Grease Is the Word

Infobox Television
show_name = Grease Is The Word


caption =
format = Reality Talent show
picture_format = 16:9
runtime = 60-90mins (inc. ads)
channel = ITV
first_aired = 7 April, 2007
last_aired = 9 June, 2007
num_episodes = 10
presenter = Zoë Ball
Staring = Brian Friedman,
David Gest,
David Ian,
Sinitta
producer = talkbackTHAMES in association with SYCOtv
related =
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =
website =

"Grease Is the Word" is the UK version of NBCs "". It was announced on December 20 2006 by ITV, [cite news
title = "Grease Is the Word" for Cowell
publisher = Manchester Evening News
date = 20 December, 2006
url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/filmandtv/s/231/231331_grease_is_the_word_for_cowell.html
accessdate = 2006-12-28 ] it was to air in Spring/Summer 2007. The show is produced by Syco TV (the production company of Simon Cowell).

The winning couple, Susan McFadden & Danny Bayne, now star in the new West End production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre.

The judges are David Ian (the producer of the stage show and the 2007 Broadway revival), David Gest, 80s star Sinitta, and American Dance Icon and former "The X Factor" judge Brian Friedman. The main ITV show is presented by Zoë Ball, and Holly Willoughby is presenting "Greased Lightnin" on ITV2. "Greased Lightnin" shows extra unseen auditions, behind the scenes gossip and exclusive interviews with the judges and contestants.

Cat Deeley was originally scheduled to present the show, but had to pull out at the last minute due to scheduling difficulties with her American shows. Simon Cowell was also supposed to be a judge but could not as it was shown at the same time as "American Idol". He was still an executive producer.

Unlike the NBC series, the ITV programme will not be based (at least directly) on the "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" format, which is owned by the BBC.

Format

After the traditional auditions, the final sixteen were paired up. From show four onwards each couple had to sing a duet, based on a theme. The two couples who gained the least votes, each week, had to sing again, this time a 'Grease' classic. The judges then eliminated one of those two couples.

After three couples had been eliminated, the judges changed the couples, eliminating again one of the two lowest vote getting couples.

The following two weeks, were the Danny and Sandy semi-finals, respectively, with the singers competing as soloists, with the judges eliminating the first and the viewers the second victim of the nights. The final consisted with the final two Dannys and Sandys, with the public voting which two should win the roles.

Original Couples

Tom & Kate
Richard & Joanna
Wayne & Hayley
Bradley & Michelle
Danny R & Lauren
Danny B & Susan
Anthony & Allison
Michael & Vicky

Finalists

Press Revelations

On Saturday 7 April, 2007, the first day of the shows airing, The Sun newspaper revealed that 1990's popstar Kavana had reached the live final stage. [cite news
title = Kavana in the final ten
publisher = The Sun
date = 7 April, 2007
url = http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2007140001-2007160096,00.html]

On 22 April, 2007 it was announced that Hayley, one of the final 16, is the daughter of the actor, Michael Starke who starred as Sinbad in "Brookside" and currently appears in "Coronation Street". [cite news
title = "Grease Is the Word" finalists revealed
publisher = NewzLine.com
date = 22 April, 2007
url = http://www.newzline.com/2007/04/22/grease-is-the-word-finalists-revealed/]

Susan is also the younger sister of former Westlife member and current solo artist Brian McFadden.

how Controversy

Just after week three of the live shows, it was revealed that judge David Ian and his colleagues decided to change the couples pairing.

David Ian gathered the finalists at the Picadilly Theatre in London's West End to tell them that the judges "hadn't got it right with the pairs." [cite news
title = All change for the "Grease" couples
publisher = "Grease" at itv.com
date = May, 2007
url = http://grease.itv.com/page.asp?partid=268]

On the fourth live show, David Ian announced live on the programme that from week five, the finalists would no longer be partnered up. The Danny hopefuls would compete against each other, live on week five's show, and the Sandy's on week six of the show. Each of the Danny and Sandy specials eliminated 2 of the 4 hopefuls thus leaving only 4 finalists for the final vote on June 9th [cite news
title = Finalists now single in "Grease"
publisher = "Grease" at itv.com
date = May, 2007
url = http://grease.itv.com/page.asp?partid=281]

References

External links

* [http://pic3.piczo.com/realitycentral/?g=1 "Grease Is the Word"] at Reality Central
* [http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/category/grease-is-the-word/ "Grease Is the Word"] at Unreality TV
*
* [http://www.greasethemusical.com Grease the Musical]