Episode 6 – It Takes Two
Grease: You're the One that I Want!, Episode 6 – It Takes Two by Teeuwynn Woodruff -- 02/19/2007 Last week, our second-chance kids, Ashley A. and Matt, were both given the boot... sort of by the audience, but that booting was finalized by the judges. But which two Dannys and Sandys will have to sing for their lives this week? And whose Greaser dreams will the judges crush tonight? Billy Bush greets us and informs us it's duets night on Grease! The cast immediately busts in to do a dance number to “Hand Jive.” They perform energetically to the high-intensity number. Aw, they made me smile! After the number, Billy Bush and Denise Van Outen tell us the fans, the band, and the panel are ready! Billy cheerfully tells us that we'll soon find out which four Dannys and Sandys are in trouble tonight. Then he turns to the obligatory panel introductions. We have producer David Ian, director Kathleen Marshall, and writer Jim Jacobs. Our guest judge is Jon Secada. Among other credits, he played Danny Zuko in the '90s Broadway revival of Grease. Billy tells us the remaining finalists are getting nervous. We see a lot of the guys saying that Derek is their biggest competition. Allie interviews that last week was a big wake-up call for her. Juliana notes that they're singing duets this week and the connection between Danny and Sandy is vital to the show. Also, apparently Max and Allie have a little flirtation thing going. They both admit to liking each other a lot. Kevin breaks in on the cutie-poo-ness going on and says he's not here to hook up with people. They're here to win a role on Broadway. Allie interviews that Kate has a great presence. Ashley says Kate hits the big notes, but so can she. The Sandys and Dannys then posture a bit over why they're the best Sandy or Danny around. Now it's time to find out which Dannys and Sandys are in tonight's sing off. Last week I ranked the Dannys and Sandys as follows: Dannys Austin Derek Chad Kevin Max Jason Sandys Laura Ashley S. Kathleen Kate Allie Juliana Billy calls forward Jason, Juliana, Kevin, and Kathleen. They're our bottom four for tonight's sing-off. I think Allie may have gotten some sympathy votes. The four look nervous. Billy says that Jason and Juliana each received the lowest popular vote (and were bottom of my list last week). But who will the panel save? The four sing to “Those Magic Changes.” Kathleen sounds better than Juliana to me. Her voice sounds richer and less... well, desperate. It's closer between Kevin and Jason, but I think Kevin looks and sounds a bit better overall. Kathleen says it was a tough decision, but the panel decided to save Kevin because “he's one of the best singers here.” She goes on to say that the next decision was also tough, but because she's “one of the best actresses here,” they are saving Kathleen. So, my bottom two are out this week as well. Juliana wishes she could have shown her fun side to the audience. Jason says that he had a great number lined up this week, and he may have to go over to David Ian's house later to sing it for him. Okay, on to the songs! “Ambitious Danny” Chad and “Baby Sandy” Allie singing “Ain't No Mountain High Enough”: They both get into the song, belting it out and singing to each other. They definitely have some chemistry as they wriggle and dance around the stage. This is by far the best I've seen Allie. It is a fun number and they sing playfully and well. Jon Secada says the number was electric! Kathleen says that Chad rocked out and Allie gave a knockout performance. Jim notes that Grease opened 35 years ago on Valentine's Day. He loved Allie and Chad's performance. David calls the number “theatrical Viagra!” He reminds Chad to go big. He tells Allie she's turning into a great Sandy! “Hot Danny” Austin and “Small Town Sandy” Laura singing “I Don't Know Much”: Austin sings with passion – his acting skills seem stronger than Laura's to me. Although Laura does sound very sweet while she sings this mushy love song. David says that the number was what theater was about. He