I had to turn off the first episode of Grease: You're the One That I Want…a "reality" show that was just too phony for me. Perhaps there are Broadway auditions that are conducted in such a stark manner, with auditioners insulted to their faces after they sing a few bars of something without even piano accompaniment. But those auditions are done in private without the employers trying to act like Simon Cowell, wringing emotions out of those trying out. I guess the publicity and national interest bodes well for the new production of Grease that's heading for Broadway. But it doesn't bode well for the show that two key roles are being cast in a manner that would (and should) scare off any performer with an ounce of dignity.
Actually though, there's a bit of a trick at work here. The reality show is only trying to cast the roles of Danny and Sandy, the parts played by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the movie. In fact, they're acting like they're casting the movie, not the play. Most of the auditioning ladies sing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and the whole TV competition is called "You're the One That I Want" — two songs that were not in the original stage version and were only added for the movie. They're now sometimes inserted into live productions of the play…though they weren't in the 1994 Broadway revival. Even if they're added to this new incarnation, it probably won't change the fact that Danny and Sandy aren't the stars of the stage version. It's more of an ensemble piece and will surely stay that way.
Before that show aired on Sunday night, there was a special Grease-themed episode of Deal or No Deal. I still like this show, at least when viewed with judicious use of the Fast Forward button…but their new "twist" is silly. At the end of each game, the contestant is now given the opportunity to play "Double or Nothing," picking one of two giant cases. One says "double" inside. The other says "nothing."
In theory, this gives the show the right to say that their top prize is now two million dollars but that's just theory. It's never gonna happen. In order to win the two million dollars, you'd first have to win the one million dollars. No one has yet. Then you'd have to decide to gamble the whole million on a 50-50 chance of turning it into two million. No one's ever going to risk the million. In fact, most players win whatever they win on the show by turning down better gambles than that.
I'm told this option is popular on Deal or No Deal programs in other lands but I don't see why. The worst thing about the show is when we watch an occasional contestant be embarrassed to go home with some small amount because they got greedy. And as long as they keep playing "Double or Nothing," each game will end with an opportunity for the contestant to go home with nothing because they got greedy. I'd hate to think people would find it entertaining to watch someone blow the wad that way.