#TBT - Grease 2 "We're Gonna Score Tonight"

While the film wasn't well-received at the time, Grease 2 has become something of a cult classic.

And you have to admit director/choreographer Pat Birch came up with some clever dance numbers.

Like this one...

Out Documentary: "The Fabulous Allan Carr"

Emmy Award-winning documentarian Jeffrey Schwarz has delivered his latest peek behind the scenes of Hollywood in exploring the life and career of producer Allan Carr, The Fabulous Allan Carr.

The documentary chronicles the enormous successes of Carr (Grease, La Cage Aux Folles) as well as his most infamous disasters (Grease 2, You Can’t Stop The Music, the 1989 Academy Awards Show).

Back in the day when “flamboyant” was as direct as you could be in terms of addressing someone’s homosexuality, Carr boldly lived his life out loud.

Born Allan Solomon (he changed his name to Carr because he rhymed with “star”), Carr moved from his hometown of Chicago to Los Angeles to become a part of the world he had only dreamed of.

Donned in caftans to hide his up-down-and-up again weight gains, the producer/manager threw lavish pool parties at his glamorous mansion entertaining Hollywood A-listers as well as the town’s hottest gays.

According to legend, it was when the stars departed that the party would devolve into an orgy to satisfy Carr's voyeurism for observing hot LA boys.

His early career consisted of managing celebrities like Marlo Thomas, Ann-Margret, Tony Curtis, Peter Sellers, Rosalind Russell, and Dyan Cannon. Carr was instrumental in helping Ann-Margret shift from young sex kitten into a full-fledged star on the Las Vegas Strip as well as taking on roles in movies like Tommy and Carnal Knowledge, for which she would be nominated for an Oscar.

After working in a promotional capacity on films Tommy and Saturday Night Fever with producer Robert Stigwood, Carr moved into full-on producing with a pet project that would put him on the Hollywood map, the massively successful film adaptation of the Broadway musical Grease.

Starring up-and-coming John Travolta, who was known at the time for his turn on TV’s Welcome Back Kotter, and Grammy Award winning pop star Olivia Newton-John, the musical film became Carr’s ticket to the big time.

To this day the film - which is the highest grossing movie musical of all time - continues airing on some network somewhere at any given time of day, and is celebrating it's 40 anniversary this year.

Unfortunately, he followed that enormous triumph with the late-to-the-disco-party musical film, You Can’t Stop The Music. Meant as a vehicle to introduce The Village People to the world, the 1980 film, which starred Steve Guttenberg, Valerie Perrine and Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner, was a major misfire that was ripped by critics and avoided by movie-goers.

Carr shifted back to more familiar terrain in 1982 with the Michelle Pfeiffer/Maxwell Caulfield tuner Grease 2, which also failed at the box office although it has carried on as a camp classic.

Then came redemption as Carr produced the smash Broadway musical La Cage Aux Folles in 1983. Not only did the show win six Tony Awards (including one for Carr as producer of the “Best Musical”) but it brought him some of the “respectability” he had always craved. And in true Carr style, the show gave Broadway its first-ever openly gay musical love story.


Carr’s last final big-time moment came when he was tapped to produce the 1989 Academy Awards which featured the now-infamous Rob Lowe/“Snow White” opening number.

While most remember the opening number, Schwarz makes a point to give credit to Carr for two lasting changes at the Oscars.

It was Carr who came up with the new announcement “and the Oscar goes to…” instead of “the winner is.”

And he is credited with creating the now-show-biz-standard release approach of opening a film the last month of the year in one theater in Los Angeles and one theater in New York City to create Oscar buzz.

But the Academy Awards debacle and criticism hurt Carr deeply, and he became something of a recluse after that. He did manage to have a last hurrah attending the 20th anniversary of Grease re-release in 1998 before succumbing to cancer in 1999 at the age of 62.

The documentary rightly makes a point to highlight Carr’s self-promotional skills as he was one of the first producers to make himself a celebrity of sorts. Rarely had a Hollywood producer appeared on so many of the top talk shows of the day before Carr.