completely believed Austin was in love was Laura and Laura is looking more Broadway all the time. Jim agrees, saying that it was their first real dramatic moment on the show. Kathleen loved Austin's charisma and seeing his sensitive side. She believes Laura is blossoming before their eyes. Jon loved the personalities being portrayed and he loves Laura's voice. Denise shills ticket info for this Summer's Broadway performance of Grease. Then it's time for our next couple, Max and Ashley. “Slacker Danny” Max and “Ballerina Sandy” Ashley singing “It Takes Two”: They both sing well, but I don't completely buy the chemistry between them. The number is staged playfully and Max, in particular, has fun with it. The whole thing was pleasant, but doesn’t stand out to me. Jon says they looked relaxed on stage tonight. David says Max gave an engaging, real performance. He says Ashley is physically blessed for the part and she needs to keep it real, but she's the one to beat. Jim says Ashley keeps getting better and better and Max is a great unconventional Danny. Kathleen says Max has Danny's sense of humor, while Ashley was really sweet and playful tonight. “Wholesome Danny” Derek and “Serious Sandy” Kate singing “This Moment On”: Derek misses an early note in the song. Their voices sound good together, but it sounds to me like Derek is singing towards the top of his range this week and that he's sometimes straining to hit some of the notes. Kate sounds very professional and sharp in her singing. The connection isn't really there between these two. David says they were only a sort-of believable couple. He says it's the first week Derek hasn't wowed him – he also hit some sour notes at the start. Kate needs to start showing some star power. Jim says that he really likes Derek, but some of his notes weren't the best this week. He knows Kate has a big voice, but he doesn't think the song worked for her. Kathleen agrees that it was rough at the start for Derek. She wishes Kate's performance looked less planned. Before Kevin and Kathleen sing, we see their reactions to being in the bottom two. Kevin promises to bring it. Kathleen is honored and thankful to be here and she's going to really try to prove it tonight. “Bellhop Danny” Kevin and “Spiritual Sandy” Kathleen singing “Something to Talk About”: Kathleen flirts her way through the song, definitely showing some of those acting skills the panel mentioned earlier. The song works well as a dialogue between them. Vocally, I don't think this is Kevin's best week. Oh, and Kathleen is actually in a somewhat figure-flattering outfit this week! That's a first. David says that Kevin has a big voice, but small on star quality and he thinks his days are numbered. He loved Kathleen's performance, but he sees too much of the woman now and too little of the girl in Sandy. Jim agrees that Kathleen's innocent Sandy side has gotten lost. He thinks the song was wrong for Kevin. Kathleen says she loves Kevin's voice, but isn't sure this score is right for his voice. She also reminds Kathleen to show the innocent girl who's not so sure of himself. Jon thinks they had “blending problems” with their voices. The panel now tells us their favorites of the night. David says it was Austin and Ashley. Kathleen goes for Chad and Ashley. Jim says Chad and Allie. Jon votes for Chad and Allie as well. With that, it's time to sing out Juliana and Jason to “Sandy” and the reprise of “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee” once more. Apparently these will be the “loser” songs each week. Juliana sounds particularly good singing her goodbye. This week I see the Dannys and Sandys as follows: Dannys Chad Austin Max Derek Kevin Sandys Allie Laura Ashley Kathleen Kate I assume that the producers knew the results of the votes from last week before pairing the couples up for the duets. But then, Juliana must have known she was gone as soon as Jason was told he was out. Hmmm... Next week we'll see which Danny and Sandy are sent packing, while legendary Grease singer Frankie Valli guest judges.
