Grease...Not So Much...

With only two weeks to go, I've given up on Grease: You're the One That I Want. It's just too painful to watch. Chad went home, they still love Max, and none of them are nearly as good as the rejects on Idol. I just wish I could get all those hours of my life back.

The "Dannys" sing on Grease

A friend asked me over the weekend about Grease: You’re the One That I Want. They had seen bits and pieces, and wanted to know if it was as bad as it looked. My answer: no. It’s worse.

I can’t explain why I keep watching it. It’s not for the blog – there have been shows that have been so bad that even I can’t watch them (and, let’s review, I watched every episode of Paradise Hotel AND Temptation Island). For some strange reason, I find myself caring; I just keep thinking if I stick it out for the rest of the show it will somehow be worth it.

The guys sang last night, and they weren’t that good. And the judges continued to shower their love on Max, who doesn’t look like Danny at all, or even sound that good. I don’t know why they love him, or why they think that having him in the lead role will sell tickets. But hey, it’s their money, right? I also didn’t understand what the deal was with the screaming girl while Austin was singing. Seriously, did anyone hear this? It sounded like someone was being murdered in the audience. If you can watch his performance online, do it, just to hear this poor girl. And it was only during Austin’s song – either she just really really loves him, or they removed her from the audience for the rest of the show. Either way, I would love to meet her.

There was one interesting moment (ok, interesting for me) in the taped pieces. They showed the contestants getting their assigned songs. Why don’t they get to choose what they sing? And if they are assigned songs, doesn’t that change the competition a bit? Everyone who has sung a song that didn’t really match their voice, or was “too big” for them – it wasn’t really their fault. If I were assigned a song that didn’t showcase my voice, I would NOT be pleased.

We also learned the fate of the girls from last week. Allie & Kathleen were in the bottom two (and since there are only four girls left, it’s not that hard to do). And after they sang, the judges eliminated Kathleen. For whatever reason, they also made it very clear that it wasn’t a unanimous decision. Why we needed to know that isn’t clear at all. Then again, neither is my need to keep watching this show.

Two More Gone on Grease

Before you judge me for continuing to watch Grease: You're the One That I Want, trust me - I know that I am a giant reality tv nerd. I'm ok with that. Really.

I'm still convinced that even though Billy Bush lets us know every few minutes that they're live that the show isn't actually live (or at least not all live). First there was last week with the fact that the two eliminated contestants just happened to be partners (as were the two who were "saved"). This week you could tell that all five guys were dancing and doing background vocals for the girls, even though they showed the bottom four sitting patiently in their "D?" and "S?" attire. If you're not going to actually do the whole thing live, you could at least work on making it look more realistic.

The performances were just ok. They finally showed them doing some acting, but only showed about 30 seconds of each pair. I would have loved to see them do the scenes live instead of the over-produced songs. The only girl who actually sounded good in her song was Laura, who all three judges rightfully picked as the best Sandy of the night. The rest were just ok (and Kathleen sounded off key and out of breath).

I was kind of surprised about the eliminations. Kevin didn't surprise me at all (especially since I really like Chad), but I think that Kate is a lot better than Kathleen. The difference between Kathleen's song and Kate's song (singing goodbye) was stunning. She can't possibly be THAT bad of an actress to make it worth the chance of having Kathleen win the lead role.

Grease...(I think I have a problem...)

Sigh...I'm still watching Grease: You're the One That I Want. And for some reason, I find myself caring about it. I don't know why; I may have sunk to a new reality show low (that, coupled with the fact that I logged about 6 hours watching re-runs of Paradise Hotel last week. This is what happens when you get iced in...).

The show started off with the worst group number of the show so far. The producers have got to be getting worried - the contestants just don't sing as well when they're dancing. That was the problem with Chad & Allie as well - they sounded about a million times better when they were singing standing still as they did when they tried to sing and dance. They all need some serious time on the treadmill this week.

The eliminations were early in the episode, and no real surprise that the judges eliminated Jason. He wasn't very good the past two weeks. I was a little surprised at Julianna, but I am curious about the judge's comments about the fact that Kathleen was the better actress. I wonder if that's why they are so big on some of the weaker singers - they are good actors, but we're not seeing that part. (Come on, I have to have some explanation for why they are so in love with Max.) I also question the whole idea of them singing one last song before the judges eliminate a couple. Because they sang in pairs this week, the judges clearly made their choice to eliminate after the votes were tallied, and paired those two contestants together. Otherwise, how would the two who lost their partners perform?

So most of the performances were just ok, even though the judges continued the love-fest. It really makes you miss Simon. Laura was really good...maybe the only one of the bunch to sing well. Chad, Allie, Derek, & Kate were pretty good too. I can't believe I care this much.

Grease...Really...

Yes, I'm still watching Grease: You're the One That I Want. And no, I don't know why. I think I want to figure out how they are going to end up with the "stars" they want regardless of how America votes. It's like a puzzle...sort of...