Like his earlier documentaries I Am Divine and Tab Hunter: Confidential, this should be required viewing for the gay history alone. Based on the larger-than-life personality along with spectacular hits and notorious misses that touch on so many gay-centric projects (he gave us The Village People, folks), I recommend the film.

Carr himself is a compelling subject in light of his personal over-the-top Hollywood flair, but also his darker, injured moments.

The film is now available via Video-On-Demand. Find more info about the film at the official website.

Watch the trailer below:

GREASE 40: Billboard Magazine Remembers The Movie Musical's Massive Music Hits

On the 40th anniversary of the massive movie musical hit, GREASE, Billboard Magazine's Chuck Arnold remembers the impact of the film's music.

An excerpt from Billboard:

In the past two years, soundtracks to musical films like The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Beauty and the Beast have scored big on the Billboard 200 chart. But even those success stories can't compare to the blockbuster Grease soundtrack, which everyone was hopelessly devoted to after it was released 40 years ago on April 14, 1978.

The double-LP companion to the smash movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John—which didn't hit theaters until two months later, on June 16—was certified 8-times platinum (and has sold more than 6 million copies since the start of the Nielsen Music era in 1991), notched four top five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 ("Grease," No. 1; "You're the One That I Want," No. 1; "Hopelessly Devoted to You," No. 3; "Summer Nights," No. 5), and earned an album of the year Grammy nod. Whether you've ever seen the screen romance of '50s high-school sweethearts Sandy and Danny, chances are you've heard some of the music from one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.

"I think the songs are timeless," Newton-John tells Billboard. "They're fun and have great energy. The '50s-feel music has always been popular, and it's nostalgic for my generation, and then the young kids are rediscovering it every 10 years or so, it seems. People buying the album was a way for them to remember those feelings of watching the movie and feelings of that time period. I feel very grateful to be a part of this movie that's still loved so much."

New Trailer Celebrates 40th Anniversary Of GREASE

The most successful movie musical of all time - Grease - turns 40 this year and it's easy to imagine a huge reunion must be in the works.

The film helped propel Grammy Award-winning pop-star Olivia Newton-John into a new stratosphere, and John Travolta, fresh off of, became a bona fide movie star.

According to reports, the 1978 blockbuster has been fully restored and given an extra twirl of hair grease to ensure it's still the groundbreaking, uplifting, tuneful, systematic/hydromatic throwback to 50's fun we've all come to know and love.

Word is the flick will be released across 94 Cineworld cinemas across the U.S. in April just in time for more "Summer Lovin.'"

So, who's still "Hopelessly Devoted" to the massive retro-musical that never tires of reminding us "we go together?"

Watch the new trailer below.

Randy Rainbow Parodies GREASE - "Russia Ties"

Riffing on the movie musical classic Grease, Randy Rainbow parodies "Summer Nights" with James Comey and Jeff Sessions' recent Senate Intelligence Committee testimony.

So clever.

Btw - you do know the movie Grease opened exactly 39 years ago today, right? ;)

Watch below.

Listen: Jessie J Covers "Grease" For GREASE LIVE!

Anticipation is growing as we get closer to the premiere of Fox's Grease Live! on January 31.

The title song, “Grease”, written by Barry Gibb and sung for the film by Franki Valli, is going to be sung by Jessie J, and the producers are sharing this first listen to the new treatment.

Jessie J will begin the show singing the song live - but of course, there has to be a studio version :)

Said Jessie in a studio interview (check the interview clip below):

“There’s no pressure like being the first one on stage. I love that rush of the nerves I’m going to get, I just feel very honored and very lucky that I’ve been asked to experience something like this. It’s a massive moment for me and I’m very happy that I’m getting to share it with such amazing people. I’m keeping it as close to the melody as possible because the fans that love Grease that are going to see the show, I don’t want to make it too different. But I’ve definitely kind of thrown in what I kind of like to do, which is a lot of this and a lot of this. Just put a little bit of me in it.”

