A lively on-set party with a little too much sake served as the inspiration for a memorable episode of Glee centered around alcohol awareness. Former Glee stars Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz revealed the behind-the-scenes story during their podcast, And That’s What You Really Missed.
McHale candidly shared, “We got drunk on set, y’all,” while Ushkowitz provided more context, saying, “We got caught having a dance party at base camp — where our trailers are — after going to lunch and having a little bit of some substances. And by substances, I mean sake.”
The episode in question, titled “Blame It on the Alcohol,” showcased the Gleeks attempting to convey a message to their schoolmates about the perils of alcohol consumption. However, the plot takes a comedic twist when Rachel Berry (played by Lea Michele) throws a house party, and the entire glee club ends up getting inebriated, leading to a hungover and disastrous performance the next day.
The connection between the real-life sake-soaked party and the episode is evident, as the cast’s own experiences with alcohol mirrored the theme they were portraying on screen. The hilarity ensued as Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) hilariously succumbed to the effects of alcohol during a performance of Kesha’s “Tik Tok,” leaving a lasting impression on fans.
Reflecting on the real-life party, McHale pointed out that there was one person, “the ringleader,” who encouraged everyone to drink, though they chose not to reveal names. He did acknowledge that some cast members indulged more than others.
Interestingly, the producers joined in the dance party at first but later reported the incident, leading to some reprimands for the cast. This incident ultimately inspired the creation of the episode “Blame It on the Alcohol,” which became a fan-favorite with its vibrant and memorable party scenes.
Both McHale and Ushkowitz fondly recalled filming the lively party scene repeatedly, with Ushkowitz expressing, “It felt like a party. It really did.” The combination of real-life experiences and their portrayal on screen made this episode a unique and entertaining addition to Glee’s repertoire.
