Grease Live (Fox) - General Discussion

[SmithW6079]

Holy smoke but Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie (formerly of "Big Time Rush") really got built.

"Grease" is one of my favorite musicals, but this is bad.

And why is Mario Lopez there?

Edited February 1, 2016 by SmithW6079

[vibeology]

I'm kind of loving it. Aaron looks ancient and Julianne isn't a very strong vocalist but it's a fun event, is full of energy and Carly Rae and Kekr Palmer are both surprisingly wonderful. Plus, if I hang on long enough, Boyz II Men are coming.

[bmoore4026]

Doesn't matter the version, I always wished I had a friend like Frenchie :)

 

Dear Lord, Marty's dress is fantastic!

Edited February 1, 2016 by bmoore4026

[dbell1]

I'm in for all the cheesy feel good parts of this. Jesse J can do no wrong.

Are they really singing live?

I need the audience to go away or stop looking at the cameras.

Edited February 1, 2016 by dbell1

[ByaNose]

Carly Rae is doing a good job. One of the better ones.

[Fostersmom]

How is it they managed to cast a guy even older than Travolta to play Danny? And the scenery chewing is just off the hook here. KeKe Palmer, especially. 

[SnoGirl]

I HATE the live audience. It keeps taking me right out of the show to see people in the background with silly grins on their faces. I get it, they're excited too but it's driving me nuts!

[mtlchick]

Carly Rae is doing a good job. One of the better ones.

 

"Call Me Maybe."  Has Tom Hanks and Justin Bieber in her video at the same time.  This.  Singing the theme for Fuller House.  

 

In short, the one good thing that came out of Canadian Idol.  

[bosawks]

I'm not going to lie but even at 71 I think Stockard Channing would make a kick-ass Rizzo.

[ByaNose]

So, was the USO previously taped?

[chitowngirl]

Holy smoke but Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie (formerly of "Big Time Rush") really got built.

"Grease" is one of my favorite musicals, but this is bad.

And why is Mario Lopez there?

Mario Lopez is Vince Fontaine

[absnow54]

Kether Donohue as Jan is stealing the show for me.

[SmithW6079]

Mario Lopez is Vince Fontaine

Ah. Thanks. I didn't read the casting news.

So I guess that can't say "fungule" on live TV.

[dargosmydaddy]

 

Aaron looks ancient

He really does, doesn't he? Like this production made him age tremendously...

[Spartan Girl]

I think Vanessa is doing pretty well, especially under the circumstances. She deserves a lot of credit for sticking to her commitment in light of her father's passing.

[ByaNose]

It's JAN!!!!

[absnow54]

Aaron Tveit looks like the T-Birds creepy 35 year old friend

[Fostersmom]

Do we think Eve is having Brady Bunch flashbacks right now? I think these are the same costumes the Brady kids performed in. 

[SmithW6079]

A shame they gave Kenickie's one big song to Danny, just like they did in the movie.

Edited February 1, 2016 by SmithW6079

[dubbel zout]

I'm not surprised they cut "Hopelessly Devoted"—Julianne Hough is not a strong singer.

[jcin617]

I'm enjoying this well enough, but couldn't they at least have asked the audience to dress a little like 1959 if they were going to be part of the scene...

[ebk57]

I'm not surprised they cut "Hopelessly Devoted"—Julianne Hough is not a strong singer.

I hear it's coming later in the show.  Something to look forward to...I guess

[Irlandesa]

Say what you will about the NBC live musicals, but you know what they had over this?  No "wooooooooooooo"ing peoples.  You take that "wooooo"ing to American Idol, "wooooo"ing peoples.

OMG.  This.  I don't mind applause after a performance but the screaming when Kenickie drives in with the car or during the dance routines.  And seeing the audience?  Not working.

Speaking of the dance routines, those are fun.  In fact, I hope NBC and FOX realize how important choreography is to adding energy to these productions. 

 

I don't mind that Aaron looks old. I dig his voice. Julianne is doing nothing to add energy to this role. I get that it's a super dynamic part but she doesn't feel like the other lead.

[Arynm]

I like this Carly Rae Jepson song. Havent seen this before

[dubbel zout]

I hear it's coming later in the show.  Something to look forward to...I guess

 

Uh-oh.

 

I like this Carly Rae Jepson song. Havent seen this before

 

it was written for this version of the show.

Edited February 1, 2016 by dubbel zout

[ByaNose]

I guess everyone is live musical tv'd out. Not much chatter for GREASE Live. Remember the lines lit up for The Sound of Music?!

[bosawks]

We need to find a Carly Rae Jepson, Boys II Men musical!

[Arynm]

Boys 2 men!!  Still amazing. Sounded great

[Frost]

The music seems oddly muted.  Maybe it's just my TV but I'm not getting a lot of energy from the singing or even the instruments.  And Hough is just too bland to make a goody two shoes character interesting.

