Glee fans recently marked the show’s 16-year anniversary by lighting up social media with nostalgic tributes, standout musical numbers, and touching reflections in celebration of the beloved Fox series. But amid the joy, some disappointing news has surfaced.
Ever since the show wrapped in March 2015, rumors of a possible reboot or revival have circulated, but not everyone from the original cast is exactly on board. One particular star would rather keep the show’s legacy intact than risk diminishing its impact with a revival. That Glee star would be Amber Riley, who famously played Mercedes Jones in the hit musical comedy drama for all six of its seasons.
Riley recently went on Monét X Change’s Monét Talks podcast and was asked if she'd be down for a Glee revival. She responded with a firm and straightforward "No," explaining that she feels the original show was so special that trying to bring it back might not capture the same magic or be "as effective" today, especially with all of the cast deaths. Podcast host Monét X Change even brought up the hypothetical scenario where she could receive a lucrative offer for returning, but Riley stood by her decision.
"I just feel like what we did was so phenomenal, I don’t want to risk trying to reinvent the wheel." - Amber Riley
However, she's not done with the Glee universe altogether. She tells Monét X Change that she would be interested in starring in a new, separate show focused just on her character. In other words, she's open to the idea of a spinoff centered around her Mercedes character, but not interested in bringing back the entire original show. But wait, that's not all! While Riley's not necessarily a fan of a revival, she's okay with a reboot where the story is fresh and new voices take the lead, giving Glee a chance to inspire a whole new generation without trying to recreate the past.
"Now if they redo it, I think that's amazing, because there are so many kids now that are just now discovering Glee, and so I think that that'd be really dope." - Amber Riley
Personally, I believe Glee is best left as it is. Reboots can be unpredictable, and no matter how much a new Glee reboot tries to distinguish itself from the original, it will inevitably be measured against the beloved classic. This constant comparison often makes it challenging for a reboot to establish its own identity and be valued on its own merits. I mean, think about Glee season 4 when new characters were introduced. Most fans were still hung up on the original cast, and I'm sure that played a part in why the story shifted back more to the original characters in the last two seasons.
Now, creating an entirely new show that involves a glee club and show choir would be okay as long as it doesn't have the Glee name attached and is different enough in style and story to stand apart and offer something fresh to audiences. I feel like that could potentially work. Hey Fox, do you need a new show?