Where Are They Now: The Legally Blonde Edition

Oh wow! I realized I let this blog’s anniversary pass without any acknowledgment! I’ve made it to two years! Thanks to all those who’ve read and commented over the years.

When this blog started on June 9, 2008, the very first show I recapped was MTV’s talent search “Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for the Next Elle Woods.” Ten girls from across the country were chosen to compete to be the next Elle Woods in the Broadway production of “Legally Blonde the Musical” once original star Laura Bell Bundy left. Hosted by Haylie Duff (Hilary’s sister), the Elle-wannabes were trained by the ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky and performed each week for Paul Canaan (a Legally Blonde ensemble member), Bernard Telsey (casting director) and Heather Hach (librettist). In the end, the final battle was between Bailey Hanks and Autumn Hurlburt as they performed for not only the judges, but for their families and director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Bailey was chosen the ultimate winner and assumed the role the day after the final episode aired on MTV.

The show closed shortly after.

And now I’m revisiting my first recapping venture with an update on our finalists!

Both Bailey and Autumn have been busy on the stage side of things but they will be starring together in an upcoming concert of Maury Yeston’s (Nine) “Titanic.” The show will be performed on June 21st for the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Their exact roles haven’t been defined but the cast calls for many characters, so it is likely they are playing a character and not just part of the ensemble.

Pictures of the two in rehearsal can be find here at Playbill Online.

Break a leg, girls!

The Knights Who Say "Closing Date!"

As the Broadway community prepares to bid adieu to the über-pink Legally Blonde the Musical tomorrow (Oct. 19), Monty Python's Spamalot has announced it will close this January.

Spamalot, as the playbill says, is "lovingly ripped-off" Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Original Monty Python member Eric Idle wrote the lyics and music with John Du Prez. The story retells the legend of King Arthur and his quest for the mystical Holy Grail--filled with Knights Who Say Ni, killer rabbits, and spam.

The show won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical and recouped its investment before its first year was out. The opening night cast included Tim Curry as King Arthur, Hank Azaria (The Simpsons) as Sir Lancelot, David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) as Sir Robin, and Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy) as the Lady of the Lake. Other famous cast members include Stephen Collins (7th Heaven), Drew Lachey (98˚, Dancing With the Stars) and recently outed American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken.

In another sign of the economy, Spamalot's closing notice leaves me to wonder: Will ANYTHING be open come Tony time?

So, Good-bye, So Soon?

Let's face it, the economy has been at the forefront of everyone's mind the past few weeks. Wall Street has become the newest thrill ride with stocks gong up and down faster than the Tower of Terror drops tourists. Bush has plans to bailout Wall Street while Congress investigates these businesses. However, my sign of the state of the economy has shown up on the Playbill Online website.

Three musicals have announced closing dates within the next few weeks. These annoucements have surprised me and I believe that it must be due to financial worries. And the fact that no one can afford to see a Broadway play.

Camp musical Xanadu will close next week. This one surprised me both in how long it ran and now that it is indeed closing. I saw the movie once upon a time and it was Bad. However, the musical decided not to take itself seriously and embraced its camp. Theatre-goers loved it and it quickly became Summer 2007's hot ticket. It also received a boost in that it was not affected by the stagehand strike last November, making it one of eight shows to continue running. But insurance rates must be killer--nearly everybody wears roller skates in the thing. Accidents are bound to happen.

Following Xanadu's departure is [title of show]. Granted, while I am a fan of this little show that could, did I expect it to have a long run? No, not really. In an episode of the [title of show] show, we are playing we, co-creaters Hunter and Jeff discuss the replacement cast. But Aaron Lazar (as Jeff) put it best when he explained that the whole appeal was the fact that he and Hunter were playing themselves. Best case scenario would be a year-long run or at least making it to the Tonys. But the realist in me figured it would at least make it past the holiday season which is just around the corner. I was looking forward to the inevitable [title of show] show episode where the cast comes up with some zany way of convincing the people out there in cyberspace to come to New York to see a play.

Finally, the last musical to see the final curtain is Legally Blonde the Musical. Now this one really surprised me, perhaps because it is my favorite musical currently playing on the Great White Way. It is popular and I attended with near-full houses. And the MTV coverage--including the reality show to find the next Elle Woods, the real reason I started this blog (besides trying to keep up my writing)--didn't hurt either. But I guess all good things must come to end. I just wish it wasn't so soon.