Grease: You're the One that I Want!, Episode 6 – It Takes Two by Teeuwynn Woodruff -- 02/19/2007 Last week, our second-chance kids, Ashley A. and Matt, were both given the boot... sort of by the audience, but that booting was finalized by the judges. But which two Dannys and Sandys will have to sing for their lives this week? And whose Greaser dreams will the judges crush tonight? Billy Bush greets us and informs us it's duets night on Grease! The cast immediately busts in to do a dance number to “Hand Jive.” They perform energetically to the high-intensity number. Aw, they made me smile! After the number, Billy Bush and Denise Van Outen tell us the fans, the band, and the panel are ready! Billy cheerfully tells us that we'll soon find out which four Dannys and Sandys are in trouble tonight. Then he turns to the obligatory panel introductions. We have producer David Ian, director Kathleen Marshall, and writer Jim Jacobs. Our guest judge is Jon Secada. Among other credits, he played Danny Zuko in the '90s Broadway revival of Grease. Billy tells us the remaining finalists are getting nervous. We see a lot of the guys saying that Derek is their biggest competition. Allie interviews that last week was a big wake-up call for her. Juliana notes that they're singing duets this week and the connection between Danny and Sandy is vital to the show. Also, apparently Max and Allie have a little flirtation thing going. They both admit to liking each other a lot. Kevin breaks in on the cutie-poo-ness going on and says he's not here to hook up with people. They're here to win a role on Broadway. Allie interviews that Kate has a great presence. Ashley says Kate hits the big notes, but so can she. The Sandys and Dannys then posture a bit over why they're the best Sandy or Danny around. Now it's time to find out which Dannys and Sandys are in tonight's sing off. Last week I ranked the Dannys and Sandys as follows: Dannys Austin Derek Chad Kevin Max Jason Sandys Laura Ashley S. Kathleen Kate Allie Juliana Billy calls forward Jason, Juliana, Kevin, and Kathleen. They're our bottom four for tonight's sing-off. I think Allie may have gotten some sympathy votes. The four look nervous. Billy says that Jason and Juliana each received the lowest popular vote (and were bottom of my list last week). But who will the panel save? The four sing to “Those Magic Changes.” Kathleen sounds better than Juliana to me. Her voice sounds richer and less... well, desperate. It's closer between Kevin and Jason, but I think Kevin looks and sounds a bit better overall. Kathleen says it was a tough decision, but the panel decided to save Kevin because “he's one of the best singers here.” She goes on to say that the next decision was also tough, but because she's “one of the best actresses here,” they are saving Kathleen. So, my bottom two are out this week as well. Juliana wishes she could have shown her fun side to the audience. Jason says that he had a great number lined up this week, and he may have to go over to David Ian's house later to sing it for him. Okay, on to the songs! “Ambitious Danny” Chad and “Baby Sandy” Allie singing “Ain't No Mountain High Enough”: They both get into the song, belting it out and singing to each other. They definitely have some chemistry as they wriggle and dance around the stage. This is by far the best I've seen Allie. It is a fun number and they sing playfully and well. Jon Secada says the number was electric! Kathleen says that Chad rocked out and Allie gave a knockout performance. Jim notes that Grease opened 35 years ago on Valentine's Day. He loved Allie and Chad's performance. David calls the number “theatrical Viagra!” He reminds Chad to go big. He tells Allie she's turning into a great Sandy! “Hot Danny” Austin and “Small Town Sandy” Laura singing “I Don't Know Much”: Austin sings with passion – his acting skills seem stronger than Laura's to me. Although Laura does sound very sweet while she sings this mushy love song. David says that the number was what theater was about. He completely believed Austin was in love was Laura and Laura is looking more Broadway all the time. Jim agrees, saying that it was their first real dramatic moment on the show. Kathleen loved Austin's charisma and seeing his sensitive side. She believes Laura is blossoming before their eyes. Jon loved the personalities being portrayed and he loves Laura's voice. Denise shills ticket info for this Summer's Broadway performance of Grease. Then it's time for our next couple, Max and Ashley. “Slacker Danny” Max and “Ballerina Sandy” Ashley singing “It Takes Two”: They both sing well, but I don't completely buy the chemistry between them. The number is staged playfully and Max, in particular, has fun with it. The whole thing was pleasant, but doesn’t stand out to