Grease: You're the One that I Want!, Episode 9 – Love Me Tender

This week's show opens with the four remaining Dannys posing in front of high school lockers and singing “Grease.” The three remaining Sandys come out of the lockers to join them. Cute. I've got to say, Laura's emotions and movement stand out to me among the women in this number. None of the guys jumps out at me, though.

At the end of the number, our host Billy Bush strolls out to the lockers. He opens one up and our hostess, Denise Van Outen, is released from captivity! She must be so happy. Billy tells us that this is the last show before next week's finals! The panel makes their final save – a Danny – this week. After that, Denise promises it's finally all up to the audience.

Billy introduces our panel: producer David Ian, director Kathleen Marshall, writer Jim Jacobs, and our guest panelist and Kathleen's big brother, Rob Marshall. Rob is the director of the movie Chicago and a multi-Tony award winner. Cool!

Denise reminds us that “Spiritual Sandy” Kathleen couldn't be saved again last week. Heh. We get a recap of the Dannys’ performances last week. I note they go directly to the note Derek cracked on. Poor Derek. With that it's time to find out which of our Dannys are in the bottom two this week.

Last week I saw the Dannys as follows:

Dannys
Max
Austin
Chad
Derek

Austin and Chad are... both... in the bottom two! I'm surprised that Austin's there and Derek isn't. Derek is a lucky boy and I think it's likely curtains for Chad.

Denise says the girls will sing a song to show Sandy's emotional side, while the guys all sing Elvis tunes. First up are Allie and Derek.

“Baby Sandy” Allie singing “Natural Woman”: Allie throws her arms about too much and trips going down the stairs, but she keeps going. The dress she's wearing looks good on her and she does her best at emoting. I'm not sure I quite buy it, though.

“Wholesome Danny” Derek singing “Devil in Disguise”: Derek's back on again with this number. His voice sounds deep and sexy singing this alternately naughty and sweet Elvis ditty. He's also been working on playing to the back as he was told to do. A much better job than he's done the past couple of weeks. Good for him!

After the performances we get a bit of fluff with Allie and Danny talking about how hard the competition is and seeing their friends and family saying how great they are. Derek's high school – where he works – are all supporting him. It's cute, but I can't say it's surprising that their friends and family want them to win. But it does make Derek tear up to see it.

Derek's still crying when Denise asks the judges how the two did. Kathleen says that Allie was very fresh and lovely, but she thinks Allie has sung better and could have found more emotional depth. She thinks Derek did a great job and he's got the charm for a leading man. Rob says they're both great, but they need to become the characters. Rob says Allie should have sung her song as Sandy. He thinks Derek did well, but should look for ways to “surprise us.” I guess we don't care what David or Jim think because Denise doesn't ask!

“Small Town Sandy” Laura singing “Don't Leave Me This Way”: Laura has a pretty, pure tone to her voice as she starts the song, but she has no problem shifting to the disco portion of the tune. Laura is completely into it and I believe her emoting much more than I did Allie's. Laura goes all out and she's really placing herself as the front runner in this competition.

“Slacker Danny “ Max singing “Suspicious Minds”: Max walks on stage looking backwards, as if unsure who's following him. His performance has an appropriately pleading, frustrated quality and he sounds great. I'm not sure if this is the Elvis song to pick for a Danny who's trying to prove he can handle the hot stud aspect of the part, though. Still, he clearly acts and sings well and acquits himself most admirably.

Guess what? Laura and Max's friends and family are also rooting for them! What a shock! Max's supporters have “Slacker Backer” bumper stickers and Max's six-year-old brother sings and dances along with Max's performances. Very cute!

Jim says he is virtually speechless at their performances. He thinks they were each the most unconventional Sandy and Danny, but they're really proving themselves! Jim says it proves that talent wins out and they “have it in spades.” Rob says they both approached their material as actors and he thinks we might be looking at the next Danny and Sandy. Apparently, David Ian is still in the doghouse with Denise, because he's still not allowed to comment.

The Dannys and Sandys now perform “All That Jazz” from Chicago in honor of Rob Marshall's presence. Chad doesn't sound so good. I think the upcoming sing-off might be getting to him. Austin's dancing stands out to me from among the guys. Rob Marshall looks happy at the performance. He says it's fantastic and he thanks his sister Kathleen for that.

It's time for the sing-off. Chad says he's grown so much in the competition and he has even more growing to do. Austin says he came here to fight for this part and he's going to fight in the sing off! Surprisingly to me, Austin received the lowest number of votes last week. Did people think he was safe?