Glee

The new season of "Glee" will premiere 2 weeks behind schedule ... due to the death of its star Cory Monteith, this according to FOX.

The network issued a statement saying the show will premiere on September 26 -- it was originally scheduled to debut on September 13.

Sources tell us ... producers have been meeting to discuss how to phase out Cory's character. We're told producers wanted to give the cast and crew time to grieve Cory's death.

As a result, production has been pushed back to early August.

Mark Salling doesn't buy that State Farm is like a good neighbor .... he's suing the insurance company, claiming its refusal to cover him against sexual battery allegations is "despicable" and "malicious."

TMZ broke the story ... Salling was sued by a woman who claims on one occasion when she was dating the "Glee" star ... she insisted that he wear a condom during sex but he refused and forcibly had unprotected sex. The woman -- a former Playboy model -- claims she went to his house later that month to demand proof that he was STD-free, and he responded by pushing her to the ground.

Salling claims in his lawsuit the State Farm homeowner's policy requires the company to foot his legal and other bills connected with his defense, but State Farm has repeatedly refused.

Although there's no mention as to why State Farm won't cover Salling, we're guessing the insurance company is hanging its hat on a provision that excludes criminal acts from its coverage.

Cory Monteith had a very strong guardian angel by his side ... his girlfriend Lea Michele, who essentially controlled Cory in life and even death.

Sources connected with both Cory and Lea tell TMZ ... Lea swooped in when Cory died and immediately took over planning his memorial and other matters connected with his death. We're told Cory's mom is not involved at all in the planning -- it's all Lea.

Everyone agrees ... Lea always had Cory's back and tried protecting him as much as she could, especially when it came to his substance abuse. We're told Cory -- who was sweet but naive -- got banged around in Hollywood by what one relative called "a zoo of piranhas" and when Lea became his girlfriend she fiercely protected him.

As for Cory's drug and alcohol problems ... Lea laid down the law in the United States and did everything she could to keep him from relapsing. When he did relapse earlier this year, she was the one who took the lead and engineered the plan to get Cory in rehab.

We're told Lea's problem was that when Cory went to Canada ... all bets were off.

"Glee" is going full steam ahead without Cory Monteith -- and TMZ has learned, the show's writers have called an emergency meeting today to figure out how to work him out of the story.

Sources close to production tell us, “Glee is definitely not canceled. If you look at the dollars and cents of the show and that it was very much an ensemble with new kids being added last year when some graduated. It’s clear that the show wasn’t about one character."

Our source says producers are taking their cue from shows like "8 Simple Rules" and "The West Wing," which have also suffered real-life deaths ... the lesson being: one character doesn't make or break a show.

Cory Monteith did NOT die from a new strain of deadly heroin that has been going around the Vancouver area -- this according to the coroner.

A police dept. 40 miles from Vancouver had issued a release warning a "toxic' mixture of heroin and fentanyl has caused a spike in heroin ODs.

The coroner who did the autopsy on Cory tells TMZ ... NO FENTANYL was found in Cory's system.

Cory Monteith's body was cremated Tuesday in Vancouver following a private viewing with his family and girlfriend Lea Michele, TMZ has learned -- but Cory's father wasn't invited ... and he's heartbroken.

Cory's dad Joe Monteith -- who is divorced from Cory's mom Ann -- tells TMZ ... he was informed of the cremation after the fact, adding he's "totally devastated" he didn't get a chance to see Cory's body.

We're told Cory's body was released yesterday to his mom, and she decided to hold a viewing at the hospital with Lea and Cory's brother Shaun. Following the viewing, we're told Cory's mom decided to have him cremated.

Cory's dad tells us, "I always loved both my sons and am going to miss Cory very very much. I'm saddened at the fact that I couldn't have been there to see my son before he was cremated."

As for Cory's alleged heroin use ... his dad says he's "shocked."

The cast of "Glee" -- along with several producers -- knew Cory Monteith was battling a heroin addiction earlier this year and were the catalyst in his decision to go back to rehab, TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the production tell us ... it was no secret Monteith was off his game back in March -- and it became clear he was relapsing, specifically with heroin.

