Fox is giddy with excitement over a high school musical from "Nip/Tuck" creator Ryan Murphy.

The network has ordered a pilot and four scripts for "Glee," a one-hour comedy from 20th Century Fox TV that revolves around the apparently cut-throat world of high school glee clubs.

In a sign of just how serious Fox is about the project, casting will begin immediately, and the show could be ready for broadcast by early next year.

That indicates Fox believes "Glee" could be compatible with its other music-themed series, "American Idol," though there's no guarantee the show will end up behind "Idol" on the network's schedule.

Mr. Murphy created "Glee" with Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. All three wrote the pilot script, which will be directed by Mr. Murphy. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Falchuk are executive producing, with Mr. Brennan on board as a co-executive producer. Mike Novick will be a producer on the project.

Most recently, Mr. Murphy shot "Pretty Handsome," a pilot about a transexual, for FX. The network is not moving forward with that project.

As for Fox, the network's entertainment president, Kevin Reilly, has made it clear he plans to pick up projects year-round. The network already has several other possible series in the works for early next year.