The final season of Glee will be shorter than its previous season, much shorter. Like many network shows in recent memory, Ryan Murphy’s musical dramedy will be bidding adieu with just 13 episodes.

Reports from TV Line and The Hollywood Reporter confirm that Fox and co-creator Ryan Murphy have agreed to a season that’s nearly 10 episodes shorter than previous years.

The move was widely expected, as the show’s recent low ratings clearly could no longer sustain a full, traditional 24-episode season. Season five lost two episodes at the end, only lasting 20 episodes. While the excuse was that the show’s production was delayed due to Cory Monteith’s sudden death last year, it was clear that Fox may have been swayed by its underperformance with audiences.

According to TV Line, former Fox TV chief Kevin Reilly did say at the TV Critics Association Press Tour in May that they would have a chat with Murphy about the final season’s length.

Glee has clearly come a long way since its heyday, when it made Lea Michele and Monteith overnight stars. We do know that Chris Colfer will be back, despite hacked tweets, and Naya Rivera will be a recurring guest.

Glee’s final season will start during midseason. All 13 episodes will air uninterupted over 13 weeks.

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