Xanadu finishes its run on Sept. 28th. [title of show] will conclude on Oct. 12th. And Legally Blonde will don its trademark pink one last time a week later on the 19th. Now yours truly just has to figure out how to go see [title of show] before the 12th. The movie put me off seeing Xanadu and I'll always have my taped copy of the MTV airing of Legally Blonde.

If you can go see one of these shows one last time, which one would it be? Vote in the poll now!

Oh, And If You'll Give Me One Second...

It feels weird not doing a Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods recap. I enjoyed those! Oh well, I guess I should start counting down to America's Next Top Model.

Anyway, I went to pick up my sister today and when I turned on the radio, there was a Legally Blonde the Musical commercial on! They were advertising Bailey and talking about the show. They played a few clips, including "Legally Blonde Remix." I'm wondering if that was actually Bailey singing since it didn't really strike me as Laura Bell's voice. I guess I'll go see it again with Bailey in it. I've seen other shows three times (coughBeautyandtheBeastcough).

Also, Seth's column this week talked about watching the final episode with Bailey and her sister. Apparently, they didn't tell the sister Bailey had won! Read the column for her reaction and some stories from the creators of [title of show].

So Much Better

It came, it dazzled, it went. On to the finale of Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.

After being reminded of the journey the girls took to get to the finale, we return to the final casting office. Lauren has just been cut and the other three are waiting for their fate. The judges point out everyone's good points, their bad points and then announce the last person to be eliminated by them is...Rhiannon. She cries, hugs Bailey and Autumn and then leaves. Autumn and Bailey are told that Jerry Mitchell will be judging their final audition and the judges send them on their way.

The girls return to the loft, oddly empty now. They talk about how they've made it. Autumn starts to speak about how she knows she's confident, she knows she can do it and you know she is about to talk about how she has to make sure the judges see it. However, Bailey interrupts and says she's confident and knows she can do it. I guess Bailey thought Autumn was attacking her even though it was clear where the conversation was heading. I think Bailey, while talented, is a bit egotistical and still has a little maturing to do. Anyway, Autumn gets the call sheet and tells Bailey that they are going to the Palace Theater!

The girls get to the theater and are two giddy schoolgirls. They pass Laura Bell's dressing room and dream of the day it will be theirs. They go through fittings so the costumes and wigs will fit then go down to meet Haylie, Seth and Denis on the stage. The girls will be performing three songs (Ohmigod You Guys, Positive and So Much Better) on the actual stage, with the actual props, set pieces and some actual cast members. The girls practice running up the Delta Nu stairs for the end of Ohmigod You Guys and practice with the rest of the cast. Autumn and Seth talk after she practices Positive, reminding him--and us--of her disastrous audition a few weeks ago when she ran out sick. The girls rehearsal is over and they are sent home to practice.

The next day, they go to the theater and change into their first costumes. They both look like Elle! Haylie talks to them again, introducing them to their judging panel--now including director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell. She sends them back to their dressing rooms where we hear their half-hour call and then...in walks their parents! Bailey collapses while Autumn launches herself at her mother. There is hugging, tears, peeling Bailey off the floor, ignoring Bailey's sister and promises to do well for their parents. The girls are called onstage to do "Ohmigod You Guys."

Bailey is up first, starting with Elle's entrance. She was pretty good, but sounded off to me. But the judges seemed to like it. Autumn's next and it was pretty funny watching Tracy Jai Edwards run in twice within an edit timespan of five minutes shouting, "There she is!" As she sings, I swear Mitchell was on the verge of tears! Next, the girls perform Positive. Autumn is off on her dancing, usually a beat ahead of her Greek chorus. It did look odd, but she rocked the singing portions except in the beginning when she went a bit off on "Violence is never wise." Bailey was worlds' better when it came to dancing, I'll admit, and could sing but she too messed up the words.

Next, the girls have to rock "So Much Better." Both sang the hell out of the song. I liked some of the little touches Autumn added, like unzipping Richard (H) Blake's sweater. (I noticed they got him, but couldn't get either Christian Borle or Andy Karl to play Emmett. Who was that guy?) I did like Bailey's annoyed "What?" when being tapped by Emmett. In all honesty, while I'm rooting for Autumn at this point, it is clear Bailey is serious competition. And her dad's face when she sang "Its oh-oh-oh-oh-better" was priceless.

