According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Audition," the fall premiere episode for Fox's high-school set musical series, garnered 12.3 million viewers and a preliminary rating of 5.5 in the all-important 18-49 demographic.  These ratings marked the second-highest a "Glee" episode has ever received, and were up 57 percent from its premiere episode last fall (which was a director's cut repeat of the pilot that had already aired in the spring).

The ratings are especially significant as "Glee" was leading its evening's programming at 8 PM, instead of airing at 9 PM with an "American Idol" lead-in as it did for much of last season.

The fall premiere marked the first appearances of recurring guest stars Charice, Chord Overstreet and Dot-Marie Jones.  Cheyenne Jackson also guest- starred as the new director of New Direction's biggest rival, Vocal Adrenaline.  Songs performed in the episode included "Empire State of Mind," "Telephone," "Billionaire," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "What I Did for Love," "Getting to Know You" and "Listen."

Next week's episode, "Britney/Brittany," will feature the music catalogue of and a cameo appearance by Britney Spears.  John Stamos will also guest star in the episode, which will feature songs including "Stronger," "Oops!  I Did It Again," "...Baby, One More Time," "Toxic," "Me Against the Music" and "The Only Exception."

To rewatch last night's episode of "Glee," look below:

-- Thomas Peter