"Glee" fans were stunned this summer when it was announced that Chord Overstreet, who plays "trouty-mouth" Sam, wouldn't be returning for the new season. Since writer/creator Ryan Murphy seemed to have finally found a plotline with Sam's name on it, it seemed shocking to dismiss the star right at the point he had hit his stride. Now, just a few months later, there has been a reversal. Sam will be back by December. Is this a development that will help boost ratings for the struggling "Glee"?
Season 3 Ratings for 'Glee'
Last year's season premiere landed 12 million viewers and a 5.4 share of the coveted 18-49 demographic. By contrast, the Season 3 opener of "Glee" had 8.6 million viewers and a 4.0 share. While many shows would kill for those numbers, a 29 percent decrease in viewers between seasons has to be worrying for the series creators and Fox.
The second episode of Season 3 slipped even further, to 8.3 million viewers and a 3.6 share. For two weeks in a row, the brand new follow-up show, "The New Girl," built substantially on its "Glee" lead-in. When a new sitcom is beating its established lead-in show, it doesn't bode well for the veteran series.
The third episode, "Asian F," maintained its demo share and built slightly to 8.4 million viewers. The focus on "Glee" dancer extraordinaire Mike may have been responsible for the halt to the ratings slide.
Character Development
With the big ratings dip for the third season, fans and critics were mostly in agreement on the reason for the fall-off of viewers. While Season 1 of "Glee" introduced us to a cast of misfit characters we wanted to cheer for, Season 2 pushed them all aside to add more and more characters and guest stars. Plotlines were cut short and characters forgotten about, or changed outright to fit the celebrity episode of the week.
So far this season looks to be the "back-to-basics" season we were promised, with a return of focus on the main glee club members who won over fans in the first place. The "Asian F" episode gave viewers a deeper look into Mike's character, his dreams, his love of dance and his relationship with his parents. It was exactly the "Glee" we wanted to see, and the episode also got us back into the heart of Will and Emma's relationship.
Last year's development of Sam, which included the discovery by the glee club that he and his family were homeless, was a glimmer of hope for viewers that the show was still going to have some substance. Struggling in the current economy is something most TV watchers can relate to, and "Glee" fans got the added bonus that Sam was going to be the boyfriend that Mercedes deserved.
Will Sam Boost Ratings?
While Chord Overstreet doesn't have quite the pull with "Glee" fans that original characters such as Rachel or Finn have, the show's creators may have been surprised by the uproar the news of Sam's abrupt departure caused. If the multi-episode arc of Sam's triumphant return includes some drama with beloved character Mercedes, there should be enough fan excitement to maintain, or even boost, the ratings for "Glee."
The announcement alone could also help keep viewers tuning in to find out just how Sam's return might fit into the current plotlines on "Glee," especially as he's supposed to return in time for sectionals. Now that there are two rival glee clubs at McKinley, there's the big question of which one will land Sam's stellar voice and boy-band good looks. Good music and entertaining drama are what earned "Glee" a huge following in the first place, so the building sectionals competition might be just what the show needs to pull in the more casual, music-loving viewers once again. And cute blonde actor/singers don't hurt, either.
What do you think, "Glee" fans? Are you excited about Sam's return to the show? Is it enough to boost ratings?
More from this Contributor:
Did Chord Overstreet Really Say No to 'Glee'?
Why the 'Glee' Cast Graduation Is a Good Thing
The 'Glee' Kids' Obsession with Sam's Humongous Mouth
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