Glee returns to E4 tomorrow after a few weeks off to catch up with the broadcasts in the United States. The musical comedy-drama has been a phenomenon around the world since it first appeared on American screens last September. Songs from the series have rocketed to the top of the download charts, the DVDs are selling by the bucketload, and as Catherine has reported, Lucky Voice have recently started offering Glee nights at their karaoke bars.

Originally written as a feature film script by Ian Brennan, based on his own experiences in a high-school show choir, it was developed for television by Nip/Tuck writers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Murphy had previously created Popular, another series set in a high school, remembered fondly for it’s quirky, surreal humour and non sequiturs. Glee is similarly full of one-liners and a cynical streak which undercuts the upbeat power-pop ballads and uplifting messages. This is no High School Musical. For one thing, the music’s pretty good, with the series so far using tracks from artists as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, Queen, Lily Allen, The Supremes and of course Journey. But the writing is also a lot sharper than many people who haven’t seen the show would credit, with some terrific one-liners, including this week’s “Did you know dolphins are just gay sharks?”

When we left off a few weeks back, New Directions had just won the sectionals, with the brilliantly nasty cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester being suspended after helping the competing glee clubs by leaking the set list, while their director Will Schuester kissed obsessive-compulsive school councellor Emma Pillsbury hours after her wedding was called off. However, we soon see that Sue Sylvester isn’t away for long (after all, it just wouldn’t be the same without her), as she uses some Rohypnol and a digital camera to not only allow her to return to the school but also put the glee club in jeopardy once again. Will is told by Principal Figgins that, having won the sectionals, they will now have to win the regional finals if they are to continue. Rachel has started dating Finn, who hasn’t yet gotten over the discovery that he is not the father of his ex-girlfriend Quinn’s baby. Sue, knowing that Rachel is both the glee club’s strongest singer and the weakest emotionally, sets her sights on her as she attempts to bring down New Directions.

The episode includes some of the funniest lines in the series yet, all of them coming from Sue and her two undercover “cheerios” Santana and Brittany. There’s also some very good music, with Will asking each member of the club to sing a song which includes the word “hello”, so yes, there’s some Lionel Richie, but a couple of the songs only feature the first syllable of the word, so there’s a certain AC/DC classic in there too.

Things continue to look good for the show, with a second season already ordered for the autumn. Open auditions are being held in the US to cast new characters, which will culminate in a reality TV-style special before the new cast members are revealed in the first episode of the new season. While we sadly can’t take part in that here in the UK, E4 are holding a competition, with a lucky winner being flown out to LA to have a walk-on part.

After tomorrow night’s “hello” special, the following episode will be full of Madonna songs. Not sure whether to watch? Four words: Sue Sylvester does Vogue.