Glee will feature rather prominently on FOX’s fall schedule, appearing in the coveted spot right behind the So You Think You Can Dance results show. The network is throwing every promotional trick they can muster at the series, with the early post-Idol premiere serving as the biggest treat in the campaign.

So, was it worth the hour of programming?

The opening was promising enough: fast-paced, flashing scenes at a sunny high school. An energetic, cheerleader-heavy intro ended with the coach’s angry face and witty one-liner - perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the episode.

The cast of characters is immediately lovable, and all of them hint at interesting back stories yet to be revealed. The idealistic teacher, the domineering diva, the sensitive stud, even the nerdy guitar player are all captivating in their way. Solid scriptwriting, promising plot twists (already multiple love triangles seem to loom) and very upbeat music could easily make Glee a hit. References to medicinal marijuana, trendy music and the realistic take on high school’s class system makes the series seem current and fresh enough to draw a young crowd of viewers. The strong dialogue, compelling plot and hilarious comedy moments will appeal to other demographics as well.

Every adult in the series seems to be neurotic as hell, an immediately pleasing development. Glee club director Will Schuster (Matthew Morrison) is still a little hung-up on his high school days, and married to an over-spending, craft-loving woman (Jessalyn Gilsig) who wants to have a baby. He’s being lusted after by obsessive-compulsive germaphobe Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays). In a surprising scene that shows the adults won’t be at all two-dimensional in this series, Will sets up star football player Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) to get him to join the Glee club.

And so, the stage is set. Finn is dating Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron), popular cheerleader and celibacy advocate. He’s bound to hook up, however, with soprano singer Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), whose mission in life is to become a star. With love triangles running rampant and head cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) harboring animosity toward the Glee club, this series is sure to be juicy.

Didn’t see the premiere? FOX will be running it on their official Web site all summer long…because the series won’t start its run until November.