choice Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Artist: David Guetta

    Choice Single by a Group: "We Are Young," fun. featuring Janelle Mone

    Choice Single by a Female Artist: "Eyes Open," Taylor Swift

    Choice Single by a Male Artist: "Boyfriend," Justin Bieber

    Choice Male Country Artist: Hunter Hayes

    Choice Female Country Artist: Taylor Swift

    Choice Country Song: "Sparks Fly," Taylor Swift

    Choice Country Group: Lady Antebellum

    Choice Summer Song: "Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen

    Choice Love Song: "What Makes You Beautiful," One Direction

    Choice Break-Up Song: "Payphone," Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa

    Choice Summer Music Star: Female: Demi Lovato

    Choice Summer Music Star: Male: Justin Bieber

    Choice Summer Music Star: Group: One Direction

    Choice Music: Breakout Artist: Carly Rae Jepsen

    Choice Music: Breakout Group: One Direction

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  • Watch 'Glee's' unplanned tribute to Whitney Houston

    By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

    On Tuesday night, "Glee" featured a moving tribute to singer Whitney Houston that was never meant to be a tribute at all. Still, what was simply planned as a Valentine's Day performance of "I Will Always Love You" turned out to be an effective, accidental memorial.

    Amber Riley, who plays Mercedes on the song and dance show, belted out a remarkably faithful version of the song that turned out to be Houston's biggest and most memorable hit.


    At the end of the episode, the screen went black and the following message appeared: "Whitney Houston, 1963-2012, We Will Always Love You.”

    Share your thoughts about the performance on our Facebook page.

     

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