Glee Season 3: A Wish List

Glee has had quite a year, hasn't it? While there were some bright spots (I still stand by my opinion that "Grilled Cheesus" is a good episode), the season overall was uneven at best. However, I am not ready to give up on the show just yet. Here's a wish list of what I would like to see next season:

• New Directions Needs... Well, Some Direction - As a recovering theatre junkie and stage manager, one of the things that annoys me the most about Glee is that our lovable band of misfits seems to slack like no one's business. It is very hard to root for them when they are always scrambling around at the last minute to write songs or finalize a set list. I know that this is (possibly) due to the fact that the show doesn't want to subject us to watching the same song being rehearsed over and over again. However, isn't there a way that the show could set it up so that we know that the group is practicing but we don't get to see the finished product until the competition? Although I know I am supposed to hate Vocal Adrenaline for their ruthless practices, I have to admire their work ethic.
• Stop with the Original Songs - I actually liked the first set of original songs. "Get It Right" grew on me, and "Loser Like Me" (with the exception of the unforgivably awful rap section) was very infectious. By the time that Nationals rolled around, I was over original songs. The first time they were an obvious but fun gimmick. The second time, it just didn't work. Just pay the royalty fees and get some decent songs please.
• More Creative/Innovative Covers of Songs - In lieu of original songs, I'd love to see more creative takes on existing songs. One of the best (if not the best) songs of season 2 was the wonderfully unexpected and understated mash-up of "I Feel Pretty/ Unpretty." Not only did it suit the talents of the performers and make sense in terms of the plot, it was a gorgeous remake.
• Don't Mess with Schue's Relationship with Coach Bieste - Schue is often an intolerable character. He's overly familiar with the students, he tends to make everything about him, and he needs much more discipline (when it comes to his personal life and to his teaching). However, if anyone brings out the best in Mr. Schuester, it is his friendship with Shannon Bieste. In all honesty, Coach Bieste is perhaps the best change in season 2. Please don't screw up her character or her awesome friendship with Will. In fact...
• More Friends without Benefits (Please!) - I understand that this is a show about teenagers, but I'm exhausted by the romantic musical chairs. Out of all of the relationships on the show, the ones that I find the most interesting are the friendships among the characters. Kurt and Rachel, Mercedes and Rachel, Mercedes and Kurt, Puck and Artie - the list is long. I'd love to see more development of these friendships and see more of them next season.
• Take It Easy with the Guest Stars - Although I don't have the intense hatred that some people seem to have for Gwyneth Paltrow, I seriously overdosed on her this season with Glee. My problem with her guest spots is that they didn't seem to add to the episodes so much as take over the episodes. It felt like she sang every (or almost every) song and had a huge part in each of the three episodes she was in this season. While the first season's guest stars were used just enough (Josh Groban comes to mind), I felt like a lot of guest stars this past season were either shoe-horned in (see: Jonathan Groff) or completely hijacked the show.

By no means is this an exhaustive list, and there are so many more things that I could (and probably should) include. Please feel free to add your wishes for season 3 in the comments!