Autumn and Bailey appear before the judges for the last time and it's no-holds-bar. Mitchell and the others let them have it, such as pointing out Bailey's acting to the audience, not her castmates as well as Autumn's dancing and the fact she doesn't appear to be sorority girl. However, both are praised and called talented. Mitchell echoes a sentiment expressed by Heather Hach the episode prior when he says he wishes to take Autumn's voice and Bailey's dancing to create the perfect Elle. The girls are excused as the judges deliberate. And they showed a picture of Autumn pre-dye job. And I must say, she looks better as a blonde.

Our two Elle wannabes return to the stage. Haylie has the judges' final decision. After a few annoying "tense" moments, she reveals the next Elle Woods is...Bailey! I must say, my one voter was correct. Unless s/he knew the answer in advance. Seth, are you really reading this? Anyway, I know I said I would be upset if Bailey won, but I must admit she is talented so it's unfair to compare her to Saleisha "Tyra, I went to your camp! And modeled on your show! And this show!" Towers. My only problem has been noted already--she has the energy to play Elle as the ditsy sorority girl, but I don't know if she can carry it through to the end of the show where Elle matures into a strong woman.

Bailey sings the rest of "So Much Better" and as she gets to the part the chorus joins in, we get a surprise. The other nine eliminated girls, from Cassie O. down to Autumn, are her chorus. They focus on Lauren, Cassie O, and Lindsey before the girls turn around to spell out "Elle Woods." After singing, the judges join Bailey on stage to celebrate.

Bailey starts her performances tomorrow (July 23). Her single of "So Much Better" should be available on iTunes now. And there are happy endings for Autumn, Rhiannon and Lauren. Autumn will be joining the Legally Blonde ensemble and understudying Bailey while Rhiannon and Lauren will be joining the touring company. Lauren will be the Elle understudy while Rhiannon will play Margot. Break a leg, girls!

This is NOT a Personal Essay!

Only one week of "Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" left? Now what am I going to do? America's Next Top Model doesn't start for another two months...

Anyway, Autumn and Lauren are waiting for the girls to come back from the casting office. Both predict Natalie will return (and I kept hoping she'd walk through the door and reveal last week's ending was just a bad dream) and Lauren believes Rhiannon will be the one sent home. The door opens and the girls are shocked to see Bailey and Rhiannon come in. Lauren's reaction to Natalie's elimination is pretty similar to my own, sans the following rant at the TV. Bailey goes on about how unbelievable it was that she ended up in the casting office which doesn't go over well with Autumn and Lauren, both who have survived the office themselves. It appears that Bailey is now taking over for Cassie S as the house bitch.

The girls get a call sheet and meet Haylie Duff at a maze of mats and equipment. With her are two Legally Blonde cast members who also trained her for her debut in Hairspray. They put the girls through the paces. Each girl has to give a monologue (It sounds like they mostly did the scene during Harvard Variations where Elle introduces herself, yet Rhiannon says "Why would you lie about being in the shower?" which is from later in the show, during the trial). The girls deliver it while the guy twirls them and lifts them up. Autumn nails it. Next the girls sing and then are given pink tap shoes. The woman says the movements are easy and then proceeds to do one very complicated dance. Autumn looks ready to kill herself, but she holds her own. While getting tips, she realizes she can just fake it so it looks like she's doing it, which pisses off Bailey after she overhears it. Of course, now that Natalie is gone, Bailey is the best dancer there so she might see it as a slight on her talent.

Haylie tells the girls that there is no challenge winner and it cuts to a not-so-intense commercial break because you just know she's going to say "You are all winners!" And lo and behold, she does. The girls go back to the loft where they see a table set up, complete with flowers. A delicious dinner is served and the girls chat about when they knew they wanted to be on Broadway. Autumn listens and remembers when she was naive enough to think she'd make it big on Broadway in no time. Like others, she hasn't had her big break yet (umm, not counting this show). She warns the girls not to get their hopes up too high and Bailey snaps back that they are staying positive. Autumn has a point and doesn't come off like those experienced models on Top Model (coughLisacough) who insert unsolicited advice. The tense moment is broken when the waiter brings them four Tiffany boxes. Inside are the special heart necklaces Elle wears in the show. The girls go nuts.