At the beginning of the show they announce that the bottom vote getters will have to "sing for their lives" (which would make my husband's dreams come true if it were true...his wish for all these shows is that everyone gets "launched into the sun"). That's right - right away we learn that the contestants with the lowest vote totals won't necessarily be cut. Does anyone else think that they added this twist when they realized that "America" doesn't have a clue? Especially when they revealed later on in the episode who did get the lowest vote totals, and they weren't actually eliminated. Hmmm...

I also don't understand the judging. There were some contestants that were pretty good, but the judges were really tough on them. There were others that weren't good at all that the judges just said "good job" to. And there were a few that were horrible that the judges loved. Can they really sound that different in-studio as they do on tv? (they talk about that a lot on Idol - that it sounds different to the judges in the studio) I just think that they are trying to manipulate the votes somehow. Trust me, I'll figure this out.

On to the actual performances. Somehow, Andrew Lloyd Webber is there, and they are all singing broadway songs (which is what they should be singing, really). There were a few that were really good - I liked Derek, Ashley S., Chad, and Laura. I thought that Juliana sounded a LOT better than the judges gave her credit for. And I thought that Kate and Max weren't nearly as good as the judges thought. In fact, I thought that Kate & Max were two of the worst performances; I guess that for whatever reason the judges just really love them.

And no surprise that even though they got more votes than Allie & Jason, Matt & Ashley A. were eliminated. Does anyone else think that they brought the two of them back just so they could extend the series an extra week? It's too bad - there is so much potential in the show, and it's just not even close to living up to it.

Not Really Sure That Grease is What I Want

Yes, I watched Grease: You’re The One That I Want again tonight. Actually, I watched last week’s episode this afternoon, then the new episode tonight. My husband thinks I’m crazy, but I keep watching. Of course, by me watching, my reality-tv hating hubby actually uttered the phrase “this actually makes me miss American Idol.” Totally worth the three hours.

I hated the format of the show - introducing two performers, then having them both perform and be judged together. I’m not really sure of the point. I also didn’t understand Billy Bush feeling the need to give each contestant a nickname (“It’s sweet Sandy! And emotional Sandy!).

I’m also really unclear on the show itself. Will it be singing every week? And wouldn’t that just make this a really cheap rip-off of American Idol? I’m hoping that we’ll have weeks where the competition will be dancing or acting. And why did they bring back two contestants? Matt was good, but Ashley A. was horrible. If you’re going to bring two back, why Ashley A? Very strange. They also never explained if the contestants choose their songs and outfits, or if they are selected for them to set the mood (like they were in the final round at “Grease Academy”). And if someone selects the outfits for them, whoever selected Laura’s outfit (the short yellow shirts and white high heel ankle boots) needs to be fired. Now.

I’m also a little shaky on the voting thing. First, there doesn’t seem to be a results show planned. When do the people get voted off? The results show is the one thing that all of these Idol knock-offs have in common.

Sigh…I can’t believe I care this much.

Anyways, some of the contestants were pretty good. I liked Derek and Chad for the guys, as well as Austin, though I think his “I’m good and I know it” attitude is going to get him kicked off earlier than expected. For the girls, I liked Kate and Ashley S. I’m not sure who will be eliminated, mostly because I’m not sure how it will work…is it voting that eliminates someone, or is there another round before someone goes home? And did anyone else notice how nice the judges were being to some of them who really didn’t deserve it? I have a theory. There are always those “vote for the worst” websites…could the judges actually be aware of them? There’s a lot more at stake for the judges to have a strong winner at the end of this show than at the end of all the others. I really think that they may be nervous to really slam a bad performance for fear that voters may rally behind them. Just a theory. I guess we’ll find out in two weeks (because NBC is smart enough to not put this stuff up against the Super Bowl…).

Grease: You're the One That I Want

Yes, I watched again. No, I don't know why.

Grease...I'm Just not Sure You're the One That I Want...

I finally just got around to watching the first episode of Grease: You're the One That I Want. I don't think it speaks too well for the show that it took me nearly a week to watch it (especially when you consider how many re-runs of Scrubs I've watched this week on Comedy Central...wait, isn't it time for another episode right now?...). I will say, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. That being said, it's not that good either.

I love the set-up itself. I'm one of those people who loves the movie version of Grease; one of those people who always stops on it when it's on tv. Hypothetically, it's a combination of two of my favorite reality shows - American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. But it falls so short. The format is such a copy of American Idol that their producers should prepare for the law suits. But in all the areas that they try to be Idol they fall hopelessly short. The judges aren't nearly as good, and (I can't believe I'm about to say this) Billy Bush is certainly no Ryan Seacrest (yikes, I did just type that). They also have the most ridiculous catch phrase...apparently every time someone is chosen, the judges have to use the phrase "you're the one that we want...". Do you think that the producers look at interns and say "you're the one that I want to get me a double espresso"? One can only hope.

The other ridiculousness is that the next round of competition has them going to "Grease Academy." Wow. Let me just tell you where I do NOT want to go.

So, will I watch the show again? Probably, especially since I can tivo it and watch it some other time when there's nothing else on. I'm hoping that once we get through auditions and there are actual good contestants I'll get more into it. Hopefully...