But, since I watch Glee every week- sometimes I love it (the musical numbers mainly- and when it's funny) and sometimes its painful and preachy (especially when they add and drop characters at the drop of a hat) I thought I could comment.
So, since Glee started back up on Sept. 13th, I'll respond to the premiere as a high school musical theatre teacher.
Opening: In NYC. Rachel is in a dance class (at a conservatory in NYC). Her dance teacher is crazy-pants and mean. I'm going to assume this is both inaccurate and accurate. I've had crazy pants dance teachers in college- but never one that was blatantly mean just to be mean. I don't know if I've had one teaching while drunk (I'm assuming no since it was at BYU... but who knows...) but I think at least one student would complain to faculty- even if she can roll around on the floor while singing Jennifer Lopez.
Back in Ohio: The Glee club is popular at the high school. They are the coolest team in the school because they won nationals. I'm going to post this as inaccurate. I don't think my students are either popular or unpopular- they are normal, good kids. If we won nationals, it would matter a lot to the kids that performed, but it's not the end all be all. I think if you give the kids good skills, it definitely helps them with auditions for colleges and shows.
Student Sing-Off to choose the lead of the club- Not accurate- although it would be awesome if they came to me to tell me they were having one. All the kids in my MDT class sing 3 solos and the class votes to see who will solo for the show in January. No sing-offs- esp. accompanied by 42 strings on the stage and very dramatic lighting. Our lighting board basically blew up during college tour this morning. We're happy when it turns on let alone wasting it for auditions.
Glee kids hanging out with Jocks at Lunch and making fun of people: I sure hope that's not accurate (not the sitting with jocks- the making fun of people). My students all sit with different people- and I hope they don't make fun of anyone- they're usually to busy trying to get homework done for class. And it's amazing most people eat lunch outside in Ohio. That does not happen at our school.
Glee Auditions are backed by a full orchestra and an amazing pianist: Well, I play for their auditions... but no full orchestra. We also sit closer to the students (because I rarely see mics on Glee- and the backing tracks are loud. No high school voice could be heard over that music without a mic of some sort). However, I would do exactly what Will did if a student threw attitude because they got cut off at an audition. Not cast them (or talk to them right away).
Singing and Dancing during lunch: Accurate. Not that good (or choreographed), but the SBO's play loud music that no one can be heard over. And by dancing, I mean eating.
Students graduating coming back to eat lunch: Sadly yes. We call them Superseniors. I like students coming in to say hi- but I like it usually after school- not in the middle of a class period.
Singing Billy Joel will get you into the club: Ummm...if you have a voice like Marley did, yes, again and again...but she wouldn't get every solo...