Before sending them to their dinner, Haylie informs the girls that they will be performing "What You Want!" as their audition piece. So, the girls meet up with Denis, Seth and the cast members from the previous day to work on it. Rhiannon doesn't make it through the final part without sounding like she needs an oxygen tank from the dance section. Autumn realizes she can fake the tap section pretty well and blows them away with her vocal. Bailey has to work a bit harder. They bring in actual Legally Blonde cast members (including the girl who plays Pilar) to work with as well. And to top it off, the girls will have to do a quick change during their audition. The girls keep working hard, including Autumn and Lauren. Rhiannon and Bailey feel they are prepared enough and Bailey is actually pissed that Autumn and Lauren keep working, saying it is making her nervous.

The girls make it to their audition and perform. Like the day before, Rhiannon gets winded due to the dance section. Lauren does pretty good but the judges do say it can be easy to see she is thinking it through. Bailey goes to do her quick change and realizes someone has given her Lauren's hat by mistake. She oversteps the quick change and has to perform with the large hat. If there was a crew member hoping to sink her, his or her plan backfired big time as the show of imperfection made the judges LURVE her. Autumn does remarkably well, holding her own in the dance section. The judges though, give her mixed reviews. My favorite part? Seth constantly yelling out "This is NOT a personal essay!" from the piano bench.

The judges deliberate and Heather Hach says she wishes they could take the best parts of the four contestants to create the perfect Elle Woods. Haylie reveals that all the girls have to go to the casting office. There, Lauren gets the cut for being too young. Honestly, Bailey looks and acts just as young. She's just safe because of the hat incident. After Lauren leaves, Bernie reveals that Jerry Mitchell only wants two girls in the final audition so one other girl will be eliminated that night...and will be revealed in the next episode. I know Bailey is safe so I hope Autumn is too. But if Bailey takes the whole thing, I will be more upset than when Saleisha "Tootie, Tyra's Poster Child" Towers won America's Next Top Model Cycle 9.

And Playbill.com reported that the winning Elle will get her own single of "So Much Better" released after she wins the show. She will also take over as Elle two days after the airing. Here's the article: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119446.html.

If anyone is reading this, please share who you want to win!

That's Fine With Me

Mea Culpa. I was so caught up yesterday in how much Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods was like Top Model, I forgot an important appearance! The current Elle Woods herself, Laura Bell Bundy, surprised the girls before their photoshoot. She sat with the girls and talked about being Elle. She gave out tips and also cried. Everyone cries on this show, I notice. Does someone have stock in tissues? But it was nice to see her.

And onto "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"--a title almost as long as the one above! Amy has decided that denial is the best route but it is quickly tossed aside as her best friends make the mistake of mentioning Amy's tryst with Ricky as Ben's friends passby. They tell Ben, who calls Amy to ask her. But he ends up taking it back, she denies it even more and then they profess their love. After one date. So did Romeo and Juliet and look how they turned up! Amy forgives her best friends, who are confident no one knows about the baby. Meanwhile, Ricky (Baby Daddy) is trying to talk to Amy--as just friends--while Adrian and he try to mend their relationship. Grace is still dealing with the fallout from Jack's betrayal, but she ultimately forgives him. She promises to get her parents' permission to date him again and makes him promise not to pressure her for sex. He agrees, but good luck getting the parental okay. Both Mom and Dad--especially Dad--are not ready to forgive and would rather Grace move on. Makes me wonder if Grace is sticking with Jack not so much out of a love but from a subconscious desire to rebel against her father. Of course, I could be reading too far into this show. And in other news, Amy's parents seemed to be falling apart.

The show still hasn't hit it's stride and the dialogue was only slightly better this week. Amy's infodump role--informing us that Grace's mom was her dad's ex-wife but they weren't sisters--seemed a bit unnatural. I think the best scenes this week involved Grace's family. First, the conversation between her and her mother (Josie Bisset) and then Dad and Jack. John Schneider is definitely one of the best aspects of this show as is Josie Bisset. If only they would give Woodley some more to do. I know she can do it--view the Felicity movie (American Girl, aired on the WB in 2006 and is out on DVD, often repeated on Hallmark) or "Cockroaches and Chocolates" episode of CSI: NY where she played the daughter of an ambassador. Oh well, Secret Life is still my guilty pleasure.

Back to the Sun, Back to the Shore

In case anyone is wondering, it's been over 24 hours and I'm still upset about last night's episode of "Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" (The Soup is right. It is a long title). I think I actually yelled at my TV.

