Crushable » Grease

Glee Report Card: Yes But No But Yes

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:10:42 +0000

If this lovey-dovey episode is Glee‘s idea of a winter premiere, then we’re excited to see what they actually come up with for Valentine’s Day next month! In “Yes/No,” Will and Emma decide that they both want to get married, but it’s not as easy as that. He enlists the glee club to come up with different musical performances for the perfect proposal… only to realize, after talking to Emma’s parents, that he may not want to spend the rest of his life with an “incomplete” person.

Meanwhile, Finn, Rachel, and Kurt struggle with feeling like they’ll never get out of Lima, Ohio, with Kurt and Rachel obsessing over college and Finn wanting to enlist. Becky Jackson (who has an awesome British inner monologue) sets her sights on Artie to be her boyfriend. While this episode was really sweet, the songs were kind of lackluster.

“Summer Nights”
Performed by Sam and Mercedes
Originally performed by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in Grease

This is the kind of number that I would’ve expected to see earlier in the series, so it seems a little shallow compared to the emotional development of the last few years. It was more of a quick “let’s recap the Sam/Mercedes romance” while cementing that she’s with her current guy, Shane. Much more effective was a moment later in the episode when Sam, newly a member of the synchronized-swimming team, gets slushied and Mercedes tenderly wipes him off. But back to the song: It’s great to see Mercedes in the solo role, but all the Grease comparisons got to be a bit much.

Grade: B+

“Wedding Bell Blues”
Performed by Emma, with backup by Sue and Beiste
Originally performed by Laura Nyro

Even though it fits Emma’s character to be singing old-timey songs, I think that Jayma Mays is better served on newer — or at least peppier — stuff. I would’ve liked to see her express her desire to marry Will with more than breathy sighs and passive lyrics. Sure, Glee‘s already done “Put A Ring on It,” but that’s more what I think could’ve worked for Emma. Still, it was lovely to see Sue and Beiste provide the backup; can this trio sing together more often?

Grade: B-

“Moves Like Jagger/Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
Performed by Artie
Originally performed by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Artie’s proposed proposal song (hee) is of course the best of the bunch: Upbeat, sexy, and sure, ripped from the top of the charts. But as you can see in the video, it gives Will a chance to document his dance moves without being a creepy white guy. For what it was, it was great: Our weekly dose of confident, cool guys putting new spins on chart-toppers.

Grade: B+

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5 High School Musicals That Are Better Than ‘High School Musical’

Molly Horan — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:55:47 +0000

Before Zac Efron was a household name high school musical was a category of fun and angsty theater, not a frightening musical blob that covered TVs, T-shirts, and frisbees for several summers. There was singing, dancing, and – most importantly – absolutely no choreographed basketball dribbling.

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Natalie Zutter — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:33:21 +0000

R.I.P. Jeff Conaway. – Doctors took the actor, who played Kenickie in Grease, off life support after he failed to wake from a coma. Dr. Drew claims it was not an overdose, but pneumonia brought on by dependence on prescription painkillers. (E! Online)

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Jeff Conaway (Kenickie from ‘Grease’) Is in a Coma

Natalie Zutter — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:18:55 +0000

Sad news: Jeff Conaway, best known as playing Danny Zuko’s (John Travolta) right-hand man Kenickie in Grease, has been in a coma for a week after he was found unconscious at his home. Doctors say the cause is an overdose of painkillers and that the chances of him recovering are unlikely. What’s interesting is that the article went to great lengths to explain the plot of Grease, perhaps assuming that many readers had not seen the classic movie. So whether you have only heard about it or have seen it hundreds of times, here’s one of the fun musical numbers featuring Conaway and others.

The irony is, Conaway first became addicted to painkillers after he sustained a back injury while performing Grease on Broadway in the 1970s. In addition to those dependence issues, he soon developed addictions to alcohol, pills, and cocaine that continued for decades. He appeared on two seasons of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, but he — along with ex-fiance and music partner Vikki Lizzi — had no real desire to get clean. Though he briefly joined Travolta’s Church of Scientology to treat his problems, it didn’t take.

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Is Britney Heading to the Big Apple?

Gilad — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:28:35 +0000

Following the failed custody talks last week and while team Britney is preparing for an August 25th custody battle in court which will finalize their custody status, Britney is already busy planning life after court.

Apparently the plans include a big move to the Big Apple and a leading role on Broadway. According to this week’s Life&Style, “Britney was in serious talks to be the new Sandy in the show Grease,” but it was Jaime Spears who suggested that she sticks around at least until the August session.

What about KFed? Well he may be following Britney as well. According to the magazine’s source “he [Kevin] and Britney have talked, and they’re hoping that in six to 12 months they can both be in New York with the kids, working in different shows.” Kevin was, apparently, offered a role as the UPS guy on Legally Blonde.

Is Britney’s plan to sell her house, due to this upcoming move? What do you think?

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