Interview with Matthew Morrison of "Glee"
LEMON: Right now in Washington, the taping of the annual "Christmas in Washington" show is taking place. It airs Friday at 8:00 p.m. eastern on our sister network, TNT. Friday, 8:00 p.m. eastern on TNT. Actor Matthew Morrison, star of "Glee," he is among the performers, and I spoke with him about the show.</s>LEMON: So, Matthew Morrison, every time I get a magazine, you're on the cover. I turn on one of the entertainment shows, you are there. It's just a sensation. I don't know if I can call it overnight, because you had a long career before this. What do you make of what's happened with you and being asked to perform at "Christmas in Washington"? Amazing.</s>MATTHEW MORRISON, ACTOR: It's pretty amazing to be here. This is my second weekend in a row to be here. I performed at the Kennedy Center honors last weekend. Whenever the president calls you to come and sing, it's like, yes, I'll pack my bags and get on a plane and hope out here. Because I'd do anything for the Obamas. It's a great family we have in the White House.</s>LEMON: I was talking to you before we started rolling tape. And you said you were on two-hours sleep. Annie Lenox sang for me. You said don't ask me to do it. I had two hours of sleep.</s>MORRISON: Yes. And yesterday actually, I filmed all day and then did Leno at night and took the red eye here. I got two hours of sleep this morning in the hotel, and don't I look great?</s>LEMON: What are you going to perform? Do you know?</s>MORRISON: Yes, I'm going to be -- I decided to use one of my talents playing the ukulele, and parlay it into something special. I don't know when the next time we're going to have a president from Hawaii in office.</s>LEMON: Who are you, Don Ho? I mean, come on.</s>MORRISON: I am Don Ho, come back to life.</s>LEMON: Listen, let's talk --</s>MORRISON: And I'm also singing --</s>LEMON: Go ahead. I'm sorry.</s>MORRISON: I'm also singing "Oh Holy Night."</s>LEMON: Oh, well. Very nice. Again, you won't sing for us, I know, because you said you had two-hours sleep.</s>LEMON: Talk to me though.</s>MORRISON: Thank you.</s>LEMON: We hit on it a little bit before, earlier in the interview, but this "Glee," this sort of just behemoth, just mega hit, are you floored by the success of this show?</s>MORRISON: Absolutely. You know, when we started this show, when we did the pilot, we all felt like we were a part of something special, but I don't think any of us ever expected it to reach these kinds of heights. I thought it was big in the United States, but I recently traveled to the U.K and Australia and it's like the biggest thing. It's like the Beatles over there. I'm blown away by the success of it. But at the same time, I get it. It's such a fresh show that really is doing new things that haven't been seen on television before. And you know, I think music is the universal language that we all speak. And I think people are just really loving it on many different levels.</s>LEMON: I'm sure you're going to be counting your blessings this Christmas for the success of "Glee." What else will you be thinking about for the holiday season and thanking Santa Claus or God or whomever for?</s>MORRISON: I will be thankful for my friends, my health, and hopefully for my Steelers doing well.</s>LEMON: You're a Steelers fan?</s>MORRISON: I'm getting looks from people. I don't know. Another Steelers fan here. Sorry.</s>LEMON: Matthew Morrison, we look forward to your performance. And you're such a good sport. Thank you for coming on. Good luck and merry Christmas.</s>MORRISON: Thank you so much.</s>LEMON: Actor Matthew Morrison and a host of other celebrities, including singer and activist, Annie Lenox, appear in "Christmas in Washington," Friday at 8:00 p.m. eastern on TNT. And you'll hear from Annie Lenox. She sings Christmas carols to me next on CNN.