Cory Monteith Death Leaves 'Glee' Producers Worried Over Show
While news of the death of Cory Monteith has gripped much of the entertainment industry, producers and writers of Fox's hit show "Glee" are scrambling to accommodate for the large hole left in the storyline.
"He leaves a major hole in the heart of the show that will be challenging for the writers and producers to address," Scott Huver, Hollywood entertainment and pop culture expert, told FOX's Pop Tarts column.
Monteith and the rest of the crew were scheduled to start shooting new episodes in mid-August. Now the show is in crisis after Monteith was found dead in a Vancouver hotel on Saturday.
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On June 28, Monteith and several of other "Glee" cast members posed for Season 5 promotional photos in Los Angeles.
"Having the best time at our #Glee cast #Season5 gallery shoot! I can't believe it's our 5th season! Times flies when you're having fun:)," Michele tweeted at the time.
The news has shocked not only the cast of "Glee," which Monteith was featured prominently in, but also those in the entertainment industry who were friends of the late star. Many expressed their deepest sympathies online.
Harry Shum, Jr., who plays Mike Chang, wrote, "At this time, please send nothing but love and light. This tragic news still doesn't feel real to me."
Former cast member Damian McGinty also reflected on his time working with Cory.
"The guy I shot my first acting scene with. The nicest guy I've met. Can't believe it," McGinty posted to Twitter.
However, much of the attention is on Monteith's girlfriend and co-star Lea Michele, whose representative released a statement asking for privacy as she comes to terms with her loss.
"We ask that everyone kindly respect Lea's privacy during this devastating time," the statement read.
Most recently, Michele voiced support for Monteith as he announced in April that he was seeking treatment for substance abuse.
"I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this," she told People magazine. "I am grateful and proud that he made this decision."
