I finally got to watch the third episode in the reality TV show Legally Blonde: The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, and it continues to dance on the fine line between being a really interesting look at the brutal Broadway auditioning process and just being another annoying reality show.
This episode kicks off with the nine actors left in the competition being sent to a gym, where they have to work out and sing at the same time (the photo above shows them in the gym, and is courtesy MTV). It's a good test for them, since being on stage is about the same as running a marathon - you have to sing, dance, move and even jump rope in this show, so the performers have to be in top shape. I really enjoyed seeing one of them talking about how tough it was because she just gave up smoking. It's a good lesson for all those young people out there who think smoking's no big deal and they can quit any time. Take the hint: quit now! (That concludes the lecture part of our program.)
At any rate, the next big challenge is a two-part audition - they must play the part of Elle in a scene (singing and reciting lines), and then they switch places and perform as the backup singers. Of course, several are heard to complain about doing the backup roles, though of course there are thousands of actors who would give anything to play a supporting role in a Broadway show. But I digress.
The clips we see of their auditions are interesting, as each actor brings her own spin to the role. I also enjoy hearing the comments of the judges, as they analyze each performance. Sometimes it's easy to explain why an audition works (or doesn't work), and sometimes it's almost indefinable - almost a gut instinct.
At the end, one actor was eliminated, and eight move on to the next round. What I don't like about the show is the attempt to generate conflict by egging the actors into blaming each other for mistakes, or focusing on an emotional response after a dressing-down from the judges - "Why are they so mean?" (Or words to that effect.) Please.
I also don't care for the personality conflicts in the apartment - like you could pile nine young people into a room and not have some of them annoying the others. That's the secret of The Real World's success, people!
Still, the show is getting more interesting as we get to know the competitors, and I even enjoy the comments from Haylie Duff, who rightly points out that trying out for the theatre is very difficult, you have to put yourself on the line, do your best and you have to deal with lots of rejection - good lessons.
At any rate, I'll continue to stick around - looks like I'm in this one to the bitter (or happy) end.
2 comments:
The producers are keeping Cassie S. on just for the sake of drama. Give us a break, she's got to go. Can anyone imagine her playing Elle, ever?
My favorites you ask?
Autumn - I love her energy and maturity.
Bailey - because well, she just is Elle Woods.
Lauren - Has a ton of talent and is better then I thought she'd be, but too young.
They're also going to hold on to Emma for a while too, undeservedly so, in my not so humble opinion. She's the daughter of Jerry Zaks, famous director of numerous Broadway shows and four time Tony award winner for best director - two plays, two musicals.
Celina doesn't come across as the professional she is. She's been at this for years. And the new Sex and the City movie opens with her and three other gal pals walking down the street past Carrie Bradshaw. I can't imagine her as Elle either.
The others are just forgettable.
Denise, I agree that they're keeping Cassie around for drama. She's certainly talented, but I don't see her as Elle. But do the judges even care about whether or not the winner is a nice person? That's the question.
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