With its all-singing, all-dancing mix of show tunes and chart hits, regular celebrity appearances and impressive ratings, everyone wants to be on Glee, don't they? Gwyneth Paltrow is rumoured to be returning to the music comedy-drama for a second time, Britney Spears made a much-hyped appearance, and it was recently confirmed that the actress Anne Hathaway will be the next celebrity guest, after creating her own character for the hit series.
The show has covered versions of numerous songs, from Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind to Don't Cry for Me Argentina from the musical Evita. Artists such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and REM have all agreed to have their music featured. But it seems that this popularity only stretches so far: something of a verbal war has been ignited between the Glee creator Ryan Murphy (who is responsible for selecting the music) and the Kings of Leon, after the American band refused to let their music appear on the show.
The spat has become a public one, with Murphy venting rather angrily to The Hollywood Reporter about their decision, claiming that in doing so, the band had "missed the big picture". Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill was quick to attempt to diffuse the situation, suggesting that it had escalated unnecessarily, while brother Nathan took the other view, launching what has been interpreted as a vindictive Twitter tirade against Murphy, for which he later apologised.
Still, with the recent news that the band have cancelled the March leg of their planned tour of Australia and South Africa, it seems that it's not just the Glee cast who will be directing some animosity their way.