'Glee'-ful holiday album
10/27/2010NEW YORK -- They have covered Madonna and Britney and gone from Journey to Lady Gaga, so it seems only natural with the holidays coming soon, that the cast of hit television musical Glee is now singing about Christmas.
Columbia Records Tuesday unveiled plans to release a Christmas-themed album featuring well-known holiday tunes like ''Jingle Bells" and "O Holy Night" sung by the show's cast.
"Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album" goes on sale on Nov. 16, a few weeks ahead of a special Glee Christmas episode to be broadcast on the Fox television network Dec. 7.
The show is broadcast locally on WUPW-TV, Channel 36.
A sometimes dark, subversive comedy featuring a high school choir, Glee has taken U.S. pop culture by storm since its 2009 debut.
Music superstars such as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga have readily agreed to license their songs to the show.
The program has produced three best-selling albums, won two Emmys, and deals boldly with issues like sex, disability, and gay bullying.
It is regularly watched by some 13.4 million U.S. viewers and has a strong youth following.
More than 15 million Glee songs have been downloaded on the Internet, and more than 5 million Glee albums have been sold around the world.