With the premiere of Glee‘s second season only weeks away, dozens of newly released photos and spoilers are throwing the fandom into a frenzy of anticipation! New York Times photographer Todd Heisler spent five days in August documenting the show at a studio lot and in two Los Angeles-area high schools.

His candid behind-the-scenes photos offer a window into the making of the highly anticipated season two, featuring the making of the Britney tribute episode. You can see Heather in her “Me Against the Music” video, Matthew busting a few dance moves, and even a full page of the episode script! Check out the photos below!

@DiannaGleeFans on Twitter has a close transcript of what the script page says. Go follow her!

Sources were originally reporting that Mr. Shue would shave his head in protest of New Directions perfoming Britney’s music. It appears that part of the episode was meant to be a surprise, but is no longer happening now that everyone knows. Whoops!

Heather Morris tells Access Hollywood at the Teen Choice Awards: “I guess they’re deciding not to do it now because it was supposed to be the surprise…then Ryan got wind that everybody found out and he was like, ‘I don’t think we can do it anymore because now it’s out’.”

Matthew Morrison added that if the head-shaving happened anyway, he would actually shave his head, instead of using a double or a head cap. “I’d have to shave it ‘cause then it wouldn’t make sense with the rest of the series,” Matthew said. Glad he’s thinking about continuity!

He could totally pull it off though. “I’m so hot,” he kidded, “I did it a couple of years ago for a movie and I like it.”

Heather joked about having Britney shave her own head for the episode. She said she’d opt for the bald cap. I would too.

Source: Access Hollywood – ‘Glee’ Stars:
Mr. Schuester Likely Won’t Shave His Head For Britney Episode

In a recent interview with Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Murphy revealed that Britney Spears herself will in fact be making a cameo in her tribute episode! “I think Britney, 100 percent, is going to be on the episode,” he tells Seacrest this morning. It doesn’t get more confirmed than that!

Britney’s role in the episode was covered as well. Apparently, the glee kids are denied performing Britney by an obstinate Mr. Shue. When when they take a visit to John Stamos (the dentist), the anesthesia creates a hallucinogenic musical explosion starring Britney herself!

In regards to how Britney’s darker days will be handled, including the head-shaving: “[This episode] is so reverential, so kind and about her music,” Ryan says. “We’re handling Britney with kids gloves.”

Heather Morris (whose character Brittany will be performing in the episode) almost got wind of the Britney cameo beforehand. When asked about it, she remarked, “I hope so, somebody keeps teasing me and telling me she is coming. Oh my gosh, I would be so nervous. Not really, I would be excited.”

Are you loving this Britney news as much as I am?! Feel free to scream/fangirl/speculate in the comment section!

Lea Michele has been spotted walking around set in an outfit that looks suspiciously like one worn by Britney Spears in the music video for Hit Me Baby One More Time! In fact, it’s identical.

She has been quoted as saying she’d recreate one of the pop star’s older music videos, so this outfit pretty much confirms her performance. What do you think? Was this the right song for her? Post away!

Source: Just Jared – Lea Michele Channels Britney in ‘Baby One More Time’!