We're told the cast and the producers became very concerned ... and knew they had to address the issue with Cory.

Sources say ... the group sat down with Cory and had an "open conversation" with the actor -- stressing how much they cared about him and wanted him to get help.

One source tells us Cory was very receptive -- "It wasn't met with resistance ... He was always so grateful and aware of how fortunate he was."

"The decision was to best help our friend. The needs of the show fell second to his well-being."

Cory voluntarily checked into rehab at the end of March for a 30 day stint ... but despite his efforts, he couldn't defeat his demons, and last week, he died from a lethal mixture of heroin and alcohol.

He was 31.

3:10 PM PT -- Officials are currently addressing the media about the death investigation.

Cops wouldn't delve into specifics when asked if they found drugs in Cory's hotel room, but they certainly insinuated it ... saying, "There was evidence in the room that was consistant of a drug overdose."

Cory Monteith died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol ... this according to Canadian authorities.

The British Columbia Coroners Service says an autopsy and toxicological analysis show that the 31-year-old "Glee" star died from a "mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol."

Monteith's body was discovered by staffers at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, Canada on July 13.

Monteith had struggled with addiction for years and had been to rehab earlier this year.

Monteith had said he began struggling with drugs and alcohol as a young teenager.

Story developing ...

Cory Monteith was leading a double life -- a hard-working, "Glee" star in L.A. struggling to stay clean ... a hard-partying substance abuser in Vancouver.

CORY'S L.A. LIFE

Our sources say Cory's GF Lea Michele and his "Glee" cast knew his struggles all too well and spent a lot of time keeping him clean and sober. We're told Cory never showed up on the set under the influence of anything and most of the time abstained from drugs and alcohol.

The pic above shows the last trip Cory and Lea took together -- it was taken on June 18th in Fire Island, where they visited a friend on a movie set. We're told Cory was sober the entire time.

There were, however, lapses, which is why he checked into rehab in April.

CORY'S LIFE IN VANCOUVER

Our sources say Cory's resolve to stay clean dissipated whenever he returned to his native Canada. That's where he became a drug addict with a serious drinking problem.

Corey went back to Vancouver many times, and hung out with many of the friends who helped fuel his addiction. We're told alcohol and drugs were always involved.

Our sources say Cory's family was aware he reverted back whenever he went North of the border, and they tried in vain to help. We're told as family members became alarmed recently and began making a full-court press ... Cory became distant.

Somehow, Cory was able to compartmentalize his life into a tragic tale of 2 cities ... and the city where he slipped became the city where he died.

Grief-stricken fans in 2 cities are showing their love for Cory Monteith ... putting together makeshift tributes outside Paramount Studios and the Vancouver hotel where he died.

Fans placed candles, flowers, photos and messages to Cory in front of Paramount Studios -- where he taped "Glee."

The other memorial is in front of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel (below) ... where Cory was found dead​ on July 13th.

As we previously reported ... Cory died alone in his 21st floor hotel room. Cause of death is still unknown. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

These are some of the last photos ever taken of Cory Monteith -- snapped just days before he was found dead in a hotel room -- while the "Glee" Star was hanging with friends and drinking alcohol.

Sources tell TMZ ... the pics were taken on July 6th, the same day Cory checked-in to the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver ... where he was found dead one week later.

In the pics, Cory and a few buds are seen hanging out at The Shop -- a local coffee house and clothing store for people who love motorcycles.

We spoke to the owner, who tells us, Cory came in ... was extremely friendly and really interested in choppers ... even sitting on the owner's bike.

We're told he and his friends chilled for awhile -- laughing and drinking beers. One source on-site said Cory knocked back 3 cold ones over the course of a few hours -- despite his recent stint in rehab -- but didn't seem out of control or wasted. He was perfectly nice.

Cory's not physically seen drinking in the pics ... but the Lea Michele doppelganger he's standing next to -- who we're told is just a friend -- is seen clutching two beer cans. Possibly because cameras were around ... and Cory has been open about his substance abuse issues.

