The bug
You can place redstone on glowstone, but not on sea lanterns.
Comments

Confirmed for 1.8.
Kumasasa: Sea Lanterns don't have the exact same properties as glass. Apart from emitting light, they do not allow torches/redstone torches to be placed on their top side.

Apart from emitting light, they do not allow torches/redstone torches to be placed on their top side.
That's what this bug is about...
No, glowstone and sea lanterns both don't allow torches to be placed on them. I'd consider this a separate bug, since this ticket is about how sea lanterns don't behave as you'd expect them to based on glowstone behavior. Since I couldn't find a report for the torches issue, I've created one now: MC-72556.
Technically a dupe of MC-9436, but should probably remain a separate report in case it's not intended.
Partially fixed, trapdoors can now be placed. Redstone still can't.
Updating the title to reflect that.

Affects 18w20a

Affects 18w20b

Affects 18w20c

Affects 18w21a

Affects 18w21b

Affects 18w22a

Affects 18w22b

@unknown, ticket is yours now

Relates to MC-131115

Seems fixed in 18w12b
Confirmed.
Sea lanterns have the same properties as glass, also redstone is not placable.