'Glee' Cast Shake Up Continues

(Canvas Staff Reports) - Fans of "Glee," the popular musical comedy television series, will notice a couple changes as the upcoming season starts.

The first will be the departure of football coach Ken Tanaka, played by actor Patrick Gallagher. He is out and Shannon Beiste, played by actress Dot Jones, is in as William McKinley High's new football coach, according to TVGuide.com .

TV Guide writer William Keck wrote that it appears as if Tanaka's failed attempt to marry guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury meant that his character has run its course. Tanaka of course called off his planned wedding to Pillsbury when he realized she couldn't get over her secret crush for glee club coach Will Schuester. Schuester suddenly became available when he left his wife, who he found out faked a pregnancy.

"The character's storyline had kind of run its course," Gallagher told The Wrap . "That's just Hollywood and the realities of an actor's life; you've just got to get back on the horse and ride."

TV Fanatic reports that Jones previously played Tess on "Nip/Tuck," which like "Glee," was created by Ryan Murphy.

The blog Zap2it.com reported on another casting change. Recurring "30 Rock" guest Cheyenne Jackson will replace Idina Menzel's Shelby Corcoran as the coach of rival glee club Vocal Adrenaline.

Jackson, who appeared in Broadway's Xanadu, had also been a guest on the new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Entertainment Weekly predicts that Menzel will be back at least for an appearance or two since Corcoran is Rachel Berry's biological mom.

Comedy legend Carol Burnett recently expressed her desire to be a guest on "Glee," according to Zap2it.com .

"Oh, I would definitely do it," Burnett said when asked what her response would be if she received a call from Glee's producers. "I'd do whatever they wanted me to, but I'd like to have a few scenes with Jane Lynch. I love her."

Lynch is McKinley High's cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, who continuously tries to undercut Schuester's attempt to revive the glee club.