Grease: Derek is back on track

After two weeks where Derek Keeling seemed to lose his Danny Zuko mojo, the University of Kentucky graduate got back on track tonight with a charming and confident performance of Elvis Presley's Devil in Disguise. And, despite another crack last week, Derek (copyrighted photo, right, by Chris Haston for NBC) still avoided the dreaded sing off. That cannot be said of Austin Miller, who has long looked like his chief rival for the role of Grease's leading man, when the show opens this summer on Broadway.

It was an up and down night for Austin, who's machismo has recently been questioned in the quest to play Danny. He started the evening falling into the bottom two and the sing off, and being told that he was the low vote getter last week. But he won the sing off, becoming the last performer saved by the judges, and several of the judges said they would choose him as their Danny, based on the evening's performances.

That was actually kind of curious, because Max Crumm was the one everyone gushed over, again. He has definitely gone from longshot to legitimate contender. Right after guest judge Rob Marshall (the Oscar-winning director of Chicago) finished telling Derek and Allie Schulz to become Danny and Sandy now and embody the parts, Max and Laura Osnes came out and did just that.

In the women's division, Ashley Spencer gave a nice, convicted performance, and would seem to be Laura's biggest rival for the role of Sandy.

As Billy Bush and Denise Van Outen kept reminding us, all the power now lies with the viewers. That would seem to put Derek and Max, and Laura and Ashley at advantages to make the finals. Both Austin and Allie have visited the bottom now, and -- someone correct me if I'm wrong on Allie -- both have been low vote getters. That would not seem to bode well for them in a contest completely decided by voters.

It tells us nothing about the top, as we have not been told who's been getting the most votes.

But it does seem that Derek has come through some rough patches with enough love from voters to keep him out of trouble. Now, will it be enough to put him over the top, and on Broadway. There are two weeks left to find out. (Here's my bet, he'll stay in contention for Danny longer than the Cats will be in contention for the NCAA title.)

P.S.: Raven Snook claims she is not the best Grease blogger, but I heartily disagree. Check her out.

Comments

[Raven Snook]

You're very sweet to disagree with my own self-depricating assessment of my blogging abilities. I appreciate it!

[Alicia]

Austin's vocal was strong but the performance was void of character as Rob Marshall noted. David Ian (and his sidekick Jim)did give Austin the nod for the night but how else could they justify saving him. Every fiber in body screams N0, No, NO Austin is not NOT Danny. He has none of the humor or vulnerability of a Danny. His performances are so forced and plastic and simply never resonate as genuine.

Max on the other hand has it ALL - charm, humor, sweetness, and bravado. He should be the next Danny Zuko. What sets him apart from Austin and Derek is ability to act every syllable of a song. Love him.

Derek gave yet another forgettable performance.

[Catherine]

Lisa-

I don't think any would argue that that Austin gave a great vocal performance last week. It's just not enough. Rob Marshall after praising the performance reminded Austin to "be" the character. David Ian (and yes I know he gave Austin his Danny vote for the evening. He had to after saving him even though he to the fewest viewer votes)once again coached him to show "real" emotion. It may be his fatal flaw and at the very least a deal breaker. Neverthelsess, I wish him enormous luck. He is very talented.

[Catherine]

What sets Max apart from both Derek and Austin is uncanny acting ability. Unequivocally, Max is the only one of the remaining contestants who consistently connects with the lyrics of the song and brings them to life. He is emotionally deep. Unlike his competition, Max has shown enormous growth over the past couple of months. He’s done everything the panel has asked of him and more. A brilliant young actor! Wow, has this kid got talent. IMO, he’s the real triple threat.

Austin in spite of his professional resume simply has not been able to deliver a character (especially Danny Zuko). Austin can play romantic ballad (sort of) although I’d argue that he is more interested in making sure that the camera is on him than he is in his partner. It’s distracting and disingenuous and smacks of ego! Moreover, it plays effeminate. He’s not Danny. I hope that he can get past this because he is such a strong singer and dancer --- but he truly is not a triple threat – at least not for this role.

I will agree that Derek gave a much better vocal performance this week but overall he is much weaker vocally than either Max or Austin. He too is really struggling to deliver a nuanced “character” performance. He needs to rid himself of his cheesy soap grin and really connect to the material. He’s got the dark Danny good looks but is not a triple threat. Derek for me is mediocre and his performances with one exception have been flat and forgettable.

[Lisa]

The judges gushed over Max BEFORE Austin sang. But I was there at the live taping, and Austin really stole the show with his number. It was unexpected and melifluous and smooth. He's truly the best singer in the bunch.

Derek LOOKS the most like Danny, but he's had vocal issues and almost dropped a partner in a dip the other night. Austin has never cracked and never missed a step in his dancing.

Laura continues to rock - I think she's the winner among the women.

I'll be shocked as hell if Max gets it. But I could hardly be more shocked since the audience didn't realize Austin was CLEARLY better than Chad, on every level, as the judges pointed out.