The outfits were divine and the amount of talent packing the house was innumerable as self-congratulatory praise was spread around. Oh wait, that was the Academy Awards… wrong show. Once again, NBC faced a formidable opponent in terms of a ratings battle as "Grease: You're the One That I Want" was pitted against another kudos fest Sunday night. The "Grease" stage might not have been full of A-list talent, but there was fun to be had on the fourth live episode of the reality casting special with the night going to the ladies. It was a Sandy sing off and the field of Broadway hopefuls is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out just which contestant deserves their packing papers.
After last weeks blunder of an episode, "
Grease" regained some ground focusing all the attention on the five remaining Sandys, giving each a crack at some thespian work opposite a Danny of their choice. With
Kathleen Marshall looking on, during the week, each of the girls had a chance to act out the drive-in scene, although with some clever editing it appeared to be more of an opportunity to smooch with a few boys rather than knock out some method acting. Could there be some puppy love developing on the set? I can only imagine there was much left on the cutting room floor, because up until now there has not be much in the way of acting to base a casting decision on. Never fear, even crummy stage actors can fill a house, just look at
Julia Roberts.
Kicking off the episode with a sleepover attired staging of "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee," it is apparent that the idea of singling out just the girls this week is merely a clever way for producers to draw out the series for as long as possible. Let us hope the ratings hold out as long as the contestants.
Although the guys avoided singing for the vote, last week's bottom feeders were still put before the judges to prove their worth, singing "Blue Moon." Chad Doreck and Kevin Greene joined Kate Rockwell and Kathleen Monteleone in the sing off with no real standout breaking out of the group. Granted, it seems extremely difficult to sell yourself in the allotted millisecond they have to sing, yet both Dannys reeked of blandness, failing to show any type of "it" factor. But it was "Bellhop Danny" Greene who had to pack his bags along with fellow reject Rockwell. The decision to oust Rockwell was a bit of a shocker seeing how Monteleone was making her second appearance in the bottom four.
Monteleone must not have clicked with America, but the judges held their ground, for at least another week, by saving her yet again. Sadly for this "Spiritual Sandy," she might need to say more than a few prayers after an extremely shaky rendition of "Let's Hear It For the Boy" immediately following her reprieve. Perhaps she was unable to bounce back as smoothly as she had hoped after being knocked around by the voters.
And if Laura Osnes continues down her path of being the sweetheart Sandy of the competition, all the remaining girls will need to start saying more than prayers. Having taken my top vote during
Andrew Lloyd Webber's week on "
Grease," she has returned to being the contender to beat, kicking up the sex appeal with a smoking hot stab at "Fever." The judges certainly agreed as all three chose Osnes as the Sandy they wanted this week. Marshall said she was looking for a more sultry Sandy out of Osnes, and that is exactly what she got, as "Small-town Sandy" delivered a Marilyn Monroe chic transformation, replete with teased out hair. Her fiancé might need to begin worrying, as these hungry Dannys might start trying to devour this girl.
Looking ahead to next week, aside from Monteleone, it seems like Ashley Spencer might have to fight to stay in the running for a Broadway break. Singing "These Boots are Made for Walking," she was lacking the power and vixen emotion needed to propel her beyond the ensemble. Allie Schulz put on a fun and perky show for the judges performing "It's Oh So Quiet," proving "Baby Sandy" can turn into a wild child when needed.
David Ian wound up referring to Monteleone as an "old cart horse," but that label might have been more appropriately pinned to guest singer
Frankie Avalon. Recreating his role from the film, Avalon crooned "Beauty School Dropout," though it was slightly disturbing to see the old timer trying to swoon the twenty-something girls. But, to be fair, anyone that can pull of a white suit at nearly 70 deserves a heap of credit. His voice has not held up over the years, but the guy still looks the part. Some legends are always a guilty pleasure to see carted out for one more performance. Next time, I would love to see the original Jersey Boy,
Frankie Valli drop by the show to reprise his rendition of the title tune.
Photos courtesy of NBC.
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