Joss Whedon fills fans with "Glee"

Sometimes worlds collide in a bad way. Like when you accidentally send your grandma a particularly naughty text meant for the girl you’ve been flirting with at work. Not that that’s happened to me — nope, not ever. But sometimes worlds collide in a fantastic way, like the news that Dollhouse mastermind Joss Whedon will direct an episode of Glee.

First, let’s get the squealing out of the way. Let it all out. Jump up and down. Break into spontaneous song and choreographed dance moves. You know, whatever your preferred way of celebrating great news.

Now that you’ve stopped hyperventilating, here is the skinny: Joss will “direct one of the back nine episodes that Fox just ordered” when they picked up the freshman series for a full season. This will probably happen sometime after Dollhouse finishes shooting its initial 13-episode order, so it doesn’t mean fans of that show should necessarily freak out.

Joss confirmed the news on the fansite Whedonesque.com yesterday, saying:

(U)nless something very odd happens in the next few months, I will have the privilege of shooting an episode of Glee. Why Glee? Because I love cops, serial killers and gritty urban drama (I haven't seen the show yet). Why me? Because they're struggling and can't afford real directors.

Oh Joss, always bringing the funny. Turns out Joss is a big fan of the show and its creator, Ryan Murphy, is a fan of Joss. Mutual admiration societies for the win! Murphy said Twentieth Century, the studio behind Glee, approached Joss about directing, saying:

Joss directed one of the great musical episodes in the history of television on Buffy, so this is a great, if unexpected, fit. I’m thrilled he’ll be loaning us his fantastic groundbreaking talent.

Those who might be a little confused why the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly and now Dollhouse is stepping into a light-hearted musical romp probably missed a little thing called “Once More With Feeling,” that musical episode Murphy mentioned. It had everything: singing, dancing, lesbians. Now, once again, it looks like Joss is giving us something to sing about.

In his post on Whedonesque.com, Joss let people know what he hoped to bring to his Glee episode:

What can we expect from a "Joss Whedon" epsiode of Glee? An episode of Glee. God willin' and the crik don't rise, a good one. A television director's job is, on some level, to be anonymous; to find the most compelling way to present a story without calling attention to himself ... A guest director can bring a huge amount to the party (we've had crazy talent on Dollhouse), but the party isn't his. I just want to work with good people on a show that I like enough to have watched every episode several times. (I lied: I have watched the show. And seriously, when do the cops show up?)

Joss did the same thing in 2007 when he directed an episode of The Office. So while the news is indeed great, it’s not like Joss is joining the show or even writing the episode. He’s just going to be there long enough to leave a little mark. Or, as he jokes, kill Principal Figgins.

So what does this mean for Dollhouse fans who were somewhat soothed recently by Fox executives’ insistence that they would run all of the 13 episodes of season two, despite low ratings? Not too much, at least for now. It just means, as we know, there will be a break in production between when filming ends and the run airs, when Fox said it would then make a decisions about ordering any more of the show. As Joss reassured, sort of:

No, this doesn't mean Dollhouse definitely won't get a back nine. Our numbers mean that! But I kid. OK, we're not exactly saving all the good stuff for 14-22, but nobody's closed the door. If D'House suddenly busts wide, huzzah, we'll still bring it, and I'll still go and direct an episode of Glee, because of my love of cops. These realities can co-exist. And possibly cross over, at least in fiction that I have wri — read. About.

Look, I will happily let the two realities co-exist. In fact, I will revel in them. I simply cannot wait. Joss Whedon and Jane Lynch will be together on the same set. The mere thought of that much collected funny is enough to make me want to break out the pom-poms.

So, are you still squealing? Have you passed out? Now the only question is what will call this convergence of awesomeness? Gleedon? Whee? Gloss? So, are you under the spell of this unexpected coming together? Discuss or, more accurately, sing.