TCA: Talks "Have Begun" For Second Season Of Oxygen's 'The Glee Project'

Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline's coverage of TCA. At todays TCA panel on Oxygens The Glee Project -- the 10-episode documentary/reality program that has resulted in the selection of a new cast member for Fox's hit showGlee, although the winner has not yet been announced -- executive Michael Davies confirmed negotiations for a second season are underway. Yes, talks have begun, the planning is starting to happen, the budgeting, and how were going to do the casting, which is the big thing, he said. It hasnt been officially picked up yet. But having been through this before with shows that have not been picked up, just based on the ratings growth that weve seen I feel incredibly confident that we are coming back, and its certainly in my plans for next year. After a disappointing start, the reality series has been consistently building in the ratings and breaking records for Oxygen in online traffic and social media following. Davies also said he doesnt expect the recent Glee controversy involving the fate of some of its principals to have a negative impact on The Glee Project, which is executive produced by Glee co-creator/exec producer Ryan Murphy, whose comments sparked the controversy. (See Exclusive: 'Glee's Ryan Murphy Talks For First Time About Spinoff & Firings Missteps.) Im not worried about it all, Davies said. I [talked] at a press tour six months ago about the fact that The Glee Project is not so much a reality show for Ryan, it is a project to cast Glee, because casting is really important. He did not elaborate except to say that everything about Glee Project is positive and a world where there is more singing and dancing is never a bad place.