(Note: I missed the first six minutes of the show. Mea culpa.)

Wanna be on top? When I tuned in, the girls were in a hair salon for makeovers! I thought I had tuned into one of the reruns of America's Next Top Model! Natalie and Autumn, our two brunettes, went blonde while the natural blondes (everyone else) got trims. Some makeovers. Though Bailey's freakout over her shorter hair and Autumn trying to keep the contempt for her new style hidden almost made up for the lack of meltdowns in the previous three cycles of Top Model. What do those girls think we watch makeover week for? However, Bailey's freak out doesn't match Cassandra from Top Model's Cycle 5 and I highly doubt anyone will ever live up to Jaeda from Cycle 6 and her consistent "OMG! They cut my hair! I hate it!" And like Top Model, the girls went straight to a photoshoot where they had to impress wearing the same dress and shoes. They were told to stand out. I half expected Mr. Jay Manuel to come out and direct the shoot. In the end, for daring to make a choice, Natalie wins the challenge. Seriously, is this Top Model or Legally Blonde?

And why did Natalie and Autumn have to go blonde? Is it a requirement now? Aren't there wigs?

Natalie wins the chance to spend some quality time with Andy Karl (Kyle the UPS Guy and others/Emmett Understudy). I squeed over the fact that he would be gracing our screens. He's incredibly handsome, incredibly talented and gets entrance applause by just holding out a UPS package. Also, he rocks those khaki shorts. (Trivia: Andy Karl is married to fellow castmate Orfeh (Paulette) who we have seen already). Before the lucky gal goes off and as Autumn stews that it came down between Natalie and Bailey and not her, Haylie Duff reveals that the girls will be singing the title song (Legally Blonde) with Andy! (I guess they couldn't get Christian Borle. Shame).

After Natalie's time with Andy Karl, the girls report to the studio to practice with the ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky. He helps them with the song and each girl has an emotional break through. Some girls realize that, like Elle, they have been judged for their looks. Autumn equates it with being in the casting office. Natalie says it speaks to her as she can't believe she is really here and that they believe in her because she can't believe it. I've watched Top Model enough that I should've recognized the hints. The girls are sent home in anticipation of the next day's audition.

Side note: I've said that Seth is my favorite Playbill.com columnist and this week's Onstage & Backstage he goes into some back stage details of the show. Also, he said something that made me wonder if he was reading any blogs about the show and if mine was one of them. So I'm going to stroke my ego a little and say that about my comments regarding Broadway actors and their absences was based on many an interview I've seen/read with some of the Great White Way's
legends from years past. And now I'm going to take a pin to my ego as it is also a usual topic bantered about on the Broadwayworld.com message boards.

Anyway, on to the girls. Autumn and Lauren gave good performances, as did Natalie. I don't see where the judges thought she was weak. Rhiannon and Bailey gave decent performances as well. This is one of the hard times where they've weeded out the less-talented and you can't pick a bad performance. (See "I'd Do Anything" and the final 5 Nancys). In the end, Rhiannon, Lauren and Natalie were sent down to the casting office. And after one week of what they viewed as a subpar performance, the judges idiotically cut Natalie. It was like poor Aimee's elimination after one bad photoshoot this past cycle.

Next week: Bailey rubs some people (namely, Autumn) the wrong way and the girls perform "What You Want" as the final 3 are determined. We only have two weeks left?

Positive

I'm still mad about last night's elimination. Come on!

The episode opens as the girls get a shock to see Autumn return to the loft by her lonesome. They all hug her, hug each other and realize it is the final six girls. The competition is going to heat up! Meanwhile, Emma is still battling her bronchitis as the girls get a call sheet.

The girls go to a dance studio where they meet the associate and assistant choreographers, who teach them some dance moves. We learn that Autumn really isn't a dancer while Natalie excels at it. And Emma has to keep taking breaks because of her coughing and running nose. The guys give the girls these pink, stiletto go-go boots and then take them to Brooklyn to dance on a cobblestone street in the middle of winter. The girls rise to the challenge but not without some pain and frozen extremities. Natalie excels at the challenge and is thus chosen as the winner. She brings Rhiannon along with her as they have a yoga lesson with Kate Shindle who plays "Vivienne" in the show. (FYI: Shindle was also a Miss America and can be heard as "Lucy" on the Jekyll and Hyde Resurrection CD). She gives the girls some advice about playing Elle as she sees the character, saying Elle has her own perspective on life that she doesn't compromise. The girls seem impressed and Kate is impressed she was able to come up with something like that. I know the feeling, where you say something and then realize how profound it actually is. And then you don't want to give yourself a pat on the back, but if you can pull it off in such a way that both parties are laughing, it's not bad.

