If most theatre/music kids think back on the shows they were obsessed with during their middle school and early high school years, Glee is bound to come up. I, as a singer and performer, was OBSESSED. I would even wake up early on Friday mornings (and we’re talking like 5 a.m.) to watch the episode that had recorded the night before.
I, like everyone else, jumped up and down with joy when Finn and Rachel got back together (even though it cost them Nationals) and knew that Kurt and Blaine were SOULMATES. Now, while I love Glee as much as the next theatre-nerd, I cannot forgive the creators for giving me COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC expectations for high school, such as the ones below. Also, if you have never seen Glee, every episode is on Netflix. You’re welcome.
1. Singing. Singing, ALL THE TIME.
2. Do they ever go to class?
O.K., this is a legitimate question. I’m pretty sure there are only like two scenes that actually show them learning, and that is before they rudely interrupt the teacher to perform an ill-timed Katy Perry hit. Honestly, if I was their teacher, they would be in detention faster than you could say “Teenage Dream.”
3. Do they ever have homework?
Along with that last point, this is another pressing question I have. During high school, I would be up until 2:00 in the morning studying for AP Chemistry, but I never saw Rachel Berry crack open a textbook. When they were not in Glee Club, they were hanging out with their significant other and getting pregnant (@Quinn Fabray). Maybe if they actually had homework, we would have less teenage love-making. Just
4. Relationships
9 times out of 10, the high school quarterback does not fall in love with the weird theatre nerd (trust me, I know). At least in my high school, the quarterback was too focused on getting a scholarship to date anyone, ever. I remember having a crush on one of the players on the football team, but he noticed me the way my cat notices my new haircut. So, sorry Rachel Berry, but in an actual high school setting, you and Finn may have exchanged two words tops.
5. HOW THE HELL DID BRITTANY GET INTO MIT??
She was literally failing all of her classes, but then she got accepted into MIT. For those of you who don’t know, the average GPA for those accepted into MIT is a 4.2 and the average ACT is a 35. So basically, you have to have the mind of Stephen Hawking (RIP YOU AMAZING HUMAN). However, this occurrence was so unrealistic that I couldn’t even take it seriously; I think that was kind of the point.
6. Getting MARRIED at 18
People do not get married right after graduation, like, ever (and that’s a good thing). Along with teenage lovemaking, Glee probably should have tried not to encourage this as much.
7. Teachers dating students
THIS IS ILLEGAL.