P*ssed off about Grease? Check this out. — Page 2

MB, American Idol is its own business, let them do whatever. This is Broadway...

The thing that just ticks me off the most is that like many have said, the explain (and at MANY times at annoying lengths) that Austin was Link Larkin in the Hairspray tour and yet mention NOTHING about Derek Keeling playing DANNY in the Grease Tour. Other than his profile on NBC they've made no mention of him having this prior experience.

As for that Laura Girl, same case I suppose.

I checked out the girl they brought back as the "wild card" or whatever you wanna call it (who gave a TERRIBLE performance). I checked her myspace and it has TONS of pictures of her in a pro company of MILLIE, as Babette in Beauty and the Beast, etc. And still they make her seem like some wide eyed star to be who maybe just passed by on the street as auditions were being held for GREASE.

Back to Austin Miller though, aside from (I Believe) being too tall and too thin for the role...it seriously seems like every chance he gets, he's always reminding the viewer audience that he in fact "was on the Hairspray tour". Maybe its NBCs way of wanting to make him look appealing, but he really does come off as a pompous jerk. Poor editing none the less.

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Wanna Be... when the cameras turn off and the equity cards are handed out....where does the focus turn...BROADWAY.

True, TV may be the home for GREASE right now, but that will change here shortly

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It's not even television - its a GAME SHOW. Reality TV is NOT - NOT NOT documentary film making. Its entertainment.

NYC.or.bust - I just don't understand your rant: if you've uncovered that all the twelve contestants have professional experience and could probably handle the role no problem - why are you complaining? Shouldn't that make you feel better? You are right the focus is BROADWAY. They want professional level talent who can sustain 8 shows a week. The ultimate "vote" is still going to be cast by American audiences: do you blame Marshall and the team for mostly chosing people who already have their equity cards for the finals?

Total waste of energy.

"I think I read somewhere that most of the "everyday" folks on such shows as Big Brother and Survivor are actually showbiz wannabes who already have AGENTS!!"

Well that one, I actually did know. Most of the geeks on "Beauty and the Geek" and, needless to say, most of the beauties, are.

And of course its all "set up" on reality TV: don't think that the producers don't know what they are doing in promoting Austin's credits and "hiding" Juliana's. Yes, of course its all very carefuly planned - from the backstory to the placement of the contestents' performances! Voting isn't rigged but thats how they help insure favorites advance in the competition.

Just watch - Ashley Anderson will probably stumple for a couple of weeks and than "suddenly" have some big turnaround. You can't beat the underdog...

Updated On: 2/4/07 at 10:57 PM

MB, my rant is that it gives the people who don't know much about sites like Broadwayworld.com or myspace or any networking sort of site not much to work with.

Potentially, there are hundreds of thousands of viewers out there that are WOWED that these no names off the streets can really sing! (unknowing that many, if not all have worked professionally).

My rant is for them.

It's another editing and half-truth way that television (namely NBC in this case) keeps its viewers out of the loop and keeps them coming back for more..

The ratings have proved themselves though.

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my rant is that it gives the people who don't know much about sites like Broadwayworld.com or myspace or any networking sort of site not much to work with.

People who watch TV are not looking for anything to WORK WITH. Working, thinking, or comprehending is the last thing on the mind of the TV viewer. They are programmed to be placed under whatever spell the networks decide will keep them watching and make the networks more and more advertising dollars. The business of television isn't a 'good will gesture' to inform people and get them thinking about new ideas. It is a money making industry where pretty much the sky's the limit in what can be put onto those screens to get more and more people watching and assist the networks in raking in more and more money.

It's another editing and half-truth way that television (namely NBC in this case) keeps its viewers out of the loop and keeps them coming back for more..

NBC could care less about telling their viewers the TRUTH, especially on such contrived garbage as reality TV. This is the story of the business. It's nothing new. I don't know why you seem so deceived. This is the way the industry survives.

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Updated On: 2/4/07 at 11:44 PM

When did NBC come to stand for Nothing But Crap? A friend taped and sent me the shows to watch. It's Must Flee TV...

I love all people. No let me rephrase, I ACCEPT all people for who they are. I may not agree with their choices but believe in live and let live. So please understand, my comments to come are not based with a prejudicial standpoint.

The biggest problem for me aside from the premise, packaging and misleading captions is: none of the contestants, based on what I have seen, are thrilling. Broadway was thrilling when I went as a teenager. I realize the corporate/Disney mindset is about filling seats, making a profit and not producing "art" but if these people are going to be hailed as stars, can the bar really go any lower before it is on the ground?

Several have good voices. Max is the only guy who connected to his lyrics and was not working the stage like a stripper out to work the crowd for tips. And those stupid names have GOT to go! I suppose they could not use "light in the loafers Danny" as a name as it would apply to most of them. again, I am all for gay people. and musical theatre is a welcome haven for many (my brother included) but Danny is supposed to be the uber-cool stud. maybe if they get to play a scene they could come across a little more masculine but right now it is like watching a junior college tryout.

I hope all of you south of the Candian border will vote for the weakest performer EVERY week so that the new production will have "stars" worthy of this horrible idea.

I will be listening to LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA all week to get the icky "taste" out of my system....

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You mean a reality show is fake or fake-ish? I'm shocked!!!!

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Yes, one contestant recently sent out a myspace bulliten/email blast to all of their friends with the information that the contestants have NO control whatsoever about song choices OR their staging.. which makes that comments, as Craig said, just plain stupid.

I wonder if they are pushing Austin's pro credits in order to raise everyone's expectations... then have him look like a fool. Let's face it.... he isn't a Dany. He is aging.. badly... he has a shrill piercing voice, and (it isn't the editing at all), is an obnoxious and VERY pompous excuse for a performer up there....

I am fine with the show being what it is. I think Kathleen Marshall was upfront in saying "this is an open call, not an amateur competition." I expected most of the actors to make it through would have experience. Also, I am not sure how decieved we all are. Most actors, especially those without Broadway cred, do work other jobs between gigs and even though they have professional credits, they still need to pay the bills and wait for an opportunity. This show is a huge opportunity for a trained actor. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. And hey, if someone in Middle America without internet access thinks a trained actor is a soccer coach, who does it hurt, really?

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I think Kathleen Marshall was upfront in saying "this is an open call, not an amateur competition."

I think Kathleen Marshall says whatever they pay her to say.

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