FOXWhen Glee creator Ryan Murphy sat down to edit the episode that pays tribute to both Cory Monteith and his character Finn Hudson, he ran into a roadblock. And it had nothing to do with the scene continuity.
"It was very difficult to shoot, and it was very difficult to edit. I only got through two tries," Murphy tells us exclusively at the American Horror Story: Coven premiere. "But it was done with a really pure feeling of love for him and I think that's what that episode is about; treasure your friendships when you have them because one day they're not going to be there. And for young people in particular, I think that's a really sweet, kind message."
According to Murphy, the episode, which will feature Lea Michele singing Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love," was the best way to honor the late Glee star after news broke that he had passed tragically from a drug overdose.
"It was really emotional because I really loved Cory. And Brad [Falchuck] and I and Ian Brennan, who created Glee, all had very close, good relationships with him," he tells us. "He passed away not so long ago, and we sort of were in a position where, what do you do when that happens? So we chose to write a tribute, not just to the character Finn that he played, but to Cory."
The night before Glee's farewell to Finn, Murphy's other show American Horror Story debuts with a new installment. And fans who found last season's Asylum to be too dark and morbid will be happy to know that Coven is just as scary, but much more fun.
"As much as I loved [last season]…I just thought I wanted to do something more sexy and with comedy and I wanted to put Jessica Lange in a little black dress so that's what we did," he says. "And I think it's my favorite season so far just because it's super scary and really funny."
To hear more about Coven, including if Murphy plans to spinoff these characters into a completely separate show, watch our exclusive interview below!
Glee's Cory/Finn tribute airs this Thursday, Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. on Fox.
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction issues, contact Narcotics Anonymous.