Glee's Jacob Artist Previews Movie-Music Drama

Love is never easy at McKinley High. Last time we roamed the halls of TV's most musical high school, all sorts of heartbreak was afoot. Wemma's wedding was a bust, half the graduates were having ill-advised post-reception romps, and Jacob Artist's Jake was being betrayed as Ryder (Blake Jenner) planted a wet one on his bestie's girl, Marley (Melissa Benoist). Now Glee is back from its latest Idol-induced break tonight (Fox, 9:30/8:30c), and Jacob Artist is opening up about what lies ahead for the newbies of New Directions.

TV Guide Magazine: You guys have been off the air for so long since the big Ryder-Marley moment.
Jacob Artist: I know, this has been the longest three weeks.

TV Guide Magazine: And you're back tonight with the show's 500^th musical performance. Where do we find Jake-Marley-Ryder triangle at this point?
Artist: You're going to get a taste of all the repercussions of what we saw — Ryder kissing Marley at the end of that last episode. Jake doesn't know yet. So it's going to be dealing with him finding out and how that will affect their relationship. That's all going to be explored.

TV Guide Magazine: Those two don't know how to keep a secret.
Artist: Nope! [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: Jake and Ryder had become such bros...
Artist: Yeah, totally. And that's big part of the conflict, as well. They have developed this really great friendship and it's going be tested after what has happened.

TV Guide Magazine: Is there a song involved?
Artist: There might just be a song involved, yes. [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: This week's theme is movie music and we know they're doing "Shout!" What other songs are in the episode?
Artist: The girls are doing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." We're doing "Unchained Melody," which is really cool because I love that song. Oh, and we're doing "Good Time Rock and Roll" and it's hilarious. We have the iconic pink button-downs, the underwear, the socks...we're sliding all over the place. It's great. It's me, Chord [Overstreet] and Blake.

TV Guide Magazine: Wow, between this and the glee-club calendar, they have wasted no opportunity getting you guys half naked.
Artist: I guess not, yeah! [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: How has it been for you, joining the show this season?
Artist: It's been incredible. And it's so weird you brought that up. I was just talking to Melissa the other day about how we're already on episode 18 and we only have a few left to film, but it feels like we just got the parts and started back in August. It's gone by so quickly.

TV Guide Magazine: Melissa told us that you and Becca Tobin (who plays Kitty) helped ease her fears after getting the role of Marley.
Artist: Coming on to a show that's at the level that Glee is at would be so stressful to do on your own. We were all so grateful to go through this experience with each other...it's been really great.

TV Guide Magazine: Can you tease anything coming up?
Artist: Oh yeah, all the repercussions from that kiss are definitely gonna come up again. We're looking at when stuff like this does happen, how do people deal with it. Especially when you're 16-years-old and in high school.

TV Guide Magazine: And a Puckerman.
Artist: Exactly! Jake has really been opening up to Marley and falling for her, so I think this will impact him heavily. You know, we saw them say "I love you" to each other. It's really going to hurt him.

TV Guide Magazine: To be clear, Ryder was the one who kissed her. She wasn't really at fault.
Artist: That's true, but I don't think that's how it's gonna be seen by this Puckerman. [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: An upcoming episode features New Directions singing their guilty pleasure songs. What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Artist: I feel like it's so cliché to say reality television, but it really truly is. It kind of stresses me out that Jersey Shore isn't on the air anymore. [Laughs]

TV Guide Magazine: What about that one song you would never want someone to hear you singing in the car?
Artist: Oh, that's a tough one. You know what, I am not gonna lie, that Taylor Swift "Trouble" song? I can't resist that song. Her melodies are very catchy.

TV Guide Magazine: Who knows, maybe if she hears about this, she'll ask you out.
Artist: Exactly. And then all in the world would be well.

TV Guide Magazine: And then you could get a song written about you.
Artist: Oh yeah, I could be on the Taylor Swift song list! [Laughs]

Are you watching Glee this season? What do you think of the new characters?

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