Fox's 'Grease': Live Version Of Musical To Air In 2015- Page 4

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/29/14 at 9:51pm

^ Exactly ^

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/29/14 at 11:18pm

So, only Harry Styles as Danny Zuko, or Harry as Danny and the rest of 1D as the T-birds? Thoughts?

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 6:34am

If they want this TV musical airing to get a big audience the way the movie did, they need to understand WHY the movie's cast was so appealing.

It wasn't just because it had a bunch of (then) no-name actors in the leading roles, with the exception of pop singer Olivia and on-the-rise star John Travolta. It was also because they reached out to an older generation and cast recognizable stars from the 1950s and early 1960s TV shows, like Ed Burns, Sid Caesar, Frankie Avalon, Eve Arden, Alice Ghostly, Fannie Flagg, Dodie Goodman, etc.

They need to do the same thing now to bring in the older audiences. It can't just be a bunch of kids on TV unless they want to limit the viewer appeal.

This time, they should go after all of those 1970s stars who appeared in 1950s sitcoms and were big names in their day. They should play all the adult roles and have cameos as well.

People like Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Anson Williams, Donny Most, Scott Baio, Eddie Mekka, Michael McKean, etc.

Add them into the mix with the "kiddies" and you'll have a big hit in the ratings.

Updated On: 4/30/14 at 06:34 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 6:59am

Unless they use the movie script for this television version I really don't see that happening Besty. The characters played by Flagg, Caesar, Ghostley, Goodman and Blondell are not in the original show.

The only 3 characters I could see them doing that with is Miss Lynch - The Principal. Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 7:35am

I'm sure they'll be adding things from the movie, including songs.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 7:39am

I am pretty sure they will add the songs written for the movie. I don't see them using "All Choked Up" over "You're The One That I Want" which was a massive hit.

Updated On: 4/30/14 at 07:39 AM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 1:24pm

Grease is not sacrosanct, so who cares if they incorporate songs/scenes/characters from the movie, so long as it doesn't come accross as a re-make. That said, I applaud Fox for not boxing themselves into NBC's irrational "classics only." Let's face it, for these to succeed, the shows themselves must not only have name recognition, but also be popular (in addition to having star power). The Sound of Music had all the right elements to make it a success (familiar title, familiar songs, family-friendly plot, and a popular recording artist that was able to attract her fanbase as well as those curious to see if she could pull it off). The fact that movie is iconic brought in more curiosity seekers. I honestly don't think it could have happened with any other title. I doubt Peter Pan will do nearly as well, and other shows like The King and I or My Fair Lady won't do as well either if they ever do them. They shouldn't restrict themselves.

At least with Grease (which isn't even a good show), Fox isn't boxing themselves in.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 1:28pm

Didn't the recent Broadway revival use movie songs, as well? I didn't see it, but I thought they used Sandy, etc.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 8:35pm

I can very much see her in the role.

Updated On: 4/30/14 at 08:35 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 8:46pm

She looks 12....

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 8:49pm

Yes haterobics the recent revival used the movie songs. So did the 1993 London revival with Debbie Gibson.

[Starship]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 9:29pm

I'm a huge fan of Ariana as a singer. However, acting wise, she's definitely lacking. Based on her previous acting roles, I've always felt that her acting performances come off very fake and pushed. But, I definitely see her being a top contender for the lead role in "Grease". She has the name and following, but isn't too big of a name that it would require big $$$ to bring her in. Additionally, and especially with her sophomore album, she's trying to move into a more mature audience and playing Sandy would be a good step in that direction.

I definitely feel she'll be a front runner for the role. She may not be the best candidate, but she has the experience, the voice, the looks, and the following, traits in which NBC executives are most likely seeking.

[jbroadway4]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 9:37pm

^^
To add to that, she has also had the Broadway experience in "13".

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/30/14 at 9:37pm

"The only 3 characters I could see them doing that with is Miss Lynch - The Principal. Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine."

Actually, I'd kind of like to see Michael McKean as Vince Fontaine.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 3:31pm

E! put out some suggestions for dream casting this. Some of it is pretty horrific.

http://www.eonline.com/news/536454/grease-dream-cast-taylor-swift-zac-efron-drake-and-more-of-our-picks-for-fox-s-live-special

Obviously I am a huge Sara Ramirez fan. But, she would seriously stick out like a sore thumb if the rest of the cast for the teens were in their 20's. That's not me saying she looks old at all, but it would look ridiculous on tv to believe she is 17 or 18 next to someone like Taylor Swift or Zac Efron. While I realize the movie cast was older, they at least looked to be about the same age.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 4:10pm

Could they have chosen a more terrible musical?? When are we gonna get a decent show produced for TV, not this mindless crap. The worst possible representation of musical theatre.

[BobbyBubbi]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 6:25pm

When I was in Grease, (which was a dinner theatre, in nowheresville, usa) the director spent a lot of time cutting and pasting material from the movie and the original script together. The result was a sloppy mishmash. And I'm sure, not excatly legal. But in my humble opinion I don't think the director had much choice because the original script /is/ pretty dated, not unlike the original book for The Sound of Music.

It's interesting these networks are tackling the original source material of popular "mainstream" musicals. More specifically, musicals that went on to be re-worked in film adaptations that were ultimately, much better. But don't they realize that is original source material is pretty poopy? I guess its all about the ratings.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/2/14 at 7:38pm

I've always thought that GREASE was reworked for film primarily to make it a little sleeker and tamer, and also to weed out a lot of the 50's parody/pastiche numbers, replacing them with 70's style numbers for Olivia Newton John that defeat the purpose of the original score's use of 50's pop to evoke the era.

Whether or not it was better, I can't really say as I'm not that familiar with the actual original script due to the various revisions over the years. I listen to the OBC way more than the film soundtrack though.

Also, they haven't said anything about using the original script. That was something the press releases for THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE were very adamant about, making sure to point out that it wasn't just going to be the movie (although they contradicted that idea by using "Something Good").

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 8:51am

Any updates on this?

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 3:52pm

In an article on playbill, Patti Murin and Colin Donnell are mentioned as being in talks for it. Patti would be fabulous, if they aren't going for stars.
Top of the page..

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 4:02pm

I have no interest in another Grease that is populated by 30 somethings. I hope they don't go with Colin Donnell.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 4:13pm

Could they have chosen a more terrible musical??

Of course. There are hundreds of rightfully forgotten flops in Broadway history. What do you want them to produce?

When are we gonna get a decent show produced for TV, not this mindless crap. The worst possible representation of musical theatre.

What musical would you imagine Fox would air hoping to garner ratings? To me, for a first-time outing, picking a bona-fide profit monster and one of the most popular musicals ever written would make more business sense than say, Light in the Piazza or Caroline, or Change. Now, I'm not as fond of the new Grease as the original, but I'm not convinced that it's the "worst possible representation". It may not be Golden Age or artsy-fartsy, but its unflappable popularity on an international scale for over 40 years is rather impressive and it has never failed to bring in audiences. What may be mindless crap to you may be a much-needed fun and familiar diversion for others.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 4:22pm

Aw, that would be cute if Colin and Patti did it, they make a cute couple in real life. But, her as Sandy? Nah.

It's all about money and getting ratings. This is a safe, fun choice.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 5:37pm

The article didn't say they were in talks. It merely was saying they look like the parts, ya know? Like "looking like they just played lovebirds Danny and Sandy" type of statement.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 8/4/14 at 5:40pm

At least, it's actual musical theatre people and some not random celebrity