[mtlchick]

 Not much chatter for GREASE Live. Remember the lines lit up for The Sound of Music?!

 

There's at least 400K mentions on Twitter.  

[BW Manilowe]

The soundtrack's already up on iTunes, in case anyone's interested.

There'll be an actual physical CD version, with 4 more songs (at least some from the movie version which either didn't make the cut to the live show, or maybe just not to the soundtrack for it), available at Target stores as of March 4th.

The linked article gives the downloadable track listing, as well as the 4 songs added to the Target CD version.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/22/grease-live-soundtrack-release-date

Perhaps they cut Hopelessly Devoted... (if they did... maybe they just moved it in this version; it's on the soundtrack for this) because (at least in the movie) it was an outdoor number (Sandy sang it sitting at the edge of a little kids' swimming pool & walking around the backyard of whichever character's house the sleepover was at) & they've been having rain, including severe thunderstorms, in the LA area since about midafternoon, & they didn't want Julianne to look like a drowned rat for her next scene.

[merylinkid]

Eve Plumb was AWESOME.

 

I'm okay with Julianna Hough as Sandy.   She carries off the innocent little girl part well.   

I'm giving Vanessa Hudgens every break tonight.   I cannot imagine how she is getting through.

 

My problem is the guys.   They do not look like T-Birds.  They look like they are all the most popular guys in school instead of greaser outsiders.   (yeah mixing my movies here).  Now granted John Travolta had years of playing Vinnie Barbarino to practice.   But this Aaron guy is just not bringing it.   And there will be only one Kenickie.

[BW Manilowe]

Does anyone know where Sandy was originally from in the stage version? Just curious. Olivia Newton-John's movie Sandy was an Australian transplant, like Olivia herself. I'm guessing Julianne's Sandy is supposed to be from Salt Lake City because the Hough family is from Utah--it makes sense to me, anyway.

[Frost]

I missed Eve Plumb.  Who is she playing?

[lchal]

I can't hear the singing very well either. With so many people commenting, it has to be widespread and you would think production would get a clue and adjust the sound!

[editorgrrl]

I missed Eve Plumb. Who is she playing?

Mrs. Murdock, the shop teacher (and dance chaperone).

[BW Manilowe]

I missed Eve Plumb. Who is she playing?

The Shop teacher. I think the character's name is Mrs. Murdock.

[dbell1]

Mario Lopez was the perfect choice for smarmy Vince.

[Iguana]

While I'm iffy on the acting and some of the singing, I can't fault the production values and camera work. The group dance to "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" was impressive. Although it would have been way more entertaining if someone had crashed into a camera. Because that's why I'm watching live, right?

[ByaNose]

Mario really is smarmy, isn't he?

[callie lee 29]

I'm enjoying it, not as much as I had hoped, but still.  While some of the vocal talents are lacking, I keep trying to figure out if there are mike issues. Aaron Tevit can sing, but sometimes you can hardly hear him.  And there's something, some spark, missing in the main girls that the movie actresses had. Jepsen is close. I do think the kid plating Doody is doing great!  And I really enjoyed his song - anyone know if that is from the stage version or for this show?

 

On the upside, these guys are way better dancers than the movie cast. 

 

Boys 2 Men!!!!  

[absnow54]

I did not realize that was Eve Plumb playing Mrs. Mudock. She's great!

 

And yes, Mario is the perfect amount of smarm and charm for this.

[ByaNose]

No sound

[BW Manilowe]

I think Mario Lopez just said American Bandstand at the beginning of this scene, instead of National Bandstand. Oops...

Edited February 1, 2016 by BW Manilowe

[ebk57]

I'm catching up on the DVR, but my problem with this is the productions values are really good...  the show is way too big.  This is Grease.  It's a small show.  It's being totally overwhelmed by production values.

[dubbel zout]

Aaron Tveit looks vaguely embarrassed to be doing this.

 

Whichever Jonas brother that is is doing a great job as Johnny Casino.

 

Welp, here comes "Hopelessly Devoted."

Edited February 1, 2016 by dubbel zout

[Frost]

Joe Jonas' singing is better than I expected

[Arynm]

When you hand jive so hard, you go to another song

[Fostersmom]

Just as I was going to comment they finally got the sound right, it cuts out. At least Joe Jonas doesn't look like he's going to puke anymore like he did for his first song. Oh wait, he does again.

[BW Manilowe]

Aaron Tveit looks vaguely embarrassed to be doing this.

Whichever Jonas brother that is is doing a great job as Johnny Casino.

Welp, here comes "Hopelessly Devoted."

Joe Jonas & his apparently new group DNCE are Johnny Casino and the Gamblers here.