The Elle Wannabes learn that they will be performing the dance break in the song "Positive" where Elle tries to show Warner she is more fun than boring Vivienne. However, it is a very high energy dance heavily influenced by hip-hop. The girls learn it but are shocked when the rehearsal is cut short, part of their challenge. They have to go home to practice, practice and practice the routine to nail it. But they find another casting call sheet with a questionnaire attached. They ask the girls to come together to answer the questions with one unanimous answer--things like the "Worst Dancer," "Worst Singer," etc. The girls haven't even started debating when they are already crying. The girls on Top Model would eat these girls alive--even the nice ones! Lauren cries that it is specifically against her as she would be the answer for all these questions. My, I can't tell if she's suffering from low self-esteem or is a bit egotistical. Maybe both. After the commercial break, Autumn takes control and declares the questionnaire "not in the spirit of Elle Woods." She and the girls rewrite the questions to be more "positive" and then cry more as they vote for each other. We should invest in tissue stocks.

Afterwards, they continue to practice the dance moves. They report to the audition and perform. Most of the girls fall flat. Emma tries to use the "I'm sick" excuse, which flies as far as Autumn's "I had a bad day" last week. Autumn works herself sick, runs off the stage and promptly throws up. Which the sound guy left the microphone on for as the camera focuses on the stall she's in. We're not stupid. If you show her running into the woman's room, clutching a stomach or her mouth, we'd get the message. She returns, fortunately having completed her audition, and watches the other girls. Natalie nails the routine again and is praised by the judges, who immediately tell her she is on the list and is safe for next week. At the end, Haylie Duff reads those who are safe. Joining Natalie are Bailey, Lauren and Rhiannon. Autumn and Emma are sent to the casting room.

Both girls were there because they weren't the best dancers as well as sick. The judges use this to highlight that they will be working 8 nights a week and can't blame being sick for a lousy show. Emma admits that today would've been a day she would've called in her understudy and the judges get on her case. Once again, I would like to point out that many of Broadway's legends say that the stars today don't have the same work ethic as them and reflect Emma's mindset. In the end, she is the one who is sent home. And I'm still mad.

I was so mad, I can't even remember what the preview was. Oh well--I like surprises, except when they involve my favorites being axed.

Oops!

So last night I gave my recap of the latest episode of "Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods." But I had some problems with Blogger and I rewrote that recap a few times. And the final version has an omission: my favorite Elle Wannabe!

So, in an earlier recap I gave my three favorite Elle Wannabes but I forgot my absolute favorite: Natalie! And I feel bad mostly because she was omitted due to the fact I could never remember her name. I know, I know. I can't even remember my favorite's name? But hear me out: she looks like a girl I went to college with. So I always want to call poor Natalie "Nikki." So if I screw up and mention someone named "Nikki," I mean her.

Here's hoping for a Natalie-Emma final!

Serious

So the ending of last night's episode of "Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods" was intense, wasn't it? Of course, I'm getting ahead of myself...

The girls sent to the casting room return sans Lindsey. There are tears and hugs as the show starts to reveal some of the friendships between the girls. There's tiny Autumn hugging tall Celina while Natalie asks if Emma needs to talk since Lindsey was eliminated. Apparently, they were close. Naturally, the question "What did they say?" gets asked. Unfortunately, it is asked by Cassie S. So the girls then turn it into a confrontation that would've made Tyra Banks proud had it been on America's Next Top Model. The girls tell her how upset they were over the fact she "threw them under a bus" at judging. They also tell her that she takes everything personally and that she is ostracizing herself. Cassie S cries that she doesn't know how to relate to girls and doesn't have any girlfriends. Now, while I myself and some of my girlfriends prefer our male friends over our female ones, I still have girlfriends. And I also feel that Cassie's cattiness doesn't help things much either.

