Well, may that's going a bit too far... and perhaps I should not even admit to still watching NBC's reality competition show, Grease: You're The One That I Want, but here are my picks:
Max, you are Danny. Laura, you are Sandy.
I am a bit surprised that Max is my ultimate Danny pick. I always thought, if anything, he was more of a Kenickie type... but he has grown on me over the weeks. I had favored "Wholesome Danny" Derek for much of the series, but he has been fading of late and was sent packing last night. Max's competition is "Hot Danny" Austin. While Austin is quite competent (having had actual professional stage experience), there is just something about him that doesn't quite fit the role... a tad too "pretty"... many sense perhaps too.. ahem... light in the loafers... as a romantic leading man, but Todd suggested last night that he's too robotic and I think that's it... no soul and when he does it feels like he's trying to hard. Max, while certainly not a traditional choice by any stretch, really is a natural performer (and okay, it does help that he's homegrown... living just across the highway from us).
Unlike Max, Laura has been my Sandy from the start... though I'll admit an initial (but short-lived) mental blind spot in thinking that Sandy had to be blonde. Having one of the better voice amongst the gals put Laura high on my list, but it didn't take long to figure out she has the perfect personality (or acting ability) mix to be Sandy... mostly innocent, but enough to pull off the sexy transformation in the end. While Laura's competition Ashley certain looks like a Sandy, she has come across to me as more of a "Mean Girls"/cool girl clique.. and that's just not Sandy.
The final voting pleas were just hilarious... well unintentionally s... it was a "can you top this?" sob story extravaganza! Ashley had "oh, I'm not jealous anymore" (yeah, right) kinda white-trashy sister whine about not being able to afford a plane ticket to LA to see the show (voila! "fans" pay for her to be in the audience last night), Laura postponed her wedding due to her success on the show, Austin recalled his transformation for chubby 10-year old to 30-year old hunk who needs to land a lead role before it's too late, and Max tearfully shared his battle with Bell's Palsy which, as a youngster, paralyzed half his face. Oh, the drama!
So, we'll see who lands the lead roles of Grease on next Sunday's finale. The three judges picked Max and Laura as well, so it may be all anticlimactic... but whatever the result, I do not think anyone should plan on clearing shelf space for some Tonys.
What Max has done to set himself apart from Austin in this competition is to become the character. He has all the charm, fun, and humor of Danny but he has also shown that he can bring the wanna-be-tough swagger to the role. What Max does superbly each time he takes the stage to sing is to emotionally connect to a song's lyrics. He really gets inside the song and makes it believable every time. So good. So Danny Zuko. Austin on the hand has neither the look nor the acting chops to play this role professional experience aside. Austin cannot deliver the lovelorn vulnerabilty or comedic element that are essential to the Danny character. I love his baritone and he really is a better dancer than Max but Austin performs on top of the song rather than from inside of it. His performances always read forced and plastic.
Laura has an extraordinary voice. She embodies the naivity and sweetness of Sandy and we've certainly seen she can make the transformation needed at the end. Love her.
Together Max and Sandy brought giddy sweet first-love-like energy to their duet together. Their chemistry as high school sweet hearts was palpable even from the small screen.
Posted by: Kristi | Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 01:31 PM