Grease Live! stars Julianne Hough as Sandy, Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuki. Also, Vanessa Hudgen as Rizzo, Keke Palmer as Pink Lady Marty Maraschino, Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie, Carly Rae Jepsen and Frenchy, Ana Gasteyer as Principal McGee, Eve Plumb (Jan Brady) as Mrs. Murdock, Boyz II Men as Teen Angel, and Didi Conn (the original Frenchy) as Vi.

(via Towleroad)

First Listen To "Grease Live!"

Vanessa Hudgens, who will be starring in the upcoming GREASE Live! presentation on FOX on January 31st, shares some quick sound bites from music rehearsals via Twitter.

"Greasy 😉 #GreaseLive " @VanessaHudgens pic.twitter.com/uLCcLMnL7X

— Vanessa Hudgens News (@VAHNews) December 28, 2015

"Met a boy cute as can be ♫ @VanessaHudgens #GreaseLive " pic.twitter.com/2PRhQAsYdx

— Vanessa Hudgens News (@VAHNews) December 28, 2015

First Teaser For "Grease Live!"

Clip description:

FOX enrolls at Rydell High with GREASE: LIVE, a LIVE one-night musical production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease.”

Coming to FOX JAN 31.

First Look: Julianne Hough, Aaron Tveit & Vanessa Hudgens in "Grease Live!"

Julianne Hough and Aaron Tveit in Grease Live!

FOX has shared the first peek of Danny (Aaron Tveit), Sandy (Julianne Hough), and Rizzo (Vanessa Hudgens) from their upcoming live version of Grease.

I think this looks great! Clearly, the producers are paying respectful homage to the enormously successful 1978 film starring Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta and Stockard Channing. I like that.

Btw - I hear there may be a cameo from a certain "Pink Lady" in the upcoming television presentation. Wanna guess who?

Grease LIVE! will air on January 31 on FOX.

Julianne Hough, Aaron Tveit and Vanessa Hudgens

Julianne Hough as "Good Sandy" in Grease Live!

James Corden's "Crosswalk Musical" - GREASE

James Corden, new host of The Late Late Show, stages the first-ever "crosswalk" production of the mega-hit musical Grease.

News Roundup - January 17, 2015

Dot Marie Jones as "Coach Beiste"

A few news stories you might have missed:

• GLEE's Dot Marie Jones ("Coach Beiste") revealed this week that her character will transition from woman to man in a transgender story arc in the series' final season.

• Climate change deniers should take note: 2014 was the hottest year in recorded history.

• Fox has announced "Grease: Live" - a live TV adaptation of the hit musical - will star Julianne Hough (“Dancing with the Stars”) as "Sandy," and Vanessa Hudgens (“High School Musical”) as "Rizzo."

• A pastor in Denver has attempted to ensnare a pro-LGBT baker with charges of discrimination because she wouldn't bake a cake in the shape of a Bible with the words "God hates fags."

GREASE Reunion In Las Vegas - Didi Conn Onstage With Olivia Newton-John

Saturday night, actress Didi Conn, who played "Frenchie" in the hit movie Grease, reunited with Olivia Newton-John on stage during her show at Flamingo Las Vegas, where together they sang "Summer Nights."

Slipping back into a Pink Ladies jacket, Didi delighted the audience and brought them to their feet in a rousing standing ovation.

Following the show, Didi went backstage to visit and take photos with Olivia.

Live TV version of GREASE in development by FOX

Following in the footsteps of NBC’s Sound of Music Live, Fox announced Monday that it is staging a three-hour production of the iconic musical to air in 2015.

From Variety:

Fox has added a three-hour live production of “Grease” to its 2015 calendar, Fox Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly announced today.

Currently titled “Grease Live,” this production of the iconic Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs musical about 1950s high schoolers will feature an as-yet-to-be-named young ensemble cast.

Paramount released the 1978 feature rendition of “Grease,” which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and still controls the TV rights. The studio last year relaunched its TV production operation and has said that mining the library for remakes is a key priority.

Here's the press release from FOX:

Get ready to do the hand jive as FOX enrolls at Rydell High with GREASE LIVE (working title), a LIVE three-hour production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease,” it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX); and Paramount Television. Scheduled to air LIVE during 2015 and featuring a young ensemble cast, GREASE LIVE (wt) will reintroduce the great music and timeless story to an entirely new generation.

