Adam Lambert, the “American Idol” runner-up, will have a guest role on the upcoming season of “Glee.”
Show creator Ryan Murphy tweeted yesterday, “I am thrilled to announce that the super talented Adam Lambert is joining the cast of Glee this fall.”
The excitement did not end there as Lambert tweeted back, “I’m so excited!!”
Boundless enthusiasm notwithstanding, essential details about the nature of Lambert’s role or when he will appear on the Fox musical comedy have yet to be revealed. The fifth season premieres Sept. 19.
The flamboyant singer, a small-screen version of Freddie Mercury, achieved fame after his success on the eighth season of “American Idol” and has since released two successful CDs, but he has never acted on television. He has appeared as himself on such talents shows as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing With the Stars.”
“Glee” has already added several new cast members this season to replace members of the McKinley High School scene who have moved on.
The Hollywood ‘Glee’ club
Fading rom-com queen Kate Hudson appeared as Cassandra July, the iron-willed dance instructor at New York Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
* “View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg did five episodes as Carmen Tibideaux, the Dean of Vocal Performance and Song Interpretation at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts.
* Tireless publicity hound Sarah Jessica Parker had to get in on the “Glee” action and play Vogue.com executive Isabelle Wright.
* Gwyneth Paltrow surprised everybody with her winning performance as substitute teacher Holly Holiday in the 2010-11 season. The Oscar winner added a Best Guest Actress Emmy to her showbiz statuette collection for her efforts.
Molly Shannon was McKinley High astronomy teacher and badminton coach Brenda Castle.
* Neil Patrick Harris won a Best Guest Star Emmy for his terrific work as Bryan Ryan, a former Glee Club star who became a number cruncher with the power to reduce school funding for the club.