The next day, the girls get their call sheet and go off to meet...Teddy and BooBoo who play "Bruiser" in the show. The dogs also brought along their trainers, who teach the girls how to interact with the dogs on stage. Haylie Duff tells the girls that they will be having a sleepover with the dogs like Laura Bell so they can bond. The challenge winner will be the girl who bonds the best with the dogs. Most of the girls do. Cassie S bombs. Autumn is chosen as the winner and she brings Celina along as a friend. They go to a doggie boutique where they are met by Richard (H) Blake, who plays Warner in Legally Blonde the Musical. While I'm wondering why they keep dropping the initial, I still friggin' love him! I've seen him in three different musicals: "Hairspray" (Link), "The Wedding Singer" (Glen) and, of course, Legally Blonde. After the cast was announced, Broadway.com did a video interview the actors and Blake aptly noted that he usually plays the jerk boyfriend. But I still love him. His wife is so lucky!

Meanwhile, Emma our ex-smoker has developed a cough which worries her as the next audition is coming up. And what will our Elle Wannabes be performing? The song "Serious" with Richard (H) Blake! The ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky continues to help them while apparently still rocking his 70's hairdo from "The Ritz." He and the assistant choreographer helps the girl nail the part where Warner tells Elle he is dumping her, not proposing. Now, they've been showing this clip for a long time: Seth telling a girl that "none of the judges wanted [her] back." I kept thinking, "How could you be so mean, Seth?" The girl though is revealed to be Bailey and when put into context, I could now tell that it was meant to help her realize Elle's devestation at that moment even before he said "Just kidding." After her rehearsal, Emma rushes to the doctor's, who tells her she has bronchitis but Emma is determined to do the audition anyway.

At the auditions, the following girls nailed it: Emma, Lauren, and Natalie. Bailey and Rhiannon were okay. They were the safe ones. Celina, Cassie S and Autumn found themselves being sent to the casting office. Cassie S complained about it in confessional, saying she was working "her ass off" and that she did pretty good for "not having seen the material before." The HELL? She's trying out for the show and she didn't even watch it? I mean, I understand it's expensive to come to New York City and see a musical. But MTV taped it and aired it a good month before auditions. Would it have killed her to watch it once? Then in the casting office, she was told she would be a good understudy or swing because she still had much to learn. She whined, "But that's not going to make me a star!" Neither is that attitude, honey. And in response to Celina's defense, bookwriter and judge Heather Hach utters my favorite line of the series: "What part of you thinks that Legally Blonde is about being subtle?" And poor Autumn uses the "I had a bad day" excuse, which flys as far as "I've never done/had/been _____ before" does on America's Next Top Model. Celina is unceremoniously cut and tells Autumn to win it for her.

But wait, there's more! The judges inform Cassie S and Autumn that they will be doing a double elimination and sending another one of them home. And then they cut Cassie S. It wasn't too surprising because Autumn was the stronger of the two and not as arrogant. But Cassie S was the bitch. They are usually kept around for drama. Oh well, now someone else has to be the bitch.

And the producers seemed to have realized this as next week's challenge has the girls picking out the weakest among them. And Autumn runs out of the audition apparently.

What You Want!

Time for another "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods" recap. And I think the bitch of the show has revealed herself. Finally. There's usually one from casting week on Top Model.

After Cassie O's departure, we start with Lindsey and Cassie S's triumphant return to the loft. The next day, the remaining Elle wannabes go to a health center where they meet the ahmahzing Seth Rudetsky to work on their stamina to do an entire show. (By the way, Seth is my favorite columnist over at Playbill.com. Check it out! Onstage and Backstage, updated every Monday). So the girls have to sing while jogging, biking and bouncing on pink exercise balls. In the end, Seth picks Lauren as the winner, which didn't sit too well with the other girls (who thought ex-smoker Emma was a better candidate). Lauren wins the opportunity to get a mani/pedi with Orfeh ("Paulette") and can pick a friend. She chooses Cassie S, saying she was impressed that the girl was able to bounce back from near-elimination to really stand out. However, in a confessional, Cassie S. (they still haven't dropped that initial!) is anything but gratiful or flattered, saying she was chosen out of pity. Smelling the bitch yet?

