Radio Times: Review by:; Jack Seale

The start of the fourth season means new directions for the New Directions, past and present: school megastar Rachel Berry, played by 26-year-old Lea Michele, has finally arrived in New York for a sniff of Broadway at musical theatre school.

First she has to win over her new dance teacher, the bitter and occasionally drunk Cassandra July. This new role is taken by Kate Hudson, one of two headline new signings along with Sarah Jessica Parker, who’s still two weeks away – although Whoopi Goldberg returns as the dramatic arts dean who said “no” to Kurt. He’s stuck as a barista in Ohio, where the glee club – bolstered by fantabulous Glee Project runner-up Alex Newell – sing the song of 2012, Call Me Maybe.

There are some cute slo-mo shots and half an orchestra to mime the famous string sting. Glee is in bullish mood.

About this programme

1/22. The musical comedy is back, but with a slightly different format, splitting the storyline between the singing kids of McKinley High, basking in their celebrity status after their national championship win, and those who have graduated. In New York, Rachel begins her first year at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, but is struggling without Kurt - who has failed to win a place - or Finn, who has broken off their engagement and joined the army. To make matters worse, she falls foul of the no-nonsense dance teacher. However, she soon finds a kindred spirit in fellow student Brody. Kate Hudson makes her Glee debut as Cassandra July and Whoopi Goldberg resumes her recurring role as the academy's Carmen Tibideaux.