As TMZ previously reported ... Fairmont hotel staff found Cory dead in his hotel room Saturday, after spending Friday night out with friends. He was 31.

Now here's Cory's best moment in "Glee" history ... R.I.P.

Cory Monteith -- who famously played Finn Hudson on the TV show "Glee" -- died early Saturday morning in Vancouver ... he was 31 years old.

According to police in Vancouver the actor was found dead in his hotel room on the 21st floor of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel around noon ... when staffers went to check on him after the actor missed his check-out time.

In a press conference, officials said the actor was "clearly deceased" -- and had been so for several hours -- when police arrived on the scene.

Cops say Cory checked-in to the Fairmont on July 6th and was scheduled to leave July 13th. It is unclear why he was in Vancouver, but cops did mention he's from Canada and visits often.

The night before his death, Cory was seen in his room hanging with friends, before hitting the town ... but came back early Saturday morning ... alone.

Cops say "it was not immediately apparent" what caused his death, but no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

A rep for the actor says they are "in shock and mourning this tragic loss."

As TMZ previously reported, Monteith voluntarily checked himself into a treatment center back in April, admitting he had substance abuse issues. It was his second time in treatment.

Prior to that, Cory had been open about his problems with drugs. Back in 2011 he told Parade Magazine, his family and friends were so afraid he "could die" they staged an intervention. He was 19 at the time.

He explained that his drug use consisted of "Anything and everything, as much as possible." Adding, "I had a serious problem."

"Glee" co-star Matthew Morrison took time out of a performance Sunday to pay tribute to Cory Monteith ... in the most "Glee" way possible ... belting out a Broadway show tune.

Matthew -- who plays Finn Hudson's mentor / teacher on the show -- played a gig at 54 Below in NYC. Prior to the set, Matthew addressed the tragedy of Cory's sudden death and referred to the actor as a brother ... as reported by the NY Times.

Matthew then changed his opening number -- and dedicated the song to Cory.

He chose "What I Did For Love" -- a show tune from "A Chorus Line" -- which was also featured on "Glee" Season 2 and sung by Lea Michele.

Cory Monteith appeared the picture of happiness -- giggling and laughing with girlfriend Lea Michele -- this just a few weeks before he was found dead in a hotel room ... possibly of an overdose.

In this video, shot about a month ago at LAX, Cory and Lea arrive hand-in-hand looking happy and healthy. Even our photog tells the couple, "You look like a million bucks."

At the time, Cory had recently completed a month-long stint in rehab ... for admitted substance abuse issues.

As TMZ previously reported ... Cory was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room Saturday, alone, after spending Friday with friends. There are reports drugs may have played a role.

Jane Lynch is pulling the plug on her marriage to wife Dr. Lara Embry ... just 3 years after tying the knot in Massachusetts, where gay marriage is legal.

Lynch just released a statement to People.com saying, "Lara and I have decided to end our marriage. This has been a difficult decision for us as we care very deeply about one another."

The 52-year-old "Glee" star met 44-year-old Embry back in 2009 at a fundraiser in San Francisco ... and they married in 2010.

Lynch and Embry are California residents and a California court will almost certainly dissolve the marriage, even though gay marriages are not legal in California. The State recognizes marriages from places where gay marriage is legal.

Now ... California is a community property state, which means unless there's a prenup, Lynch and Embry would split all assets acquired during the marriage 50/50. Although Embry's no slouch, Lynch has made a bundle on "Glee" and other projects.

Sources connected with the former couple tell TMZ ... they don't have a prenup.

If you sneeze around Jane Lynch, the "Glee" star will MOST LIKELY say "God Bless You" ... which is odd because the actress tells TMZ she's "kind of an atheist."

Just to review ...

"Atheist" = person who doesn't believe in any sort of a god.

"God Bless You" = thing you traditionally say when someone sneezes, in hopes you can convince a supernatural being to "bless" someone who just fired snot out of their nostrils at breakneck speed.