THE 62ND ANNUAL Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented later this month and hopes are once again high for the firsttime nominees that made a lot of noise with critics and audiences. Unlike the seemingly interminable and costly campaigns waged for the Oscars, campaigns for Emmy recognition are another world and almost non-existent. There are full-page ads in the two major Hollywood trades and the screeners sent out to nab a nomination, but nothing like the big O. Nonetheless, the 2009/10 season’s biggest breakouts have decided to buck the trend and invite the academy members to get to know them. Last week, the “Glee” cast and creators appeared on stage at the Music Box @ the Fonda celebrating 19 nominations, the most for any comedy this year and including Best Comedy.

After dining al fresco - okay, there were three large food trucks, but the servings were delicious – guests grabbed a cocktail and a seat in the intimate night-club setting. Chris Colfer (Kurt, the gay high school student who frequently gets “slushied” in the face for being different) “hosted” the presentation. Colfer was obviously on cloud nine as he introduced his co-stars and talked about the amazing year he’s had, from obscurity to a first-time Emmy nomination. Fresh off a short summer tour, the cast performed several hit songs from season one, showcasing in particular the talents of vocal heavy hitters and Emmy nominees Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuster) and Lea Michele (Rachel). Powerhouse Amber Riley (Mercedes) brought the house down and the cast to join her on Christina Aguilera’s inspirational anthem, “Beautiful.”

The show’s creators and other cast members, including Emmy favorite Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester, the ruthless cheerleading coach) later appeared on stage. The producers were reluctant to reveal any season 2 secrets beyond what has been already announced, but John Stamos (“Full House”) will mix things up in a love triangle with Schuster and Emma (Jayma Mays). There will be a special episode on Superbowl Sunday in 2011 and a tribute episode to Britney Spears, featuring newly promoted cast member Heather Morris who plays the dancing bombshell Britney with funniest “blond” lines.

Despite the evening’s obvious “vote for Glee” intention, the cast and creators emphasized how much “Glee” is not just another TV phenomenon. It has had a significant impact in many ways. Major recording icons want to be a part of “Glee” as recollected by the stillshocked show creator Ryan Murphy who recently received a “mix tape” with a handwritten label from none other than Sir Paul McCartney offering his songs. The show has also connected music hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s with today’s younger audiences by integrating them into the storyline. Original recordings by artists such as Burt Bacharach, Neil Diamond, Journey and Madonna and the “Glee” remakes have consistently landed in the top 5 on i-tunes. But most importantly, the show has been a beacon for the importance of art education in schools, citing numerous examples of cuts in art programs across America except for the glee club. The evening ended on a dare from an audience member who asked Colfer to recreate his dance number to the Beyonce hit “Single Ladies.” Colfer agreed to the challenge only if the recording could accompany him which he thought wasn’t accessible. Give the sound engineer a raise because several minutes later, the music blasted the theater and Colfer with Morris and cast member Naya Rivera wowed the shrieking audience with an unrehearsed but very gleeful moment.