Ryan Murphy Takes a Step Back from 'Glee'

Ryan Murphy may be the first Glee kid to graduate from McKinley High.

According to the New York Post, the writer-director is loosening his grip on the show in order to focus on directing a new comedy for NBC. The New Normal, which follows a gay couple and a woman who becomes their surrogate, will star Andrew Rannels from The Book of Mormon and Ellen Barkin. Murphy is also reportedly working on a big-screen adaptation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart.

The announcement comes soon after rumors of drama within the Glee cast. As one source tells the Post, "Ryan is technically off Glee and [co-creator] Brad Falchuck has taken over the day-to-day running. After some drama and discord with the cast last year, and with Ryan being very outspoken in the press, it was suggested by his aides that he relax a little."

No word on what the nature of the drama is (maybe a Lea Michele/Murphy feud?), but Murphy's rep vehemently denies any claims of Murphy stepping back: "I'm not sure where you heard that, but it is totally false. Ryan is and will continue to be 100 percent involved with and committed to Glee."