Cory Monteith of "Glee" found dead
 

Breaking news per Canada's CTV network:

http://o.canada.com/2013/07/14/corey-monteith-dead

Wow. That's too bad.

He was recently trying to stay clean. Addiction is such a terrible affliction.

so very sad.

I was shocked when I heard about this last night. So young. So tragic. And now the question on everyone's minds beyond the sadness of his passing: I wonder how the show will address his character when the new season begins.

Knowing Glee, probably poorly. But I'll watch. Possibly the first time I've been really interested in the show for a while.

I haven't watched it in a while either. The change in cast kind of killed the chemistry. I think the best thing they could do is have him die of a drug overdose, as he apparently did in real life. It sucks but it is something young people need to know - that people you love actually do die by accident from drugs they've taken 100 times before.

I have to say I agree. Glee has been really good about hitting social issues (Kurt being gay).

I'm wondering though if they plan on just writing him out or killing the character off. I think they could have more of a storyline, as bad as that sounds, with the character being killed off as it will effect more people than just have the character being written off.

I also hate to say, but this is probably the only reason I'll watch next season to see how they handle his death.

Ignoring the character would be a disservice to his contributions, so I would hope something is done! Whether his character is written out or he passes on, I can't even imagine what those scenes will be like for the actors.

It's happened before and it's just awful to watch. Remember when John Ritter died?

I expect they'll address it head on, like they've done with other issues.
It sure will alter the entire setup of the show...how the characters interact...story arch...

I also feel bad, not just for his family, but his girlfriend, in and out of the show, Lea Michelle. I'm curious how she's going to face future episodes as well.

Oh, I'm sure they will. The question is whether it will be done well (some of Kurt's storylines), or poorly (that terrible terrible school shooting episode, almost every "issue" episode they've produced).

This. I cannot imagine how she would "act" this and live it at the same time. That poor young woman.

Shocked! My heart goes out to Lea, a nightmare to lose your beloved but since he was also her on-screen beau she'll have to face it again and again at work.

She's probably been dealing with his addiction for some time. Not that that makes it easier for her, but not the complete surprise that it was to those of use who enjoyed watching him on TV but didn't know his back story. Clean cut cute kid, who by the way is no kid, suddenly ends up dead of an overdose is a lot different thing than your boyfriend who has been dealing with drug relapse and rehab since you met suddenly ends up dead. Tragic regardless, but she probably didn't question for a second what happened.

I had just finished watching the tail end of season 3 on Netflix when I found out this terrible news. My heart sincerely goes out to his family, friends and girlfriend. He was a great talent and the show will definitely not be the same without him. Rest in peace Cory Monteith.

Right. When people die of overdoses, it's usually pretty rare that the people around them are surprised. It's kind of like Heath ledger in that regard. The public was surprised but his friends and family really weren't.

The lack of surprise in no way lessens the grief.

Who said it did?

No one. Just making an observation. You know, because that's what we do.

ETA: In fact, I'd assert that the lack of surprise can make the guilt associated with the grieving process worse in some cases. The guilt is worse, not the process.

His death was officially ruled an accidental overdose of alcohol and heroin.

For the 40+ set...this reminds me of Andy Gibb. Everyone was shocked that he was so deep in drugs, let alone that he was secretly married the whole time he was at his peak of popularity. You would think that with TMZ, the internet, etc etc, that kind of celebrity whitewashing was not possible anymore, but people often just see what they want to see.

Agreed. I think the main reason I was shocked that he was secretly married is because I actually thought he was gay.