Based on the 1971 Broadway musical of the same name with book, lyrics and music by the legendary team of Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, the 1978 hit film “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical ever.

“From Broadway to film, and across generations, ‘Grease’ is one of the most beloved musical stories ever told – and we can't wait to bring it to our air in a spectacular live event,” said Shana C. Waterman, Senior Vice President of Event Series for FOX. “Its iconic characters and addictive songs make it the perfect fit for FOX, and we’re going to give it the kind of star power and production quality to make every Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and Kenickie out there want to get up and sing along.”

“It’s incredibly exciting to have one of our first major network productions be based on this universally celebrated Paramount title, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Kevin, Joe and Shana on this epic television event,” said Amy Powell, President, Paramount TV. “FOX's passion for engaging audiences with bold storytelling and live musical formats make it a perfect home for this special broadcast.”

GREASE LIVE will electrify television audiences everywhere with live performances of the unforgettable Casey/Jacobs songs “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together”; as well as the iconic songs written by John Farrar, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and ”You’re the One That I Want.” The broadcast will reimagine some of the story's most memorable moments and characters from the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, including DANNY ZUKO, RIZZO and SANDY.

Comedy genius Sid Caesar passes away at 91

Sid Caesar with Imogene Coca  on "Your Show of Shows"

Comedy great and star of the iconic 1950s TV series "Your Show of Shows" Sid Caesar has died at the age of 91.

From USA Today:

One of television's original comic stars, Sid Caesar, has died. He was 91 and at home in Los Angeles, according to his friend and former collaborator, Carl Reiner, reports Reuters.

His biographer and friend, Eddy Friedfeld, confirmed the news to the Los Angeles Times. Friedfeld told the paper Caesar died after a brief illness.

Caesar broke TV ground with his now-classic sketch series, Your Show of Shows, which co-starred Imogene Coca and Reiner and ran on NBC from 1950-54. Caesar's Hour followed and ran through 1957.

Caesar charmed later generations with his turn has the rangy, lovable Coach Calhoun in the Grease movies.

Sid Caesar in the mega-hit movie musical "Grease"

Swedish Marines parody "Greased Lightning"

I love when military get creative on their "down-time." These guys really nail a lot of the choreography from the movie "Grease."

How about the hottie playing the Travolta role?

(h/t JMG)

Amy Poehler and Jon Glasser karaoke GREASE hit "Summer Lovin'"

I love that the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta film GREASE continues to find it's way into today's mainstream.

Check out the lengthy clip from NBC's PARKS AND RECREACTION with Amy Poehler and Jon Glasser jamming on "Summer Lovin'" but with a bit of gender reversal.

The audience even gets a bit of Rob Lowe singing along from the sidelines.

Life lessons from the movie GREASE

Buzzfeed has looked at the movie Grease and realized that all you need to know about life can be found in the most successful movie musical of all time.

Here are just 6.  Head over to Buzzfeed for 16 more "life lessons" from Grease.

1. Smoking is cool.

2. It’s OK to kiss and tell, as long as it’s in song.

3. Your guardian angel will show up once you screw up your life sufficiently.

4. If a boy really likes you, he’ll act insane for several minutes.

5. And all your friends will join in!

6. Cars can fly.

(via Buzzfeed)

James Franco GREASE tribute footage in REM's new video

Two years ago some footage was leaked of a possible GREASE sequence with James Franco and Anne Hathaway during their unfortunate Academy Awards hosting gig. It looks like it's now turned up in a new video for R.E.M.'s song "That Someone Is You' - with Franco as Danny Zuko and perhaps Anne Hathaway (with a big kitty head) as Sandy.

Not sure what the symbolism is with the cat head. What do you guys think?

(via Towleroad)

GLEE: "You're The One That I Want"

GLEE: Darren Criss sings "Hopelessly Devoted To You"

In tonight's episode of GLEE, we get the unexpected choice of "Blaine" singing "Hopelessly Devoted To You" in one of two episodes showcasing songs from the hit movie musical GREASE.

I think the song sounds great in Darren Criss' voice. What do you think?