Fox did something different: It delivered what can only be described as a live movie.
In short: NBC for three years has delivered live musical theater into millions of homes. lot, defying even the omnipresent threat of El Nino-induced storms, I realized that it didn’t really belong in the same category as the NBC productions. But as “Grease” moved so spectacularly along during its three hours, feeling more and more to me like something I had never before seen on television as it zigged and zagged from one terrific set to another on the expansive Warner Bros. I hope that isn’t true, because it certainly enhances live viewing experiences, last night’s telecast of “Grease Live!” being a prime example.įor more than a year we had been made to believe that “Grease Live!” would mark Fox’s entry into the live-musical genre that NBC has in recent years so winningly revived with “The Sound of Music,” “Peter Pan” and “The Wiz.” (Well, that might be a bit of an overstatement, but two out of three ain’t bad.)Ĭritics and ordinary viewers alike wasted no time at all comparing “Grease” to the landmark NBC telecasts. The response, of course, was immediate and constant in that moment-by-moment way (and “Grease Live!” was filled to capacity with moments that demanded an immediate response on social media), but in every other way watching this production felt a lot like watching almost anything that was special in the pre-cable broadcast days, and in all the right ways.Īccording to this article in The New Yorker Twitter is in real trouble. Watching “Grease Live!” on Fox Sunday night felt a lot like that. People of a certain age can readily remember when broadcast television routinely brought together millions of people from all walks of life to enjoy an exciting shared experience and then happily talk about it the following day. Luckily, it didn’t.As previously reported here, I knew “Grease Live” had potential, but I never expected it to be the instant sensation that it became even before it ended. And the most heart-pounding moment of the whole night came when one of the carts rolled up on the curb for a moment, making you wonder for a half second if the cast-filled cart would disastrously tip over on live TV. The final time the camera pulled back to reveal the behind-the-scenes machinations, we got to see the main cast rolling around the studio lot in tour carts before ending up at the carnival.
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The camera following around the actors was just as fluid with its movements as the dancers, deftly tracking through the packed gymnasium.įourth-wall breaks bookended the TV musical, which was a bold choice. Danny’s rigid faint when he caught sight of Sandy’s catsuit was hilarious and perfect, and the choreography was seriously impressive- and we’re not just talking about the dancers. During Sunday’s Grease: Live, though, “You’re the One” was the clear winner. Which Grease song is better - “Summer Nights” or “You’re the One That I Want”? The answer is pretty much always the one you’re watching at the moment. She was basically channeling her SNL character Bobbi Mohan Culp - not that we’re complaining.
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From her crack about how a cheerleader’s worst fear is being late to her face as she handed over a rogue bra to fellow educator Blanche, she kept audiences laughing all night long. Keke Palmer’s solo spot during the sleepover was fantastic, too, but playing the most experienced of the Pink Ladies, Hudgens was probably the live musical’s MVP - an even more impressive feat since she was pushing through the recent, tragic loss of her father to deliver one of the funniest, most nuanced performances of the show.Īs Rydell’s principal, Gasteyer milked every laugh line for maximum LOLs. Donning a blonde wig to mock Sandy’s wholesome purity, Vanessa Hudgens captured Rizzo’s snide, smirking attitude perfectly and hilariously. Not every highlight of the 1978 Grease film was a high point of the live musical broadcast, but Rizzo’s solo number packed as much of a punch on Fox Sunday night as in the movie. Grease: Live kicked off with the most exciting intro of any of the live musicals so far - Jessie J belted “Grease Is the Word” with an assured, soulful cool while walking through the multi-stage set, giving viewers an idea of the massive crew and backstage set-up that goes into a three-hour live event like this. Treat Williams, Star of 'Everwood' and 'Prince of the City,' Dies in Motorcycle Accident at 71įrom “Greased Lightning” to “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” these were the 10 best moments from Grease: Live.
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