Before Lauren and Cassie S. are whisked away, Haylie Duff reveals that the girls will be performing "Ohmigod You Guys!" for the judges. The girls freak. At the manicure place, the winners ask Orfeh for some advice and she in turn asks how everyone is getting along. She's probably seen a few episodes of Top Model, so how does she think everyone is getting along? Lauren says that everyone is getting along fine while Cassie S. confessionalizes that that is a big lie and there is bitchery in the house. While I think she is the bitch, I must admit she's right. I went to an all-girls school and it can get down right catty even when you're friendly! The next day, the girls learn that not only will they be singing Elle's part in "Ohmigod You Guys," they will also be singing the Delta Nu girls part as well--acting as back up when they aren't auditioning. Seth practices with them and then the girls go home to practice again. Cassie S. practices but some of the girls aren't into helping her. Uh oh.

I wish the audition scenes were longer. At least on "Grease," we got to hear full performances by the contestants. Here, we only get little snippets and it's hard to base a person's potential on about a minute or two of singing. However, the stands out for me were Emma, Autumn, and Bailey. After Cassie S's performance, the judges asked her if there was anyone she thought should go home. And she played right into their trap, but realized her mistake to try to backpedal out of actually naming anyone. The other girls weren't thrilled and seemed surprised that a girl could be such a bitch and were disheartened to see her be saved from the casting room. Ladies, please view America's Next Top Model Cycles 1-10. Focus on such bitches as Robyn, Bre, Bianca, Renee, and Dominique. Note also how far they made it in the competition. In the end, four girls were sent down to the casting room. The judges decided to send Lindsey home.

Woods, Elle

If you click the link I've provided to Playbill.com, you'll see that Laura Bell Bundy, the original Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, will be leaving the show next month. That means whoever the lucky winner of MTV's reality show (see post below) will be taking over.

I haven't been able to see any of the show's Nielsen ratings, so I'm not sure how much of a box office boost the winner will provide to the show. I do know that I'll probably go see it, though I've yet to see Grease, which I should do before Max Crumm and Laura Osnes end their runs in the show.

Ohmigod You Guys!

Well, let's start at the beginning. Last year, NBC debuted "Grease: You're the One That I Want" in hopes to cast the next Sandy and Danny in a revival of "Grease," that movie musical you all watched at your sleepovers and sang "Hopelessly Devoted to You" badly into hairbrushes with your girlfriends. As a lover of Broadway, I was skeptical of this show and tuned in to see it crash...as well as for some background noise.

I was hooked. Here's an article I wrote all about it: http://media.www.maristcircle.com/media/storage/paper659/news/2007/03/22/Entertainment/America.Votes.For.Broadways.Next.Danny.And.Sandy-2785368.shtml

Anyway, I soon followed up with "Any Dream Will Do" and just finished "I'd Do Anything." But those are for another post about my love for British television. This post is about the next American offering in the reality show casting game--MTV's "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods." Now I loved the movie and the musical, but I was a little anxious to watch this show until I decided to embrace the fact I love these shows.

The show started with the usual casting episode. I hate these episodes because they throw all these people at you that you'll probably never see again after the 30 minute mark. And you can't really root for anyone because you keep confusing the contestants in your mind. Now "Legally Blonde" did it in a better manner: 50 girls were quickly wittled down in the first ten minutes. In a final fifteen format, it was easier to watch and keep everyone somewhat straight. However, during what should've been an intense moment (Of the final two girls, who will stay and who will go?) fell flat because all the girls put through were interviewed in a dressing room. One of the final two was interviewed in such a setting; the other was interviewed in your doctor's waiting area. Gee, I wonder who was the one who went through?

Last night, the final ten moved into their pretty sweet loft and dove right in to the competition. They worked on acting, performing a scene from the musical. The winner, Bailey, got to meet Nikki Snelson ("Brooke Wyndham") with fellow contestant Lindsey. Elsewhere, the other eight girls practiced for their upcoming audition. In front of the judges, they performed a scene with Snelson, who was instructed to drop a line. She dropped the same line which the editors always counted down to. All the girls panicked. Some though just jumped in with their next line, the others didn't say anything leaving that long pause that anyone familiar with acting knows isn't a dramatic one but a "Someone dropped a line!" one. In the end, Cassie O. was sent home by the judges. I always feel bad for the first girl sent home on America's Next Top Model. Does anyone remember her? And will that be poor Cassie O's fate? And will they continue to call the other Cassie "Cassie S"?

And as for Haylie Duff as host...well, she's no Graham Norton, but she's not as bad as Ryan Seacrest. Thank God for small blessings.