Derek has an off night

Tonight's (Feb. 18) episode of Grease: You're the One That I Want started off with all of Derek Keeling's competitors identifying him as the man to beat and ended with the UK grad looking quite mortal in this competition.

Paired with Kate Rockwell from Cincinnati, Derek opened their rendition of From This Moment On with a few cracks and warbles, and the two never really warmed up to each other, while other competitors were offering, "theatrical Viagra," on duets night. That's what producer David Ian called Chad Doreck (photo, right, by  Chris Haston for NBC) and Allie Schulz's (photo, below, by Dean Hendler for NBC)  rendition of Ain't No Mountain High Enough, which started the show and set a standard.

One point that was raised over and over again was the choice of material. Julianna Hansen, who was sent packing tonight along with Jason Celaya, complained she hadn't been able to show her fun side on the show. And frankly, tonight, some competitors were better served by their material than others.

Max Crumm and Ashley Spencer got playful with their number, It Takes Two, and Austin Miller and Laura Osnes were able to show some acting chops in I Don't Know Much. But there was a downside for Austin in that number. Derek started the show saying he would be a better Danny Zuko  than Austin because he could bring more "machismo" to the role -- reflecting some comments that have been running around chat rooms and blog posts -- and I Don't Know Much isn't a song that's going to make anyone look very tough.

That was also a pretty cocky comment from Derek, and if there's any overconfidence brewing there, maybe he needed an off night to bring him back down to earth. Let's just not be like Tubby's Cats and have two (or three) off nights in a row. Considering all the love Derek's received thus far, you have to think that even if he ends up in the sing-off next week, Ian and the rest of the judges will save him once. But Chad, Max and, yes, Austin, are all looking like worthier competitors, so if we assume Kevin will be gone next week, this is no time for a losing streak.

There was a mild address of last week's voting controversy with the announcement that judges would have a say until the semi-finals, so it sounds like the last two rounds will be decided solely on audience vote.

So that's Grease. Bop over to Jamie Gumbrecht's It's All About for a rundown of Dave and Mary in Amazing Race: All-Stars.

Comments

[Janie]

I have to completely disagree with Lisa (this performance being the exception) I don't think Austin can bring the needed machismo. His upbeat performances resonate with a bit of a Chippendale dancer vibe.

[Lisa]

Austin completely blew me away this week. He's been my favorite anyway, but this week - wow. He's got this amazing vulnerability along with his vocal prowess and kick-ass dancing. I think he's the best all-around, but he's not the stereotype of Danny so it's still uphill. But wow - did you hear the crowd respond at the climax of their song? I think they were feeling it too. I wish I could see the taping live!