NBC bans 'Glee' cast from Macy's parade

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- NBC won't let the cast of the popular TV series "Glee" march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan, sources told the New York Post.

The Fox show is about the lovable misfit members of a fictional high school glee club in Ohio. Each episode features the vocal group singing new versions of pop hits, many of which have become recent hot sellers in real life on iTunes.

"It's standard operating procedure, NBC doesn't promote another network's show, like it wouldn't promote another department store during the parade," an insider at NBC, the network that airs the parade, told the Post.

Although no contract was finalized, parade producers reportedly had been in talks with Fox and expected to lock in a deal soon to have the young stars perform their hit rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" during the parade.

"(The parade producers) were mortified, embarrassed and felt horrible about it all," a source close to the negotiations told the newspaper. "They never thought about having to ask permission (of NBC officials) before bringing anyone on."

"That's what's so weird: (The parade's) had acts from other properties before -- the 'American Idol' winners, 'High School Musical' -- so they just didn't think they needed permission for ('Glee,)'" added another insider.

Reacting to the decision, the show's creator Ryan Murphy told EW.com, "I completely understand NBC's position, and look forward to seeing a Jay Leno float."