the scoop

December 19, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

the scoop

fox plans musical

The Fox network is making a musical comedy, a somewhat unusual project for prime-time television.

Fox said Tuesday it had ordered 13 episodes of “Glee,” a series about a high school teacher trying to transform a glee club into a national power. The characters include a diva-in-training, a nerdy soprano and a quarterback who tries to stay cool while singing. At least three musical numbers will be performed in each show.

Sound familiar? The success of the movie franchise “High School Musical” proved youngsters don’t consider musicals an anachronism. Fox said the new series will appear sometime in 2009.

h‘twilight’ sequel

“Twilight” fans have a short wait for the next installment of the vampire saga.

Summit Entertainment spokesman Paul Pflug says “New Moon” is following just 12 months after the first movie, opening Nov. 20, 2009, over the same weekend as “Twilight” this year.

Summit has tapped Chris Weitz (“The Golden Compass”) to direct “New Moon,” based on the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series about the dangerous romance between a teen (Kristen Stewart) and a vampire (Robert Pattinson) fighting his bloodsucking instincts.

Weitz is taking over the franchise from “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke. “Twilight” has shot to $150 million at the box office since debuting Nov. 21.

AC/DC music therapy offered at hospital

A new music therapy room at a hospital on Florida’s Gulf Coast is being named for AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson.

Johnson and other rock stars have supported an effort to buy music equipment and provide music education for children, including those who are in the hospital.

Music equipment and enhancements to the room at Sarasota Memorial Hospital are being donated by the John Entwhistle Foundation, named for the late bassist for the Who. Johnson and other rockers have worked to raise money for the charity.

The man himself will be on hand at the hospital for the dedication of the Brian Johnson Music Therapy Room next week.

the brutal truth

Forget everything you’ve heard about the video-game industry being recession-proof. Even the mighty Electronic Arts is hurting, and has announced that disappointing sales this year will lead to cuts in its scheduled releases for 2009.

After delivering that grim news, though, EA turned around and announced something truly wonderful: It has picked up “Brutal Legend,” the Jack Black-starring heavy-metal epic from “Psychonauts” mastermind Tim Schafer. “Brutal Legend” was dumped by Activision this year.

phelps and phun

European publisher 505 Games is hoping its new U.S division can make a splash with games, due in 2010, built around swimmer Michael Phelps. The Olympic hero looks at the deal as “a tremendous opportunity to help continue my quest to raise the profile for the sport of swimming.” How about just making the games fun?

save money on gifts

Top three ways to save money and do it yourself for the holidays

1. Pictures as presents: A fun way to show a close friend you care is to put together some of your favorite personal photographs. Create a small scrapbook or make a crafty collage. Decorate the photos with borders and stickers for a special touch.

2. Baked goods: Who wouldn’t like a fresh batch of cookies or brownies?

3. Buy in bulk: In case you aren’t that creative, buy in bulk. Open up packages with multiple items, like sets of body spray or lip gloss, and divide the contents into separately wrapped gifts.