me. Jon says they looked relaxed on stage tonight. David says Max gave an engaging, real performance. He says Ashley is physically blessed for the part and she needs to keep it real, but she's the one to beat. Jim says Ashley keeps getting better and better and Max is a great unconventional Danny. Kathleen says Max has Danny's sense of humor, while Ashley was really sweet and playful tonight. “Wholesome Danny” Derek and “Serious Sandy” Kate singing “This Moment On”: Derek misses an early note in the song. Their voices sound good together, but it sounds to me like Derek is singing towards the top of his range this week and that he's sometimes straining to hit some of the notes. Kate sounds very professional and sharp in her singing. The connection isn't really there between these two. David says they were only a sort-of believable couple. He says it's the first week Derek hasn't wowed him – he also hit some sour notes at the start. Kate needs to start showing some star power. Jim says that he really likes Derek, but some of his notes weren't the best this week. He knows Kate has a big voice, but he doesn't think the song worked for her. Kathleen agrees that it was rough at the start for Derek. She wishes Kate's performance looked less planned. Before Kevin and Kathleen sing, we see their reactions to being in the bottom two. Kevin promises to bring it. Kathleen is honored and thankful to be here and she's going to really try to prove it tonight. “Bellhop Danny” Kevin and “Spiritual Sandy” Kathleen singing “Something to Talk About”: Kathleen flirts her way through the song, definitely showing some of those acting skills the panel mentioned earlier. The song works well as a dialogue between them. Vocally, I don't think this is Kevin's best week. Oh, and Kathleen is actually in a somewhat figure-flattering outfit this week! That's a first. David says that Kevin has a big voice, but small on star quality and he thinks his days are numbered. He loved Kathleen's performance, but he sees too much of the woman now and too little of the girl in Sandy. Jim agrees that Kathleen's innocent Sandy side has gotten lost. He thinks the song was wrong for Kevin. Kathleen says she loves Kevin's voice, but isn't sure this score is right for his voice. She also reminds Kathleen to show the innocent girl who's not so sure of himself. Jon thinks they had “blending problems” with their voices. The panel now tells us their favorites of the night. David says it was Austin and Ashley. Kathleen goes for Chad and Ashley. Jim says Chad and Allie. Jon votes for Chad and Allie as well. With that, it's time to sing out Juliana and Jason to “Sandy” and the reprise of “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee” once more. Apparently these will be the “loser” songs each week. Juliana sounds particularly good singing her goodbye. This week I see the Dannys and Sandys as follows: Dannys Chad Austin Max Derek Kevin Sandys Allie Laura Ashley Kathleen Kate I assume that the producers knew the results of the votes from last week before pairing the couples up for the duets. But then, Juliana must have known she was gone as soon as Jason was told he was out. Hmmm... Next week we'll see which Danny and Sandy are sent packing, while legendary Grease singer Frankie Valli guest judges.
Billy announced the bottom four contestants and had them all step down and take center stage. Juliana, Kathleen, Kevin and Jason all got called down. It was time for them to all perform to stay in the competition. In the end, the judges sent Juliana and Jason home.
Chad and Allie kicked off the duet performances with singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. The judges loved the sizzling performance, prompting David to call them “Theatrical Viagra”.
Laura and Austin followed Chad and Allie with a performance of the love song, “I Don’t Know Much”. Billy made jokes about their chemistry because she’s engaged to a man from back home. Guest judge, Jon Secada, thought they showed great personality.
Max and Ashley S. got the crowd on their feet with their rendition of “It Takes Two”. David declared Ashley S. the one to beat in the competition and Kathleen loved Max’s playful behavior.
Derek and Kate shared tender moments with their song, “From This Moment”. Afterwards, David confessed he still wasn’t being “wowed” by Derek’s performances. David thought that every week Kate knocked his socks off, but wanted her to show more charisma. Now it’s up to America to decide the fate of all the performers.
Kevin and Kathleen knew that they had to show the audience what they were made of since they were in the bottom four earlier. They sang the duet of “Something to Talk About”. David thought Kevin’s days were numbered. Jim wanted Kathleen to bring the innocence back into her performances.